Cleopatra's Sister

Rating:
Summary: Absorbing
Review: This book has sat on my bookshelf for about 2 years, and when I was about to embark on a short plane trip and needed a packable book, knew I could depend on Penelope Lively for an entertaining several hours, and I was right. Loved the 2 main characters, Howard and Lucy and the evolution of the island. The author did a great job of following their histories, and putting them together under rather strange circumstances. There were many phrases and paragraphs that I would like to underline and remember that are applicable to life in general. I had just read HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG and was so afraid that would be a hard act to follow. I was very happy with my choice.

Rating:
Summary: Did you like Moon Tiger? If so, read this one
Review: Winner of the 1987 Booker for Moon Tiger, British author Penelope Lively rocks. In Cleopatra's Sister, she introduced us to two people who meet when their plane makes a forced landing in the fictitious country of Callimbia in No. Africa. Fear and terror in hostile surroundings up the odds for our lovers, Howard and Lucy, as well as for the other passengers, and the story soon becomes a delicious Third World satire. Howard is a paleontologist; Lucy is a journalist. But neither finds their training of much help when they find themselves being held hostage by Callimbia's maniacal leader.
Highly recommended, esp if you like Lively's other stuff.