The Memoirs of Cleopatra

By: Margaret George

Narrated by: Donada Peters

Length: 49 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

This novel allows the unscrupulous and proud Queen of the Nile to recount her own tale. A masterful recreation of history.

©1997 Margaret George (P)1998 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"A thrilling story...[Cleopatra's] 'memoirs' are vivid and enthralling. Read them." (Washington Post)
"Readers looking to be transported to another place and time will find their magic carpet here." (Publishers Weekly)
"An extremely detailed historical novel....this accurate re-creation of a vastly interesting time and place will not disappoint." (Booklist)

Easy to digest dramatized history

The author is super talented & the narrator is fantastic. If you think you know all there is to know about Cleopatra, you may very well be surprised. The author acknowledges which elements were added for drama and continuity & which details are based on historical documents. An excellent listen that never gets boring

In depth

This book was very long. At times I thought “I wish it would go a little faster.” That being said, I was interested all the way through.
The level of historical research that went in to this is astounding.
The Narration is perfect. Narration can make or break a book. This narrator was on point.
If you enjoy historical fiction, you will not be disappointed with this book.

Outstanding

Thank you for this experience! Margaret George graces us with a collection of words that are a treasure to behold. I truly marvel at what it must have taken to bring this legendary figure to life in the way that she has. The depth of character and scenes are created with such care and skill. Donda Peters’ narration is the perfect compliment, she conveys emotion brilliantly and honors the writing. Absolutely loved it!

enthralling

I had been looking for cleopatra's story after seeing the HBO series "Rome" and this story and its dramatic reading have taken me to the ancient world of egypt, rome and beyond and gave me the opportunity to know Cleopatra as a real woman, with a real story...it makes her so real and the detail is so vivid
Every woman should know this story!

Cleopatra

I loved this book! I loved the story, the history, the way the narrator told the story and it was thoroughly enjoyable! I highly recommend this book!

The Memoirs of Cleopatra

I have mixed feelings about this book. First, it’s length. I love all things Roman, Greek and Egyptian, so I had fully planned on enjoying this account of Cleopatra’s life. However, I became bored and distracted many times through this reading/listening. Ms. Peters was one of the most superb narrators I have listened to, she cannot be faulted for my distraction. I just did not find myself engrossed completely in the story. However, I am frustrated by the fact that I cannot clarify why. Several points of the story were engaging and well executed, but I found myself lost in Cleopatra’s journeys, various romantic and platonic relationships, and the day in and day outs of her rule. I wanted to be engrossed, I simply was not.
Second, I thoroughly enjoyed George’s characterization of Cleopatra. She was regal, emotional but not ruled by them, forward thinking and quite shrewd. We saw her being vulnerable, proud but not overly so, strong, discreet and wise. I have not enjoyed the many characterizations of her in film and on the page, but I think George painted her perfectly. Flawed and exquisite.
Third, this almost felt like a biography of Cleopatra. We saw her doing all kinds of things that history does not focus on, but certainly as a ruling monarch she must have done. While I appreciated her humanity, I think this was where I got lost. There were many pages of her performing acts and meeting people that I simply did not care about, and who brought very little to the narrative besides showing her doing them because she probably did. They were not overly interesting, in my opinion.
I recommend this book to the discerning reader. If you are looking for passion, high romance and battle intensity, you will find some of it here, but also a lot that may not tickle your fancy.
3 stars.

I really felt like I was there

Margaret George does a great job of transplanting you into the company of her characters and I felt like I was in Alexandria during the life of Cleopatra. I learned a lot about this historical queen and her involvement in the Roman civil wars. To anyone who loves historical fiction, I recommend this but even to those who don't, the history is just a backdrop for relatable characters and enthralling situations.

Best book I've ever read

I highly recommend this book to anyone. Beautifully written and the story will stick with you for the rest of your life. I have actually read and listened to it 3 times and plan to again. It's a long book but you will get lost in it! The detail is immaculate and well thought. Definite must read.

Brilliant

"The Memoirs of Cleopatra" is another triumph by Margaret George. It was thoroughly researched, well written and beautifully performed. I loved it.

A true masterpiece! Brings Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony and their era to such vivid life. Perfectly narrated as well.

Margaret George, with the able narration of Donata Peters, brings the reader into Cleopatra’s world, painting such a vivid picture of Rome, Alexandria, and the battles by land and sea, that you can almost taste the wine served at the lavish feasts and feel the sea breeze pick up as the Egyptian ships take sail and escape past the Roman blockade. What an utterly enchanting way to learn about the history of Rome and Egypt!