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The Memoirs of Cleopatra

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'The Memoirs of Cleopatra' by Margaret George is a detailed historical fiction novel that delves into the life and loves of Cleopatra. The book is written from Cleopatra's first-person perspective, providing an intimate portrayal of the legendary queen's journey from her early memories to her tragic end. The novel captures the grandeur of ancient Egypt, political intrigues, battles, and personal relationships, offering a mix of factual events and fictional conversations with historical figures like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

The book is praised for its meticulous research, vivid descriptions, and immersive storytelling that bring Cleopatra's world to life. Margaret George's writing style is commended for its ability to engage readers and provide a fresh perspective on a well-known historical figure. Despite its length, the novel is described as captivating, providing insights into Cleopatra's character, ambitions, and struggles, making it a compelling read for fans of historical fiction and ancient civilizations.

Characters:

Characters are richly developed, with Cleopatra depicted as multifaceted, while other historical figures are presented with nuance and depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and immersive, employing a first-person narrative that captures Cleopatra's emotional depth and the historical context.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately details Cleopatra's life journey, highlighting her complexities as a ruler, her impactful relationships, and contrasting views from her enemies.

Setting:

The setting vividly brings the ancient world to life, highlighting the cultural and political landscapes of Egypt and Rome.

Pacing:

The pacing is inconsistent, with some areas deeply detailed, leading to slower sections amidst more rapid and engaging moments.
Warmth. Wind. Dancing blue waters, and the sound of waves. I see, hear, feel them all still. I even taste the sting of the salt against my lips, where the fine, misty spray coats them. And closer even...

Notes:

The Memoirs of Cleopatra is a historical fiction novel written by Margaret George.
This book spans almost 1000 pages, detailing Cleopatra's life from childhood to her death.
It is written in the first person from Cleopatra's perspective, offering personal insights into her life.
The novel is well-researched, with rich historical details about ancient Egypt and Rome.
Cleopatra's character is depicted as both caring and manipulative, emphasizing her complexity as a ruler.
Margaret George has written other historical fiction novels about figures like Henry VIII and Mary Queen of Scots.
The story explores Cleopatra's relationships with powerful men like Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.
Cleopatra's portrayal in the book challenges the reader's understanding of her as a villain, showing her ambitions for Egypt.
The author also comments on the propaganda against Cleopatra by her enemies, such as Octavian Caesar and Cicero.
The book includes an author's note that distinguishes between fact and fiction and discusses the sources used for research.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include depictions of political intrigue, betrayal, and the historical context surrounding Cleopatra's life and death.

Has Romance?

There is a strong presence of romance, especially in the depiction of Cleopatra's relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.

From The Publisher:

Bestselling novelist Margaret George brings to life the glittering kingdom of Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, in this lush, sweeping, and richly detailed saga.

Told in Cleopatra's own voice, The Memoirs of Cleopatra is a mesmerizing tale of ambition, passion, and betrayal in the ancient Egyptian world, which begins when the twenty-year-old queen seeks out the most powerful man in the world, 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 be paraded in triumph through the streets of Rome.

Most of all, in its richness and authenticity, it is an irresistible story that reveals why Margaret George's work has been widely acclaimed as "the best kind of historical novel, one the reader can't wait to get lost in." (San Francisco Chronicle).

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About the Author:

Margaret George is the author of The Autobiography of Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles, and Elizabeth I, among other novels. Margaret first got the idea to write historical fiction when, after reading numerous books that viewed Henry VIII through the eyes of his enemies and victims, she found herself wondering if there might be another side to the story. She became determined to let Henry speak for himself, and it took fifteen years, about three hundred books of background reading, three visits to England to see every extant building associated with Henry, and five handwritten drafts for her to answer the question: What was Henry really like? Margaret was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and has traveled extensively. She and her husband live in Madison, Wisconsin.

 
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