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tinyjude's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Following a dual timeline, we see Lucrezia, the main protagonist and a big enigma in the real world apart from the fact that she died one year after she had been married to the Duke Alfonso of Ferrara (not suspicious at all; also she was like 15 years old and he doubled her age. Disgusting on so many levels), as she grows up with her family in Florence, being the less-favoured daughter of them all, always deemed as indomitable and worthless of attention or care at any point, as well as her time as a married woman (ehem child ehem) in Ferrara's state, her increasing sense of dread and fear, and her feeling of hopelessness, being trapped into a cage with her days already counted.
It was challenging to read through some of the horrifying things she and the other female characters have to suffer under the rule, command and oppression of the men around them. Whether they were in a economically and socially advantageous situation or were a kind-hearted maid, (we stan Emilia in this house) you couldn't avoid to felt sorry for their fates and lives knowing this was true at that time and, in many senses, still true despite the passage of time. But most of all, my heart stays with Sofia, Emilia and Lucrezia. And mourns and cheers at that bittersweet ending.
I was constantly afraid for Lucrezia safety and majorly concerned by her young age, the societal and marital expectations thrown upon her without almost any guidance or "sweet" lies, but also proud and enthralled by her constant defiance. Every moment in which she stood up for herself silently or loudly. Every time she did not yield to the iron grip of her husband. She is a very complex character for which you simply cannot avoid feeling pity and the need to protect her. And I absolutely adored every moment she relished among her paintings/tavole and instances of freedom.
Although it didn't make me weep like Hamnet, it surely impacted me in other ways that will haunt me for a while.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Infertility, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death
aseel_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
lara_d's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Rape, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Murder, and Gaslighting
flashandoutbreak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
helenaramsay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The writing is fabulous- you can read a chapter or two and realise there hasn't been much in the way of actual events happening, but the character development and, even moreso, the emotional current flowing through the whole novel are sublime.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Medical trauma
maevebm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really the only thing negative to say about this book is I wish there was more character development from the supporting characters.
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, and Murder
tessa_samuels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, and Abandonment
abbasaurusrex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Animal death
charisw's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Rape, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
applekettle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Misogyny