-19% 🏆 Bestseller The Mummy or Ramses the Damned — Horror Fiction

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The Mummy or Ramses the Damned

Name: The Mummy or Ramses the Damned
Price: 17.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780345360007

✍️ Anne Rice

Reader Score

4.4

(6 reviews)

$17.00 ~~$21.00~~ Save $4.00 (19%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An immortal pharaoh wanders Edwardian London, haunted by memories of Cleopatra.

The novel examines the psychological burden of immortality through Ramses, who suffers from insatiable desires for food, wine, and women. His reawakening in a different era forces him to navigate modern society while carrying the weight of his ancient past. The plot focuses on his relationship with Julie Stratford, whose adventurous nature contrasts with his weary existence. Rice uses the setting of opulent Edwardian London to highlight the isolation of an immortal being among mortals. The story does not offer easy resolutions for Ramses’s eternal hunger. Instead, it details how his unresolved love for Cleopatra influences his current decisions. This creates a narrative where personal history actively shapes present consequences. The book appeals to those interested in character-driven horror and historical fiction blends.

Key Themes

immortal longing ancient Egypt mythology Edwardian London society

Literary Context

Published by Ballantine Books in 1989, this novel draws on ancient Egyptian history and Edwardian era settings. It connects the traditions of pharaonic power with early twentieth-century aristocratic life, creating a bridge between historical periods through the protagonist's enduring presence.

Anne Rice

📚 all books by this author (86) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Mary Shelley · Bram Stoker

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Ballantine Books 📅 1989 📖 436 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780345360007

📝 Description: The Mummy or Ramses the Damned

Anne Rice, a bestselling author known for darkly magical fiction, presents Ramses the Damned. This New York Times bestseller follows an immortal king who drank an elixir of life and now wanders the earth with unsatisfied hungers. Reawakened in opulent Edwardian London, he adopts the identity of Dr. Ramsey, an expert in Egyptology. His existence intersects with Julie Stratford, a voluptuous heiress to a vast shipping fortune and member of a group of jaded aristocrats. While Ramses finds temporary companionship with Julie, his intense longing for his former beloved Queen Cleopatra remains undiminished. These searing memories burn within his immortal soul, driving him toward actions that endanger everyone around him. The narrative explores the tension between his eternal nature and his deeply human emotions. It suits readers who enjoy gothic supernatural fiction centered on ancient Egyptian history and complex romantic obsessions. Those seeking fast-paced action or lighthearted tales may find the focus on internal torment and historical atmosphere less appealing. Rice constructs a story where past trauma dictates present danger, blending ancient mythology with early twentieth-century London society.

💎 Our verdict on The Mummy or Ramses the Damned

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Anne Rice delivers a darkly magical tale focusing on internal torment rather than external thrills. Ramses’s weary existence and intense longing create a gothic atmosphere that may feel slow to some. This book does not suit readers seeking fast-paced action, lighthearted entertainment, or easy resolutions for its protagonist’s eternal hunger. Instead, it demands patience for its exploration of psychological horror and historical isolation. While the focus on ancient mythology and early twentieth-century society is rich, those preferring immediate plot momentum may find the narrative’s emphasis on emotional weight and atmospheric detail less engaging than a traditional adventure.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate character-driven horror and the blend of historical fiction with supernatural elements will find this novel compelling. The story offers a deep exploration of the psychological burden of immortality through Ramses, whose insatiable desires and unresolved love for Cleopatra drive the narrative. Those interested in how past trauma dictates present danger will enjoy the complex romantic obsessions and the tension between eternal nature and human emotion. The opulent setting highlights the isolation of an immortal being, appealing to those who favor atmospheric depth over fast-paced action or lighthearted tales.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you crave brooding, atmospheric gothic tales where ancient evil meets modern decadence, this is for you. Conversely, readers preferring rapid-fire plot twists or lighthearted supernatural adventures will likely find the heavy introspection and slow-burn tension tedious rather than thrilling.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 6 reviews

Donna F.

September 3, 2026

Was skeptical at first. The atmosphere builds slowly and then does not let go. Definitely recommend.

Jessica W.

April 21, 2026

A new favorite

Wanted something for October and it delivered. Print is comfortable for late-night reading. Well worth it.

Steven R.

January 26, 2026

Very good

I read a lot of horror and I'm picky. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. The cover feels thinner than expected. Solid, if not essential.

Nathan M.

November 15, 2025

Solid horror

Took a chance on it after reading the description here. The dread is in the pacing, not in gore, which is exactly how I like it. Still worth having on the shelf.

Linda D.

August 12, 2025

Worth the read

Not my usual subgenre but wanted to branch out. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. The cover feels thinner than expected.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Not at all. The narrative emphasizes slow-burn psychological torment, historical atmosphere, and internal character development over physical conflict or rapid plot progression.

While it exists within a larger universe, this novel functions as a standalone origin story for Ramses. You can enjoy his tragic arc without prior knowledge of the broader series lore.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Anne Rice redefined the vampire genre by shifting focus from predatory horror to psychological complexity and aristocratic melancholy. This entry into her Chronicles of the Vampire series expands that legacy into antiquity, exploring how eternal life warps identity and desire. By grounding the supernatural in rigorous Egyptology and Edwardian social structures, Rice bridges classical mythology with modern existential dread, influencing countless authors who prioritize emotional depth over visceral scares.