“My calendar is full of dead people.”
I’m not sure why I have delayed writing this review. It was not because I didn’t enjoy it but rather the overwhelming thoughts of how to explain such a detailed story. Essentially, it explores how the choices we make in life lead is to where we are now. It explores the question we all have which is, “what if….” and how that might look. I also found some of the history on Egyptology intriguing, a subject of which I had zero knowledge! Much to my surprise it was the author’s own introduction to the subject that prompted the book.
The Book of Two Ways is literally a Map of the Afterlife, as understood my ancient Egyptians. For many people the detailed description and explanations of the Egyptian life and history might cause the story to drag on somewhat. Otherwise, the study of Egyptology in general might be of interest.
Dawn Edelstein, who published under her maiden name Dawn McDowell, works as a death doula. She is married to Brian Edelstein whose profession and expertise is in physics. Dawn finds herself on a plane preparing an emergency landing in Raleigh-Durham due to a clogged fuel filter on plane which ultimately crashes. She is dazed and confused when she realizes that she is 1 of 36 people who survived the crash.
Contemplating this near death experience leaves Dawn questioning her life and all her past decisions leading her to this point. She loves her husband Brian, daughter Meret and sister Kieran but she feels compelled to go to Egypt rather than head home to her family.
Her thoughts wander back 15 years to her unfinished dissertation. She wonders where her life would be if she didn’t feel obliged to abandon her life’s work to leave Egypt to return home. Her fascination with the Book of Two Ways which is thought to be the first known map of the afterlife was shared with fellow Yale graduate student Wyatt Armstrong. The Egyptian history is convoluted with theories and beliefs meticulously documented by the Egyptians. The Book of the Dead (Book of Going Forth by Day) contained part of Coffin Texts which was to include the Book of Two Ways.
This map of the afterlife was thought to be found in certain coffins in the Middle East during the Middle Kingdom. It showed two roads snaking through Osiris realm which is the corpse of Re the god of sun. The paths are separated by a lake of fire with both ending at the Field of Offerings where the deceased can feast with Osiris for eternity. Unfortunately some paths lead nowhere, and still others lead towards the demons or circles of fire. It is believed that embedded in the text was magic needed to get past guardians at gate when death called.
While she initially found Wyatt annoying and arrogant she did admire his dedication and commitment to the study of Egyptology. The crash draws her back to Egypt abandoning her family to seek unanswered questions from her past. Her story fluctuates between the present and past; the life lived and the lost opportunities. She eventually needs to confront the consequences of her past and present decisions.
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