The new novel by Shauna Roberts:
Within the walls of ancient Uruk on the bank of the Euphrates, more than fifty
thousand people live, love, work, and play, ruled over by King Gilgamesh
and protected by their patron goddess, Inanna.
But civilization is precarious. At any moment, the armies of other cities could
fall upon them, a spring flood could wash away the city, famine could strike,
or, the Sumerians believe, the capricious and vengeful gods could punish
any or all for the sins of a few.
Although the tall, strong, and handsome Gilgamesh epitomizes manly
physical perfection, in other ways he falls far short. His subjects fear him, and
for good reason, because he has become a bored and restless tyrant.
The people cry out to the gods for relief. The elegant, sophisticated
priestess Shamhat fears Gilgamesh's growing wildness will attract the wrath
of the gods. She wants to protect Inanna and her temple, as well as free the
people of Uruk from Gilgamesh's oppression, but she fears the
repercussions for her and her son if she acts against the out-of-control king.
Then word comes to Uruk of a wild man living in the desert, a man the equal
of Gilgamesh in size and strength. The king thinks the wild man can relieve
his boredom and restlessness and sends someone to bring him back to
court. But the person he has chosen, Shamhat, has her own agenda: She
believes the wild man can humble the arrogant king.
Enkidu the wild man becomes a pawn in the struggle between Gilgamesh and
Shamhat, and the future of Uruk hangs in the balance.
Within the walls of ancient Uruk on the bank of the Euphrates, more than fifty
thousand people live, love, work, and play, ruled over by King Gilgamesh
and protected by their patron goddess, Inanna.
But civilization is precarious. At any moment, the armies of other cities could
fall upon them, a spring flood could wash away the city, famine could strike,
or, the Sumerians believe, the capricious and vengeful gods could punish
any or all for the sins of a few.
Although the tall, strong, and handsome Gilgamesh epitomizes manly
physical perfection, in other ways he falls far short. His subjects fear him, and
for good reason, because he has become a bored and restless tyrant.
The people cry out to the gods for relief. The elegant, sophisticated
priestess Shamhat fears Gilgamesh's growing wildness will attract the wrath
of the gods. She wants to protect Inanna and her temple, as well as free the
people of Uruk from Gilgamesh's oppression, but she fears the
repercussions for her and her son if she acts against the out-of-control king.
Then word comes to Uruk of a wild man living in the desert, a man the equal
of Gilgamesh in size and strength. The king thinks the wild man can relieve
his boredom and restlessness and sends someone to bring him back to
court. But the person he has chosen, Shamhat, has her own agenda: She
believes the wild man can humble the arrogant king.
Enkidu the wild man becomes a pawn in the struggle between Gilgamesh and
Shamhat, and the future of Uruk hangs in the balance.
| HADLEY RILLE BOOKS |
| Cover art (c) Debbie Hughes |
| Book specifications: Title: Like Mayflies in a Stream Author: Shauna Roberts Publisher and imprint: Hadley Rille Books Number of pages: 196 Dimensions: 5.5" by 8.5" Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-9825140-1-6 Trade paperback ISBN: 978-0-9825140-0-9 Cover price: HC $24.95, TPB $11.95 Release date: October 5, 2009 |
| Like Mayflies in a Stream by Shauna Roberts Amazon Hardcover | Amazon Softcover Barnes & Noble Hardcover | Barnes & Noble Softcover |
Advance Praise:
An exciting and very human story, set in a fascinating time and place—the
dawn of civilization—all brought expertly to life.
--Kim Stanley Robinson
Crisp writing and fascinating characters make Like Mayfiles in a Stream a
compelling read.
--Sabrina Jeffries
A totally fascinating, engrossing, and absorbing story...
--Lynna Banning
An impressive evocation of a fascinating time and place. Shauna Roberts is a
gifted writer...
--Laura Joh Rowland
Roberts's historical fiction will give you a sense of the long and rich history of
the 'cradle of civilization.'
--Richard L. Zettler, Associate Professor, Near Eastern Languages &
Civilization, University of Pennsylvania
An exciting and very human story, set in a fascinating time and place—the
dawn of civilization—all brought expertly to life.
--Kim Stanley Robinson
Crisp writing and fascinating characters make Like Mayfiles in a Stream a
compelling read.
--Sabrina Jeffries
A totally fascinating, engrossing, and absorbing story...
--Lynna Banning
An impressive evocation of a fascinating time and place. Shauna Roberts is a
gifted writer...
--Laura Joh Rowland
Roberts's historical fiction will give you a sense of the long and rich history of
the 'cradle of civilization.'
--Richard L. Zettler, Associate Professor, Near Eastern Languages &
Civilization, University of Pennsylvania
| A Hadley Rille Books Archaeology Series Novel |
