The Memoirs of Cleopatra
A Novel
by Margaret George
Overview
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The world-renowned author of The Autobiography of Henry VIII and Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles turns from Renaissance Britain to ancient Egypt and the story of Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. Told in the first person - from the young queen's earliest memories of her father's tenuous rule to her own reign over one of the most glittering kingdoms in the world - this is a mesmerizing saga of ambition and power. But it is also a tale of passion that begins when the twenty-one-year-old Cleopatra, desperate to return from exile, seeks out the one man who can help her, the Roman general Julius Caesar - and does not end until, having survived the assassination of Caesar and the defeat of the second man she loves, Marc Antony, she plots her own death rather than allow herself to be paraded in triumph through the streets of Rome.
My thoughts
Yes, it's the same author as the Mary Called Magdalene and The Autobiography of Henry VIII books I previously reviewed. Margaret George is a sensational author!
My teenage daughter actually read this book before I did and gave it rave reviews. I've never been mesmerized with Cleopatra, and in fact I didn't know much about her, so it took me a couple of years and a couple of other Margaret George books before I decided to read this one. I was NOT disappointed!! And I had NO idea that Cleopatra was the amazing woman she was!
I ordinarily read non-fiction books and on the rare occasions when I do choose a fictionalized book, I almost always choose a historical novel. You can thus imagine my surprise when I started reading about the passionate love affair of Cleopatra and Caesar! Oh la la! I understand now why people read romance novels!!
The love scenes, and there are plenty of them, between Cleopatra and Caesar, and then Cleopatra and Marc Antony, were delightful and playful additions to a book that is very entertaining even without them! After reading the book I realize just how little I know about that particular time period or about Cleopatra's accomplishments. It was fascinating to me to tie her life into the history of Caesar and Octavian. There were a lot of surprises!
One thing I still have trouble wrapping my head around is the time period. In one part of the book they reference the year 44BC. I find it so difficult to believe that they had naval fleets of 800 ships back in those times, and that they had ships large enough to require 100 rowers! The war equipment they had -- think Roman Gladiators -- is not something I equate with the time of Jesus. I really must get out more and read more history because it's all very fascinating! Even if you don't like history, I recommend Margaret George's books because you'll get a grasp of history even if you don't try!
Margaret George includes a chapter in the back of the book that outlines which parts are historically correct and which parts she's taken liberties with. I was curious with that as I read the book, but there are apparently a lot of historical accounts of the life of Cleopatra from which to research.
Favorite Passage
I almost hate to share this passage because it's such a surprise when you get to this part of the book, but it's so good I can't help but share it! The snakes they refer to are, of course, cobras!
"Yes, they are here," he answered my spoken question. "But not in cages." As well as my unspoken. "Do not move, and they will come to you."
No wonder Nakht had been so guarded and respectful. Snakes! Loose in the room! I remembered Mardian's pet snakes, and I had always taken their part, claiming I liked them, but they had been in wicker cages. This was different.
I looked down at my feet. I saw nothing.
"Stand still, and wait, my daughter," Ipuwer said. "And you, Nakht, may depart. The Goddess must be alone with her own."
Dont leave! I wanted to say. But I could not. Nakht bowed and backed out of the room. I heard the fall of the curtain as he left.
"Yes, we must wait," Ipuwer repeated. "And while we wait, sit down beside me on this bench. Would you like to see the oldest scroll of all?"
He was spreading it out tenderly when a smile of transport suddenly took hold of him.
"Ahhh," he said. "She is here." He looked as if something wonderful had happened to him - the way another man would look if his wife had just had a wished-for son. Slowly he raised his arm and I saw it, clinging to it, a big dark snake.
"Edjo," he said, his dry old voice a caress. "Protective goddess. You know who has come, do you not? Your own."
The snake seemingly paid him no heed, but twined around his arm like ivy around a tree.
