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A review by pawswithabook
The Maiden of Florence by Katherine Mezzacappa
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
This book is the story of Giulia, an orphan, a virgin, in 1584 Venice, chosen to test the virility of The Prince of Mantua prior to his marriage to Eleanor de Medici.
Based on historical events with fictional imaginings to fill the gaps, the writing brings to life a period of history that is made for historical fiction, but one that hasn’t featured in any of the books I’ve read. Mezzacappa built a character led novel, with the period reflected more in the feelings and behaviours of those living in it rather than relying on descriptions of the settings.
Told largely from the perspective of Giulia, as we follow her through this experience and through her life that follows…whilst the initial subject matter is unpleasant, it is sensitively written (although I felt it a little unnecessarily graphic at times). It delicately conveys the fear, the sadness, the trauma, and the hope that Giulia carries with her throughout the novel.
The characters were brilliantly and vividly imagined, the hateful characters as much as those you take to your heart. I adored the sections from Giulianos perspective, these were perhaps the highlight of the novel for me and both his character and sections of the novel gave the perfect contrast and balance and made for a beautifully and intelligently written novel.
Thank you so much to Fairlight Books for an advanced proof of this book, I loved reading it and highly recommend!!!
Based on historical events with fictional imaginings to fill the gaps, the writing brings to life a period of history that is made for historical fiction, but one that hasn’t featured in any of the books I’ve read. Mezzacappa built a character led novel, with the period reflected more in the feelings and behaviours of those living in it rather than relying on descriptions of the settings.
Told largely from the perspective of Giulia, as we follow her through this experience and through her life that follows…whilst the initial subject matter is unpleasant, it is sensitively written (although I felt it a little unnecessarily graphic at times). It delicately conveys the fear, the sadness, the trauma, and the hope that Giulia carries with her throughout the novel.
The characters were brilliantly and vividly imagined, the hateful characters as much as those you take to your heart. I adored the sections from Giulianos perspective, these were perhaps the highlight of the novel for me and both his character and sections of the novel gave the perfect contrast and balance and made for a beautifully and intelligently written novel.
Thank you so much to Fairlight Books for an advanced proof of this book, I loved reading it and highly recommend!!!