Book Review: The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George

Title: The Memoirs of Cleopatra
Author: Margaret George
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
ISBN: 978-0312187453
PP: 976 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Price: $18.99
Source: Author
Rating: 4/5

I was excited to read about Cleopatra from the author of such a wonderful historical novel as “Autobiography of Henry VIII”. I was also glad that she reverted to using the first person narrative after the less successful re-telling of the story of Mary, Queen of Scotts. I have to say that I enjoyed “The Memoirs of Cleopatra”, but it still fell short of my expectations.

The biggest problem I had when reading this book is to tune out “Masters of Rome” series of books by Colleen McCullough. After reading the series, I could only look at the history of Ancient Rome through McCullough’s eyes and any departure from her story-telling did not sit well with me, even though Margaret George could have been more accurate with her description.

The first disparity was the identity of Cleopatra’s mother. In “Memoirs of Cleopatra”, she is described as Ptolemy VII’s half-sister. In “Fortune’s Favorites” and “Caesar’s Women” by Colleen McCullough, she is described as a daughter of King Mithradates of Pontus. This little detail is probably insignificant but McCullough’s version makes Cleopatra’s connection to Rome’s enemies poignant. Also, McCullough describes an affair between Caesar and Mithradates Nysa, who is in her version Cleopatra’s mother’s sister or Cleopatra’s aunt. It would have been an interesting connection to explore if Margaret George decided to follow this version of Cleopatra’s story as well. Although she did not explore any of these possibilities, I kept thinking about all of these connections and that hindered my enjoyment of the novel.

The most interesting paradox between the two treatments of Cleopatra’s story is the character of Caesar. McCullough devotes all of her books in the series so far to him and he comes out to be a completely different person than Margaret George makes him out to be in “The Memoirs of Cleopatra”. I have to agree with George’s depiction of Caesar. He is shown as an almost infallible person that he undoubtedly was (almost being the imperative word here since McCullough makes him god on earth). However, by this time, I have already bought into McCullough’s legend of Caesar so it was a bit disappointing to read about this human version.

Other characters that appear in both places confused me. I liked Marc Antony in George’s version better because he appeared as more complex individual than in McCullough’s version. In her books, he is just a beast in human clothing. Octavian is shown with more potential for later brilliance in McCullough’s version, so that is why I like him better in her novels. George makes his emergence unexpected although she writes from Cleopatra’s point of view and that might be how she perceived him. Fulvia is too one-dimensional in George’s version — she’s just some shameless hussy who can’t live without a man by her side. I think Fulvia was too unique and interesting (after all she captured the imaginations of Claudius, Curio, and Antony — very different and strong individuals) for her time to have so little said about her. But again Cleopatra’s perception of her might have been different.

The characters that appear only in George’s version are extremely well realized. Olympus and Mardian were fascinating and the author really let us get to know them. Ptolemy Caesar appears as such a wonderful and brilliant boy that his fate is truly tragic. The Kandake was also an unusual strong female role-model that is hardly, if ever, heard of in the story of Cleopatra.

Cleopatra herself is a wonderful character. George did a wonderful job getting inside her psyche. She was certainly brilliant and a good politician who, alas, followed her heart more often than her reason. I like the way George makes a distinction between Cleopatra’s love for Caesar and her love for Antony. The best scene in the whole book is the plan and description of Cleopatra’s death. It is amazing that the author can make the readers feel triumphant that this woman is killing herself.

The biggest problems with this novel are that it is too long and there are inconsistencies in the description. Cleopatra’s stay in Rome is hard to reconcile with history because of so many inconsistencies. For example, how could she cross the pomerium into the city of Rome if no anointed ruler can do that? The length is really felt here because some key moments in time are summarized while superfluous details are elaborated to the point of boredom. All in all, this is a great epic on Cleopatra’s life.

The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George

I love British history, and in particular Henry VIII. Having read much of the scholarly works concerning the Tudors, I was hungry for something that would flesh out and balance the often spare dry prose of scholars. I found it in Margaret George’s Autobiography of King Henry VIII.

Ms. George uses the voice of Henry’s Fool-Will Somers, to add an additional and often fascinating look at this troubled but brilliant monarch. Will has a keen, dry, sardonic wit which he uses to great effect throughout the book. It is Will who allows us a glimpse of a very human fallible man, who often was ahead of his time in so many ways.

The greatest gift Ms. George brings to us through this book is to be able to visualize Henry from his early childhood forward. We are finally able to see the motivations for many of the future King’s actions. Here is an able and highly sensitive talented boy. Superior to his much loved elder brother Arthur in every way. Arthur, the future King of England, is his father’s pride and joy. King Henry VII sees the boy as England’s hope. Everything Henry does, by contrast, is constantly overshadowed by his princely brother.

Henry VIII began reading at 3 years of age. By the age of 7 he was already something of a genius, with a gift of languages, a talent for the arts and an absolutely fearless attitude towards life. Arthur, in contrast, was fearful, weak and indecisive. How that rankled the brilliant child, to see an inferior sibling chosen for the throne.

When Katherine of Aragon, the Spanish Princess is betrothed to Arthur, Henry is beside himself. For here is the shining symbol of all he has been deprived of. When Arthur dies of a fever shortly after his marriage, Henry is secretly thrilled. But his father, knowing the boy’s secret aspirations, rounds on him and torments him unmercifully.

Here Ms. George lays the foundation for all of Henry’s future actions. At his father’s knee, the child learns much of treachery, manipulation, and the misuse of power. Yet, the inner longing to be known as a fair just King overrides the negative imprints of his childhood.

Crowned King Henry VIII, he set about making the English court a haven for artists, writers and scientists. He alone created the great Renaissance in British history. His own contributions were enormous. From beautifully redesigned palaces, to boat building, music, and great written tracts on a variety of subjects. One which earned him the title “Defender of the Faith.”

He was the foremost jouster in the land, the fairest dancer and keenest hunter. He was known far and wide as the best King living, and England’s own Flower of Chivalry. Ms. George handles the long slow slide into paranoia and suffering so ably and does it in such a humane compassionate way, that at last, we can see a fully realized man beneath the myth.

Ms. George’s Henry is not just a bloated corpulent beast, but rather a troubled, hurt and mistrustful man. Not without cause, for everywhere he turns plots, cabals and intrigue abound. His failure to secure the throne through a son lay at the bottom of much of Henry’s difficulties. During this period of time, witches, demons and superstition walked abroad, hand in hand with a blossoming logic about the concrete nature of the world.

Much has been made of Henry’s fear of and accusations about witchcraft. Put in the context of those early years, it’s not extraordinary at all. So that when Henry first discovers his second wife Anne Boleyn might be using black magic, his blood ran cold. Given the testimony of highly credible witnesses, Henry had little choice but to believe his quixotic mercurial wife was guilty. Given that though rare, Henry himself could have been accused by association if he hadn’t complied with the verdict, then all the man’s actions become more understandable.

Ms. George has written a masterpiece of human psychology, spicing it up with exquisite depictions of court life during Henry VIII’s reign. She has gifted us with a rare but much needed honest look at this maligned monarch. For here we have a Henry we can understand. We can at times feel deeply for the lost hurt and jealous second son. We can share in his hunger for love and knowledge, knowing that these things don’t come easily to a sitting King.

Finally, we can feel his physical suffering, and glimpse the self hate as he becomes fatter and less regal. Most of all we can peer into his heart and begin to see the folly of his delusions about women and love.

This is a book begging to be put up on the silver screen. Where Ms. George’s work in all its beauty depth and fascinating complexity can truly shine. If you want a rare look at who the real King Henry VIII was, don’t miss this lively, lavish and fascinating book.

Autobiography of Henry VIII, The; George, Margaret; St. Martin’s Griffin; $17.99