Sydney's comments
(member since Oct 10, 2008)
Sydney's comments from the Historical Fiction Buddy Reads group.
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How is everyone doing with the book? I am nearing the end of the story. So if you are not up to the 700's you may find SPOILERS here. Although, I can't imagine that everyone doesn't already know how it ends.
Is it possible that Octavian was the coward he has been made out to be? He certainly had to be a cleaver and charismatic person to have controlled the course of history the way he did. He orchestrated it all from the assassination of Ceasar to the defeat of Antony and the downfall of the Egyptian monarchy.
I am now interested in reading about what happened in Rome after Octavian’s triumph. Can anyone suggest a good book that I should add to my TBR list?
In response to the questions:
1. Did Caesar really love Cleopatra?
Caesar was a very powerful man and the climate and opportunities in Rome were ripe for him to have as many women as he wanted - especially women who would advance his position. Did he really love Cleopatra? I think he was entranced by her and the exotic surroundings. He probably did love her in his own way, but he loved his power and position more.
2. Should Cleo have accepted the queen of Nubia's proposal for unity?
I honestly know very little about the history of the region and don’t have an answer for your second question. In my opinion - they were very different cultures and I doubt that they could have formed a bond secure enough to counter the Romans.
I am starting page 534 and if you have not gotten that far as yet, this may contain “SPOILERS” for you.
Unfortunately Cleopatra chose men who represented gods to her instead of mere mortal men. Antony has been a heart-breaking disappointment to her thus far. I am not sure why he made the decisions that he did, and I can’t imagine how different history might have been had he thrown his lot with Cleopatra.
Cleopatra is fortunate to be surrounded by faithful servants and people who genuinely have her best interest at heart. Can you imagine giving birth to twins during that time? Most women, during that period, would not have had someone as well trained as Olympos to attend them during such a difficult birth.
I have finished the Fourth Scroll and am just about to start on the next. The opulence that Cleopatra is immersed in is almost unimaginable!
Of course, from history, I knew that Antony and Cleopatra would become involved. It stands to reason that a woman in her position would only be attracted to powerful men. I think that George’s use of a light hand in describing their “coming together” made the scenes all the more sensual.
I have just finished the third scroll and started on the fourth … The Romans were certainly a bloodthirsty group. I see Caesar as the ultimate megalomaniac. Cleopatra is caught up in hero worship and is so much in love with him that she obviously can’t see his human or I should say inhuman frailties. I am anxious for her to return to Egypt and experience the next phase of her life.
Hi Kate, I have not gotten to that part yet. Caesar has met his son, but only while the little boy was sleeping. I am still reading the Third Scroll and I am on page 246. I am really enjoying this book. George draws the exotic details of Egypt and Rome so vividly that I can not only see them, I can smell and taste them as well. This is such a fascinating period in history and George’s characterization is so strong that the people live and breathe on the pages.
Cleopatra is one of those almost mystical figures from the past that you can’t help but be anxious to get to know and understand. To have the story told from her perspective is such a delight; it is history and fantasy all wrapped up in a fascinating story. I am not in a hurry to finish this book – I want to savor every word.
I am not very far along in the story yet so I have not formed any dislikes for Caesar. He is obviously a very strong man who likes to be in control and Cleopatra is growing into a strong-willed woman so there are bound to be clashes between them eventually. At this point in the story she is so young and totally enamored with Caesar.
This is a fascinating part of Egyptian history and I am really enjoying learning so much about it. I love good historical fiction and this certainly is one of the good ones!
I have not had a lot of time to read, but it is difficult to put down once you pick it up. It will take me a little while to catch up.
Sydney
I have barely made a dent in the book yet, but Margaret George certainly lives up to her reputation. The writing is extraordinary and as the cover suggests – I feel as if I have embarked on a magic carpet ride. It is difficult to put the book down.
Thanks Jennifer. I will post my thoughts after I Have read a little more.
Hi, I just started the book this morning and hope I can catch up with you all soon. I have wanted to read this book for a long while. this will be my first Margaret George.
I am glad we have until Dec 31st to finish this book.
Sydney
I did think that the ending was a little contrived. I hope you enjoy the first book as much as this one.
I just finished The Little Stranger and thought it was brilliant. You should ad it to you list of books TBR.
Roxanne, where are you in the book? What are your thoughts?
Wow Jennifer, you certainly have your hands full -- of books that is.... I enjoyed Pillars and World Without End by Follett.
I have just started "The Little Stranger" by Sarah Waters. She is an amazing author and I am really looking forward to this one.
From the front cover: In The Little Stranger, she returns to the fertile setting of Britain in the 1940's---and brings us a sinister tale of a haunted house that brims with the rich atmosphere and psychological complexity that have become hallmarks of her work.
Kate wrote: "Lyn wrote: "I have been averaging about 6 books a month these days, but have gotten myself in above my head lately. In addition to Memoirs, I am reading:
Dragonfly in Amber
[book:..."
Poisonwood Bible is one of my all-time favorite books. I am sure you will enjoy it.
We should have set a certain number of pages per week. Anyway, don't rush to finish and I will discuss any points you wish along the way to the end.
I finished the book this morning. If you have not finished yet, I don't want to give anything away. So...here are a few notes that I made several days prior to finishing the book:
I certainly see what you meant about “love interests.” It seems that everyone is attracted to Alice, including Lady Tansor. Lady Tansor is a most complicated character. I want to know more about her relationship with her last companion/friend. I also can’t wait to see what the housekeeper’s role in all of this is because I know she has one.
For Alice, who is just a young girl, to be able to play cat and mouse with Lady Tansor is not very believable to me. I am surprised she has not given her motives away yet. I am also very surprised that Lady Tansor does not object to her favorite son spending “alone time” with Alice.
I wish you had been here to read it with us. Glad you are joining in on Cleopatra. - Enjoy
The Meaning of Night is definitely in my future.
Historical Fiction Buddy Reads
