Word: mckenneys
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MIRAGE (726 pp.)-Ruth McKenney -Farrar, Straus & Cudahy...
...different authors-one whose job it was to put plenty of sex on every other page; the other a Francophile intent on cramming in as much esoteric knowledge as possible about Napoleon, Egypt, archaeology, physics, intrigue and strategy. Fortunately, both writers are combined in Humorist Ruth (My Sister Eileen) McKenney, so that sex is more often ridiculous than salacious, and the historical asides often get a witty assist over the dusty pit of pedantry...
These boudoir conquests are succeeded by Napoleon's conquest of Egypt. (Rémi is one of a corps of French savants whom Napoleon takes along to bring civilization to the benighted Arabs.) Author McKenney handles battles with as much relish as bundling. The rout of the Mamelukes at the Pyramids is closely followed by the annihilation of the French fleet at Aboukir Bay, and Napoleon and his army of 25,000 settle down for their strange three-year sojourn in Egypt. The impact of the French Age of Enlightenment on the 12th century mentality of the fellahin gives...
...dynasty and a new race in the Middle East. But the French are halted at Acre, plague decimates their ranks, the fellahin reject Enlightenment for the savage joys of Holy War against the Christian dogs. Napoleon is defeated by fate, and Rémi by Corinne. Author McKenney, who has spent nearly four years in writing Mirage, tells her complicated story in an elliptic, literary shorthand that conveys much information quickly but will be the despair of some readers. Nearly every page is scattered with the confetti of French, Latin and Italian phrases, and, occasionally, the dialogue is so polished...
Joseph W. McKenney, Sox Public Relations Director, said "I heard that Harvard was coming over, but then I heard something was wrong." He added, "I don't know the whole story and can't comment...