I Am Cleopatra

I was intrigued by the title of this book when I first saw it. However, it was the stunning cover that convinced me to get it and I was not disappointed. The story of Cleopatra is always shrouded in mystery and the writing style of author Natasha Solomons continues in this vein. I Am Cleopatra is a fantastic historical fiction account of this most intriguing woman.

The publisher's summary: 

The favored daughter of the Pharaoh, Egyptian Princess Cleopatra spent her childhood hiding amid the scrolls in the great library of Alexandria, dreaming of one day writing her own story.

When her father dies, naming both Cleopatra and her selfish brother Ptolemy as his successors to the throne, danger arises. While the young Queen sails the Nile to greet her people, her brother plots to eliminate her and rule the empire alone. But while Ptolemy has the power of the kingdom behind him, Cleopatra has her cunning wits. When the great Caesar arrives from Rome, she realizes he could be the key to her salvation—though courting this powerful man could cost her everything.

Can Cleopatra save her life, her throne, and her beloved Egypt and finally write her own history?

Told from the dueling perspectives of Cleopatra and Caesar’s mistress Servilia, I Am Cleopatra is a powerful, addictively readable reimagining of the alluring queen’s life. A modern retelling that goes beyond previous caricatures, I Am Cleopatra is a fascinating portrait of the flesh-and blood-woman behind the great legend. Natasha Solomons’ spellbinding story of female power and fragility, love and loss, fierce friendship and terrible betrayal introduces at last the real Cleopatra in all her glory and vulnerability.

Throughout the book Cleopatra maintained a mysterious persona. Even the narration, almost always from her perspective, was mysterious. After 100 pages or so I wished that she was more relaxed but it never happened. Perhaps it'a because there were many people hoping for her death. That would make anyone standoffish. Toward the midway point in the story we read chapters from the perspective of Servilia. Servilia was also one of Caesar’s mistresses but this relationship lasted for decades. No matter who Caesar had dalliances with, he always returned to Servilia. The mysterious trait of Cleopatra became old after awhile. I did adjust to her narration but it bothered me that she was distant in her relationships.

Cleopatra's slave Charmian was her best friend. Cleopatra and Charmian were paired together from a young age and they grew up together. Charmian was the only person that she accepted advice from. Charmian was 100% devoted to her. Cleopatra's first husband was her stepbrother. They despised each other. Their father, Auletes, arranged the marriage and was pleased to keep the dynasty in the family. After his death Cleopatra's father had already arranged another marriage for her. This time the groom was her three year old brother Ptolemy. Cleopatra and Ptolemy were going to reign as co-pharoahs.  Ptolemy was a child and uninterested in the affairs of state. However, Cleopatra was born to rule. She was a fantastic political strategist who advised her father from an early age. 

The Egyptian setting was glorious. I loved the food descriptions and could feel the usually fresh air on the Nile. If Cleopatra sailed too close to the shore the smell of excrement was overpowering. Cruising the Nile to Memphis and Thebes made Cleopatra relaxed. There were always citizens waving to her. The images from the royal palace were also alluring with its marble floors and unique flora and fauna. The section of the story that took place in Rome described an inferior setting. It was hot but without the cool breezes from the Nile. During winter Cleopatra froze. She hated Rome.

The story covered Cleopatra's life from age thirteen until she left Rome pregnant with her second child from Caesar. History tells us much more about Cleopatra's life but this is where the story ended in I Am Cleopatra. Much of the book concerns threats from her stepbrother Ptolemy as well as her intimate relationship with Caesar. Ptolemy was constantly outmaneuvered but never gave up on his attempts to kill her. He wanted to be the sole Pharoah of Egypt but he also had a misogynistic attitude towards women in general. 

I enjoyed the story but reading the narrative was awkward in some places. I must say, though, that the author showed us the real Cleopatra which basically was her job. She did that well. 4 out of 5 stars.