Cleopatra - book review

Cleopatra by H.Rider Haggard

One of the best books i have read till date.

First about how i got this book,

I got this from my grandfather's library, it was BA English literary syllabus for my aunt some 50yrs back!! first i dint have the heart to open this book juz bcoz it was an old book, but accidentally i tried this book mostly for cleopatra. Take my word, it was absolute excellence, Egyptian story in British English! I still have few more pages left to complete the book, but i dont have the heart to, juz bcoz i fear that i may not read another book like this ever again.

Now about the book,

The language is quite Shakespearian type, but as you read,you can catch up with the language and also feel more proud that you are reading a well written book that wont die for ages..Its a wonderful read, if you have patience to read and understand and have deep interest in ancient Egyptian tales you will find this book unforgettable.. I am not sure if the scrolls they speak about are real scrolls found in the tomb, if so i feel happy that i have read a true story that has actually happened ages back! it was an excellent read for me, looking forward to read more ancient history of egypt and books of rider haggard..

Not everyone can do that to you!!

Let me start straight away with what I experienced, I was rushing to my office, I swiped for entry, ran and got into the train, I was almost drenched in sweat, I was looking around to find a seat, I tried scanning from the left towards the right and behind me, a beautiful image strike me like a flash, I turned back a second time. I forced my sling bag behind and made an effort to turn around and stand.There she was, so beautiful. I was literally staring at her with no idea as how long. I was looking at her straight, of course from a distance and amongst the crowd, even though I can’t say if she knew it. Then I know this morning is going to be my everyday morning.

I woke up early the next morning, or it would be appropriate if I say I was wide awake all night smiling, I don’t know why I was so happy, so nervous, every passing second was blissful, it was a nice feeling, and not everybody can do that to you. I dint notice that the smile was sticking in my face all through my everyday chores. I was quite early today; I went to the station obviously waiting for that train, the train arrived, my heart was pounding as though am going for a big robbery stint. I boarded the train, searching for the same girl, trying to be as casual as possible. She was not there, the smile was gone, I was all upset, Is that even possible for a human to remember a face that  you saw only for a moment. Will she be coming today? Will she be coming tomorrow at least or was she only a visitor? Maybe, she would have travelled in this train only for yesterday; she may not even take this train forever, why should I be even thinking about her? This wide array of questions filled my thought during my travel;finally I arrived at my stop and got down the train with disappointment.

The next few days were almost the same, starting was bright smile and hope to see her again, holding nervousness and happiness through the journey and end up sad and disappointed. I may not even see her anymore, but I dint believe in that, I had hope. You are not going to believe this, I saw her again, I was so happy, on top of world, something like flying, I dint know if I should be talking, I kind of half ran or jogged towards her side and started walking alongside.

She turned and said a simple stranger’s ‘Hi’.

You know what I said, “Hi, this is a bit weird, but I know, am going to marry you someday”

This was my dad’s version of the story. I don’t know how much of this is true. But, you know what,my dad turned 91 today.  He barely has enough strength to speak.  But every time my mom (she’s 84) walks into the room to check on him, he says, “Hello beautiful”, with a same smile and the spark in his eyes I have always seen.