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books_lover42's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first novel by Salman Rushdie and I was excited to read it as I have heard a lot of wonderful things about his work. I am however at a loss to describe this book. Parts of it were fascinating, with delicate, beautifully interwoven layers that unravel slowly to show the connections through time and place but alas, other parts seemed to confuse me and seemed disjointed?
I found it a bit frustrating that the females characters were either figments of imagination or else held power by virtue of their intense sexuality and hence desirability. However, perhaps Rushdie is showcasing the role of a woman for that time period and how women used their power to exert influence over the men? There were so many layers of this novel that perhaps deserve more discussion (which I would recommend readers to read other reviewers who wrote beautiful, in-depth reviews of this work).
Rushie mused about religion, the "self" and contemplated many things for the time and place which were appropriate. I'm not sure exactly why their was a bibliography however I suppose he wanted to ensure that readers appreciate the historical content while also appreciating the fiction that weaved the story together?
There are far better reviews than mine. As my first, Rushdie book I would recommend this book and more importanatly, plan on reading more of Rushdie.
I found it a bit frustrating that the females characters were either figments of imagination or else held power by virtue of their intense sexuality and hence desirability. However, perhaps Rushdie is showcasing the role of a woman for that time period and how women used their power to exert influence over the men? There were so many layers of this novel that perhaps deserve more discussion (which I would recommend readers to read other reviewers who wrote beautiful, in-depth reviews of this work).
Rushie mused about religion, the "self" and contemplated many things for the time and place which were appropriate. I'm not sure exactly why their was a bibliography however I suppose he wanted to ensure that readers appreciate the historical content while also appreciating the fiction that weaved the story together?
There are far better reviews than mine. As my first, Rushdie book I would recommend this book and more importanatly, plan on reading more of Rushdie.
rekhainbc's review against another edition
2.0
There is a good story in there, and Akbar's court is a rich source of alternative history, so is Florence. Rushdie's storytelling is fun, but there's lots of places in the book where I found myself flipping furiously waiting for Rushdie to get back on point.
rdreading9's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book cover to cover. Machiavelli to Akbar what's not to love. hahahhahahahha. but it was hard to rate. Against Rushdie's catalog of books it's 3 stars, which is what I'm rating it against. But up against all contemporary lit i'd give it 4 1/2 stars.
spiralbound89's review against another edition
2.0
Verbose and magical, I found myself speed reading at times but did commit to the whole book.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
5.0
I suppose I could write one of those reviews where I talk about how this book contains wonderful prose. I could compare the character of Angelica to the Angelica of the [b:Orlando Furioso: A New Verse Translation|6557372|Orlando Furioso A New Verse Translation|Ludovico Ariosto|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255862750s/6557372.jpg|1161788] and other Italian romances.
(BTW, those Italians romances are so fun to read. Man are taking off thier armor left and right, seducing women, being seduced. English romances, the closest you get is Lancelot get arrow shot in the butt).
But I'm not going to do that.
Rushdie made the most beautiful woman in the world a woman with black hair.
Enough said.
(BTW, those Italians romances are so fun to read. Man are taking off thier armor left and right, seducing women, being seduced. English romances, the closest you get is Lancelot get arrow shot in the butt).
But I'm not going to do that.
Rushdie made the most beautiful woman in the world a woman with black hair.
Enough said.
sparky_sparky_boom_man's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookswithmarianne's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book really fascinating. The story was pretty intricate and full of details, it took places in many different places and through several generations, and it even included many profound quotes which made me think!
rachel_dacus's review against another edition
Storytelling within storytelling, nested like Russian dolls or Chinese boxes, keeps the narrative moving forward, but also befuddles this reader at many points. Overall -- and I'm nearly finished with the book -- my impression is of a story-magician whose art is all dazzle and no substance. I find the characters cartoonish, the settings jumbled and fantastical, and the dialogue unwieldy. The liberal sprinklings of sex and violence do nothing to impress me. I probably won't read another Rushdie book, though I did want to see what all the fuss was about. As usual, it's about a faddish author we wouldn't be hearing about if he hadn't enraged some fanatics. Sorry not to recommend this. Oh, and if you're hoping for a lot about Florence, forget this one. It's mostly set in a mythical Middle East kingdom.
avstrauss's review against another edition
3.0
I expected much from this book - a new novel from my favorite author is certain to provoke interest. And to boot, it is about Italy...
With that said, I found the book, well, ok. It was certainly enchanting at times, filled with characteristic Rushdie fantacism, surrealism, and what not; at times it proved a charming fairy tale. Yet the middle was sluggish, a bit tedious, and drawn-out. The ending was also a bit anti-climatic and upon finishing the novel I wasn't left with the feeling of "wow!" that followed Midnight's Children, the Satanic Verses, and Haroun and the Sea of Stories. The enchantress of Florence left me entertained but ultimately short of enchanted.
But then again maybe I am being a bit severe seeing as I regard the author so highly.
With that said, I found the book, well, ok. It was certainly enchanting at times, filled with characteristic Rushdie fantacism, surrealism, and what not; at times it proved a charming fairy tale. Yet the middle was sluggish, a bit tedious, and drawn-out. The ending was also a bit anti-climatic and upon finishing the novel I wasn't left with the feeling of "wow!" that followed Midnight's Children, the Satanic Verses, and Haroun and the Sea of Stories. The enchantress of Florence left me entertained but ultimately short of enchanted.
But then again maybe I am being a bit severe seeing as I regard the author so highly.
weezled's review against another edition
4.0
As I haven't read any of Rushdie's other works I have nothing to compare "The Enchantress of Florence" to. I can say that I found it to be beautifully written and completely captivating. The story of the yellow haired traveler didn't interest me at first, but they way Rushdie wove the story of the Traveler and the Forgotten Princess together was very fluid and quickly drew me in. I will be picking up more of Rushdie's work in the future as this has just wet my appetite.