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.
Thank you Netgalley, Ballantine Books, and Author Saara El - Arifi for the eArc copy of "Cleopatra" in exchange for an honest review.
A book that deserves Book of the Year. A tale worth sharing over and over again.
Cleopatra is a Historical Fiction Novel told through the eyes of Cleopatra herself as she looks back upon her life. It is a book that makes you feel as if Cleopatra is telling you the tale herself. A book that delivers an underlying silent rage targeted towards the atrocities of men reducing women with power into one dimensional beings often in attempts to diminishes and demonize them.
History has always been a part of my life. Ever since I could remember, I have been enraptured by the ancients and their world. It's what drove me into a degree path for Ancient History. The first time I heard the name Cleopatra I was sitting in my grandfather's living room. He had been watching the 1963 Cleopatra movie. The questions began flowing and he answered as best as you could answer a 5 year old. While, Greece was more of my domain, the Pharaohs of Egypt always enticed me. Hatshepsut, Sobekneferu, Nefertiti, Cleopatra I, Cleopatra VII, etc all drew my attention. Yet, for years none have been given what they deserve. There was one book written as a diary form that came close, but it was for kids. "She's just a cunning seductress" is what modern media would say. "She wasn't beautiful but she was an asp." Ancient historians would say. Finding something to evoke emotion outside of a simple history book was impossible. Something that I could use to entice people to want to go learn more about Cleopatra VII and everything that she was was nearly impossible. Until now.
This book has me crying. Crying for joy, sorrow, anger, love. To see Cleopatra told in a way that honors her, the history, and women in general gives me hope. El - Arifi has given this story justice. El - Arifi brought Cleopatra to life in a way I have been longing for. Respect, understanding, and vast knowledge went into this writing flawlessly. Cleopatra tells her truth in this fictional look back upon her life. She navigates grief, love, and sorrow.
The pacing might be slow for some, or varied for others. For me, it paced well with how I think. The pacing made this feel more real. The history behind it, it clearly well studied. I have been begging for a book where the character or perhaps author speaks the margins or footnotes of a fictional novel and this provided that.
I can not wait to be able to add this book to my physical shelves because I know I will never stop reading it. I can not express enough the emotions and love this book evoked within me. Dare I say, this has soared to being one of my favorite books of all time. I do not say that lightly. I have had the same book at the top spot for the last 18 years.
Thank you so much Saara El - Arifi for writing such a beautiful piece.
A book that deserves Book of the Year. A tale worth sharing over and over again.
Cleopatra is a Historical Fiction Novel told through the eyes of Cleopatra herself as she looks back upon her life. It is a book that makes you feel as if Cleopatra is telling you the tale herself. A book that delivers an underlying silent rage targeted towards the atrocities of men reducing women with power into one dimensional beings often in attempts to diminishes and demonize them.
History has always been a part of my life. Ever since I could remember, I have been enraptured by the ancients and their world. It's what drove me into a degree path for Ancient History. The first time I heard the name Cleopatra I was sitting in my grandfather's living room. He had been watching the 1963 Cleopatra movie. The questions began flowing and he answered as best as you could answer a 5 year old. While, Greece was more of my domain, the Pharaohs of Egypt always enticed me. Hatshepsut, Sobekneferu, Nefertiti, Cleopatra I, Cleopatra VII, etc all drew my attention. Yet, for years none have been given what they deserve. There was one book written as a diary form that came close, but it was for kids. "She's just a cunning seductress" is what modern media would say. "She wasn't beautiful but she was an asp." Ancient historians would say. Finding something to evoke emotion outside of a simple history book was impossible. Something that I could use to entice people to want to go learn more about Cleopatra VII and everything that she was was nearly impossible. Until now.
This book has me crying. Crying for joy, sorrow, anger, love. To see Cleopatra told in a way that honors her, the history, and women in general gives me hope. El - Arifi has given this story justice. El - Arifi brought Cleopatra to life in a way I have been longing for. Respect, understanding, and vast knowledge went into this writing flawlessly. Cleopatra tells her truth in this fictional look back upon her life. She navigates grief, love, and sorrow.
The pacing might be slow for some, or varied for others. For me, it paced well with how I think. The pacing made this feel more real. The history behind it, it clearly well studied. I have been begging for a book where the character or perhaps author speaks the margins or footnotes of a fictional novel and this provided that.
I can not wait to be able to add this book to my physical shelves because I know I will never stop reading it. I can not express enough the emotions and love this book evoked within me. Dare I say, this has soared to being one of my favorite books of all time. I do not say that lightly. I have had the same book at the top spot for the last 18 years.
Thank you so much Saara El - Arifi for writing such a beautiful piece.
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