A review by alexandras_reads
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

challenging mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The Marriage Portrait - Maggie O’Farrell
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The marriage portrait offers a fictionalized retelling of the short life of Lucrezia D’Medici, the youngest daughter of Eleanora and Cosimo. Somewhat of an outcast within the royal family, she is married off at the age of 15 and sent to live with her much older husband, the Duke Alfonso. 
Lucre is stubborn and creative and imaginative, and cannot stand to be paraded around like a statue. After a year of a tedious marriage, she realizes that her husband is set to kill her. This story offers a complex and magical re imagination of lucre’s fate. 
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I’ve never considered myself a fan of historical fiction but oh my god was this one of the most captivating stories I’ve read. O’Farrell has such a way with words as she is able to describe the most mundane details in such a mystical way. I highly recommend this to literally everyone, but just be aware of possible triggers!

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