The Woman Who Would Be King by Kara Cooney, Book Review Example

Background of the Reading

Kara Cooney, an Egyptologist, provides a definite presentation on how Hatshepsut, a woman, became one of the most influential female Egyptian Pharos of all time. Relatively, her presentation of the situation was rather intriguing and interesting at the same time. Cooney’s long time involvement with the study of Egyptian history has caused her to gain the authority needed to prove her capacity to provide the most competent source of information needed to make a definite indication on how history itself has brought about the being of a woman; that has been respected for years; one that emerged against the prying social status that male authority has been established upon. Fully engaging her readers into a distinct sense of imagination, Cooney’s narration of Hatshepsut’s life and her engagement with the Egyptian politics creates a perfect visual insistence on how a woman thrives successfully into position through mimicry and pretention; elements that were distinctively affective of how women were viewed later on in the said community and in other areas of the world as well. More than that, Cooney made sure that every aspect of Hatshepsut’s life is fully defined, allowing the reader to be involved in the story, to become a part of the journey of the woman who would be king. She basically wants to make sure that the readers would see through the story more than just as mere picture laid in front of them, but as a distinct situation that ought to affect them personally [especially if they are among the women fighting for name, recognition and respect as did Hatshepsut during her time.

Summary of Reading

The narrative starts with the presentation of Hatshepsut’s background as the daughter of a general who took guard and contention of Egypt’s throne and a mother who had strong ties with the previous Egyptian dynasty. With such background, it seemed as if she was destined to become part of the royal clan; the family that deserves to be respected and recognized. Being a woman, she was expected to bring in the most important heir to the throne; however, she was not capable of doing such a task. Nevertheless, she did not settle for something she knew was much lesser than what she deserved. She wanted to make sure that she was able to continue living as a royalty not because of the luxury but because of the personal purpose she believed she had as an individual coming from such a rich background. She knew that she was made to be something and that she needed to make sure that she is able to attain such condition of thinking and perception towards her personal being; one that identifies well with the role that she knows she deserves realizing.

As she kept herself rooted into such a desire, Hatshepsut decides to cross dress as a male; trying to assure her place in the throne. She became king, with no one actually noticing such condition. Her royal position made it easy for her to set herself apart from others, thus keeping her secret safe. Nonetheless, there were points of being a woman that she cannot simply keep hidden. The complication of physical and emotional assumptions of being a man and a woman were among the elements that almost got her secret out into the open. She had to fight with her personality and embrace a new one; she had to make sure that she was able to live alongside her pretentious self; she had to make a determinable decision to take on a name and a being that would define her kingship. With all the strategies she adapted as king, she began to know further about the structures of the Egyptian politics; she learned how to deal with complications and become more involved in service that was expected of a royalty. Coming from a father who was a general, Hatshepsut was described to be someone who had the guts and a person who was willing to utilize and follow her guts to be able to get into the condition of personal development she hopes to attain. Later on, an opportunity of embracing her royal duties came into account, when she took the rank if Pharaoh as co-regent to Thutmose who was a mere infant [realized to be the youngest king of Egypt due to the need of having a king to take over the position]. This opportunity has placed Hatshepsut into a shrewd position that allowed her to take charge of her country and her people.

During the period of Hatshepsut’s reign as Egypt’s second female pharaoh, she took the initiative to improve what has become of Egypt for many years. It was during her time of reign that the Egyptian culture has witnessed the emergence of new buildings and new constructions that basically improved the way the name of Hatshepsut was recognized within the Egyptian society.

Analysis and Critique of Writing

Kara Cooney is one of the most celebrated writers of her time. This has been proven over and over again as she wants to make sure that most of her writings would be able to provide a more definite impact on her readers not just so to share information but to get them involved into the story. Noticeably, Cooney was able to make a definite impact on how the Egyptian culture has been further presented for public understanding. Her scholastic background gave her much authority in the topic that she hopes to present to her readers. The narrative presentations of Kara Cooney were rather meaningful and representative of the fact that she respects the Egyptian culture accordingly. Noticeably, Cooney was more focused on the positivity of Hatshepsut’s being as a fighter and a constantly victorious individual. This assumption of Hatshepsut’s being may not have been realistic enough especially when it comes to determining her primary weaknesses. It should be understood that it is because of this matter that makes her writing centrally focused on the goodness of Hatshepsut making it rather biased in presenting facts about the woman in the story. Noticeably, it could be realized that somehow, although there were minor issues on the writing of Cooney, all these were covered fully through the way she presented facts and issues that were relatively reflective of how women advanced from then until the current years of advancement.

Works Cited

Cooney, K. The Woman who would be King by Kara Cooney. Random House Inc.