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mari1532's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciate how Schiff could discuss Cleopatra's life without shifting away from her as the central character too much. Women throughout history are not often well documented and given that Cleopatra lost her final battle to Octavian, having actual evidence from her lifetime is even more difficult. Under similar circumstances, it would be easy for the author to use the men in her life or the surrounding events to provide the majority of the book while only discussing the main topic sparingly. However, Schiff did an excellent job of relating everything to Cleopatra whether it was discussing her potential thoughts or motives or using the evidence to tie everything together.
I will preface this next statement by saying it is the first biography I have read of Cleopatra, but I do think that this was a well thought-out and comprehensive view of the Egyptian Pharaoh. I would recommend.
Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, Incest, Sexism, Death of parent, Xenophobia, War, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Infidelity, Death, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicide and Forced institutionalization
lindseyhall44's review
4.0
I would not recommend this as a entry into nonfiction, since it can be a bit challenging to follow. However, for those well versed in the genre and interested, I would highly recommend Cleopatra: A Life.
Graphic: Classism, Death, Miscarriage, War, Murder, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Violence
bookaddictellagershon's review
4.75
Moderate: Death, Incest, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Suicide, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, War, and Cultural appropriation
laurajeangrace's review
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, War, and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide, Alcohol, Xenophobia, Infidelity, Confinement, and Murder
Minor: Slavery and Torture
pinkdaisy's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: War, Suicide, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death and Miscarriage
balfies's review
4.5
Most of my Ancient Egypt knowledge centres of Ramesside Egypt 1500yrs prior to Cleopatra, so this was a really fascinating new view into Egyptian history, but also into the Hellenistic age.
Learned so much about Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavian, and the whole cast of characters, and feel like this presents a reasoned walkthrough of the likeliest facts. Really really fantastic read!
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, and Suicide