Mara Daughter of the Nile

"Come, perfume your mouth with the figs and grapes she has brought you... a few minutes later she was hungrily eating a fig and mourning the skimpiness of Egyptian breakfasts."

As per request, I have read and drawn a couple pictures inspired by the book "Mara Daughter of the Nile" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. I didn't know what to expect when I read the plot line, but I was not disappointed. 

The tale is set in Bible times in the land of Egypt and focuses upon a sly slave girl named Mara. She'd been passed on from one awful master to the next, wishing meanwhile of a better life and attempting various rebellious acts instead of the quiet submissive life of a slave. One day, her antics are noticed and she is purchased by a new master who causes her life of folding shentis completely around, and she soon finds herself on her way to be the royal interpreter of a Babylonian princess in order to spy (on behalf of Pharaoh Hatshetsup) in on conversations in the presence of king Thutmose. As one thing leads to another, Mara soon finds herself serving two completely politically opposite masters, and tries desperately to equally serve each one. Things also become complicated when she finds herself falling in love with one.

The story was intriguing and, contrary to my assumptions, held my attention throughout. With the time it took to read the book, and schedule juggling underway, I apologize for the lack of pictures. I had wished to sketch out one of the landscapes described, but found my time lacking. If a particular scene was wished, I will gladly oblige and add it. But for now, thank you for the suggestion and great read. 

"She was everywhere at once, snatching up the loaves and dusting them, soothing the apprentice with smiles and sympathy... only Sheftu, shaking with silent merriment, observed the good half dozen honey cakes that found their way into her sash instead of the basket."

"The silence was shattered as a chariot clattered into view... with a crack of his whip they lurched forward. For the next few minutes Mara had all she could do to keep her footing as they rattled along at a furious pace..." 

The Night Circus

["The finished clock is resplendent. At first glance, it is simply a clock, a rather large black clock with a white face and a silver pendulum... The changes are slow... the color changes in the face, shifts from white to grey, and then there are clouds that float across it... there is a silver dragon that curls around... books with actual paper pages that turn... At the center, where a cuckoo bird would live in a more traditional timepiece, is the juggler."]

-The Night Circus-

"The Circus is Coming..."

Deciding to begin with one of my favorites, some of you may recognize the reference to the bestseller "The Night Circus". This story is an amazing mixture of romance, intrigue, and suspense. It focuses on two characters chosen to compete in an abstract game instigated by two magicians. In the midst of their challenge lies a unique circus designed to attract audiences with it's fantastic oddities as well as provide an active playing field. My description is vague, but only because great books should not be ruined, and believe me, this is poetic literature that charms and captivates its audiences. 

There are so many descriptive and beautiful scenes, it was hard to choose, but I finally settled on these few...

["Bailey finds a gap in the side of one pof the tents... Then he sees the tag... The picture side shows a black-and-white etching of a child in a bed covered in fluffy pillows and a checkered quilt, not in a nursery but under a star-sprinkled night sky."]

-The Night Circus-

["He recalls what the tag said about openin things, wondering what could possibly be in  all of these jars... He picks up a frosted-glass mason jar and unscrews the silver metal lid... The scent that wafts from it is the unmistakable smell of the ocean, a bright summer day at the seashore..."]
-The Night Circus-

["The statue herself is still, but her hand is held out, and only then does Bailey notice the younge woman with a red scarf standing in front of her, offering the love letter-clad statue a single crimson rose."]

-The Night Circus-

They may not do the words justice and are a little hard to see, but that is what I have for now. Again, if there are any suggestions any would like to make, please feel free to comment. 

May it ever be a pleasure till the next read.

[Cloud Maze]

Just a Thought...

"Books Without Pictures"

Last year I had started what I thought would be my blog; the "one that would blow the audiences away". I had watched and read too many stories about those who had made their big break through the creation of an online publishing profile. That could be me, I thought. Yet, the curse of procrastination kicked in, I published two blogs, and promptly forgot about taking it up again for about a year. The fact was, was that I had no original thought to provide. No idea to set my profile apart. Yet, inspiration does occasionally arise, and with it, I found my answer. Thus, we will embark upon an illustrative journey into books without pictures. 

As is well known, there is a multitude of books of wonderful stories and descriptions without any pictures within their covers to match the words. The author may prefer it this way, wishing instead for the reader to use his imagination and decide what the scene looks like to him. If you are one who prefers your mind to decide the scene, then do not proceed to follow this blog or let me ruin your preconceived vision (as so many movies have done in the past). As I read throughout various books without pictures, I will sketch out specific scenes and post them with quotes and the origin. If there is a specific book you would like me to read and illustrate, or a specific scene, just let me know and I will be delighted to oblige. 

I hope this will prove to be as grand as I imagine it, and that procrastination will keep it's distance.

Farewell to the next and first book without pictures.