Mara, Daughter of the Nile, published in 1953 by American author Eloise Jarvis McGraw, was a required read in high school (shoutout to My Father’s World curriculum), and it’s been one of my all-time favorite novels ever since.

Ancient Egypt. Espionage. Revolution. Romance. Friendship. Wit and spunk. Close calls. Daring exploits. Sacrifice. Reward.

Historical fiction at its finest.

One of the reasons I love this book is the main character. Mara was a spunky heroine before spunky heroines were cool. An orphan and a lifelong slave, she relies on her gift of wit to charm, outsmart, or convince her way through a variety of situations. Beneath her quick tongue and sharp eyes, though, she’s just like the rest of us, longing for what every human heart desires: a place to belong.

I won’t spoil it, but her character journey—climaxing with her choice in the throne room before Hatshepsut—blazes brighter than the Egypt sun at midday, showing clear development of who she is and what she wants from beginning to end. She is a true hero, and I would read her story again and again for that scene alone.

In addition, the descriptions and beautiful writing, typical of Eloise Jarvis McGraw, set this novel on a shelf above the rest. I don’t want to know how much research the author conducted, because it shows; Mara, Daughter of the Nile reads with so much authenticity to the geography, culture, and language of Ancient Egypt. The way you’re immersed in the civilization on every page, you could learn more about Ancient Egypt and its neighbors from this novel than from a textbook.

“Blessed of Amon!” breathed Sheftu. He crossed the room and bowed low. “In pharaoh’s name, in Egypt’s name, I thank you, Haut merit.”

Chapter 3, “The War Hawk”

McGraw’s use of these details, however, only folds into her overall beautiful writing. I can clearly envision the beauty of Egypt—from the small detail of a lotus flower to the vast display of a sunset over Thebes—without feeling barraged or bored by description.

“A few minutes later they were emerging onto the breeze-swept loggia. Above them the sky flamed with sunset, trailing scarlet banners of cloud and tinging with pink the myriad white walls and buildings of the city spread out below. Even the Nile looked like a river of fire, set between banks of unnaturally vivid green.”

Chapter 16, “The Gamble”

I also love following the story through more than one POV (point of view). While most scenes follow Mara, the main character, I love the occasional from the point of view of, say, the river captain, or the handsome young noble, or (with gorgeous prose) the goddess Inuit herself. These peripheral perspectives flesh out not just the characters but also the story as a whole, and they enrich the reading experience so much; the story would not be half as good if it were told only through Mara’s eyes. I am and always will be a champion of this storytelling technique.

“Nuit the Starry One, goddess of the sky, arched her spangled body over the land of Egypt and gazed down serenely on its sleeping thousands. In palace and villa and hovel they slept, long of eye, with their amulets about their necks, each stiffly pillowed on his headrest of wood or carven ivory or gold.”

Chapter 24, “For Egypt”

The final element that makes Mara, Daughter of the Nile a favorite of mine is the plot—the literal political plot taking shape in Hatshepsut’s own court, and the story plot with its hold-your-breath twists, in rapid succession, especially through the final handful of chapters. One change stacks on top of another with no time to blink, and before your head can stop spinning you’ve finished the story. Once you take a moment to breathe, you’ll appreciate the genius of what just happened. And then you’ll want to read it all again.

So the next time you’re hankering for a gripping read with a spunky heroine, beautiful writing, authentic details, plot twists, and a multi-faceted narrative, look for Mara, Daughter of the Nile, another outstanding novel by award-winning author Eloise Jarvis McGraw.