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ashleighm11 's review for:
The Memoirs of Cleopatra
by Margaret George
First off, this book was so freaking long. So, so long. It actually exhausted me reading it. But I didn't want to put it down at all. I feel very accomplished having read it and I will say that I am VERY grateful I read it on my kindle, not in paperback, I think I'd have a broken wrist if I'd have read it the 'real' way (I have the utmost respect for people who read the hardback edition, you must have wrists of steel).
Anyway, this was just an epic. I've been enjoying reading Egyptian era fiction recently, I saw this and I knew I had to read it. The length was something that put me off initially, however I think every word was warranted - if it were any shorter it just wouldn't have the depth or beauty, it wouldn't convey the true extravagance and grandeur of Ptolemaic Egypt.
It's a very convincing fictional memoir - following Cleopatra from her childhood to her death. I've noticed (while looking for fiction on Ancient Egypt) that a lot of fiction about Cleopatra focuses only on her relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. Many of them also regurgitate the myths and inaccurate stories about her that grew out of Roman propaganda. Books like these usually ignore the facts that Cleopatra was not a woman who seduced hundreds of men, but a capable Queen who competently governed Egypt by herself for many years and that she was actually only with two men in her entire life (her arranged “marriages” to her brothers were almost certainly in name only).
Overall, I'd give this 4.5/5 - but I round up today as it was just amazing. I feel some parts did drag, but generally it was just beautiful and I loved it. The fact it was written from her perspective, I felt like I was there with how Margaret George establishes and embellishes scenes... I could gush about it forever, but I'll refrain.
Honestly, if you have an interest in the period I would say READ IT, without a doubt. If you don't, then maybe still try because it is a truly amazing book.
Anyway, this was just an epic. I've been enjoying reading Egyptian era fiction recently, I saw this and I knew I had to read it. The length was something that put me off initially, however I think every word was warranted - if it were any shorter it just wouldn't have the depth or beauty, it wouldn't convey the true extravagance and grandeur of Ptolemaic Egypt.
It's a very convincing fictional memoir - following Cleopatra from her childhood to her death. I've noticed (while looking for fiction on Ancient Egypt) that a lot of fiction about Cleopatra focuses only on her relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. Many of them also regurgitate the myths and inaccurate stories about her that grew out of Roman propaganda. Books like these usually ignore the facts that Cleopatra was not a woman who seduced hundreds of men, but a capable Queen who competently governed Egypt by herself for many years and that she was actually only with two men in her entire life (her arranged “marriages” to her brothers were almost certainly in name only).
Overall, I'd give this 4.5/5 - but I round up today as it was just amazing. I feel some parts did drag, but generally it was just beautiful and I loved it. The fact it was written from her perspective, I felt like I was there with how Margaret George establishes and embellishes scenes... I could gush about it forever, but I'll refrain.
Honestly, if you have an interest in the period I would say READ IT, without a doubt. If you don't, then maybe still try because it is a truly amazing book.