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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
4.5 stars. "The Vatican Princess" is the story of Lucrezia Borgia, a member of one of the most infamous families in history. The book captures the politics and salaciousness of the rule of the Borgias with great detail that pulled me in quickly. While this book covers a lot of the things that many history lovers know or have heard about the Borgias, Gortner breathes life into the story telling it from Lucrezia's perspective. She is quite young when the book opens so we get to see a lot of her life throughout the book. Gortner makes it easy to see why so many of us (myself included) can't get enough of the Borgias.
C.W. Gortner is one of my favorite authors and I will read anything he puts out. I was interested to see his take on the Borgias. As I mentioned before, he covers a lot of the truths and rumors that history lovers may already be familiar with. For instance, the rumored incest between Lucrezia and her brothers is present. The description is sometimes brutal but not overly so for the story that Gortner is trying to tell. The panache of his delivery is what makes this book special. By having Lucrezia as our narrator, we are pulled right into the thick of the saga of the Borgias. We see her go from a young, naive girl to someone who learns how to play the game. I loved following her in this book.
I think the author does a great job of capturing the politics that drove the Borgias. This is a power hungry family and each member of the family becomes quite adept at getting what they want in many different ways. Gortner does a great job of showing all of the in's and out's and alliances that drive each character. I loved all of the detail. Gortner's book will transport you back to a time where power was everything and you either lead, followed, or stepped aside.
C.W. Gortner is one of my favorite authors and I will read anything he puts out. I was interested to see his take on the Borgias. As I mentioned before, he covers a lot of the truths and rumors that history lovers may already be familiar with. For instance, the rumored incest between Lucrezia and her brothers is present. The description is sometimes brutal but not overly so for the story that Gortner is trying to tell. The panache of his delivery is what makes this book special. By having Lucrezia as our narrator, we are pulled right into the thick of the saga of the Borgias. We see her go from a young, naive girl to someone who learns how to play the game. I loved following her in this book.
I think the author does a great job of capturing the politics that drove the Borgias. This is a power hungry family and each member of the family becomes quite adept at getting what they want in many different ways. Gortner does a great job of showing all of the in's and out's and alliances that drive each character. I loved all of the detail. Gortner's book will transport you back to a time where power was everything and you either lead, followed, or stepped aside.
A first-person fictional biography of Lucrezia Borgia by acclaimed historical fiction author C.W.Gortner seemed like a good choice. I've read several of his books and found them enjoyable, light-weight summer reading - and Lucrezia Borgia is somebody I've heard about all my life but really don't know that much about.
I find it hard to believe that Ms Borgia was as innocent and good-hearted as Gortner portrays her in this book. I know that history can be nasty to a person's reputation - but she has had so many stories told about her lurid life, from being a murderess several times over to her promiscuity which included incestuous relationships with both her brother and her father (who was, of course, the Pope), I just don't swallow the sweet and loyal and loving adolescent and woman that is presented here. Not only that, but all that sweetness and light gets a trifle monotonous and boring.
Perhaps this would be more enjoyed by fans of romance novels - as there is quite a lot of passion and longing looks here (though all passion is unrequited until the wedding bells ring). I, frankly, found it deadly dull. I finished it thinking it was going to suddenly turn and she would have had had enough of being a 'victim' of her time and turn into a Disney villainess and start poisoning and knifing everybody. But, alas, she just kept being sweet.
Oh. And this may come as a rather odd criticism. But, there are far too many descriptions of the clothing worn, without ever really creating a word-picture of them. Quite frustrating actually. LOL
I find it hard to believe that Ms Borgia was as innocent and good-hearted as Gortner portrays her in this book. I know that history can be nasty to a person's reputation - but she has had so many stories told about her lurid life, from being a murderess several times over to her promiscuity which included incestuous relationships with both her brother and her father (who was, of course, the Pope), I just don't swallow the sweet and loyal and loving adolescent and woman that is presented here. Not only that, but all that sweetness and light gets a trifle monotonous and boring.
Perhaps this would be more enjoyed by fans of romance novels - as there is quite a lot of passion and longing looks here (though all passion is unrequited until the wedding bells ring). I, frankly, found it deadly dull. I finished it thinking it was going to suddenly turn and she would have had had enough of being a 'victim' of her time and turn into a Disney villainess and start poisoning and knifing everybody. But, alas, she just kept being sweet.
Oh. And this may come as a rather odd criticism. But, there are far too many descriptions of the clothing worn, without ever really creating a word-picture of them. Quite frustrating actually. LOL
Truly enjoyable historical fiction that offers a realistic analysis of Lucrezia Borgia. Although my favorite Cesare depiction remains on Showtime's "The Borgias," Gortner's take adequately explains both Cesare's magnetism and his potential for evil.
Welp! Sometimes I wish there were trigger warnings for books. Though I admit it's on me for not reading reviews, etc., for warnings. But also: was that incest rape scene really necessary? I'm mad too because while it certainly wasn't going to be my favorite, I was relatively enjoying it. And the writing was rather okay. I think Gortner tended to rely on the "mythical" aspect of Lucrezia but I was willing to put it aside cause everything else was going fine. Until, of course, it wasn't.
Not gonna finish it but I'm counting it because damnit I was 2/3rds thru the book.
Not gonna finish it but I'm counting it because damnit I was 2/3rds thru the book.