A review by lbrex
Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard

3.0

This is certainly not Haggard's best work. While there are some fine discussions of Egyptian religion (doubtlessly caught up in some way with Haggard's seeming interest in Theosophy), many of the characters in this novel are shadows of the more interesting and complicated figures in _She_. I was struck by the deep feelings of sexual shame on the part of the narrator in this text. Haggard seems aware of this fact to a degree, but this awareness cannot make up for the book's obsessive return to the narrator's disturbed sense that he is, in fact, a sexual being. The reader is forced repeatedly to confront the fact that Harmachis, Haggard's priest protagonist and descendent of the pharaohs, was attracted to Cleopatra and let her cloud his judgment! Parallel with Harmachis's feelings are those of Charmion, a potential ally of Harmachis who he spurns. As a result, she betrays him and all of Egypt. The fall of an entire civilization is repeatedly attributed to the out-of-control desire of women (and to the desire of men for women, since desire for women is apparently the fault of the women themselves). While many of these ideas are not out of place in Haggard's work, there's not enough going on in _Cleopatra_ to distract the reader from their crudeness. The depictions of Isis are, however, fascinating, and I thought Cleopatra's death was handled well (as was the accompanying illustration).

_Cleopatra_ is best for diehard Haggard fans, but certainly is not near the top of his five best novels. Also, it should be of interest for those looking to read tales of vengeance or historical fiction.