Blog for Week: 12/14/15 Orphan Of The Sun by Gill Harvey

Pages: 310

Genre: Historical Fiction and Mystery

Orphan of the Sun is a book based on Ancient Egypt about an orphan girl called Meryt-Re. During a struggle for control over building constructions she witnesses theft and has to help find out who is responsible. While she is forced to help her cousin/rival, Baki, gets horribly sick, and because she was born under the Goddess of Destruction her uncle, who's been taking care of her in all her years kicks her out thinking she's the misfortune. The story tells about how she handles her problems and solves the mystery of the theft.

Depending on which part of the books you're in the mood varies. In the beginning the mood was serious. The book immediately starts off with the forced marriage between her and Ramose. Then she talks about how she doesn't want to marry him and she doesn't want things to change. In the middle the book has a sad mood. Meryt-Re has been kicked out of her house, her relationships are falling apart, their is more pressure on her marriage, and the trials against the mastermind behind the theft are getting involved with her friend's family. In the end the book has a more happy mood because she solved the mystery, saved her friends, is accepted back in her home, and the marriage is gone.

The characters are of a more simple variety. But even then I have my opinion on each of them. My favorite character is Teti. A prophet in the village, Teti is kind hearted and takes care of Meryt-Re when she is kicked out of the house and at her most vulnerable. Teti has a close relationship with the Gods so she is feared throughout the village as a powerful person but is just and warm. My least favorite character is the villain in the story, Userkaf. He beats his slaves, forces them to steal, bribed court juries, and is simply a snob.

I commented on Sophie's Blog, 

Nonfiction Blog, November 30, 2015, Women's Rights: Changing Attitudes 1990 - 2000

Genre: Nonfiction (Informational Text)

Pages: 64

Woman's Rights has been a problem throughout the years. Recently Woman's Rights has accomplished most of its goals and we have made a certain amount of gender equality in some countries. This book tells about the causes and effects which lead to the change in mindset throughout generations.

There are many interesting segments in the book. One of them was, "Indian reformers established schools and colleges for girls and women, and campaigned against customs such as sati (the burning to death of Hindu widows) or purdah (the practice of keeping women confined indoors)." (Paragraph 2, Page 28) This means that not only in America but in India women had to fight against inequality and brutality that even now is hard to believe happened.

Another interesting segment was, "Upon marriage, they were expected to leave paid work and become housewives, devoting themselves to husband and children." (Paragraph 1, Page 27) This means that once women married they were forced to lead the lives of housewives and had no choice.

Most facts are forgotten especially when we learn so much everyday. Some facts I will remember is that Hitler and the Nazis was against women's rights and they even said they were stealing jobs from men. I will also remember that women who were arrested due to protests were called "Suffragettes" and were seen as "plain and humorless women, rejected by men. In fact most had husbands and families." I also learned that on April 17 the women known as Mother's of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina carried photos of their kidnapped children (because of their earlier protests) every week despite dangers for years.

Women have suffered a lot over the years. Our hard work, dedication, and persistence has made us worthy in the eyes of others. Through protests and courage women managed to gain our spot in gender equality. Though today we still see gender issues, like higher waged for men in same jobs as women, we will continue to defend and fight for our rights.

I commented on Amelia's Blog, Brimady's Blog, and Evelyn's Blog.