The Stolen Queen

“Historians ignored all the good Hathorkare accomplished during her reign […] instead, she was unilaterally disdained and dismissed.”

This quotation describes how historians perceive Hathorkare at the start of the novel. Charlotte is invested in her research not only because of a desire to establish her reputation but also because she wants to challenge an existing historical narrative shaped by misogyny. Historians project their suspicions of female ambition onto Hathorkare, and Charlotte wants to challenge this narrative.

“The Cerulean Queen gave her hope. Hope that one could be broken and crushed and still carry on, the gleaming remnant proof that something beautiful once existed in this terrible world.”

This quotation reveals how Charlotte sees the fragmented statue of the Cerulean Queen as a symbol of the Resilience in the Face of Personal Loss that women possess. Charlotte suffers for decades because she carries a quiet grief that no one sees, and this makes her feel “broken and crushed.” The statue reminds her that there can still be beauty after loss.

“She loved her mother, even when she was a mess. Joyce needed Annie to maneuver in the world, and most of the time it was lovely to be needed.”

This quotation describes the turbulent dynamic between Annie and her mother, Joyce. Although Annie is the child, she is often in a position of responsibility and caregiving toward her mother, evidenced by Joyce needing Annie “to maneuver in the world.” This shows Complex Loyalties Between Mothers and Daughters, as Annie juxtaposes the love she feels for Joyce with the view of her mother as “a mess.” This dynamic prevents Annie from pursuing her ambitions, and she is stuck in this cycle until she meets Charlotte.

“They called her a ‘vain, ambitious, and unscrupulous woman’ who was unloved by her people and her successor. These photos proved them wrong.”

Charlotte says this to Frederick when she proudly presents her research. She explains that many Egyptologists have a negative perception of Hathorkare due to her perceived vanity and ambition, and she is excited to challenge this viewpoint. The quotation shows Charlotte being confident and assertive because she feels self-assured about the work she has done. It highlights the theme of negative responses to women’s ambition.

“And if ancient Egyptian got to enjoy the pleasures of the body without censure, it was only fair that she should as well.”

This quotation captures Charlotte’s feelings just before she and Henry begin a sexual relationship. In the 1930s, it was unusual and scandalous for a woman to have a sexual relationship before marriage, but Charlotte feels liberated by her knowledge of ancient Egyptian history. She knows that ancient Egyptian women could enjoy their sexuality without being shamed for it, and she wants the same thing for herself.

“Sometimes when I’m nervous or upset, I come and stare at these super-old things and it calms me down.”

Annie says that this is one of the first times that she meets Charlotte. At first, Charlotte is mistrustful of Annie, but Annie’s clear love of art and history moves her. Although Annie is not well educated, she is intuitively drawn to ancient works of art, as “super-old things” can quiet her nerves or upset.

“The last thing Charlotte saw before a wall of water swept over her was Henry’s retreating back and her child’s chubby, sweet hand stretched out over his shoulder, palm open wide, reaching for her mother.”

This describes the terrible moment when Charlotte is separated from her husband and child. It highlights her sense of helplessness and feeling that she is unable to protect her infant daughter, whose hand stretches out, trying to reach her. The vividness of the description reveals how the memory continues to feel fresh for Charlotte, even decades after it occurs.

“It was sure to be a magical, perfect night.”

This quotation occurs as Annie eagerly looks forward to the Met Gala. It serves to create irony and suspense because dramatic and upsetting events (including the theft of the statue) occur on the night of the gala. It also establishes Annie as a somewhat naïve character who is unaware of potential threats.

“Hathorkare’s tranquil expression, even with most of her face missing, seemed to convey that Charlotte wasn’t alone, that other women had suffered over the centuries before her and continued living, even if what was scarred and shattered was invisible to the outside world.”

This quotation shows how Charlotte draws strength and inspiration from her connection to history, especially ancient Egyptian history. When she looks at images of ancient women like Hathorkare, she feels a sense of belonging and connection, and this helps her overcome challenges.

“The scream came from deep in her belly, a terrifying, massive sound that she’d never made before in her life. It sounded like something a cornered animal made, ungodly in its pitch, echoing against the tunnel walls and hurting her own ears.”

This quotation describes how Annie screams when she tries to fend off the thief’s attack on the night of the gala. It shows how Annie can abandon the upbringing that has conditioned her to be meek and quiet and instead tap into a primal power, emitting a “terrifying, massive sound.” It foreshadows how investigating the theft will be liberating and empowering for Annie.

“It was all connected: the missing file, the missing statue, and the broad collar—she was sure of it. If only she had a way to prove it.”

This quotation shows Charlotte becoming increasingly determined to solve the mystery because she can see the connection between strange events that seem to relate to her past. Although many others do not take these events seriously or see the connection, Charlotte’s unique knowledge and perspective give her the ability to solve the crimes.

“He understood that the smallest act revealed the most.”

This quotation describes Mark’s response when Charlotte finally tells him that she had a daughter. Mark immediately connects this secret to Charlotte’s behavior of turning a framed photo of his daughter away, and this insight makes Charlotte appreciate his sensitivity. It shows that while Mark is not ultimately the right match for Charlotte, he is a caring person.

“She was so desperate to have a husband that she was willing to twist herself into whatever version of herself he wanted her to be.”

This quotation captures Annie’s sadness and disgust as she observes her mother shortly after Joyce announces her engagement. While Annie and Charlotte are both independent and self-reliant, Joyce appears as a foil. Davis employs metaphor to describe how Joyce desperately “twists” herself into the type of person others desire. This shows the damaging effects of social expectations for women to marry and appease men’s desires.

“She’d been an idiot to follow Charlotte to Egypt, as she was completely out of her element, just like at the Met. Wherever she went, she left a trail of damage and destruction.”

This quotation describes Annie’s self-loathing after she accidentally causes damage in Hathorkare’s tomb while she and Charlotte are in Egypt. Annie feels ashamed, which shows her self-criticism. Because Annie has not received much mentorship or encouragement, she often lacks self-confidence. This is part of why her friendship with Charlotte is so transformative for her.

“As Charlotte spoke, the macabre creature in the tomb was transformed into a woman with eyes lined with kohl, dressed in white linen […] striding across the promenade, giving orders and overseeing the construction of her grand temple.”

This quotation describes Annie’s inner response as Charlotte educates her about Hathorkare. Because of Charlotte’s knowledge and passion, Annie can feel connected to and inspired by Hathorkare’s life. Davis uses vivid imagery to portray Hathorkare’s transformation from death to life in Annie’s mind. The contrast between “the macabre creature in the tomb” and the woman’s commanding presence (“giving orders and overseeing construction”) depicts her as a figure of authority. Further, “eyes lined with kohl” and “dressed in white linen” convey her regality.

“The city was infused with her past, the way a lover’s scent lingers on a pillow.”

This quotation uses a metaphor to evoke Charlotte’s strong emotional connection to the city of Cairo, even though it has been decades since she last visited. The metaphor of a lover’s scent alludes to how Cairo was the city where Charlotte and Henry first fell in love and where she conceived their daughter. The quotation shows how Charlotte has never fully lost her connection to her past. Thus, returning to Egypt allows her to return to her full self.

“It had been awful of her parents to insist she shut away that time of her life, but looking back now, she understood that they were products of their era and had been frightened and shocked by her brash decisions.”

This question shows Charlotte’s compassion as she reflects on why her parents chose to hide the truth that Henry was alive. Their decision was cruel and caused Charlotte so much pain, but she can still have empathy for why they made the choice. The quotation develops Charlotte’s character, revealing that she is a compassionate and forgiving person.

“Had she become jaded over time, developed an unwarranted proprietorship over the objects in her galleries?”

This quotation shows Charlotte’s self-interrogation after she becomes defensive when Annie wonders if works of art and historical artifacts should remain in their country of origin. Charlotte is self-aware enough to notice that she had a defensive reaction because of her attachment to Egyptian artifacts that the Met now owns. She doesn’t offer a conclusion regarding the ethics of owning artwork, but she shows that she is aware of this topic’s complex nuances.

“Instead of saying ‘Maybe you didn’t know the man you married,’ he said, ‘Maybe you don’t.’ Present tense.”

Annie says this to Charlotte after they meet with Leon and decide that he is withholding information about Henry from them. Annie notices a slight nuance in Leon’s speech—present tense—and highlights this as a key clue in solving the mystery. The quotation shows how Davis uses subtle clues to allow Annie and Charlotte to solve the mystery of the theft and what happened after the shipwreck.

“It was definitely Hathorkare. That means the curse was lifted. You’ve been forgiven.”

Annie says this to Charlotte, confiding that she saw a vision of Hathorkare after the mummy’s identity was conclusively determined. Annie assures Charlotte that the vision was real and signals that Hathorkare’s spirit is finally at peace. This quotation shows the novel’s supernatural elements.

“Is it right to stick her in a display case where the general public can wander by and ogle her? People who have no idea who she is, who are just satisfying their morbid desire to see a dead body?”

Charlotte speaks this quotation as she expresses her dissatisfaction with Hathorkare’s mummy being put on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. While Charlotte loves museums as spaces where artworks such as the Cerulean Queen can be displayed, she is sensitive about putting someone’s corpse on public display, especially since she feels such a personal connection to Hathorkare. The phrases “satisfying their morbid desire” and “ogle her” highlight Charlotte’s fears about the ethics of museumgoers’ visual consumption of Hathorkare’s dead body.

“You’re too old to be making drastic life changes, stop and think for a minute.”

Frederick speaks this quotation when Charlotte tells him that she is quitting her job and planning to live in Egypt full time. Frederick verbalizes a social assumption that people—especially women—become more cautious and risk averse as they age. Charlotte’s courage and confidence stun him, which reflects the theme of negative responses to women’s ambition.

“Although nothing could make up for the decades lost, there would be many years ahead for them to get to know and understand each other.”

This quotation captures Charlotte’s sense of peace and hopefulness after she and Fatima (Layla) reunite. Charlotte and Fatima have been lost to one another for decades, but they are also determined to forge a loving relationship once they are reunited.