Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - The Marriage Portrait

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The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

19 reviews

laurenzokro's review

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Maggie has done it again!!! O’Farrell’s attention to historical detail and narrative is so apparent throughout - it’s impossible not to appreciate the care and precision that goes into her writing. I especially enjoyed reading her author’s notes at the end, frankly, because you really get such clear insight into why and how she chooses to stray from historical accuracy, the intention behind it to build a more well-rounded story rather than just serving as a plot device.

As seen in “Hamnet”, Lucrezia’s story showcases both the larger-than-life romanticism that often draws people into the era while balancing it with the harsh, unjust realities of the time. One moment the reader is encapsulated by the beautiful descriptions of Renaissance-era architecture, clothing, and general luxuries that Lucrezia is constantly surrounded and fascinated by, only to be abruptly interrupted by sexist and/or classist power plays. The manner in which both of those themes connect back to (and are often initiated by) Alonso serves as an effectual embodiment of the time period as a whole, and the figures who dominated and represent it.

Needless to say that this book was excellent - O’Farrell’s talent for crafting such a richly-layered yet accessible narrative is very unique, and makes her reads all the more enjoyable.

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oproy's review

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challenging inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A very good but meandering story. Although I liked the book, there were long descriptive portions that I felt did not add to the entirety of the story. Overall, I would recommend the read. It definitely transports you to the era.

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ncghammo's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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katewhite77's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Gripping But Dark

The title of The Marriage Portrait is again used in it’s figurative and literally within the novel. This is because O'Farrell was inspired by what little is known of the very short life Lucrezia de Meditci who was married off to the Duke of Ferrara when she was 13 and he in his thirties. Betrothed at 13 and actually married at 15.

As a woman I found this novel very hard to read at times. The beautiful prose really brings home what it feels like to be bought and sold as property rather than considered a person. You have one destiny in life and when you fail to fulfil that destiny there have to be consequences.

This is a brutal read but I kept turning the pages despite this which is the hallmark of a master wordsmith. It is also important to read books like this occasionally so that we appreciate that which we might otherwise take for granted.

Reading this also inspired me to start learning Italian.

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tinyjude's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Another historical fiction novel from O'Farrell that pulls the strings of your heart.

Following a dual timeline, we see Lucrezia, the main protagonist and a big enigma in the real world apart from the fact that she died one year after she had been married to the Duke Alfonso of Ferrara (not suspicious at all; also she was like 15 years old and he doubled her age. Disgusting on so many levels), as she grows up with her family in Florence, being the less-favoured daughter of them all, always deemed as indomitable and worthless of attention or care at any point, as well as her time as a married woman (ehem child ehem) in Ferrara's state, her increasing sense of dread and fear, and her feeling of hopelessness, being trapped into a cage with her days already counted.

It was challenging to read through some of the horrifying things she and the other female characters have to suffer under the rule, command and oppression of the men around them. Whether they were in a economically and socially advantageous situation or were a kind-hearted maid, (we stan Emilia in this house) you couldn't avoid to felt sorry for their fates and lives knowing this was true at that time and, in many senses, still true despite the passage of time. But most of all, my heart stays with Sofia, Emilia and Lucrezia. And mourns and cheers at that bittersweet ending.

I was constantly afraid for Lucrezia safety and majorly concerned by her young age, the societal and marital expectations thrown upon her without almost any guidance or "sweet" lies, but also proud and enthralled by her constant defiance. Every moment in which she stood up for herself silently or loudly. Every time she did not yield to the iron grip of her husband. She is a very complex character for which you simply cannot avoid feeling pity and the need to protect her. And I absolutely adored every moment she relished among her paintings/tavole and instances of freedom.

Although it didn't make me weep like Hamnet, it surely impacted me in other ways that will haunt me for a while.

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