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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I feel like I should preface this by saying I am a big sucker for historical fiction books with a badass main female character. With that said, this book did not disappoint in the least. Alessandra was inspiring. Her brother was deplorable. I want someone like her servant in my life, to have my back with the crazy religious people come knocking.
I am fascinated by the Borgias so I enjoyed the small references to them throughout the book. And we must not forget the art.
I am fascinated by the Borgias so I enjoyed the small references to them throughout the book. And we must not forget the art.
Beautifully written, intimate, dark, I loved, loved, loved this.
I'm interested in learning more about medieval/early modern Italian history and thought I would kick-start my reading with some good old historical fiction. Dunant's depiction of medieval Italy was very interesting...definitely would like to get my hands on some texts about Savonarola next. The characters had loads of potential and I wanted to enjoy them more, but found them to be underdeveloped and not very engaging. Overall, The Birth of Venus wasn't awful, but it wasn't wonderful either. It's worth picking up if you enjoy historical fiction.
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think my ✨ modern sensibilities ✨ may have gotten in the way of this one for me. There was a lot about this novel that I found enticing, but I wish it delved a bit more into the really historical parts of the historical fiction. We heard a lot about how the characters "enjoy conversation" with each other, but didn't get to experience a lot of what that actual conversation revolved around. All of the history happens around the family and their drama, most of which is asinine at worst, and melodramatic at best. There are touches here and there of the very real darkness and ugliness that can take hold during a period of political shifting and civil unrest (something we are living through now in the United States!) but it quickly gets left to the wayside for Alessandra to feel upset that her whole family has somehow betrayed her in her marriage. Truly, honestly, I could not understand her. I could possibly give her a pass since she is as religious as she is (though she obviously overcomes those feelings when it comes to her own lust and infidelity ) but she constantly acts like she's been dealt the worst cards in the world when she married someone who granted basically everything she wanted... the freedom of not being "property" in her own home, to continue her love of the arts with her husband's permission, and to avoid being treated as a baby machine with no other value .
Maybe that's the point, that she comes off as out of touch and unrelatable (which she would be, as the daughter of a well-off family during a crisis that calls the wealthy class into question) but for it to make up so much content of the book, I can't imagine the intention was to make the reader hate her! And honestly, in the end,she gets quite literally everything she's ever wanted so she treats her husband with so much vitriol over his homosexuality for no good reason ! A frustrating novel with sparks of creativity here and there. Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy my time with it.
Maybe that's the point, that she comes off as out of touch and unrelatable (which she would be, as the daughter of a well-off family during a crisis that calls the wealthy class into question) but for it to make up so much content of the book, I can't imagine the intention was to make the reader hate her! And honestly, in the end,
It began so well. The opening was a delectable mystery, and I realized I was starving form the moment I read the first page. However as I progressed I realized that the book was not what I had thought. It was entertaining, however I wanted it to be so much more.
slow-paced
I remember enjoying this book so much that I couldn't wait to read anything else she wrote! I can't wait to read it again with the book club.
So, my second time around I wasn't as impressed with the book. I was still drawn into the story and I enjoy historical fiction, but it seemed to drag on in places. Sometimes she just writes too much detail. I would still recommend it but I defintely wont be reading it a 3rd time!
So, my second time around I wasn't as impressed with the book. I was still drawn into the story and I enjoy historical fiction, but it seemed to drag on in places. Sometimes she just writes too much detail. I would still recommend it but I defintely wont be reading it a 3rd time!
Stunningly written! Powerfully descriptive. It was refreshing to feel a sense of familiarity with a place purely from description and not experience. A poignent reminder of the expectations of women and propreity in such an era. Sarah really takes you on a journey of the mind.
This is not usually my type of book, but I loved it - the writing was beautiful, the story intriguing, the characters engaging. A wonderful read, and I'll definitely be checking out more of Dunant's work.
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated