Reviews

The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier

akublik's review

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4.0

Enjoyed all the more for having recently seen the tapestries while in Paris.

juliardye's review

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2.0

Meh.

I enjoyed reading about the making of the tapestries. Most of the characters were bad people though and none of them was particularly likable which prompted my low rating. What's the point if you don't like anyone?

amotisse's review

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4.0

Threads of history and fiction interestingly woven together, creating colourful symbolism and story telling.
I have always admired this tapestry and will surely revisit it with new eyes and wonder.

giada_andolfo's review against another edition

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3.0

3,5 stelline. Un romanzo carino, a tratti confusionario, ma alla fin fine un buon romanzo.

soniaalina's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mikimeiko's review against another edition

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2.0

La prima volta che l'ho letto mi era piaciuto moltissimo, la seconda ha perso un po' e mi dispiace.
Comunque un romanzo interessante che come tutti quelli della Chevalier parla di arte, storia e soprattutto persone.

kbogdano80's review

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3.0

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf unread for years. I'm glad that I finally took the plunge and read it. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
The Lady and the Unicorn is a historical novel, set in 15th century France. The title of the novel refers to a series of mysterious tapestries currently on display at the Musee de National du Moyen Age in Paris. The tapestries depict a noblewoman in a series of different scenarios--putting on or taking off her jewels, feeding a parakeet, playing a harp--near a unicorn. The book attempts to tell the story behind the tapestries, how and why they were made, what they mean, and whom they were made for. Each chapter is told by a different character, all who are involved in the making of the tapestries in one way or another. The novel not only tells the story of making the tapestries but also tells background stories of all the characters--their lives, their hopes and fears, and their relationships and interactions with each other.

girl_in_glasses's review against another edition

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3.0

I was initially drawn to this novel because I've been to Musée Cluny in Paris, which is where the tapestries that inspired the story are on display. Perhaps that is what mainly kept me interested throughout.

However, the storyline itself was decent, giving the reader an inside look into life in the late Middle Ages and the challenges that the different men, women, and classes faced.

Also, although I wouldn't normally be interested in the subject, the descriptions of weaving and creating the tapestries were fascinating. Having seen these gorgeous pieces in real life and many other tapestries, I now have an even greater respect for their weavers.

blodeuedd's review

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3.0

Everyone was kind of an idiot in this one.

We have the stuck up nobleman who thinks he is all that.
We have the artist who thinks he is god's gift to women. Ugh, what an ass. I wanted to slap him.
The nobleman's stupid daughter, God, what an idiot.

Then we moved on to Brussels to see the tapestry being made. Ok, that family was better. The daughter was better, but still, oh girl.

I think the only sane person was the maid for the rich family. Sure she made mistakes too, but, I understood her.

But the book was good. Nice setting, even if I wish that stupid artist had not been it.

gretchann's review

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5.0

This was great. Why did I wait so long to read it. Sweet and a little poignant. Enjoyed all the characters and liked the chapter POV changes.