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Summary: A Portal into Cleopatra's World
Review: Since childhood, the story of the legendary Ptolemaic Queen has captured my imagination. Throughout the years, I have read many books on Cleopatra - many of which have remained faithful to the ancient sources, however biased as they may seem. After buying this book on a whim, assuming that this novel was simply one more incorrect reinterpration of history and past novels previously read - a blatant reiteration of Plutarch et al. - I now admit that I was was wrong! The extensive attention given to detail and characterizations, the scope and magnitude of this novel are impressive! Margaret George has done extensive research into the time of the fabled Queen of Egypt and brings Cleopatra's world to life, not only referencing from ancient texts but also drawing upon the more modern-day sources. This engaging novel allows the reader to transcend the present and be transported into a fabled world, one which has captivated writers throught the centuries, a story which brings the tale of Cleopatra and her contemporaries into the immediate. In this book, you come to understand why the main characters - Caesar, Cleopatra, Antony and Octavian - held the fate of the known world in their hands. Ms. George takes pain-staking effort to scratch beyond the surface of the Cleopatra-myth and reveal these godly, yet wonderfully all too-human personalities that transcend time: the characters in this novel are complex and multi-dimensional, grand and legendary, even in their most vulnerable moments. Via this window into Cleopatra's world, you experience every nuance of expression; her descriptions appeal to every sense. Within these pages, you share Cleopatra's joys and pain, witness her triumphs and heart-wrenching sorrows. You experience the range of emotion: her sense of majesty as Caesar confirms her a sole ruler of Egypt, you feel her passion for Antony, know her rage upon betrayal and suffer through her final defeat. I was particularly pleased by the fact that the book (more so than in the past) depicts Cleopatra less as an evil Eastern seductress and more as an able queen and mother; Julius Caesar is seen as a mortal, and not as a deified individual, and Marc Antony ( who in the past has been much-maligned ) is allowed to be viewed in a more favorable light as a great and able Roman leader, and not simply as the emasculated shell of a man that his enemies and successive pro-Augustan authors have portrayed him to have been. On a grand scale, Ms. George conjures forth an intriguing tale of epic proportions into this well-crafted account of a time long-gone, but not forgotten. For those of you who are interested in this tumultuous, but extremely fascinating period of history, indulge yourself and read this book! Sip a glass of wine in your finest crystal goblet, light several fragrant candles and play some soothing music. Take that journey and let your imagination soar - you are in for a delightful experience!
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Summary: A lush and tangible trip back into an indespensible era
Review: Margaret George does an excellent job in this retelling of the turbulent life of Cleopatra VII. The detail is astounding and every character from Cleopatra herself to much smaller characters like her personal servants is meticulously defined. I would reccomend this book to absolutely anyone interested in ancient history. It's not just a book about Egypt, but Rome also and the great empire's struggle after the death of Julius Caesar. The book is of astounding size, 963 pages, but don't shy away if you don't like large books, the pages of this one seem to melt away as you are transported to ancient Alexandria and the infamous queen's side. The Memoirs of Cleopatra is a finely written and researched book and is nothing short of a masterpiece, George is truly a gifted writer. Read this book, you won't regret it!
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Summary: Memoirs of Cleopatra, An instant teleporatation through time
Review: George really does a wonderful job inticing the reader down the rabbit hole into the time of Caeser, Antony and of course Cleopatra.
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Summary: The Memoirs of Cleopatra: A Novel
Review: Since age 8, I was enchanted by the story of Cleopatra. I would get my hands on any book about her. Being the history freak that I am, I purchased this novel about 2 years ago. The book started out pretty slow, but eventually, it quickened its pace. With a whopping number of 964 pages, I was pretty intimidated when I found the book at the store. Other than those faults, this was a really great novel. It's one of the most detailed historical fictions I have ever read. You will probably get lazy like me and read a page (or two, or a chapter) a day. Hehe. Around the part where Cleopatra travelled to Rome is where things got interesting for me. With all of the extensive research, I salute Margaret George. I'm sure it took a lot of time and dedication (same with reading the book :P). I'm happy with how the characters came out. George really portrayed all of them well. I loved the bitter rivalry between Cleopatra and Arsinoë, which grew by the day even as young adults. George made Cleopatra like how she's known to be: seductive, shrewd, strong, and an outstanding individual. Antony is somewhat a comical character in some parts. Olympos was made the loyal friend and intelligent physician that he was. There are even lesser known characters like the Kandake of Meroe. All in all, this is a good novel.
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Summary: Worth all 900+ pages
Review: I have always been fascinated with Cleopatra, and when I was 13, I picked up this book and thought, I don't think I can get through this. Once I started reading, however, I began to think differently. This book keeps you on the egde, and puts you right there in ancient Alexandria. The book is written from the viewpoint of Cleopatra, whose voice is so rarely heard. She is one of the most discriminated women in history. Many think of her as a seductress that stole away married men from their true wives. This book shows a more human side to Cleopatra- a real person, with feelings and emotions. We go through her famous life, and on to her tragic death. People who think they know all about Cleopatra should read this book. They will find out so much more about her and her life. After reading this book, I searched for others, but none measured up. The writing quality Ms. George displays is amazing. When reading the detailed descriptions, you feel like you are right there. I loved this book, and you will too. If you love stories with strong female characters this book is for you. Cleopatra Ptolemy VII is my idol, and this book is a fitting tribute.
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Summary: A Great Read...lol...I have yet to finish =)
Review: I bought this book at a bookstore. I was, at first very skeptical. I knew very little about Cleopatra, except tidbits here and there. Plus the book was huge and I thought it would be drawn out and too long. But to be honest... It was Great! I couldn't put it down. The pages really took you to the place. You could visualize how life was like there. You can understand why Cleopatra made certain decisions. How they benefited her and at the same time hindered her. It was exciting to see how she was able to secure the throne. How she had to fight for it as soon as she had it. And the ally (Caesar) she had to make to seal the deal. But also the unexpected turn of things as she found out; what was a plan turned into love. During the part that Anthony entered into the picture. It was great! Until after the initial meeting, only then did the book seem to be drawn out. It almost was like the first half but couldn't actually match the greatness of it. The first part I flew into and now near the end I have slowed into a steady pace. I could honestly stop reading for awhile and pick it up later. Either way I would recommend it. I am glad I bought it. It was very interesting and taught me a lot of what was then. Honestly...I would read it again...lol...at least the first half.
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Summary: Magnificent!!
Review: I am a prolific reader, at about 50 or so books a year and accurate historical fiction is my biggest passion. This book is one of the best researched, best written novels I have ever had the pleasure to read. I hated for it to end, especially knowing how it had to end.
I laughed with Cleopatra, I cried with her, I fell in love with Marc Antony, and I hated Octavian. Ms George is a writer of exquisite talent. She brings to life an epic time period, major historical events, and bigger than life characters realistically, beliveably and seamlessly.
I would recommend this book, and I am looking forward to reading her other works.
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Summary: Breath of fresh air
Review: i can't believe no has reviewed this book yet! I loved this book. It was so refreshing to read a book about Cleopatra that didn't protray her as a scheming, power hungry tyrant. This books follows her life from when she was very young through to her death. The story is told through Cleopatra's own eyes and we see the struggles she faced and the motivation behind her most famous deeds. In this novel she is a adventurous young girl obsessed with Alexander the Great who grows into a Powerful and caring mother and wife. We share her thoughts and feelings as she faced the spiteful roman populace who saw her as nothing more than Caesars whore. We feel her pain at Caesars passing. We are witness to her plight to have her son recognized as Caesars true heir. We are swept away in the love she develops for Antony. We grieve with her and understand her in the final moments of her life.
This novel is a true treasure. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: One-part incredible, two parts dull
Review: The Memoirs of Cleopatra is a very good book. Alas, you don't discover that until after you've slogged through 700 pages of really dull, often eye-rolling, bland prose. The last 250 pages, however, are powerful, gripping, and moving. Is it worth the 700 pages of tedium to get to the last 250? In the end, yes. Margaret George has given us an amazing depiction of Marc Antony - multi-faceted, both strong and weak, confident and cowardly. Fans of both Roman history and literature in general will find much to admire about George's ability to bring Antony to life. The Octavian seen here is intriguing, if one-dimensional; Octavian as he probably must have been to have gained absolute power, but a far cry from the benevolent Augustus we tend to picture. As events race to conclusion at Actium and afterwords, George will leave you gasping for breath, trying to keep up. The tedium until that point, however, is painful. The book is simply far too long for a first-person narrative. A periodic change in perspective is critical to avoid burn-out (see Shogun or War in Peace, which change viewpoints often). It does not help that Cleopatra's voice is not a strong one, lacking the charm of Robert Graves' Claudius or the strength of Mary Stewart's Merlin, and failing to arouse any strong feelings of either like or hate. George's Caesar seems flat, as does Cleopatra's instant infatuation with him. So many times I found myself longing to give up on the book. I'm glad I did not, but it was a tough struggle. An earlier reviewer suggested reading the end of the book first. Since we all know how the story ends anyway, that might not be such a bad idea.
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Summary: Emotional
Review: I loved this book, it is packed with information, and tells a great love story. I was emotionally attached to this book it was heart wrenching.
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