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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Absolutely beautiful. I’m so in love with every word of this story. It’s a masterpiece of the art of language. Powerful and pure. Rich and resplendent.
Simply an amazing book. Ms. McCullough does a marvelous job of telling the story of the Rape of Artemisia Gentileschi fortified by the mythical stories of Susanna and Judith.
I have to admit that I had to read up on the three characters. I was aware of the old testament stories but was completely unaware of the artist Artemisia. I felt, much to my shame, that I didn't know her story. I Googled her to learn her story and see her art when I was about halfway through the book. The story of her treatment following her rape and the trial of her accuser reminds me of how little has changed in the treatment of women. Perhaps I exaggerate, but with the onset of the #MeToo movement, I recognize how far we have yet to go until we have genuine gender equality. It often makes me ashamed to be a member of my gender.
It took a little time to get used to the formatting, that I must say I still don't understand it, but once I was riding the flow, I found the book utterly captivating.
I can't remember who recommended this book to me in passing. I am glad I took the time to look it up before I forgot the title. So I offer thanks to whoever it was that recommended it. Now I will return the favor and recommend it very highly.
I have to admit that I had to read up on the three characters. I was aware of the old testament stories but was completely unaware of the artist Artemisia. I felt, much to my shame, that I didn't know her story. I Googled her to learn her story and see her art when I was about halfway through the book. The story of her treatment following her rape and the trial of her accuser reminds me of how little has changed in the treatment of women. Perhaps I exaggerate, but with the onset of the #MeToo movement, I recognize how far we have yet to go until we have genuine gender equality. It often makes me ashamed to be a member of my gender.
It took a little time to get used to the formatting, that I must say I still don't understand it, but once I was riding the flow, I found the book utterly captivating.
I can't remember who recommended this book to me in passing. I am glad I took the time to look it up before I forgot the title. So I offer thanks to whoever it was that recommended it. Now I will return the favor and recommend it very highly.
Nonpareil. I have no adequate words.
I wish I didn't give out five stars so often just so I could give five stars to this book. If you are a human--or an unusually empathetic animal--read it as soon as you can.
I wish I didn't give out five stars so often just so I could give five stars to this book. If you are a human--or an unusually empathetic animal--read it as soon as you can.
I've read a lot of books written in verse this year, it feels like. Several of them YA. And all of them were, to varying degrees, trash. I've read poetry collections that were just unbearable despite their "feminist" veneer.
This is the one I've been looking for.
A verse-novel rendering of the real-life painter Artemisia Gentileschi, her rape at the hands of her tutor, and the trial she underwent to have him convicted. It's historical (obviously - 1600's, I believe), but the language is modern and echoes so much of the current discourse about rape and prosecution and society's imperative to protect its men at the expense of what's right.
This has been long-listed for the National Book Award for Young Adult literature, and it's so easy to see why. I know I'm going to be recommending this one for a long time.
This is the one I've been looking for.
A verse-novel rendering of the real-life painter Artemisia Gentileschi, her rape at the hands of her tutor, and the trial she underwent to have him convicted. It's historical (obviously - 1600's, I believe), but the language is modern and echoes so much of the current discourse about rape and prosecution and society's imperative to protect its men at the expense of what's right.
This has been long-listed for the National Book Award for Young Adult literature, and it's so easy to see why. I know I'm going to be recommending this one for a long time.
3.5 stars. I don't feel the story nor Artemisia were developed or complex enough. There are a few beautiful lines, yes. However, Artemisia's story--whether fictionalized or true to actual facts-- is much more dynamic. I flowed through this quickly and enjoyed it well enough but I still don't think it gave my girl Artemisia the kind of voice she deserves.
It read more adult than YA. Some really good lines and turns of phrases, but was just a meh for me.
This was exceptional. Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the greatest Italian Baroque painters & one of my top artists, so I could not resist reading this!
It's ultra rare for me to see - let alone read - a novel written in verse, but it worked so well here. Artemisia drawing upon the characters and stories of Susanna and Judith, to get her through the ordeal of her assault by Tassi & the later trial, was inspired.
My biggest gripe is that I don't understand why this book was classified as YA? At first I thought people here on GR were just shelving it on their YA shelves, but I noticed the publisher themselves classified it as YA and I see absolutely no reason why that is the case. I'm of the opinion that this novel is purely historical fiction, and I'll be shelving it that way.
It's ultra rare for me to see - let alone read - a novel written in verse, but it worked so well here. Artemisia drawing upon the characters and stories of Susanna and Judith, to get her through the ordeal of her assault by Tassi & the later trial, was inspired.
My biggest gripe is that I don't understand why this book was classified as YA? At first I thought people here on GR were just shelving it on their YA shelves, but I noticed the publisher themselves classified it as YA and I see absolutely no reason why that is the case. I'm of the opinion that this novel is purely historical fiction, and I'll be shelving it that way.
The most interesting thing about this novel is the fact that it's based on a true story. I immediately wanted to know more about the real Artemesia after finishing. There are a lot of reviews on here that articulate their thoughts on this way better than I could. Particularly that while overall the novel was good, something about it felt inauthentic. Like the author was clearly influencing the tone in a way that was unrealistic to the time period. The novel was still good and important, but once in a while I felt myself going, "Ehhhh... I don't think so." I'm usually pretty good at suspending my belief for fiction, but it was hard with this one.
I will show you
what a woman can do.
&
"I see you
hear you
want to know
your story."
- pg 17
.
Just wow! This book blew me away, and I found it hard to put it down. Written in mostly poetry (prose) with some parts in present tense, this feminist book is about the famous painter Artemisia Gentileschi and the trials she had to face as she struggled to grow and succeed despite society's attempt to suppress her because she's a female. The book was powerful and it greatly moved me. I was surprised to like the book so much since it's definitely not a genre I tend to read, but the prose and the present tense just worked for this novel.
Talks about rape, beheading, nudity, and isn't a light novel for younger audiences.
Overall, I would recommend this book.
what a woman can do.
&
"I see you
hear you
want to know
your story."
- pg 17
.
Just wow! This book blew me away, and I found it hard to put it down. Written in mostly poetry (prose) with some parts in present tense, this feminist book is about the famous painter Artemisia Gentileschi and the trials she had to face as she struggled to grow and succeed despite society's attempt to suppress her because she's a female. The book was powerful and it greatly moved me. I was surprised to like the book so much since it's definitely not a genre I tend to read, but the prose and the present tense just worked for this novel.
Talks about rape, beheading, nudity, and isn't a light novel for younger audiences.
Overall, I would recommend this book.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual harassment