Armed with my museum pass, I wandered around some amazing galleries and collections in Berlin. I finally got to visit the Neue Nationalgalerie and fell in love with a lot of the art work. One favorite painting was Kirchner’s Potsdamer Platz. We also got to see a special calligraphy exhibit and I got to spend some time with the old Masters at the Gemäldegalerie.
But what really made my museum visit special was a trip to the Altes Museum where the Egyptian collection is housed. You see, right before I went on vacation I had received Michelle Moran’s book Nefertiti. I remember hearing good things about it from some of you guys and thought it’d be a great vacation read. So I packed it up in my book bag for the trip but it didn’t dawn on me that I would actually get to see Nefertiti’s bust at the museum. The inspiration for the book!
Isn’t it fantastic? Well, I know the picture is not the best (the bust is encased in glass) but it really is dazzling and you can’t help but be amazed that such a treasure survived so many years. Aside from Nefertiti’s bust, I think my other favorites were the papyrus scrolls.
Anyway, after I saw the exhibit I quickly picked up the book and thoroughly enjoyed it (my review). The only thing I had a hard time with at first were the dates that the author notes in the beginning of the chapters. I didn’t realize that there is a calendar in the glossary that explains these. So don’t forget to check that out when you read the book. As I was nearing the end of the book I had so many questions about what could have happened afterwards and what do you know, there is a sequel coming out this August. Yay. I will definitely be looking for it.
What a great coincidence, Iliana! And thanks for the tip about using the calendar in the glossary. I have Nefertiti sitting here waiting to be read shortly and I am really looking forward to it. I’ll save your review until after I’ve had a chance to read the book for myself.
Awesome when rl and books coincide! 🙂 I really want to read this one; I love Ancient Egypt.
I love it when things coincide so well like that. And the book sounds very good, another to look out for it seems.
Oh wow! I’ve always admired that Nefertiti statue since I took art history classes in college. What a breathtaking piece! I’m always bowled over by its age and good survival.
I think your Nefertiti picture is gorgeous- she must really be something in real life!! I liked the Potsdamer Platz picture too- thanks for the link. I’m glad you had such a nice trip.
What fun to have your reading and real life come together like that! Nefertti is beautiful in your photo, seeing her in person must have been breathtaking.
Welcome back! I just love coincidences like this. I’m enjoying your photos and vacation tales.
Lucky you to get to see the bust in person! I really enjoyed the book, too. Did you read a paperback edition? I wonder if they added the glossary to the paper, as I don’t remember it in the cloth edition. Of course I might not just have looked as closely as I should have–that would have been helpful. I love visiting museums–I could wander around them for hours!!
Sounds like you had a brilliant time! Terrific photo.
What fun! The book and museum visit.
stay cool!
Literary Feline – I didn’t even think of looking for the glossary at first because I’m always worried about finding out too much you know? Luckily I did find it and it all made sense.
Eva – I know, it love it when books and real life collide – makes for a great reading experience!
tanabata – It was a fast read too… I don’t know much about Egypt so I did feel like I was in for a lot of surprises.
Andi – Can you imagine being the person who found it? I think I would have fainted! ha,ha..
Greer – Thanks! I did ask the info desk if it was ok to take pics and they said yes. I was a bit surprised by that. Of course no flash 🙂
Stefanie – It was and I really lucked out because when I first came upon the bust I was the only person in the area. Of course soon I was run out by a crowd of teens 🙂
Tara – thank you! It’s great to be back blogging although of course it’s taking me forever to get to everyone’s blog! 🙂
Danielle – I did read the paperback edition – the glossary was excellent and I really appreciated it. I am like you, I can wander around museums for hours which means sometimes I prefer to go by myself. That way I can linger for as long as I like 🙂
Bookchronicle – It was super! I’m still in denial about being back – ha,ha…
Isabel – Very cool girl. You would have loved it. I’m trying to stay cool here – you too!
I think it’s great you got to see the statue in real life while reading the novel. That must have made it seem extra special, especially since they talk about the art she commissioned so much in the novel.
I remember when I read the DaVinci Code right before I went to Milan, Italy where the Last Supper is. I really wanted to go see the painting in person, but I couldn’t get in to see it (there seem to always be sold out and I didn’t get it together in time to buy tickets ahead of time). I was so disappointed.
I’m really jealous, since I too just finished the book but certainly didn’t get to visit the museum to see the inspiration for the novel! How cool! I will be giving away a copy of Nefertiti on my blog next week and the author will be writing a guest post for me also, so make sure to stop by and check it out!
I think that is great that you were able to see the bust and I am glad you took a photograph. I am still in the midst of reading the book but have also been enjoying it. I love museums. A good way to stay out of the heat as well!
Thank you so much for taking the time to review the book, Iliana. I had no idea you were going to Berlin! A similar situation happened to me when I was reading a history book on the Cathars and midway through I got to spend the night in the medieval fortress city of Carcassonne (which was the focus of the book… in France). I imagined the people walking the same streets I was walking on, looking up at the same turrets and sky. It was an amazing experience!
Nicole – It really was great and you are right especially reading about all the art they commissioned. I guess somehow they got their wish 🙂
Stephanie – Yay! I’ll be sure to check out Michelle’s guest post on y our blog!
Christine – It is so readable isn’t it? All that court intrigue… and to think that these were practically teens changing the course of history!
Michelle – thank you again for giving me a copy of your book. I think it was meant to be that I read it at the time as it just helped make my trip and the book all the more memorable. I look forward to The Heretic Queen!
It really is a beautiful bust, isn’t it? I love stories about this time period and this one is on my list.
jenclair – It is gorgeous. So vibrant and really just makes you stand in awe knowing how long ago it was done.