Stronger Than Cleopatra

by Jacqueline Jules

Stronger Than Cleopatra is a poetry memoir recalling the author’s journey through grief after the death of her first husband. In 30 narrative poems, Jacqueline Jules addresses the unfinished business between the living and the dead. Love is far too complicated an emotion to end with death. We continue our relationship with the deceased, willingly or unwillingly, for the rest of our lives. Stronger Than Cleopatra shares the story of a young widow who honored her first marriage and then went on to build a new life with another man. Jacqueline Jules is an award-winning author and poet of over two dozen books including Sarah Laughs, the Zapato Power series, and Field Trip to the Museum.

38 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

About the author

I am a children's author, teacher, librarian, and poet. My books include the Zapato Power series, the Sofia Martinez series, Pluto is Peeved, Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation, Duck for Turkey Day, Never Say a Mean Word Again, and Feathers for Peacock. Please visit me at http://www.jacquelinejules.com

Reviews

[Hildie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story so poignant and passionate that it only makes sense to tell it in the dramatic heart wrenching sputters that are these pomegranate poems. Don't think of it as a poetry collection -- this is a memoir, so where the rawness of the situation can only exude in these small perfect bits of lyric. A journey you'll want to consume and then consume again. Magical.

Stronger than Cleopatra is this powerful memoir of a woman, it could be anywoman, surviving the sudden death of her husband and moving through the deep water of going on whilst have two young children. It would be heavy as a traditional memoir, but as we learn of Jacqueline's story through short poems, it's just right, a Pandora's box that does not disappoint when hope emerges at the end.

[Pamela Ehrenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules’ gift is in finding the small moments—green paisley pajamas, carrot cake, the giggle of a nine-year-old boy—and gracefully elevating them to tell the story of a life. Not much has been written for those of us who lost a spouse before 40—and nothing at all with the exquisite power of Jules’ newly planted marigolds. If half of all marriages end in widowhood, Stronger Than Cleopatra is a manual for how to go on.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In Jacqueline Jules’ poetry collection, Stronger Than Cleopatra, the reader accompanies Jules on a heart-wrenching journey of devastating loss to come out on the other side, embracing a new life, one changed forever. Like an immediate close friend, the reader pads along on a trail with Jules’ thirty poems reflecting all the while on our own choices. It takes guts to be this vulnerable on the page. It would be pat to say that there is beauty in Jules’ wistful tone; it is more than that. Her words are like stop motion camera clicks where every action is crystal clear—but the crystals are from an alternate refracted universe. We feel the range of emotional conflicts: not being able to donate her dead husband’s nine pairs of shoes sitting at the back of the closet but finding a sense of peace and comfort in answering student questions as a teacher who must return to work. In the gorgeous “Four Days After Your Funeral,” the deceased is the thunderstorm at night, enraged at having life cut short. Jules writes, “I hug my knees in the dark as you howl and howl until my own rage rises to the sky beside you. Together, we hurl stones at the earth below—a team of two-year-olds demanding repair of a toy irreparably broken.” Jules maps the moments that are unbearable but also what saves her. In “Sweet Dreams,” the speaker confesses that she can sleep just fine: “in the dark you are not dead…”

There is an obvious mortality reminder in Stronger Than Cleopatra –that life can be wiped out in the blink of an eye, but with deft skill, Jules teases out the healing and sweet moments of life as well. In “The Blue Dress,” she wonders if she can wear what she wore to the funeral again, finally deciding, “there’s no need to discard everything I loved in my life before.” Even the domestic task of making challah, is a gentle rebirth. She recalls a memory of her husband, the day he watched her pound the yeast, fascinated. The speaker pauses, but the bread still goes into the oven to create a wonderful smell for the living to enjoy. And we do.”

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me for free for the sake of review, I received it today in the mail and upon opening the package I could'nt put it down!After reading the first poem I saw how this book related to me experiencing major close to home, deaths myself. Brings to light the little things that come to mind at the grocery store, or riding in a car and reminiscing of the loved ones you have lost, makes you realize you are'nt alone. I would recommend this book to anyone who has dealt with the loss of a loved one recent or otherwise!!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules has a knack for choosing words that capture a moment of intense, complex emotion. This memoir in poetic form, based on the writer's experience as a young widow, is a gripping read from the first page through the end. It's a story about death and pain, but ultimately, as the title implies, about strength -- what it's like to continue to live. I hope this book will find the many people who could take comfort from it.

[Jane Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry!