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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I was disappointed by this book for a few reasons:
1. It's called the birth of Venus (and my version has Botticelli's Venus on the cover), but Botticelli never makes an appearance except in a book the protagonist reads.
2. It's weirdly historically annacurate. Avoiding spoilers, there's a historic character present whose character is poorly depicted and whose presence at all doesn't make sense.
3. It's weirdly rapey. Don't touch people and kiss them while they're asleep, even if you use flowery similes to make it seem romantic.
4. It invokes the "magical negro" trope. Aurelia drives large portions of the plot, but doesn't any story to herself.
However, it does depict a very important time in Florentine history with the right emotional impact. Savonarola is a fascinating character. The protagonist is a bit daft, but believable. Sarah Dunant's writing style (plot aside) is compelling. In sum: if you just want a novel that takes place in Florence during the Renaissance, read it. If you're looking at it because you want romance, look elsewhere. If you like historical fiction more generally, I'd recommend passing this one over.
1. It's called the birth of Venus (and my version has Botticelli's Venus on the cover), but Botticelli never makes an appearance except in a book the protagonist reads.
2. It's weirdly historically annacurate. Avoiding spoilers, there's a historic character present whose character is poorly depicted and whose presence at all doesn't make sense.
3. It's weirdly rapey. Don't touch people and kiss them while they're asleep, even if you use flowery similes to make it seem romantic.
4. It invokes the "magical negro" trope. Aurelia drives large portions of the plot, but doesn't any story to herself.
However, it does depict a very important time in Florentine history with the right emotional impact. Savonarola is a fascinating character. The protagonist is a bit daft, but believable. Sarah Dunant's writing style (plot aside) is compelling. In sum: if you just want a novel that takes place in Florence during the Renaissance, read it. If you're looking at it because you want romance, look elsewhere. If you like historical fiction more generally, I'd recommend passing this one over.
I liked the setting of this book. Learned a bit of history, looked up some of the history as I read. Really liked the main character and the story of her life but the end was so disappointing. Didn't seem like something this smart, curious character would do.
This was a fabulous book that I enjoyed immensely. Great characters, fascinating period and a story that kept you turning the pages. From the very beginning I was hooked and found myself pondering on the story even when I wasn't reading it. Surely, the sign of an excellent book?
I wish I could rate this higher than 5 stars. Marvelously written and one of the best books I've read in a while.
Dunant starts off strong by describing the strange death of a nun named Sister Lucrezia in 1528. The story that follows is supposed to be her Testament and it describes the nun's life in Renaissance Florence. I'm only on page 54, so we'll see how it goes.
Strong female in 15th century Florence chooses marriage so as to be free to paint. Well blended history and story from one of my favorite time periods.
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Authentic, riveting and thoroughly absorbing right up until the last 20 pages. The ending was a fizzle.
