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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
This is a beautiful book. It takes a closer look at the events leading up to and after the SA of Artemisia Gentileschi using poetry to convey her feelings and the atmosphere. I don't necessarily agree with the depiction of the relationship between Artemisia and her father. I understand there is some questions behind whether he might have signed his name to her works but there's been no definitive proof of the fact. Otherwise I did really enjoy this.
The mixing of prose and poetry was very effective in this book. I loved how the author weaved Artemisia's story with the Biblical stories of Susanna and Judith (without making it a religious story). Using Susanna and Judith as role models for Artemisia worked well in this story. The change of the father was interesting, and the book ended in a very open-ended way.
I bought the paperback and switched to reading the paperback
I couldn’t put this book down! It was so gripping, so beautiful and so poignant, I read this in one sitting. Told mostly in verse, the author does amazing work with very few words. It’s one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read about the realities of living as a woman and the strength within. Five HUGE stars!
Hard book to read, but definitely worth it. Through this fictionalized account of real events we can juxtapose Artemesia’s story with events that still happen to women hundreds of years later! This book skillfully considers the reverberations of rape—so trigger warning, if you avoid that subject.
dark
reflective
sad
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:
No
I think by itself it's a great book but it fails as a historical fiction book. Some of the anachronisms were jarring. I'm usually not too picky but here they stood out. I would have also liked subtler messages but since they were written in verse that did call to me, I'll let it go. I hadn't heard about Artemisia before, so I'm glad I came across this novel. Overall, a quick, painful read.
A powerful novel-in-verse that pulls the reader into Artemisia's well-researched world through thoughtful, sensory descriptions of how it feels to paint, to learn new skills, to be at once excited to engage with one's surroundings and frustrated with the limits imposed upon one's society. When Artemisia suffers abuse by a man she trusted, she draws upon stories of other women refuting their attackers for the strength to take her assailant to trial--another form of abuse for the woman who dares to stand up for herself. An intense story, artfully wrought, with themes of finding strength in historical figures as well as within oneself. Artemisia demands justice from an unjust system and creates beauty from both pain and joy. Beautiful and highly recommended for teen readers and up.
When Artemisia Gentileschi is raped by her art teacher, she has the bravery to speak the truth, even though she has every reason to believe that she will be punished for it. Drawing inspiration from the heroic women in stories her mother passed down to her, Artemisia faces a courtroom full of men who are not in the habit of listening to what women have to say. The writing in this book is a work of art in its own right. Artemisia's thoughts are written in verse, her conversations in italics, and memories of the stories her mom passed down to her are in prose. In that respect, the book is well balanced and fun to read. Though it deals with some very heavy topics, as relevant today as ever, there were splashes of humor and strokes of beauty. Not to mention, reading this book has made me look at Baroque paintings in a new way. - Caitlin D.
Beautifully written in verse about a young woman who is raped, accused, tortured, vindicated, and triumphed in a society who views women as a possession. Through prose and poetry the author illustrates the story of three woman who stand tall and fights as their integrity is questioned. This is a must read as women today are speaking out about the violation of men in society.
tense
slow-paced