Pharaoh

Bolesław Prus · 1847–1912 · Poland

Originally Pharaoh (Polish)

Why it matters

A young idealist pharaoh battles Egypt's entrenched priesthood for control of the treasury and the throne. Prus's meticulously researched historical epic doubles as a cold-eyed study of how institutional power actually works.

At a glance

A long historical epic, but told through clear, linear court intrigue.