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library_ann's review against another edition
3.0
Many of the people who could have been involved in the creation of the unicorn tapestries are points of view characters in this historic fiction : the painter, his patron, the patron's wife, their daughter, the weavers, the weavers' daughter, her secret admirer. (This collection of narrators reminded me of the Sarantium novels by [a:Guy Gavriel Kay|60177|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1218804723p2/60177.jpg].) It is all hypothesis of course, as the barest facts exist about the unicorn tapestries, but that's when the author has the most free rein. The whole thing really read like a soap opera though, in the relationships, the affairs, the social maneuvers.
I might be inspired now to read a historical book about them -- there is a good (short) bibliography included in the author's notes at the end of the novel.
I might be inspired now to read a historical book about them -- there is a good (short) bibliography included in the author's notes at the end of the novel.
liziev's review
4.0
This was a fantastic read! This is the first book I've read by Tracy Chevalier, and I loved her writing style and voice.
Each chapter was written from the perspective of a different character, which can be really hit or miss. But each chapter made me love that character more, and gave me more insight to their thoughts and motivations. Each chapter had a distinct voice, and I really felt like I got to know each person. I wasn't sure that she would be able to wrap up the ending using this approach, but I really enjoyed the book from cover to cover.
It's not every day that I say that a book about 15th Century Belgian tapestry weaving is as engaging as this one!
Each chapter was written from the perspective of a different character, which can be really hit or miss. But each chapter made me love that character more, and gave me more insight to their thoughts and motivations. Each chapter had a distinct voice, and I really felt like I got to know each person. I wasn't sure that she would be able to wrap up the ending using this approach, but I really enjoyed the book from cover to cover.
It's not every day that I say that a book about 15th Century Belgian tapestry weaving is as engaging as this one!
fairiepixiedust's review
3.0
A nice easy read. Some parts were a bit predictable towards the end, but all in all, I enjoyed this one. Chevalier's characters are well developed and she brings historical fiction to life with their actions.
What I enjoyed the most was how the artist incorporated his own experiences of women through the process of the tapestry's creation.
What I enjoyed the most was how the artist incorporated his own experiences of women through the process of the tapestry's creation.
asmxth22's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mary_juleyre's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
kelliewyatt75's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
xtinee's review
1.0
I bought this in a museum bookstore and luckily didn’t have high hopes. Because absolutely no expectations were broken at all. The characters were underdeveloped and not likeable or understandable. The book was a fictional story about how the unicorn tapestries were made but it felt so forced and pointless. There were so many possibilities to write something cool and it did not happen.
All this to say thank god I had low expectations going in.
All this to say thank god I had low expectations going in.
jackiesam's review
2.0
Fast read, kept my interest but not at all what I expected. I felt like i was reading an edited version of a good book that had been watered down and sexed up. I've heard great things about her other books so someday I'd like to give her a second try but this one wasn't anything special.
michellemm85's review against another edition
3.0
3/6
I think I hoped for more than I got. Maybe a deeper story about the symbolism and the meaning of the tapestries, but it was pretty shallow. And while I didn't outright hate any of the characters, Nicholas and Claude annoyed me lol. Nick dipped his wick into any pot of oil he could find! UGH!
The multiple POVs saved it for me, and at least we got the little blurbs of epilogue
The more I think about it, the more I'm disappointed in the final product. Though it's fine/acceptable, it could have been much better.
I have to say, it did make me interested in weaving, which seems like magic if I'm being honest ( like knitting/crochet is magic lol)
I think I hoped for more than I got. Maybe a deeper story about the symbolism and the meaning of the tapestries, but it was pretty shallow. And while I didn't outright hate any of the characters, Nicholas and Claude annoyed me lol. Nick dipped his wick into any pot of oil he could find! UGH!
The multiple POVs saved it for me, and at least we got the little blurbs of epilogue
The more I think about it, the more I'm disappointed in the final product. Though it's fine/acceptable, it could have been much better.
I have to say, it did make me interested in weaving, which seems like magic if I'm being honest ( like knitting/crochet is magic lol)
novelesque_life's review
3.0
3 STARS
"The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are a set of six medieval tapestries. Beautiful, intricate and expertly made, they are also mysterious in their origin and meaning. Tapestries give an appearance of order and continuity, as if designed and made by one person, belying the complicated process required to create them. Weavers, patrons, designers, artists, merchants and apprentices were involved in their making, and behind them were the wives, daughters and servants who exercised influences over their men. Like the many strands of wool and silk woven together into one cloth, so these people came together in a complex dance to create the whole picture. Jean le Viste, a newly wealthy member of the French court, commissions the tapestries to hang in his chateau. Nicolas, his chosen designer, meets le Viste's wife Genevieve and his daughter Claude, both of whom take a keen interest in the tapestries. From Paris, Nicolas moves to a weaver's workshop in Brussels. The creation of the tapestries brings together people who would not otherwise meet - their lives become entangled, and so do their desires. As they fall in love, are shunned, take revenge, find unrequited love, turn to the church or to pagan ideals, the tapestries become to each an ideal vision of life - yet all discover that they are unable to make this ideal world their own" (From Amazon)
A very interesting historical story but not my favourite of Chevalier. Her novels usually are character driven with the descriptions and history as the plot. In this novel the historical element seems to take centre stage.
"The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are a set of six medieval tapestries. Beautiful, intricate and expertly made, they are also mysterious in their origin and meaning. Tapestries give an appearance of order and continuity, as if designed and made by one person, belying the complicated process required to create them. Weavers, patrons, designers, artists, merchants and apprentices were involved in their making, and behind them were the wives, daughters and servants who exercised influences over their men. Like the many strands of wool and silk woven together into one cloth, so these people came together in a complex dance to create the whole picture. Jean le Viste, a newly wealthy member of the French court, commissions the tapestries to hang in his chateau. Nicolas, his chosen designer, meets le Viste's wife Genevieve and his daughter Claude, both of whom take a keen interest in the tapestries. From Paris, Nicolas moves to a weaver's workshop in Brussels. The creation of the tapestries brings together people who would not otherwise meet - their lives become entangled, and so do their desires. As they fall in love, are shunned, take revenge, find unrequited love, turn to the church or to pagan ideals, the tapestries become to each an ideal vision of life - yet all discover that they are unable to make this ideal world their own" (From Amazon)
A very interesting historical story but not my favourite of Chevalier. Her novels usually are character driven with the descriptions and history as the plot. In this novel the historical element seems to take centre stage.