When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra [Paperback]

Colin Falconer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 26, 2002

Arrestingly beautiful and fiercely intelligent, Cleopatra VII of Egypt was barely more than a teenager when she inherited the richest empire in the world—one that stretched from the scorching deserts of lower Egypt to the shining Mediterranean metropolis of Alexandria. Imperiled at every turn by court conspiracies and Roman treachery, Cleopatra brazenly sought a partnership with the only man who could secure Egypt’s safety: Julius Caesar, a wily politician and battle-hardened general with a weakness for women. The result was a passionate love affair that scandalized Rome and thrust Cleopatra into the glittering but deadly world of imperial intrigue and warfare—a world that she would mesmerize and manipulate even after Caesar was gone.

Colin Falconer takes the reader inside the walls of Alexandria’s great palaces and into Cleopatra’s very heart, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman who thrived and triumphed in a world ruled by men. This is the glorious story of a legendary woman, a story that blazes through thousands of years of history to capture the imagination of readers today

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Falconer's (Rough Justice) swift-moving historical novel adds new twists and modern dialogue to an oft-told tragic tale. Fifty-one years before the birth of Jesus Christ, in the fertile Nile valley, 18-year-old Cleopatra ascends to the throne of Egypt upon the death of her father, Ptolemy XII. Inheriting a palace that more closely resembles a snake pit than a home, crowded with family and advisers, Cleopatra must come to terms with the heavy burden of royalty and its inevitable loneliness. Her only trusted friend is Mardian, the giant eunuch who has been her tutor since childhood. From an Egypt desperately attempting to retain its hold on ancient religions and traditions in a rapidly changing world, to the hypocritical halls of the Roman Republic, the young queen weaves her web of seduction, ensnaring not only the cold, driven Julius Caesar but also a playful Marcus Antonius. Falconer's Cleopatra is vulnerable, intelligent and liberated, defined by her wit as much as by her beauty. This fresh take on one of history's leading ladies is smoothly written, slickly couching ancient history in the contemporary rhetoric of female empowerment. (Dec.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Falconer paints an enthralling fictional portrait of one of the most powerful and beguiling women of all ages. Fiercely independent, politically astute, and exotically beautiful, Cleopatra is threatened by both domestic and international enemies from the moment she inherits the throne of Egypt until the time of her premature death. To protect both her public and her private interests, she engages in passionate affairs with both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Motivated by both ambition and love, Cleopatra forges diplomatic and personal bonds with Rome that inevitably result in deception and warfare. The author interweaves the fast-paced narrative with authentic period details that vivify the exotic splendor of ancient Egypt. Spectacular historical fiction blazing with intrigue, romance, and dramatic action. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609808893
• ISBN-13: 978-0609808894
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,250,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in north London, Colin worked for many years in TV and radio and freelanced for many of Australia's leading newspapers and magazines. He has been a novelist for the last twenty years, with his work published widely in the UK, US and Europe. His books have been translated into seventeen languages.

He travels regularly to research his novels and his quest for authenticity led him to run with the bulls in Pamplona, pursue tornadoes across Oklahoma and black witches across Mexico, go cage shark diving in South Africa and get tear gassed in a riot in La Paz. He also completed a nine hundred kilometre walk of the camino in Spain.

He lived for many years near Margaret River in WA, helped raise two beautiful daughters with his late wife, Helen. While writing, he also worked for many years in the volunteer ambulance service. "I'd be at my desk typing, then thirty minutes later I'd be crawling into an overturned car."

He met Diana in an airport bookshop in Melbourne - he was in New Fiction. They didn't actually meet in person until three years later.

"My career had stalled when we met. She inspired me to start writing again. I'm a very lucky guy."

WHEN WE WERE GODS has now been re-released as an e-book, and his new novel SILK ROAD, is to be published in the UK and Australia in October by Corvus Atlantic. (less)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Yet another dimension, June 1, 2001

By 

rcusanelli (Naperville, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra (Hardcover)

Having read a multitude of books on Cleopatra (some fictional and others factual) this book left me with mixed emotions. While it was refreshing to read yet another perspective on this fascinating woman's character, I was ultimately disappointed. Falconer clearly depicts her political acuity and that aspect I found far more realistic than the self-serving seductress Rome portrayed her as, but his book did not show her as the multi-faceted woman she truly was. Nowhere did I find the wit, the charm or the graciousness this woman would have posessed. Her romances (if you could call them that) with Caesar and Anthony were without depth or passion. While I do not require sexually graphic writing to hold my interest, there was little to elude to the level of intimacy she must have enjoyed with these men. Cleopatra's and Caesarion's relationship was stilted, and treated almost as an after thought. The ending was abrupt, cold and unbelievable. Can anyone really believe that after all of his years of service and loyalty, Cleopatra's most trusted advisor would turn traitor simply because the winds of fortune had shifted? Hard to believe a woman so perceptive would have confided in such a person. The few things I did like about this book were the characters of Apollodorus, the scenery depictions, and the different spin on Octavian after he had control of Egypt. Most books depict him as wanting Cleopatra preserved at all costs for his Triumph in Rome, but here he actually wanted her to commit suicide. It was an interesting twist,and quite possibly, the most interesting part of the entire book. I recommend reading The Alexandrian by Martha Rolfhart, or even That Egyptian Woman by Noel Gerson, both of which give interesting theories on this marvelous woman.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest romances the world has ever known, March 23, 2001

By 

Sharon Galligar Chance (Wichita Falls, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra (Hardcover)

Keeping in mind that "When We Were Gods" is a fictional account of the life of Cleopatra, I found Falconer's story utterly fascinating. He mixes in just the right amount of historical fact to keep the story line plausible, but also adds enough drama and action to keep it moving along as well. In another light, this book could be considered the tale of one of the greatest romances the world has ever known. If you enjoy reading about strong women, I highly recommend this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Page-Turner, February 5, 2001

By 

ENTJohns (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra (Hardcover)

I agree--this book is a page-turner. It did, as many historical novels should do, encourage me to brush up my history and so I returned to Suetonius (what a lively gossip) and Tacitus and Plutarch (don't be put off by the names, they too write entertaining history) -- and I found that there were some parts of the Antony/Cleopatra story which I felt were opportunities lost. On the other hand, I enjoyed the imaginative sections--eg Cleopatra's voyeuristic introduction to sex. All in all a great read, terrific descriptions (the library at Alexander is superb) but a trifle too dramatic for the purist. But for leisure reading--highly recommended. One final thing--I think the Australian (Random House) version has a better cover...Don't underestimate the attraction of the cover...