Tag: Cleopatra VII

Book Review: “Cleopatra” by Saara El-Arifi

On By hmalagisiIn Book Reviews1 Comment

Some queens throughout history surpass the history of their own countries and create legacies that would transcend centuries. One such queen was Cleopatra, Pharaoh of Egypt, who loved both Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony). She fought against her siblings and even Rome for the right to rule Egypt. There have been accusations of witchcraft and Cleopatra being a seductress, but is this a fair assessment of this Queen of Egypt? Saara El-Arifi tells her own version of Cleopatra’s story, from the queen herself, in her latest novel, “Cleopatra.”

I would like to thank Ballantine Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. As the name of my blog suggests, ancient Egypt is not something I normally read about, but when I was younger, I remember reading a Royal Diaries series book on Cleopatra, so I know elements of her story. When I saw this particular book with such a stunning cover, I decided to dive back into the world of ancient Egypt and give this novel a try.

Unlike many novels about infamous queens, this one is told by Cleopatra in the afterlife. By setting her novel in such a way, El-Arifi gives Cleopatra a chance to address the sources against her directly. It creates a semi-memoir type of novel, which is quite a unique approach to such a legendary figure. El-Arifi has decided to break down her novel into three sections after the three labels that Cleopatra is most known for: the Witch, the Whore, and the Villain.

We begin with the story of how Cleopatra, after the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, became co-ruler with her brother, Ptolemy XIII, also known as Mikro Theos, or Little god. Cleopatra had a loyal friend and servant named Charmion. In ancient Egypt, the Ptolemys were seen as chosen by the gods and were granted gifts to show their powers, but even though Cleopatra was blessed by the goddess Isis, she was granted no gift. Instead, Cleopatra had a love of learning, especially from the Library of Alexandria and practicing the medicinal arts. But Cleopatra knew that to stay in power as a Ptolemy, she had to fight for it, even if it meant taking down her siblings, Mikro Theos and her sister, Arsinoe, who believed she was the rightful queen. We also get to see Cleopatra’s relationship with Rome, primarily with Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius. Finally, we get to witness Cleopatra and Marcus’ death from her perspective.

This was such a gripping read. I found myself falling in love with Cleopatra’s story and blending fact with Egyptian mythology, which was prevalent in the society of ancient Egypt. The actual ending of this novel was different, and I am not sure if I liked it or not. Overall, I think this was a well-researched novel trying to revive Cleopatra’s legacy. If you are a fan of Egyptian history and this infamous queen, you should check out “Cleopatra” by Saara El-Arifi.

Book Review: “The Most Maligned Women in History” by Samantha Morris

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Throughout history, women have been seen as pious mothers, wives, or daughters who stayed in their lane or vile manipulators who wanted power and were willing to do anything to maintain their status. While the former group of women would be an interesting study, as the saying goes, well-behaved women seldom make history. So why did certain women receive a villainess lens when we look at their lives and what do the historical records tell us about them? Samantha Morris has chosen to take the stories of these misunderstood maidens and tell them in her latest book, “The Most Maligned Women in History.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I enjoyed the previous books that I have read by Samantha Morris which covered Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia and Girolamo Savonrola When I heard that she was writing a book about maligned women in history, it caught my attention immediately as I wanted to see which women would be discussed in this book.

As Morris states in her introduction, there are numerous women who she could have chosen for this book she could make a second book, but in the end, she selected eleven women from different countries and centuries to highlight. The eleven women in this book are Cleopatra VII, Empress Wu, Joan of Arc, Lucrezia Borgia, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth Bathory, Catherine the Great, Marie Antoinette, Lizzie Borden, Empress Dowager Cixi, and Iva Toguri the “Tokyo Rose.” Morris takes the time to tell their stories succinctly while explaining why they are considered maligned.

I do appreciate the fact that she included women from different walks of life and different centuries to show how women have been vilified throughout history. We had women who were born queens, those who were mistresses or concubines and became rulers, and average women who did extraordinary things to the ire of those in charge. While I knew some of these stories like Anne Boleyn, Marie Antoinette, Cleopatra, and Lucrezia Borgia, others were completely new to me, such as Empress Wu, Empress Dowager Cixi, and Iva Toguri. The other women in this book were names that I had heard mentioned and knew some elements of their tales, but I didn’t know their full stories.

I found this book such a fun read full of vivacious women who were not afraid to go beyond the status quo. I do hope Morris will write a sequel book and include even more women from the past who have been viewed as maligned and maybe include women from Africa, Australia, and South America to show women from even more diverse backgrounds. If you want a delightful and insightful book about women who had some bad reputations, I highly suggest you read, “The Most Maligned Women in History” by Samantha Morris.