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Cleopatra

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Cleopatra

By: Saara El-Arifi
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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An enthralling, groundbreaking reimagining of an iconic queen, from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author

'Enchanting, smart, and subversive – El-Arifi’s masterpiece' R. F. KUANG

'Lush world-building and lyrical prose burn brightly on every page' JENNIFER SAINT

'Addictive and entertaining' STYLIST

'An extraordinary achievement’ SAMANTHA SHANNON

YOU KNOW MY NAME.

BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME.

Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall.

Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves.

Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children.

How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, divinely blessed to rule.

Death will silence me no longer.

This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.

From one of the most remarkable and acclaimed storytellers of her generation, the #1 bestselling author of FAEBOUND and THE FINAL STRIFE, this epic and groundbreaking new novel shows us Cleopatra on her own terms.

(P)2026 HarperCollins Publishers Ancient Best of 2026 (so far) Editors Select Fantasy Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Magical Realism Feel-Good
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Editorial Review

A legend reclaimed
Bestselling author Saara El-Arifi is widely celebrated for her world-building in epic fantasy and romantasy series. The daughter of a Ghanaian/British mother and a Sudanese/Arab father, she now draws further on her background and expertise in African studies to reclaim Cleopatra, oft-maligned as a seductress and exotic witch, and infamous for a romance with Mark Antony that shook Rome and ended in her suicide. Told as a memoir in the first person, the last acting Egyptian pharaoh's legend is voiced by award-winning narrator Adjoa Andoh (known to many as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton), who brings a regal authority to this sensuous historic retelling. A powerful, multifaceted story, it's what our era demands—and I'll never think of Cleopatra the same way again. — Jerry P., Audible Editor

Critic reviews

'Enchanting, smart, and subversive – this is El-Arifi’s masterpiece' R. F. KUANG
'Saara El-Arifi's lush world-building and lyrical prose invest Cleopatra with a humanity, dignity, power and independence that burn brightly on every page. Her deep love and vast knowledge of her subject shine through, and we see Cleopatra's fascinating life portrayed on her own terms, as readers have never encountered her before' JENNIFER SAINT
'Few historical figures have been as maligned, romanticised or exoticised as Cleopatra. With this unflinching take on her life and legacy, El-Arifi raises Cleopatra from the sands of time, greets her with profound compassion, and liberates her from the judgement of men, granting her dignity and humanity. An extraordinary achievement’ SAMANTHA SHANNON
'This may well be [El-Arifi’s] masterpiece… Transforms the legend of Cleopatra into the most addictive and entertaining of stories' STYLIST
‘Sensational: Cleopatra as she is meant to be told… Saara El-Arifi is true brilliance, and this book cements here even further as one of the most prolific and important writers of the moment' HANNAH KANER
'An evocation of the Ancient World that is so vividly immersive you feel you are physically present with Cleopatra, watching events unfold. Saara El Arifi’s passion and deep knowledge of her subject is always apparent and her Cleopatra has a wonderfully distinctive voice. I also loved how seamlessly the fantasy element was woven into the history, giving Cleopatra’s famous story a new and unique twist' ELODIE HARPER
'Vividly realised and skillfully unravelled, Cleopatra is as insightful as it is engrossing. A sorely needed new light' KAT DUNN
‘Cleopatra is El-Arifi’s best yet. Pairing exquisite prose with a propulsive plot, she resurrects Cleopatra from the tomes of history, retelling the life of Egypt’s last pharaoh and vividly bringing Ancient Egypt to life' THE BOOKSELLER
'Gripping' RADIO TIMES
'Compelling' DAILY MAIL
All stars
Most relevant
Thoroughly enjoyed this - fantastic ending. Very unexpected!! Passionately read with love and care for the excellent text. Loved it. Almost like a one woman play.

Excellent Storytelling Brings Story To Life

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Fantastic characters, great storytelling and loved the way it was narrated. Story is interesting and moves at a good pace. Very vivid descriptions of the places and characters helps you to really engage with the story

Intriguing story

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A very different story from what I was expecting, but more enjoyable for that. It was very good.

A brilliant book

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The narration detracted from the story for me. Strange use of accents that I did not enjoy.

A challenge to finish.

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Why ruin a narration with a caricature voice applied to Julius Caesar and now Marcus Antony of some kind of Middle Eastern comic origin yet the narrator of the story speaking so beautifully in received English. I’ve been forced to give up as i can’t stand this dreadful reading anymore

Timeless story but awful narration

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