Cleopatra: A Novel
Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic from the bestselling and award-winning author of Faebound and The Final Strife.
“Enchanting, smart, and subversive—this is El-Arifi’s masterpiece.”—R.F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Katabasis
This stunning edition includes designed endpapers and a custom case stamp.
YOU KNOW MY NAME, BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME.
Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall.
Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves.
Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children.
How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, and divinely blessed to rule.
Death will silence me no longer.
This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.
“Enchanting, smart, and subversive—this is El-Arifi’s masterpiece.”—R.F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Katabasis
This stunning edition includes designed endpapers and a custom case stamp.
YOU KNOW MY NAME, BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME.
Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall.
Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves.
Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children.
How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, and divinely blessed to rule.
Death will silence me no longer.
This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.
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Community Reviews
This beautifully written retelling of Cleopatra’s life, narrated from her perspective, offers a unique and captivating view of her story.
Saara El-Arifi’s vivid descriptions transport readers to different settings, making the narrative flow effortlessly from page to page. Her luminous writing style draws readers into Cleopatra’s world, allowing them to explore her humanity as a mother, friend, scientist, and Pharaoh. The inclusion of Cleopatra’s internal struggle with compassion adds depth to her character, challenging the often-negative portrayal of her as a historical figure.
Cleopatra’s story inspires readers to love and live life to the fullest. I highly recommend this gorgeous book to anyone interested in a compelling and thought-provoking retelling of history.
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