William Bostock
Auteur de I, Cleopatra
Œuvres de William Bostock
Étiqueté
Partage des connaissances
- Sexe
- male
Membres
Critiques
I loved this book so much when I discovered it as an eighth-grader. I read my copy till it came apart in my hands. I happened across it again at a yard sale, so of course I picked it up. I'm so sorry I did. Overwrought, purple prose (lots of fiery manhood thrusting into queenly flesh like a flaming, passionate sword), though beneath all the romance is some interesting history. I can't recommend this, and I have a hard time believing I was once someone who could read and re-read this tripe.
Statistiques
- Œuvres
- 4
- Membres
- 18
- Popularité
- #630,789
- Évaluation
- 3.3
- Critiques
- 2
- ISBN
- 1
― William Bostock, I, Cleopatra
This is not a new review. I am just adding to it a bit. I do not think I did this book justice.
I read "I Cleopatra" a very long time ago but it's one of my favorites and I reread it every year or two. This book is, in my opinion, the best book on Cleopatra I have ever read.
Since I first read it, I have tried in vain to find a book on her life that is as good. I have read some really good ones but nothing that packs half the punch.
Why is that? I have thought about this question. What makes this book so much better than other books on Cleopatra's life?
I think a few things. Atmosphere, as I mentioned in my original review plays a role.This is told in first person. Cleopatra narrates the whole book. And the reader just feels....there. In Egypt. At the Palace.
Everything comes alive. The lives of the people of Alexandria. The family of Cleopatra, her siblings, all of whom are vividly reimagined with their own personalities.
The customs, the scenery, the passions, the Banquets. The Nile, the Palace, the people..all described in stunning and Glamorous prose that is at once easy to read, addicting and startling in its beauty.
The treachery of the palace. The love between Cleopatra and her parents. Her education and being schooled by her dad, the great King Ptolemy.
And the love between Cleopatra and her friends. Her ladies, Charmaine and Iris. Her tutor, Protarches. And her head of Guards, Apollodorus.
And later her life with her two great loves, Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony .
Egypt itself comes alive and becomes its own character as you are transported there. Even today, when I think of Egypt, this book comes to mind. I feel like I have been there. And in my opinion, that is a key as to why the book works so well. Because Egypt is a character in the book, a deep and beautiful character. And if you are fascinated and enamored, you will not want to leave the journey that I Cleopatra takes you on .
The book has depth and beauty and can be enjoyed by anyone. I read it as a kid but adulthood has not dulled my enjoyment of it at all. There isn't a dull moment in the entire book. Not one. It is worth noting the book is long..very long..but the pages fly. It actually isn't long enough in my opinion as it's disappointing when the book ends.
It takes you through her whole life, from birth until death. Nothing is glossed over. There is plenty of darkness and violence and death. But there are also fierce moments of such deep and soul stirring beauty that I believe if you are a Historical Fiction fan and want a book with incredible and luminous atmosphere, you will never forget this book. It is captivating.
And although, like most books about Cleopatra, much is fictionalized, there is much that is fact as well.
So yes, I'd recommend it. It is my second favorite book ever, second only to "A tree grows in Brooklyn".
And if you do read it, let me know if you liked it. All the stars for this Masterpiece.… (plus d'informations)