soundy's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lorithomas29's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
nicolelin23's review against another edition
5.0
I first read this book when I was 17. I loved it. By far Cleopatra is my fave historical figure of all time since I was in 7 grade. Through out the years I read this book three time. It is one of my fave book and will always be one of my faves
jlange64's review against another edition
4.0
I would really like to give this book 4.5 stars. It was great. It is a historical fiction novel that covers the life of Cleopatra in detail from childhood to her death. I felt as though I really knew her by the end of the book. While it is a very long book, it is worth the time if you're interested in her life and times.
radioisasoundsalvation's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable historical fiction, for the history junkies out there. A very long fluff read, with an almost too perfect heroine.
kimberly_b's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I can't believe this book is over...I feel a sense of accomplishment for having finished it (it's really, really long) and a sense of loss that it's over. The writing is so beautiful and real that it isn't a stretch at all to imagine that Cleopatra wrote it herself. There are so many incredible sentences in this book I could write page after page of quotes. Some of my favorites: "Always carry a limited gold service with you, was my motto." and "When fate offers you no choice you must appear to relish it." and "Goddesses do not grow old." Those are just quick samples of some sentences that made me smile. My only small complaint about this book would be the length, but, after thinking about it, this book would not have felt complete or like a true memoir if it was any shorter. By spending so much time with Cleopatra you really feel like you know her by the conclusion. And, you can't help but feel a dramatic sense of loss by the end even though you know it's coming. Knowing doesn't make her fate any less lamentable. 5 stars.
_groovyginger_'s review against another edition
5.0
I'm sure I have nothing new to add that hasn't already been said before, but this book is a masterpiece. Cleopatra truly comes to life; not only that, but it's as if she is really speaking to us through the ages. Her insights are startlingly relatable today, and Margaret George brilliantly relays Cleopatra's thoughts, emotions and actions. It's so hard to separate this from the real Cleopatra. I could easily believe these are her long lost memoirs.
Parts of it were heart-wrenching and the ending left me absolutely gutted, even though I knew it was coming from the beginning. This book was daunting because of its sheer size but I am happy I stuck with it. It is one of the most transportive books I've read.
Sure, there were just a couple spots I skimmed (mainly describing the animal fights in Rome), but this book felt complete. I wouldn't have left anything out, and I don't think there's anything to add. It felt perfect.
I have a feeling this book will stay with me for a long time.
Parts of it were heart-wrenching and the ending left me absolutely gutted, even though I knew it was coming from the beginning. This book was daunting because of its sheer size but I am happy I stuck with it. It is one of the most transportive books I've read.
Sure, there were just a couple spots I skimmed (mainly describing the animal fights in Rome), but this book felt complete. I wouldn't have left anything out, and I don't think there's anything to add. It felt perfect.
I have a feeling this book will stay with me for a long time.
medea_jade's review against another edition
5.0
Good grief, this book was phenomenal. If you have enjoyed any other books by this author, you will enjoy this book. She captured the essence and atmosphere of this time with absolutely sublime skill. The author takes incredible time and effort to craft her novels and to ensure historical accuracy. At no point while reading this novel did I feel drawn out of the story buy something that felt out of place or incorrect. There’s also the fact that there are very few books about the powerful women in history. Cleopatra was one of very few women to truly rule over Egypt, ironic given that she was not in fact Egyptian. She came as close as any woman ever to starting a dynasty. I would recommend this book to anyone with any interest in the genre of historical fiction, ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, or simply excellent books.
filunara's review against another edition
5.0
Ich habe das Buch zum ersten Mal gelesen, als ich etwa 12 war. 16 Jahre später habe ich es nun ein zweites Mal gelesen und was soll ich sagen: Ich liebe es noch immer genauso und die letzen Seiten habe ich wieder durchgehend geweint.
Zugegeben, es ist langatmig. Manches könnte man kürzer fassen und viele werden es langweilig finden und weglegen. Aber ich finde es großartig. Meiner Meinung nach wird das Buch auch jeden ansprechen, der mal „Die Säulen der Erde“ gelesen hat oder die Jahrhundert-Trilogie von Ken Follet.
Kleopatra hat schon immer eine Faszination auf mich ausgeübt. Eine Pharaonin, die es schaffte, dass sowohl Caesar als aus Marc Anton ihr zu Füßen lagen. Eine Herrscherin, Mutter und Ehefrau, die es in Zeiten, in denen Rom und seine Männer die Welt beherrschten, schaffte, ein Reich wie Ägypten nicht nur zu erhalten und über die Runden zu bringen, sondern es zu einer Macht zu machen, vor der Rom zitterte.
Leider ist es so, dass so ziemlich alles, was man über Kleopatra weiß, von ihren Feinden geschrieben und verbreitet wurde. Die Autorin hat nun versucht, aus vielen verschiedenen Quellen und der „neueren“ Forschung (das Buch ist ja jetzt auch schon etwas älter, sicherlich gibt es mittlerweile neue Erkenntnisse) ein Bild von Kleopatra zu schaffen, das nicht nur ein Feindbild ist. Und das ist ihr ganz hervorragend gelungen. Vieles im Buch ist historisch belegt und ganz wie Ken Follet auch nimmt Margaret George historisch belegte Tatsachen und haucht diesen Leben ein. Das eine oder andere ist natürlich erfunden, aber alles fügt sich ganz wunderbar zusammen.
Zugegeben, es ist langatmig. Manches könnte man kürzer fassen und viele werden es langweilig finden und weglegen. Aber ich finde es großartig. Meiner Meinung nach wird das Buch auch jeden ansprechen, der mal „Die Säulen der Erde“ gelesen hat oder die Jahrhundert-Trilogie von Ken Follet.
Kleopatra hat schon immer eine Faszination auf mich ausgeübt. Eine Pharaonin, die es schaffte, dass sowohl Caesar als aus Marc Anton ihr zu Füßen lagen. Eine Herrscherin, Mutter und Ehefrau, die es in Zeiten, in denen Rom und seine Männer die Welt beherrschten, schaffte, ein Reich wie Ägypten nicht nur zu erhalten und über die Runden zu bringen, sondern es zu einer Macht zu machen, vor der Rom zitterte.
Leider ist es so, dass so ziemlich alles, was man über Kleopatra weiß, von ihren Feinden geschrieben und verbreitet wurde. Die Autorin hat nun versucht, aus vielen verschiedenen Quellen und der „neueren“ Forschung (das Buch ist ja jetzt auch schon etwas älter, sicherlich gibt es mittlerweile neue Erkenntnisse) ein Bild von Kleopatra zu schaffen, das nicht nur ein Feindbild ist. Und das ist ihr ganz hervorragend gelungen. Vieles im Buch ist historisch belegt und ganz wie Ken Follet auch nimmt Margaret George historisch belegte Tatsachen und haucht diesen Leben ein. Das eine oder andere ist natürlich erfunden, aber alles fügt sich ganz wunderbar zusammen.
jsimons1988's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0