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Oct 05, 2011

Kimberly rated it:

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 choi More...

3 comments like (6 people liked it)

Feb 06, 2009

Charlotte rated it:

Whew! What a long book. This was my first foray into anything Cleopatran and I thought it was well worth it. I like long books, but this one was almost too long for me. Especially the last third of the book became very repetitive. How many times can she pine over Antony and worry about her children inheriting an Empire without sounding droll? Then again, it probably was an agonizing time of waiting for her - no emails or cell phone or AP newswire in those days to keep you informed.

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2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 11, 2008

Lisa rated it:

Argh....this book needed a good editor. As with all of George's books, I get about half way in and begin to lose interest. While the historical detail is wonderful, it took the author 4 pages to say that Cleopatra took a swim.

Started the book in Egypt in December and had to put it down for a while.

2 comments like (10 people liked it)

Jan 06, 2012

Jennifer marked it as to-read

On page 244: This book is fantastic! The beauty of Egypt and Cleopatra and the strength of Caesar and Rome are breathtaking at times. This is my second book by Margaret George and I know it won't be my last.

5 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 13, 2008

Marita rated it:

The real story of Cleopatra is totally fantastic, so I kept reading this epicly long book that put me to sleep twice.

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Mar 09, 2010

Colleen rated it:

Margaret George has a way with words. This is my first MG book and what a book to start with! I confess, it took me a while to get into it, though I appreciated what I read I was not pulled in. The book is a staggering 956 pages (if you don't include th authors notes etc.) and while the book read like poetry at times it also got tedious in the explanations of things; such is history though. Though I know that Julius Caesar and Cleopatra's relationship is very much more romantic in the book than More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Oct 26, 2008

Pam rated it:

This is my car book...what is a car book? The book I keep in my car for those occasions such as appointments, waiting or dining out alone, when I want a book to read. I have owned this book since November of 2006 and I am only, maybe, halfway through it...but I have loved savoring it in these short bursts. I have often thought of pulling it out of the car and reading it full stop, but then I think it would spoil the fun.

I love this book! First career was as an archaeologist, so I LOV More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 07, 2009

Ashley rated it:

FAVORITE book of all time. I would love to know Cleopatra.

1 comment like (5 people liked it)

Dec 16, 2009

Christina rated it:

The first 800 pages were fantastically engaging and I plowed through them in less time than it normally takes me to read several books. Caesar's assination, as described, was quite underwhelming, but Cleopatra's agony at Antony's death more than makes up for it. The last 160 were quite a slog, and the descriptions of Antony's doldrums following the seige of Actium, especially when read in the heat of summer, were truly grueling.

I learned that stealing from my mom is a good thing, els More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 01, 2009

maricar rated it:

The Queen of Egypt, speaking in a unique voice expressing unexpected thoughts…

I’d admit that I put off reading this novel for the longest time—its thickness was an excuse I harped on, fearing that I might get bored with the story without even reaching the half of it (despite reviews to the contrary).

Of course, I realized the foolishness of this sentiment soon enough when I found myself staying up well into the hours of the night, turning page after page, losing myself in More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Oct 22, 2011

Elizabeth rated it:

I wouldn’t have thought it possible to make the reign of Queen Cleopatra dull, but that’s exactly what Margaret George has achieved in The Memoirs of Cleopatra, a 900+ page hair-puller of a novel. Books like this make me wish I wasn’t a Finisher. I wish I had mastered the art of abandoning a novel halfway through, but, alas, once I start a book, I’m committed.

Not that Memoirs is a total loss. I set out to read it wanting to learn more about Queen Cleopatra’s reign and I’ve certainly More...

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Jan 18, 2011

Amanda rated it:

This book was a tradition for me to read each summer. I relished school getting out and lounging in the pool, day by day, and reading through these pages. It took the whole summer to read, too, because this book is a monster.

After graduating college, I stopped reading this book every summer. But I still pick it up time to time and read my favorite passages.

If you have any interest at all in Queen Cleopatra, you will love this book. However, if you're like me, after reading th More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 07, 2010

Traci rated it:

Margaret George does an amazing job of making you feel as if Cleopatra is walking beside you narrating the story of her life. The writing in this book is descriptive and takes you away to Cleopatra's time to the point you vividly you feel as if you could reach out and touch the people and places around her. I didn't want this book to ever end however, by the time I was at the end of the book I felt as if Cleopatra and I were close friends. There were times in the book I had to stop and remind More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 30, 2012

djamb rated it:

You may find my opinion in portuguese and english in my book blog: http://folhasdepapel.wordpress.com/2012/...

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I didn’t know this book until I find it hidden in a book store. What captivated me was undoubtedly the title: Memoirs of Cleopatra. This Margaret George’s book, divided in three volumes in Portugal, tells the story of this Egyptian Queen in her own voice since her childhood. The story is based on historical facts but is also endowed with the author’s enormous More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 08, 2011

Chels rated it:

Wonderful historical fiction. No need to have previous knowledge to follow the story line, so if this would be your first delve into the life of Cleopatra, it's a safe and most interesting bet.

However, like all historical fiction, there are liberties taken where debated historical facts are watered down and or completely overlooked in the face of writing a good story. And in this case, an interesting love story. Yes, Cleopatra was the lover of both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, which More...

0 comments like

Dec 16, 2009

Amy rated it:

This is one of the best gooks I've ever read. Ridiculously long, but one I never wanted to end. It currently resides at Uncle Norman's house in Ka'a'ava, Oahu, HI. If I ever want it back, I'll probably have to travel there to get it. If you have ANY interest in history, Egyptology, or romance, READ THIS!! Margaret George does a ton of reasearch, takes fact, and turns it into GREAT fiction! This is my #1 Margaret George novel.

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Jan 22, 2011

Ace rated it:

The book truly opens up and hooks most readers in to Cleopatra's life as she lived it before becoming Queen all the way leading up to her crowning and her four marriages while she ruled over Egypt. This book had many historical facts laced in to the fiction of her life, it was a learning experience reading the novel. Very well written, like you're breathing the sands of Egypt however, the length is a little over done. Especially in the last half of the book where all Cleopatra is doing is waitin More...

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Jun 03, 2011

Sharon rated it:

The Memoirs of Cleopatra is a mammoth novel, both in size and scope. Crammed full of historical events, real-life characters and period detail, it breathes new life into the familiar story of the fabled Queen of Egypt.

The book revolves around a triumvirate of finely crafted characters: the ambitious Cleopatra, the aloof Caesar, and the vacillating Antony.

While the tale occasionally bogs down under its sheer weight—I felt like I needed a scorecard to keep track of all th More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 09, 2010

Alexis rated it:

This book took forever to get through but it was well worth the effort. Margaret George does an AMAZING job describing Egypt and the pampered life of the young Cleopatra; you can see the palace walls so clearly in your mind. I'm the kind of person who becomes attached to characters, and when Caesar was murdered I felt the devastation almost as acutely as Cleopatra did. I had to put the book down for a long time, and when I finally came back to it I found that I was angry with her when she began More...

0 comments like

Feb 11, 2009

Chrissie rated it:

Well, I finally finished it. 9857 pages! It is way too long, but I learned a lot so I gave it three stars.

On page 480 of 957. I am interested in the cultural aspects of different kingdoms, but NOT military strategies, which I tend to skim. Some might like the romantics of Cleopatra's relationship with Mark Anthony, but this is not why I have chosen to read the book. Half way through - it is too long, or tries to cover all readers' interests, so sometimes I am bored.

On pa More...

7 comments like

May 24, 2010

Trace rated it:

This was a looooong read (976 pages)... and there were parts I was tempted to skim (ie the war and military scenes)... but all in all - I found it VERY interesting. What a fascinating woman Cleopatra was. I am ashamed to admit that prior to reading this book, I knew very little about this historical figure and yet I still judged her in a negative light - vaguely thinking that she had a bad reputation for some reason or another.
But this book gave me a completely different perspective. More...

0 comments like

Aug 22, 2010

Barbra rated it:

This is such a spellbinding book. A wonderful read thoroughly researched and written in such a way to make it so easy a read and keep you involved with all the historical facts. A huge book but don't be put off - it's a pleasure to read it.

Back Cover Blurb:
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.
It More...

0 comments like

Jun 13, 2009

Kellyreaderofbooks rated it:

This historical fiction book covers the entire life of the famous Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. The book starts when she is a young child, and ends.....well, I'll leave that up to the reader to find out for him/herself!

I'm embarrassed to admit that I started the book knowing next to nothing about Cleopatra. In this case, it was probably a plus that I didn't know much; the book is so huge and detailed that I think it would be easy to get bogged down in if you already knew her story. For More...

0 comments like

Mar 31, 2011

Bee rated it:

Fantastic, one of the best books I've every read!
The author really brings this Queen to life - from childhood, her life in Egypt before her Father dies, the complicated political situation that results after his death, her incredible intelligence and cool-headedness, and utter ruthlessness about attaining and keeping her throne, her love of both Julius Ceasar and Anthony . . from choosing her make-up and perfumes, to planning her own death . . it's all there.
Margaret George has resea More...

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Jan 04, 2009

Maltaise rated it:

Cleopatra had been sitting on my shelf for years-about 4 years ago it traveled to Europe and only had about 50 pages read. This past year I picked it up again and started all over from the beginning. I became completely engrossed in the story. The book is wonderfully written, telling Cleopatra's story from a young child to her encounter with the asp.
For anyone that loves history-the book is very well researched. I finished the book feeling I had a great knowledge of the history of this More...

0 comments like

Dec 19, 2008

Sanae rated it:

Having enjoyed George's Helen of Troy book so much, I picked up Cleopatra and wasn't disappointed. Before reading this, I knew very little about her life. Seeing Cleopatra through George's eyes was like being her- feeling her pain, pleasures, stuggles, strength, adorations, all that encompases being a woman. You really see how she loves Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, her children, and Egypt. With as much as she respects Caesar, she loves Antony. It's one of those Romeo and Juliet loves.
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Jul 24, 2008

Robin rated it:

I am completely consumed by this book! I am torn between wanting to devour it and wanting to savor it. I know I will be sad when it's over, but I can't wait to find out what happens next.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Sep 02, 2011

C.G. rated it:

I almost never give 5-stars to anything. But I did this book. First, Cleopatra has always been a fascinating historical figure, so I was psyched to read this work of historical fiction from the get-go. The author did her research and the writing is great, so no problems there. I like that Margaret George made Cleo and her motivations SO human. The queen lived by her wits and wiles. This book touched me deeply; I felt depressed for a week after finishing it (we all know her sad and sorry fate). I More...

1 comment like

Oct 22, 2009

Sandy rated it:

Ms George does write lengthy books but then her characters are more three dimentional. And let's face it Cleopatra packed a lot of living during her time on earth. You see her tenacity, her love of Egypt. She is not only manipulator of men, she is a lover, and loving mother of her children. I found it intriguing and reviling. To me, when you only stop reading because the words are starting to blur from need of sleep; when the first thing you want to do on awakening is to start reading again; tha More...

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Mar 01, 2010

The6kaisers rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (1 person liked it)