When we were gods : a novel of Cleopatra

by Colin Falconer

Paper Book, 2000

Status

Available

Call number

821/.914

Genres

Collection

Gifts

Publication

New York : Crown Publishers, c2000.

Description

“A sensual and imaginative portrait of a great queen’s life and times, her fortunes played out against a backdrop of rich pageantry.” —bookreporter.com “In a prose style as provocative as the scent of Lebanese cedar and vivid as Eastern sun on white marble, Falconer interweaves the themes of power and politics, love and desire. . . . ” —Library Journal “Spectacular historical fiction blazing with intrigue, romance, and dramatic action. The author interweaves the fast-paced narrative with authentic period details that vivify the exotic splendor of ancient Egypt. Falconer paints an enthralling fictional portrait of one of the most powerful and beguiling women of all ages." —Booklist

User reviews

LibraryThing member hermit_9

An interesting spin on the Cleopatra story that goes a long way to humanizing the myth. The story occasionally wanders or gets lost in detail, but much of the novel is riveting.

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LibraryThing member jjameli

Author, Colin Falconer did a super job in describing the times, and giving us a glimpse of Ancient Egypt and Rome. Ruthless, that would be the word I would describe what was going on in Cleopatra's time. When We Were Gods takes us into Cleopatra's reign of Egypt, how ambitious she was, and cunning.

What a grand women in history. She did things all the way, or not at all. The author takes us through all the major history plots in her life from her time with Julius Casaer, to her ending. I loved getting to know Cleopatra as a mother. I really felt that her ambition came from wanting to give her kids the world in their hands. So much of what she did was for them.

Some parts in the book were racy, and sexual but we are reading about Cleopatra, and she sure knew how to use what she had to get men to do her bidding. In no way did the scenes leave a bad taste in my mouth. When We Were Gods is a well-researched book that will enthrall you, and leave you wanting more of Ancient Egypt.

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LibraryThing member allisonmacias

When We Were Gods tells the story of the queen of the Nile and her life. Chosen to rule by her father, Cleopatra watches and learns. When she ascends to the throne, she heeds her father's advice about the nest of vipers she rules. She navigates the pitfalls of family and Rome to secure her rule.

Cleopatra dreams of creating an even bigger empire and forms a political and romantic alliance with Julius Caesar. Convinced he is her Orisis, she urges him to declare himself king of Rome and marry her. Her dreams are killed at the hands of Caesar's assassins. A new god soon comes calling on the Egyptian Isis. Marc Antony as the new Dionysus makes Cleopatra his divine consort. But the new Dionysus is no Julius Caesar. Cleopatra casts her die with the unpredictable and charming Antony. But their destiny lies with fate herself.
This wonderful novel begins with Cleopatra's rule and follows her story to the end. Falconer shows the queen for the cunning intelligent woman she was. But her intelligence was no match for her heart and passion. Even as a powerful woman, she was still at the mercy of the whims of unfaithful Roman men. Falconer's Caesar showed more humanity while Antony was simply a mess. The end of the queen of the Nile was simply heartbreaking.
If you like Margaret George's Memoirs of Cleopatra, you will love this book. After all, one can never get tired of Cleopatra.

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