My best friend and I spoke about this book. It is interesting how two people can have two different outlooks on the meaning of a book depending on what’s going on in their lives. I like books that provokes the reader to create their own meanings or narratives from the text! Weird and great read!

Hey! I get it! This book is extremely long and if lengthy books are not your thing.... well... READ IT ANYWAY! This book reflects the time and the norms that are in some ways relevant and antiquated to our current way of life. Multiple times throughout the book the feminist within me wanted to scream; actually, a few times, I did. The themes of womanhood, love, society, faith, wealth, poverty, life, and death constantly vexed me.

Initially, I felt that the book was boring and had no end. However, the more I read, the more I understood the parallels between the characters and myself. Ignoring the moments in the book that were sexist, homophobic, and sexist, I kept on reading. The characters Anna Karenina and Lepin interested to me more than the others.

Anna had to make one tough decision after the other; every time she wanted to do something that gave her life meaning, a man, and society forbid her or took something away from her. This lead to her drug use, depression, and ultimately her death. Lepin was just going through the motions of life without actually living. Lepin constantly asked himself "who is God? what is life? who am I living for?" These are similar questions I am sure we all have asked ourselves once or twice. Only to find out that life is what you make of it, to serve yourself, and others.

This book put a lot of things into perspective on how I think about the decisions I make and people in my life. But, most importantly, how society tends to rain on your parade once you make a decision. This book is MUST read!

Reading it the second time is just sooo damn great!

I have no words because it was that GOOD!

This book was very detailed and everything that I need to know about Cleopatra! She lived her life with wits, smarts, and probably beauty (since no one knows where she looks like). I want to know how she perfectly timed her pregnancies. If you are interested the life of Cleopatra, I would read this book. Also, the author seemed to have read everything on Cleopatra and reference a slew of authors, movies, and any form of literature attached to Cleopatra.

I’ve never seen her tv show but now I have to watch it! She is so funny! Please listen to this on audiobook! I couldn’t stop laughing. Especially the email chapter!