Reviews with content warning for Vomit - The Marriage Portrait

Took me a while to finish the book because I've been reading slowly, but when I would pick it up I would read for large chunks of time. I think the concept/characters weren't as rounded as Hamnet. It was too fresh in my mind having read that this summer. I think that Lucrè's characterization didn't quite meet the expectations set forth in the conceiving scene. It felt more like middle child syndrome/no one understands me vs staring at a map and having a wanderer. I figured out half of the ending way before it happened, but still some semi-surprising elements. I think overall, I liked the writing (as per usual with O'Farrell) but the characters fell flat.

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manonh90's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Wonderfully atmospheric story about Italy in Medici times. Interesting choice to depict the Medici family as more lovable and merciful than other Italian families. I like the writing style, although the book could've (should've?) been shorter. The beginning is quite slow, but the story picks up in the last half.

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amyw's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

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booksalacarte's review

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dark informative mysterious 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

3.25

It was really hard to get into the book, feeling as if I knew how it ended.

There is a lot of timeline jumping, starting in 1561, then looking back. It was a good take and created a little more suspense that was necessary for a fictional take on a historical figure.

Looking into the fantastical mind of a young girl growing up in the life she did was very interesting. To see her unsettled nature, suspicion and premonition of her own life. She is battling for her own survival and it’s hard to read and not be moved.

I also found reading about a child bride a challenge. Especially knowing that it was normal for the time. I couldn’t stop thinking about how she was a child, having to act as a wife and the duplicity of those around her.

The depictions of the Italian courts and culture was very nice.

I appreciated the creative liberties taken. I thought it was well done!

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feebles640's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.0

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lydialight's review

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challenging dark informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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katiemack's review

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informative inspiring mysterious fast-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

5.0

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I've had a paperback copy of Hamnet on my shelf for almost a year. I've put off reading it so I can catch up on my NetGalley queue, but after reading this spectacular novel I'm going to dust it off and read it.

Maggie O'Farrell has an astonishing way of fleshing out the paltry, little-known details of the sad life of a medieval noble teenage girl. She gives Lucrezia de Medici so much depth and validates her terror in knowing, instinctively, that her husband Alfonso is going to murder her. This novel is part thriller, part history, part mystery with a touch of romantic imagination thrown in, and it's tremendously readable. Her characters are well-rounded, which, despite my rooting for Lucrezia, gave me pause. (Does Alfonso really want to kill his wife, or is he just another duplicitous noble?)

If you've read and loved Hamnet, you'll love this. If, like me, you haven't...well, you'll still love it.

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ninjamuse's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense 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? It's complicated

3.75

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