This is a beautiful re-telling of Cleopatra’s story through her voice and her chance to set the record straight on what we think we know about her.
It has been a while since I have read such a compelling story that keeps you thoroughly engaged from start to finish, written to challenge perspectives and from such a vivid perspective.
We all have an idea of who we think that Cleopatra was through a multitude of different types of media and stories that have been apparently been told throughout history about her. But what is truly the truth?
With the vividness and strength of her writing, Saara El-Arifi has created a wonderful portrait of Cleopatra, taking the reader from when she found herself becoming pharaoh to through the many difficult conflicts that she found herself having to defend Egypt from to her tragic death.
What is wonderful about this novel is the way it captures the spirit of Cleopatra, humanises her through her strengths, flaws and insecurities that ensures that the reader completely understands her perspective. Whether it is her love for her children, despite her admittance that she isn’t maternal or her love for her treacherous sister Arsinoë and numerous deaths that happen along the way.
It is also interesting to see the way in which her relationships with Charmion, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Antonius are handled in a touching and realistic way that gives additional insight into how Cleopatra potentially saw the world. There is plenty of blood and tragedy along the way but it all feels very grounded as to it unfolds – throughout it all, the reader feels as though they are walking alongside Cleopatra through her life.
The structure of the book is also extremely interesting as it does feel like a memoir in the way in which the story flows through her past memories and stories, linking up perfectly as to how they link up to her life in the present time. This really adds to a sense of poignancy and strong emotional core that the reader is able to feel towards many of the characters.
Every description, whether it is Cleopatra’s clothes or the brutal deaths of some of the characters is so powerfully captured that it does feel as though you are stepping back in time. This is interestingly contrasted by the way in which the story has been written: by Cleopatra in her afterlife – aware of the way in which history has portrayed her and her attempting to set the record straight: it makes for powerful reading.
Equally as powerfully is the way in which this re-telling of Cleopatra’s story is about her trying to reclaim her story from those who misunderstood her and called her all kinds of names without taking into consideration the power that she actually was able to yield and every personal cost that every decision gave to her.
This telling of Cleopatra’s story is captivating from start to finish. It is an eloquent way in which to tell the story of Cleopatra in all of its glory and the many aspects of tragedy that were threaded throughout her life. The tone is spirited and honest that ensures that a human portrayal of her character is captured.
Rating : ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Cleopatra is available to buy now.