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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Mostly, this was NOT for me. It was not interesting nor compelling, but I finished it. If you like period pieces, this will be something you’d like.
I'm not a massive fan of historical fiction set in the Renaissance. So I got into Maggie O'Farrell's books of her stories that take place later. But I became too curious and had to try her most recent work, even if the synopsis didn't quite appeal to me. Like many choices I've made that veer off my usual reading path, it was worth it because O'Farrell is a magnificent writer. Her books are always character-driven, and this one even more so because it delves into the concepts of portrait and identity for the self and the contexts surrounding the characters, mainly Lucrezia.
I highly recommend it. But it is a slow read. Although intriguing, it has a minimal plot and describes many moments of lying around, looking through windows, pacing, and other scenes of little movement. The last chapter, however, got my heart racing.
I highly recommend it. But it is a slow read. Although intriguing, it has a minimal plot and describes many moments of lying around, looking through windows, pacing, and other scenes of little movement. The last chapter, however, got my heart racing.
adventurous
mysterious
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:
No
No one does historical fiction like O’Farrell. A different world entirely.
another stunning O'Farrell book. gorgeous prose, wonderfully written characters.
Writing was pleasant enough to carry the story along nicely, but it was at times super flowery and rambly. I enjoyed most of the story, always love delving into the past and O'Farrell really made 1500s Italy come to life. The ending though....am I supposed to feel happy that the rich privileged lady got to live while the long suffering maid who only ever tried to make her life easier died in her place? Ick.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No