Pharaoh (Kleopatra, Volume II) by Karen Essex |
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This retelling of the legendary Egyptian monarch's story opens when she is "three years old and she cannot speak even one sentence of passable Greek." All the familiar aspects of her life unfold with an emphasis on palace intrigues, royal excesses and scheming courtiers but Essex also highlights the young princess's prodigious talents for language, adventure and politics. In contrast to many authors who wish to humanize Kleopatra and focus only on her life as a woman, Essex chooses to explore her subject's absolute dedication to the political intrigues of her time, and her connection to Greek culture (hence the unusual spelling of her name). While the framework is familiar, her rendering of the ancient world's culture and political machinations make this fast-paced treatment of Kleopatra's adventures particularly engaging. Exhaustive research is evident throughout, in the form of intriguing minutiae such as a list of the exotic dishes at a banquet or meticulous descriptions of astounding displays during a pageant in honor of Dionysus. When Kleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII Auletes, is exiled to Rome, the young princess accompanies him, both literally and figuratively leaving behind her childhood in preparation for ruling Egypt. When she returns, she is named co-regent with her father, who dies shortly thereafter. She marries her half-brother and eventually raises an army with her cousin and lover, Archimedes. This volume ends with the young queen in exile, waiting for Julius Caesar; a sequel is in the works. Essex delivers a consistent and historically accurate reading of Kleopatra, and even those who think they know the queen will discover new facets of her life that will engage both the intellect and the senses. (Aug. 9)Forecast: Cleopatra junkies will snatch this up, but a captivating jacket and title should attract ancient-world neophytes, too.
From Library Journal
Cleopatra, or Kleopatra as her name is spelled in Greek, inherited little from her father, Ptolemy XII, other than his Macedonian profile and the throne of Egypt. Where he was obese, indolent, and self-indulgent, the young queen was cunning, ambitious, and ruthless. Ptolemy, through gross mismanagement and a series of disastrous financial alliances with Rome, had alienated the Egyptian people to the point of rebellion. After his death, Kleopatra was exiled by her brother/husband and his cabinet. First novelist Essex focuses on Kleopatra's early years (the book ends when she is 22 years old and meeting Julius Caesar for the first time) and on her Greek origins. The Greek-speaking Ptolemy pharaohs neither knew nor cared about the customs of Egypt, but Kleopatra learned the Egyptian language, something no Ptolemy had done before. In return, the Egyptians gave her their support in her struggle to wrest the throne from her brother. Essex's Kleopatra is a more approachable woman than the Cleopatra of Colin Falconer's When We Were Gods (LJ 10/1/00), and her abundant youthful audacity and confidence are appealing compared with Falconer's powerful, controlled ruler. Yet the two novels together create a complete portrait of the child, the woman, and the queen. Recommended for most historical fiction collections. Jane Baird, Anchorage Municipal Libs., AK
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Editorial Reviews
This retelling of the legendary Egyptian monarch's story opens when she is "three years old and she cannot speak even one sentence of passable Greek." All the familiar aspects of her life unfold with an emphasis on palace intrigues, royal excesses and scheming courtiers but Essex also highlights the young princess's prodigious talents for language, adventure and politics. In contrast to many authors who wish to humanize Kleopatra and focus only on her life as a woman, Essex chooses to explore her subject's absolute dedication to the political intrigues of her time, and her connection to Greek culture (hence the unusual spelling of her name). While the framework is familiar, her rendering of the ancient world's culture and political machinations make this fast-paced treatment of Kleopatra's adventures particularly engaging. Exhaustive research is evident throughout, in the form of intriguing minutiae such as a list of the exotic dishes at a banquet or meticulous descriptions of astounding displays during a pageant in honor of Dionysus. When Kleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII Auletes, is exiled to Rome, the young princess accompanies him, both literally and figuratively leaving behind her childhood in preparation for ruling Egypt. When she returns, she is named co-regent with her father, who dies shortly thereafter. She marries her half-brother and eventually raises an army with her cousin and lover, Archimedes. This volume ends with the young queen in exile, waiting for Julius Caesar; a sequel is in the works. Essex delivers a consistent and historically accurate reading of Kleopatra, and even those who think they know the queen will discover new facets of her life that will engage both the intellect and the senses. (Aug. 9)Forecast: Cleopatra junkies will snatch this up, but a captivating jacket and title should attract ancient-world neophytes, too.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.From Library Journal
Cleopatra, or Kleopatra as her name is spelled in Greek, inherited little from her father, Ptolemy XII, other than his Macedonian profile and the throne of Egypt. Where he was obese, indolent, and self-indulgent, the young queen was cunning, ambitious, and ruthless. Ptolemy, through gross mismanagement and a series of disastrous financial alliances with Rome, had alienated the Egyptian people to the point of rebellion. After his death, Kleopatra was exiled by her brother/husband and his cabinet. First novelist Essex focuses on Kleopatra's early years (the book ends when she is 22 years old and meeting Julius Caesar for the first time) and on her Greek origins. The Greek-speaking Ptolemy pharaohs neither knew nor cared about the customs of Egypt, but Kleopatra learned the Egyptian language, something no Ptolemy had done before. In return, the Egyptians gave her their support in her struggle to wrest the throne from her brother. Essex's Kleopatra is a more approachable woman than the Cleopatra of Colin Falconer's When We Were Gods (LJ 10/1/00), and her abundant youthful audacity and confidence are appealing compared with Falconer's powerful, controlled ruler. Yet the two novels together create a complete portrait of the child, the woman, and the queen. Recommended for most historical fiction collections. Jane Baird, Anchorage Municipal Libs., AK
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Editorial Reviews
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Inside This Book Citations: This book cites 5 books Explore: Citations | Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Key Phrases - SIPs: karen essex, small princess Key Phrases - CAPs: Julius Caesar, Regency Council, King Ptolemy, Royal Family, Two Lands of Egypt (more) Browse Sample Pages: |