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jesshekman's review against another edition
5.0
This is the book that got me started on historical fiction. It has the most interesting prologue ever. This is one of my all time favorites.
alisonjfields's review against another edition
2.0
Renaissance Florence was an amazing place. The art, the architecture, the economy, the politics, the thinkers, the Medici. And Savanarola? Fascinating and completely terrifying. The Birth of Venus? An extraordinary painting. Sarah Dunant's "Birth of Venus?" Lukewarm, anachronistic treacle draped in reproduction silk.
beatrizkelly's review against another edition
4.0
i’ve never read a book like this in my life, and was expecting something that romanticized this time period extensively. however, as i read more into the book the detailing is so well written. the character’s relationships to each other are explained very well and the ending was something i wasn’t expecting at all. i was very confused when i read the prologue but seeing how it connected was mind blowing to me.
carlacbarroso's review against another edition
4.0
My expectations weren't that high so I have to confess myself impressed with this book.
We follow Alessandra, a brilliant girl, turning for adolescence into adulthood in Florence, a city we come to know and full of art and learning, which turns into darkness due to the extremist preaching of Savonarola.
So the author talks about a various number of thematics, namely art, theology and philosophy, but also the role of woman in her family, the various faces Love can take. Adding to this, there's mystery and romance which will satisfy any reader fond of these genres.
A good way to plunge into Renaissance Florence and understand the mentality, namely to how Catholicism was perceived, at that time.
We follow Alessandra, a brilliant girl, turning for adolescence into adulthood in Florence, a city we come to know and full of art and learning, which turns into darkness due to the extremist preaching of Savonarola.
So the author talks about a various number of thematics, namely art, theology and philosophy, but also the role of woman in her family, the various faces Love can take. Adding to this, there's mystery and romance which will satisfy any reader fond of these genres.
A good way to plunge into Renaissance Florence and understand the mentality, namely to how Catholicism was perceived, at that time.
alexisbz2222's review against another edition
2.5
This book is a historical fiction novel, which is not a genre I usually read. For what it was, I enjoyed it. There were definitely parts I did not understand, or bother to understand, but I got the gist of what was happening nonetheless. I liked the characters and world building, and the ending was definitely interesting. I wish she had moved out of the convent and in with the painter and her daughter, but I guess for the time period that wouldn't be realistic. I did like how the book ended the way it began and I thought that was really interesting. Still, I find myself wanting the happy ending because I am a hopeless romantic.
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
All the way through I devoured this novel - I loved the characterization of Florence and the period in history that was captured, and the interpersonal drama was convoluted enough to keep me guessing, even though at several points I was able to guess what was about to happen. Very, very readable. Throughout, I was looking forward to the point where several of the threads that seemed to be leading up to the eventual conclusion (as anticipated by the prologue) would come together: however, the end itself seemed a bit stilted, as if it happened too fast and didn't leave enough time to process or absorb certain pivotal changes in perspective that accompanied various reveals. I could trace a path from the characters as portrayed in the earlier part of the book through their actions in the concluding section, but the shifts were not obvious or intuitive. It probably didn't help much that most of the characters weren't really all that likable - not even the main character. I was interested in them, but also mildly horrified at the ways in which they behaved toward one another. The several false notes toward the end prevented me from giving this five stars, but overall I did like it. And I will puzzle forever over who the painter is.
katya_freire's review against another edition
3.0
Os apreciadores de arte e viajantes que tiveram oportunidade de deambular por Florença irão ficar deliciados com as descrições que surgem ao longo da vida de Alessandra!
smittybeans0018's review against another edition
3.0
Being a Renaissance/Baroque enthusiast (my Master's concentration at Tulane), particularly focusing on Italian High Renaissance masters (Michelangelo in particular), I knew that this story could potentially miss the mark entirely for me. I could very possibly have hated this book. But this novel was happily written with responsible scholarship, which made the whole thing more convincing and enjoyable overall. Lovely writing style, too. I feel like the protagonist could have been beaten around a little more by the writer and her flaws made more layered and interesting (thus making her character more compelling and relatable), but on the whole, an enjoyable read.
mkalbert's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0