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phrasecollector13___'s review
informative
relaxing
slow-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
2.75
Renaissance's re-telling are simply not my type of reading. Maybe I can work around Renaissance story if they are short or is an article simple and straight to the point.
Taking that in consideration, I didn't like this book, but I did enjoyed the reading. It's a slowed pace book that I would pick up for when I would need a break from really rushing books and I want to slow down in the genre or a book I will pick to keep myself busy while in an appointment or when I'm bored. I didn't found anything special about it. It was simple and dull. Also, it was predictable for me. I really loved Lucrezia's rebel inner self, but she was too passive and... she was just a child in adult's matters. It was heartbreaking that she could not understand what was going on around her and how she was left alone with herself and her maid (who was another child) and they had to "navigate" the adult world. Since they were child who would not know how to handle/navigate the adult world, it challenging to read through the book. I honestly consider this book more historical with a tiny little touch of fiction. And I believe that's what manage me to read it to the end.
Which was one of the best part in the book. I really like the twist fiction allowed the writer to gave us another conclusion to Lucrezia's story. Since Lucrezia was showing feelings for Jacopo I just... loved their platonic relationship. And for her by the end to decide to run away from Alfonso was a huge plot twist. I thought that she was dying in that fortezza that night, but she escaped! I would have loved to see a short story/novel about Lucrezia's and Jacopo's friendship (and possibly relationship) develop. Now, that was a story I would have definitely enjoyed. It was the innocence and their tenderness that moved me and I wish that Lucrezia could live the "love" story that her parents had, but Jacopo and her were born at the wrong period of time and in the wrong positions.
I believe the main reason this reading wasn't entertaining to me was because of the period the book was settle and that made it predictable and dull for me.
Taking that in consideration, I didn't like this book, but I did enjoyed the reading. It's a slowed pace book that I would pick up for when I would need a break from really rushing books and I want to slow down in the genre or a book I will pick to keep myself busy while in an appointment or when I'm bored. I didn't found anything special about it. It was simple and dull. Also, it was predictable for me. I really loved Lucrezia's rebel inner self, but she was too passive and... she was just a child in adult's matters. It was heartbreaking that she could not understand what was going on around her and how she was left alone with herself and her maid (who was another child) and they had to "navigate" the adult world. Since they were child who would not know how to handle/navigate the adult world, it challenging to read through the book. I honestly consider this book more historical with a tiny little touch of fiction. And I believe that's what manage me to read it to the end.
I believe the main reason this reading wasn't entertaining to me was because of the period the book was settle and that made it predictable and dull for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, Murder, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Infertility
calicornmoore's review
dark
mysterious
sad
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty
gabie_reads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Beautifully written, a very atmospheric narrative. Really liked the way the story was build, in almost an investigative way, where at every page you go collecting and arranging the pieces together. Altought I was half expecting part of the ending, that did not spoil the experience at all. In a way, the story reminded me of Once upon a time in Hollywood.
I ended the book feeling satisfied, but somehow wanting for more, to loose myself a little bit longer on that story.
For me, this is a book to be savoured, so don’t rush the reading. Must say that I am excited to read more of O’Farrell’s work.
I ended the book feeling satisfied, but somehow wanting for more, to loose myself a little bit longer on that story.
For me, this is a book to be savoured, so don’t rush the reading. Must say that I am excited to read more of O’Farrell’s work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Physical abuse
bezzlebob's review
emotional
tense
medium-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? No
4.5
What a way to kick off the year! This has everything I love about historical fiction - three dimensional characters, interesting pacing, riiiiiiiiiich descriptive writing, and layers. I guessed the main plot points in the latter third of the book, and for some people, that would spoil the experience. For me though, I loved feeling vindicated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infertility
marymacb's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Murder, and Physical abuse
thekristinashow's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I first started this book, I was like, oh, it’s giving Bridgerton vibes but Italian and morbid. Fast forward, and I’m sitting here, having just finished this book, with my jaw dropped.
Set in the 1500s in Florence and Ferrara (not including the fortress and the delizia in the countryside), this book follows the story of Lucrezia, who is betrothed to Alfonso, becoming a Duchess at the early age of 15.
This story is not the story of a heartwarming, young marriage at all. It’s about a bold, artistic girl who has a difficult time conforming to the requirements of marriage to a Duke who also happens to be a two-faced arse. But I won’t give any of the details away here.
The writing is chef’s kiss and makes me want to read O’Farrell’s Hamnet ASAP.
Set in the 1500s in Florence and Ferrara (not including the fortress and the delizia in the countryside), this book follows the story of Lucrezia, who is betrothed to Alfonso, becoming a Duchess at the early age of 15.
This story is not the story of a heartwarming, young marriage at all. It’s about a bold, artistic girl who has a difficult time conforming to the requirements of marriage to a Duke who also happens to be a two-faced arse. But I won’t give any of the details away here.
The writing is chef’s kiss and makes me want to read O’Farrell’s Hamnet ASAP.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
Moderate: Physical abuse
kristinamj's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
merrynthomas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Murder, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infertility
katewhite77's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Murder, Rape, and Physical 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