Customer Reviews

When We Were Gods : A Novel of Cleopatra

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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...

This was a great read -- Historical ficion at its finest. The characters are well developed., the story well paced and innovative-- what more could you ask for?

This novel has been overlooked, and thats too bad. Colin Falconer recreated ancient Egypt and Rome with a vibrancy that cannot be attained in a biography. Most of what we know about Cleopatra was written by her enemies, and so has to be read with skepticism. Falconer fanaticizes about her as a woman. This tale treats her with a respect lacking in the "histories" and most other historic novels about Cleopatra. What a remarkable women. So young, with so many enemies and no one to trust!

I am somewhat startled by the Book Description ...but then I realized that most of it was taken from the back of the book. So much of this hype does not represent the wonderful novel inside the covers. Cleopatra did not inherit  the richest empire in the world; she inherited a contested claim to share the throne of Egypt with her younger brother Ptolemy. Her father was deeply in debt to Rome for his throne. Cleopatra did not brazenly seek a partnership with the only man who could secure Egypts safety. She was smuggled into Alexandria to meet Julius Caesar in the hope of staying alive and on the throne, and maintaining some semblance of an independent Egypt.

This is a wonderful historical novel that combines the best of historic fact with the imagination needed to reconstruct ancient characters. I highly recommend When We Were Gods.

I like historical fiction, and the stories that authors weave around historical figures make the history come to life. But, I'm just not getting it with this book. I'm only 100 pages into the book, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to just move on, simply because I don't like the writing, the characters or the author's view of the characters. I'm fairly well versed in ancient (specifically Roman) history, so the story and the history are good, but these characters Falconer has created are one dimensional. For instance, Caesar is just boring and Cleopatra is neurotic AND boring. I have lost count with how many times the author refers to people as slabs of fat and barrels of pork. And Caesar's "black, piercing eyes" turn miraculously blue about page 90 or so. I'm curious as to why the author would refer to Cleopatra's "Egyptian nose", since she wasn't Egyptian, or her "tight, little Asian body" (that was just offensive) since she wasn't Asian. Asian refers to ethnic groups and countries specific to the continent of ASIA. Yes, Egypt and the near east were considered Oriental by Roman standards, but that is a term that is not interchangeable with Asia.

Phew! I talked myself into it, I'm chucking this book. I hope his other novels are better written than this, or that he at least picked up a decent editor along the way.

What a glorious journey to ancient Egypt! This is a beautiful, racy, heartbreaking look into the past that is still completely accessible to modern readers. I loved Colin Falconer's Cleopatra--she was smart, real and had a great sense of humor, as well as being gorgeous. Everything a man could want or a woman should be! This was a terrific piece of historical fiction that entertains but doesn't insult a reader's intelligence. Highly recommended by this reader.

This book is a masterfully written, insightful chronicle of the life of Cleopatra, and contrary to what the reader below writes, nothing like Margaret George's Memoirs of Cleopatra. When We Were Gods provides a whole new perspective on who Cleopatra was -- an ambitious, powerful woman in a world that had no tolerance for such women. It's obvious that the author did a lot of research before writing the book -- the narrative has an authentic texture to it that transported me back to the golden days of Alexandria. I recommend this book highly and hope Mr. Falconer won't keep us waiting too long for his next one.

I have read many of the reviews here and I do agree that Margaret George's Memoirs of Cleopatra is an awesome read but this is an awesome book as well. I read this book way before reading George's and love them both. Falconer does a great presentation of Cleopatra and the world she was born into, not to mention her power lusting family. You actually feel that you know and care for the queen and admire her many strengths as she does every role thrown at her with excellence. This was a woman who truly loved her people, she was not some mythical nymphomaniac as the Romans depicted her. Queen Cleopatra was a woman who simply wanted a better future for all her children, one where they didnt have to plot or kill, like her family, where her kingdom would remain free of Roman hands. She was a passionate lover, falling for the powerful and tragic Caesar. She was a great leader, mother, wife, and the beloved goddess of her people. I recommend this novel highly.

I've read several fictional works about Cleopatra so I wasn't sure I really wanted to read another. But the beautiful jacket pulled me in and the writing didn't disappoint either! Colin Falconer writes with a modern flair that doesn't detract from the rich historical setting (his detail, by the way, is well-researched and beautifully rendered). I actually found the characters to be marvellously believable and touching, which is not easy for a male writer writing about a female character.

I read a lot of historical fiction and this is one of the best new retellings of the ancient Egypt and Rome saga to come along in many years. I will recommend it to my friends.