Joan Grant

Joan Grant (1907-1989) was a British author best known for her historical novels written from what she claimed were memories of her past lives. Her most notable work, "Winged Pharaoh," published in 1937, detailed what she believed to be her existence as a pharaoh's daughter in ancient Egypt. Grant wrote several other novels using this "far memory" technique, including "Eyes of Horus" and "Lord of the Horizon." These works combined historical fiction with metaphysical elements, drawing from what she described as her ability to access memories from previous incarnations. The author's work gained significant attention during her lifetime, though it was often met with mixed reactions from critics and scholars. Beyond her historical novels, Grant also wrote autobiographical works explaining her beliefs about reincarnation and her claimed ability to recall past lives. Grant's personal life included three marriages, and she collaborated with her third husband, psychiatrist Denys Kelsey, on books about psychic phenomena and past-life regression. Her work continues to interest readers focused on metaphysical and historical fiction genres.

Readers tend to separate into two camps regarding Joan Grant's work - those who embrace her claims of past-life memories and those who approach her books as pure historical fiction. What readers liked: - Rich historical detail about ancient Egypt - Vivid sensory descriptions that make settings feel authentic - Strong female protagonists - Fluid writing style that draws readers in - Spiritual/metaphysical themes that resonate with New Age readers What readers disliked: - Writing can be slow-paced and overly descriptive - Some find her past-life claims reduce credibility - Historical accuracy questioned by scholars - Lack of conventional plot structure Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Winged Pharaoh: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) - Eyes of Horus: 4.0/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: - Most titles average 4-4.5 stars - Reviewers frequently note "you either love it or hate it" Common reader comment: "Whether you believe her past-life claims or not, Grant captures ancient Egypt in remarkable detail that makes you feel transported there."

Winged Pharaoh (1937) Chronicles the life of Sekeeta, a pharaoh's daughter in ancient Egypt who trains as a spiritual initiate and ruler while navigating political intrigue and personal challenges.

Eyes of Horus (1942) Set in Egypt's 11th Dynasty, follows a physician named Ramas who becomes embroiled in a struggle against corruption and religious persecution.

Lord of the Horizon (1943) Details the story of Ramose, an Egyptian prince during the reign of Thutmose III, as he faces challenges both spiritual and political.

Scarlet Feather (1945) Narrates the life of a Native American woman in the pre-colonial era, exploring tribal customs and spiritual practices.

Return to Elysium (1947) Set in ancient Greece, tells the story of Lucina, a young woman who becomes a priestess in the mystery schools.

So Moses Was Born (1952) Recounts the early life of Moses from the perspective of various Egyptian characters who influenced his development.

Life as Carola (1939) Depicts life in Renaissance Italy through the story of a young noblewoman navigating art, politics, and romance.

Speaking from the Heart (1962) Presents personal experiences and insights about reincarnation and spiritual development.

Time Out of Mind (1956) Explores the concept of past life memories and their impact on present existence.

Many Lifetimes (1968) Written with Denys Kelsey, examines case studies and theories about reincarnation and past life regression.

Marion Zimmer Bradley wrote historical fantasy novels that blend mysticism with ancient cultures, particularly in her Avalon series focused on priestesses and ancient Britain. Her writing style incorporates past-life memories and feminine spiritual perspectives similar to Grant's approach.

Diana Gabaldon created the Outlander series combining detailed historical research with metaphysical time travel elements. Her work features strong female protagonists navigating ancient cultures through supernatural means, echoing Grant's focus on past-life experiences.

Mary Stewart wrote the Merlin series incorporating mystical elements into historical settings of ancient Britain. Her works combine detailed period research with supernatural perspectives similar to Grant's historical-metaphysical approach.

Dion Fortune authored both fiction and non-fiction works about occult traditions and mystical experiences in ancient cultures. Her novels blend historical settings with metaphysical concepts and past-life themes that parallel Grant's narrative style.

Katherine Kurtz developed the Deryni series mixing medieval history with psychic abilities and mystical powers. Her work features characters with supernatural abilities operating within carefully researched historical contexts, similar to Grant's integration of metaphysical elements in historical settings.