Jump to content

Cleopatra: A Life

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cleopatra: A Life
AuthorStacy Schiff
LanguageEnglish
SubjectCleopatra, History of ancient Egypt
GenreNonfiction, Biography, History
PublisherLittle Brown
Publication date
November 1, 2010
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback)
Pages384
ISBN9780316001922
OCLC537308872
932/.021092 B
LC Class2010006988
Preceded byA Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America (2005) 
Followed byThe Witches: Salem, 1692 (2015) 

Cleopatra: A Life is a book written by biographer Stacy Schiff, first published by Little Brown in 2010.[1]

Overview

[edit]

Cleopatra: A Life is a biography of Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt, who ruled from 51 to 30 BC. The book aims to separate fact from fiction and shed light on the woman behind the myths and legends that have surrounded her for centuries.[1][2]

Schiff draws on historical sources and archaeological evidence to paint a detailed and vivid picture of Cleopatra's life and times. She explores Cleopatra's relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, as well as her dealings with the Roman Empire and other powerful figures of the era. The book also delves into Cleopatra's education, her role as a mother, and her cultural and religious beliefs.[2][3]

Throughout the book, Schiff challenges the common misconceptions about Cleopatra as a seductress and manipulator, instead portraying her as a politically astute leader who was deeply invested in the welfare of her people. By the end of the book, readers gain a deeper understanding of Cleopatra's life and legacy, as well as the cultural and political context in which she lived.[3][4]

Reception

[edit]

The book was generally well received by critics upon its publication in 2010. It received positive reviews from a number of notable publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.[5][6][7] Many critics praised Schiff's meticulous research and vivid portrayal of Cleopatra's life and times.[8][9] Michael Korda, writing for the Daily Beast, called Cleopatra "a masterpiece."[10] The book also won several awards, including the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography in 2011.[11]

In terms of commercial success, "Cleopatra: A Life" was also a bestseller, spending several months on the New York Times Best Seller list.[12][13] Overall, the book was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

Planned feature film

[edit]

The book was optioned as a film by Sony Pictures with producers Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin attached as producers and at various stages of development was reported to have cast Angelina Jolie and Gal Gadot in the lead role as Cleopatra.[14][15] As of February 2024, the film is currently being developed by director Denis Villeneuve and written by screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns.[16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b W. Ralph Eubanks (1 November 2010). "How History And Hollywood Got 'Cleopatra' Wrong". NPR. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b Katha Pollitt (18 November 2010). "Cleopatra With Brains". NPR. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b Michiko Kakutani (1 November 2010). "The Woman Who Had the World Enthralled". NPR. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  4. ^ Louisa Thomas (21 October 2010). "The Sexy Beast That Was Cleopatra". NPR. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  5. ^ Amy S. Greenberg (7 November 2010). "Cleopatra: A Life". New York Times. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  6. ^ Jonathan Yardley (5 November 2010). "Stacy Schiff's 'Cleopatra: A Life' separates myth from reality". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  7. ^ Buzzy Jackson (31 October 2010). "Cleopatra reclaimed". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  8. ^ Wendy Smith (7 November 2010). "Book review: 'Cleopatra' by Stacy Schiff". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  9. ^ Maxwell Carter (25 November 2022). "'Cleopatra' Review: Ancient Egypt's Mysterious Queen". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Best Books of 2010: The Best of the Best List". Daily Beast. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  11. ^ Carolyn Kellogg (11 August 2011). "PEN American Center's 2011 award winners". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  12. ^ "New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction Bestsellers April 17, 2011". New York Times. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  13. ^ "New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction Bestsellers November 28, 2010". New York Times. 28 November 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  14. ^ Owen Williams (4 July 2016). "Angelina Jolie's Cleopatra biopic gets a new writer". Empire Online. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  15. ^ Mike Flemming, Jr. (6 April 2016). "David Scarpa To Rewrite 'Cleopatra'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  16. ^ Zacharek, Stephanie (31 January 2024). "Denis Villeneuve Refuses to Let Hollywood Shrink Him Down to Size". Time. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cleopatra:_A_Life&oldid=1203002614"