In the novel "The Burough Bowler" by Nancy Werlin, the reader is introduced to the complex and intertwined lives of the characters. The story follows the life of Lenny, a talented and passionate bowler in a small town. Lenny's skill on the bowling alley is unmatched, and he has always been able to rely on his talent to bring him success. However, Lenny's life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a mysterious woman named Nancy. Nancy is a witch with a troubled past, and she quickly becomes entangled in Lenny's life. Despite their differences and the challenges they face, Lenny and Nancy form a unique bond that helps them navigate the hardships they both encounter.
While the media missed out on this particular episode, they did have a field day when Lord Carnarvon died on May 6, 1923—less than a year after the discovery of the tomb. There were all sorts of versions of the specific “curse” to which Carnarvon’s death could be attributed, but most tried to relate it to an inscription of warning in the tomb. Some of the reporters had the aid of disgruntled Egyptologists, who had not only been denied access to the tomb, but also any information about it. Since there was no love lost between Carter and Carnarvon and some of their scholarly colleagues, there was always someone who was willing to provide information about certain objects or inscriptions in the tomb, based solely on published photographs. In this manner, many inscriptions could be construed as curses by the public, especially after a “re-translation” by the press. For example, an innocuous text inscribed on mud plaster before the Anubis shrine in the Treasury stated: “I am the one who prevents the sand from blocking the secret chamber,” In the newspaper, it metamorphized into: “…I will kill all of those who cross this threshold into the sacred precincts of the royal king who lives forever.”
In the case of the articles written during the latest King Tut exhibit, I venture to say that most if not all references to the curse derived from ignorance and a desire for a catchy headline not necessarily in that order. There were many dozens of people connected in some way to opening Tutankhamun s tomb ranging from security guards to archaeologists , and out of that many people some unexpected deaths would be expected by random chance.
Despite their differences and the challenges they face, Lenny and Nancy form a unique bond that helps them navigate the hardships they both encounter. Throughout the novel, Werlin explores themes of identity, love, and the power of friendship. Lenny and Nancy come from very different backgrounds, but they both struggle with their own personal demons.
The Curse of the Curse of the Pharaohs
“Cursed be those that disturb the rest of Pharaoh. They that shall break the seal of this tomb shall meet death by a disease which no doctor can diagnose.” (Inscription reported to have been carved on an Egyptian royal tomb)
Top of the lid of an unlaid wooden chest, picturing Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhesenamun. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art; photograph by Harry Burton)
Throughout the centuries, ancient Egypt and its civilization have often been referred to in terms of the dark and mysterious. Encounters with its strange customs have frequently led people, both ancient and modern, to have misconceptions about this land. The Greeks acknowledged that much ancient wisdom, such as the basics of mathematics, architecture, art, science, medicine, and even philosophy, ultimately derived from the Egyptians; but they still had some difficulty in understanding, accepting, or even dealing with the alien and unfamiliar aspects of the religion. Greek historians often wrote about the mysterious ways in which the Egyptians worshipped their deities, such as this note by Herodotus: “There are not a great many wild animals in Egypt…Such as there are—both wild and tame—are without exception held to be sacred” (II, 65). He also wrote a disclaimer: “I am not anxious to repeat what I was told about the Egyptian religion. . . for I do not think that any one nation knows much more about such things than any other” (II, 4). Of course he then goes on to state: “[The Egyptians] are religious to excess” (II, 35-39).
Egypt was different from much of the rest of the ancient world, with its pantheon of fantastic deities, part animal, part human; its rulers who were understood to be gods on earth; its bizarre funerary practices that paid unheard of attention to the preparations for an afterlife; and its enigmatic script that was written with recognizable pictures, but remained unreadable and therefore mysterious to the uninitiated. As a result, Egypt managed to inspire both awe and fear in the foreigner who came into contact with its culture.
Today, the products of Egyptian civilization that have survived the passage of more than 3000 years provide a visible monument to its advanced state. Such accomplishments, however, often evoke suspicion rather than respect. Thus there are people who prefer to believe that Egyptian building techniques, literature, art, and mathematics derived from an alien culture from outer space, rather than to accept the documented evidence of their earthly origin. This and other equally inaccurate theories are espoused by people fondly referred to by Egyptologists as “pyramidiots.” But while some modern ideas about ancient Egypt are based on a mixture of misguided awe and respect, others appear to have originated under less innocent circumstances. One of the most persistent examples of the latter type is the so-called curse of the pharaohs.
Tutankhamun’s tomb (lower center) was situated below the entrance to the tomb of Ramesses VI (center) in the Valley of the Kings. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art; photograph by Harry Burton)
Lenny grapples with his own self-worth and the pressure to succeed, while Nancy battles with her past and the consequences of her magical abilities. As the story progresses, the reader witnesses the growth and development of both characters. Lenny learns to value himself not just as a bowler, but as a person, and Nancy finds redemption and healing through her connection with Lenny. Their relationship becomes a source of strength and support for both of them, helping them to overcome their individual challenges and find happiness. Werlin's writing in "The Burough Bowler" is full of vivid imagery and emotional depth. The reader is drawn into the world of bowling, with its focus on precision and perfection. The author's descriptions of the sport and Lenny's skill on the lanes create a sense of excitement and tension, making the reader feel as though they are right there in the bowling alley. Overall, "The Burough Bowler" is a captivating and heartfelt novel that explores themes of identity, love, and the power of friendship. Nancy Werlin's storytelling ability and the depth of her characters make this a compelling read that will leave the reader thinking long after they have finished the last page..
Reviews for "The Magical Creatures of Nancy Werlin's BBWler and Witch"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Bbwler and witch nancy werlin" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plot seemed scattered and poorly executed, with events happening without clear explanation or purpose. Overall, I struggled to connect with the story or find any enjoyment in reading it.
2. Emily - 1 star - I really wanted to like "Bbwler and witch nancy werlin" but it just fell flat for me. The writing felt awkward and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the plot. The characters were uninteresting and failed to evoke any emotional response from me. I found myself skimming through pages just to finish the book, hoping it would get better, but unfortunately, it did not.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Bbwler and witch nancy werlin" left me feeling underwhelmed. The story lacked originality and felt like a poor imitation of other fantasy novels. The pacing was off, with dull moments dragging on and important events rushed through. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and would not recommend it.
4. David - 1 star - I had high expectations for "Bbwler and witch nancy werlin" but it turned out to be a major disappointment. The writing style was dull and uninspiring, failing to captivate my interest. The characters were forgettable and lacked development, making it difficult to care about their journey. The plot was predictable and lacked any thought-provoking elements. Overall, this book was a letdown and I would advise others to skip it.
5. Megan - 2 stars - "Bbwler and witch nancy werlin" was a book that failed to impress me. The story was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many subplots that went nowhere. The world-building was shallow and lacked depth, leaving me with more questions than answers. The characters felt underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. Overall, this book fell short of my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others.