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miaev's review
5.0
I have read her previous books so I bought this one. It is well researched and well written.
jkkb332's review
3.0
This is Olimpia's story, but it's so much more than that. It's an in depth history of the culture of her time, of Catholicism, and of the region. It's an examination of the politics of the Papal States. It's a detailed accounting of every day life in Rome, which is probably the most interesting art for me. Although I have to admit, going into this I had no real interest in Catholicism or Vatican or Papal history, but I found myself sucked in pretty quickly. Will I read more about those topics, probably not. But I have a lot more knowledge now than I did before thanks to Herman's clear writing style and ability to weave so many different threads together to paint a clear picture of the time.
xole's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this. The author does insert perhaps a tad too much personal commentary for a history book, but her style is very readable so I'm willing to forgive those divagations. I particularly liked her portrayal of this ultimately very flawed woman. Given how few tools the period gave a woman to work with, the fact that she used them so effectively, as well as subverting some supposedly male-exclusive ones, is refreshing. It is depressingly unsurprising that she was subsequently demonised for behaving in a manner that would not have raised a single eyebrow had she been male.
korikam's review against another edition
5.0
Eleanor Herman really knows how to make history come alive. She does a wonderful job painting the picture of the drama, filth, and absurdity that was 17th century Rome.
van_worldexplorer's review
4.0
Slow start but really pics up in the DRAMA in part 2. A great example of female power and how women of the past “beat the system” and made their life their own. A literal queen. And the writing was well done too.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
4.0
I started off being completely on Olimpia's side: fuck the patriarchy! And then, because she was a real person with all the complexities and contradictions that entails, it got complicated. So my feelings about her as a person are layered, but my feelings about this book are simple: fantastic read!
eric_conrad's review against another edition
3.0
Some ham-fisted prose at times in an overall entertaining book. The history of Rome was interesting as were some of the people making political moves during this time. Not entirely sure what to think of the main subject. No real first person perspective.
silverlotus's review against another edition
2.0
I was very disappointed by this book. The author takes off on tangents so often that I'd be surprised if more than 30% of the book dealt directly with Olimpia Maidalchini. A nearly chapter long digression on the plague did not add to my understand of Olimpia, nor did the endless descriptions of the inner workings of papal Conclave.
I did enjoy the book for what it ultimately was, but I don't think it was a true biography of Olimpia Maidalchini. It was an interesting look at the world she was part of.
I did enjoy the book for what it ultimately was, but I don't think it was a true biography of Olimpia Maidalchini. It was an interesting look at the world she was part of.