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neverlandangel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape
haley313's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this book. I would say the first half was a bit too slow-paced, but the second half was exciting. The descriptions of the clothes, palaces, and food were gorgeous and fun to read. I enjoyed the focus on art and painting as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Infertility, and Domestic abuse
gillshea's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death, Death, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, and Physical abuse
tinyjude's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Classism, Confinement, and Misogyny
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Infertility
Minor: Animal death
stormy_reading's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
fly_away_birdy's review
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Murder
helenaramsay's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
A phenomenal story! The serious topics were handled so sensitively and portrayed so realistically throughout and you really fell in love with Lucrezia and rooted for her til the end. I thought it would take me longer because it's quite a chunky paperback, but I couldn't put it down at all.
The writing is fabulous- you can read a chapter or two and realise there hasn't been much in the way of actual events happening, but the character development and, even moreso, the emotional current flowing through the whole novel are sublime.
The writing is fabulous- you can read a chapter or two and realise there hasn't been much in the way of actual events happening, but the character development and, even moreso, the emotional current flowing through the whole novel are sublime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Minor: Medical trauma
tessa_samuels's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I could not put this book down, it was an absolute page turner. The writing was riveting and beautiful. It captivated so much emotion and information. The book flowed like very few books I’ve ever read. Content warning: animal abuse, sexual violence, emotional and physical abuse. There were huge sections of this book I had to skip. Because it was too dark. There was an entire chapter about a tiger, and an animal menagerie that I had to skip. And I would definitely proceed with caution when reading this book. But I thought it was brilliant and absolutely loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Violence, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Misogyny, and Murder
allapaz's review against another edition
4.0
what a vibe, what a ride. there were slow parts for sure, and all in all a lotttt of time was spent on the style alone, but the overarching story and tension and characters were spot on
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Sexual assault, Rape, and Domestic abuse
hannahcomer4d's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Maggie O'Farrell does it again. I spent this book on edge in the best sense of the phrase--fully drawn into Lucrezia's story and life and willing it toward a satisfying ending. Every detail was perfectly placed, and the characters felt vibrant and relatable. I came away moved by how O'Farrell brought a voice to another voiceless woman from history.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Domestic abuse