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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I would give this book 4.5/5.
This was one of my favorite historical fiction books when I was in high school...reading it now, as an adult, I see more of the character flaws/plot cheats, but it is still a captivating read all the same.
Dunant does a wonderful job of evoking the image of Renaissance Italy and the characters beholden to that time.
Love this book!
This was one of my favorite historical fiction books when I was in high school...reading it now, as an adult, I see more of the character flaws/plot cheats, but it is still a captivating read all the same.
Dunant does a wonderful job of evoking the image of Renaissance Italy and the characters beholden to that time.
Love this book!
This historical fiction novel is one of the best I have ever read. It is one of my comfort stories that I find myself wanting to read over and over and over again. I want to say thank you to my grandmother for introducing me to this book, I wish I still had the one she gifted me from her personal library, but the plot is amazing, the story line is amazing, & the characters ARE AMAZING!!! This has been my favorite story of all time.
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this. Immediately I had the feeling it was going to be like Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring (which I did not like). In terms of plot, it was worse than that. I understand the idea and I appreciate where Sarah Dunant was going with it, but I feel like so many things are left unaddressed & pieces are missing. This book is also very explicit in some parts… it describes mutilated bodies, intercourse, etc. It certainly is not for everyone. And so, 21st century historical fiction continues to disappoint me…
This book was such an incredible perspective. The art of the early Renaissance and the men of that art is something I knew about and had witnessed in museums and cities but the story of this one young woman, adrift within that world, was truly astonishing and captivating. Bittersweet ending but touching overall. Loved this insight into late 15th century Florence.
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this book and it's well written and well researched, and Dunant clearly enmeshed herself in Renaissance Florence very well. I really appreciate writing the story the way it was meant to play out and not trying to make readers happy by giving Alessandra the perfect, ideal ending. It was more realistic and true to the time and to the character.
Wow. What a heartbreaking book. Written about early 16th century Italy when Religion vs. Art was a huge deal, and fornicators, homosexuals and others' thought to be about the Devil's work were hung or burned at the stake. Women were thought to be inferior, and Alessandra was definitely challenged emotionally, spiritually and intellectually as she tries to understand her role in the world.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Historical fiction. At first I thought it would follow a well-worn but enjoyable formula - the young girl who's too smart and ambitious for her own time, stifled by women's roles. And it did, but with unexpectedly smart & interestings turns.