Reviews

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

taraschn's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-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

4.0

diane_m's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Before I read the last twenty pages, I'd been pondering whether to keep the book on my shelves or put it in a Little Library. I had not made a decision until I read the last two pages. What was written there helped me make sense of my life's work. It has a permanent place on my shelves.

hewlettelaine's review against another edition

4.0

Really enjoyed this novel. A very evocative description of Medici Florence and its artistic life and culture.

alevtina1's review against another edition

emotional informative 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? Yes

4.75

it really picked up for me at the halfway point. i thoroughly enjoyed the characters and how the time period of the book made me appreciate them even more. the ending was also wholesome in a way. 

annathebooksiread's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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

5.0

xeyra1's review against another edition

5.0

I loved The Birth of Venus. I truly did. I think this may be one of my favorite reads this year, so far.

I loved the setting, I loved the writing but mostly I loved the main character, Alessandra, who carried the story, who told us of life from her perspective, who showed us a glimpse of life in the Florence of the 15th century, the conventions, the conflicts, the culture, the religious fanatism, and the art. It was an amazing read that made me breathe in the airs of Florence and cringe as its beauty was tainted by an over-zealous priest.

Beautifully and richly written, this book is certainly a must read for those who enjoy historical fiction. I must go search for some more Sarah Dunant books.

mamasmrf22's review against another edition

4.0

Great read! Set in Florence in the late 1500's, this tale starts with a mystery that wraps up nicely through the course of a life narrative. There are subtle twists and turns, following a main character for whom it's easy to feel passion and empathy. There were a couple of plot lines that fell flat, but it didn't take away from the story.

chloekg's review against another edition

2.0

Light and easy beach read, this book is a colorful historical fiction with a touch of erotic longing. It's essentially a bestselling romance dressed up in period costume.

nicolepalmer's review against another edition

1.0

Awful. No plot, no interesting characters to yearn for, nothing. It follows the life of Alessandra Cecchi in painstaking slow detail of every breath she takes each day. It took until around page 365 for me to care even the slightest bit, even then I could have done without the book. Would have not even finished if I weren’t trying to read a certain number of books this year.

i_have_no_process's review against another edition

emotional

4.25

Superior in its genre. As deft and ensorcelling as many books, in their blurbs, pretend.