Cleopatra comes alive........
|
Margaret George really gives an insight into Cleopatra's life and her emotions in this novel. You really live this book, it is one of those that plays on your mind when you can't read it (i.e. when you are at work!). At every opportunity I picked this up to read some more. I was fortunate enough to have some days off and read this solid, I couldn't put it down.
Like a previous reviewer said, George does omit some detail as to what she actually looked like but I think evidence on this is sketchy anyway. I immediately had an image of her in my head when I began this novel anyway so didn't think this detail was really needed. George writes so vividly that Egypt really comes alive, you can feel the sand blowing over your toes as you walk over the desert, you can see those monolithic dazzlingly white buildings in front of you. You really imagine yourself in Cleopatra's position, I felt all her emotions, her tragic loss, her love and passion.
The book starts with Cleopatra as a young girl and follows her life through right to the tragic end. George has obviously researched this incredibly well as what I knew about her was contained in here, plus other facts which I have since found out are correct. All of the questions I ever had about Cleopatra, and many generally on life at that time, were answered by this book.
Overall a fantastic read for those with even the faintest interest in Cleopatra or Ancient Rome. I can guarantee that this will whet your appetite to learn more about this fantastic period in time and the amazing Cleopatra....
P.S For an extra treat I suggest purchasing Cleopatra the DVD with Elizabeth Taylor after reading this, because if you are anything like me you will be missing the old girl....
|
|
|
Vibrant, Detailed - Excellent!
|
|
Another of George's triumphs - the detail and description is of necessity sometimes hypothesis but you wouldn't know it! It brings to life Cleopatra in a way that absolutely thrums with life. Great - read it, you'll never know what you've missed unless you do. My favourite is still 'The Autobiography of Henry VIII' but this runs a very close second.
|
|
Wasn't really worth it
|
I have always wanted to read the actual memoirs of Cleopatra and since that is impossible, I decided that this would be the next best thing. The reviews were mainly positive and it appeared to give a thorough, at-times-fictional, account of her life.
To begin with the book was an easy read and Cleopatra was presented as a very likeable character, as were Ceaser and Antony. However, it was around the battle of Actium that it rapidly became tedious and very drawn out. Around half of the pages used to describe the battle and eventual defeat of the egyptian army at Actium, and also the events following back in Egypt, could have been heavily edited and removed to allow the book to continue to flow. Unfortunately that hasn't been done and I was seriously considering not finishing the book; I did however, just to make reading the bulk of it worthwhile.
The weakness of the closing chapters is what has influenced me to give it only three stars, and if anyone were to ask me to recommend a book on the subject of Cleopatra and her military exploits, I would advise them to look elsewhere rather than to read this particular book.
|
|
|
Cleopatra lives
|
This book is truly amazing. You feel as if you are actually inside the head of this amazing woman. It's no wonder the romans tried to poison us against her throughout history. She was clever, intelligent and loved those around her. Little wonder that men fell under her spell as soon as they met her.
As a work of fiction it's the kind of book you pick and just can't put down. Margaret George very carefully researches her material and it shows, mixing a blend of historical fact with perhaps a little bias. Strange though that her tomb which stood in the centre of Alexandria and contained both her and Mark Anthony has so completely vanished and no trace of it has ever been found. I also agree with her physician Olympus, had her eldest son been allowed to live, what wonderful things he may have done with parents like Cleopatra and Ceaser. This we shall never know or find out the fate of her other children by Marc Anthony.
If you plan to go off on holiday soon, take this book and become lost in an ancient world. If you stay at home, curl up on the sofa read this book and be transported.
|
|
|
Wonderful from Start to Finish
|
|
On the strength of other Amazon reviews of this book I bought it for a holiday read, never having read any Margaret George before. I must say I was delighted with it. Ms George really brings the characters of this ancient world to life and her account of the lives of Caesar, Cleopatra and Marc Anthony is very absorbing. Don't be put off by the length of the book, it's not at all heavy going and you will be surprised just how quickly you get through it ! Wonderful !
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada