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A review by tristanrobinblakeman
The Vatican Princess: A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia by C.W. Gortner
2.0
A first-person fictional biography of Lucrezia Borgia by acclaimed historical fiction author C.W.Gortner seemed like a good choice. I've read several of his books and found them enjoyable, light-weight summer reading - and Lucrezia Borgia is somebody I've heard about all my life but really don't know that much about.
I find it hard to believe that Ms Borgia was as innocent and good-hearted as Gortner portrays her in this book. I know that history can be nasty to a person's reputation - but she has had so many stories told about her lurid life, from being a murderess several times over to her promiscuity which included incestuous relationships with both her brother and her father (who was, of course, the Pope), I just don't swallow the sweet and loyal and loving adolescent and woman that is presented here. Not only that, but all that sweetness and light gets a trifle monotonous and boring.
Perhaps this would be more enjoyed by fans of romance novels - as there is quite a lot of passion and longing looks here (though all passion is unrequited until the wedding bells ring). I, frankly, found it deadly dull. I finished it thinking it was going to suddenly turn and she would have had had enough of being a 'victim' of her time and turn into a Disney villainess and start poisoning and knifing everybody. But, alas, she just kept being sweet.
Oh. And this may come as a rather odd criticism. But, there are far too many descriptions of the clothing worn, without ever really creating a word-picture of them. Quite frustrating actually. LOL
I find it hard to believe that Ms Borgia was as innocent and good-hearted as Gortner portrays her in this book. I know that history can be nasty to a person's reputation - but she has had so many stories told about her lurid life, from being a murderess several times over to her promiscuity which included incestuous relationships with both her brother and her father (who was, of course, the Pope), I just don't swallow the sweet and loyal and loving adolescent and woman that is presented here. Not only that, but all that sweetness and light gets a trifle monotonous and boring.
Perhaps this would be more enjoyed by fans of romance novels - as there is quite a lot of passion and longing looks here (though all passion is unrequited until the wedding bells ring). I, frankly, found it deadly dull. I finished it thinking it was going to suddenly turn and she would have had had enough of being a 'victim' of her time and turn into a Disney villainess and start poisoning and knifing everybody. But, alas, she just kept being sweet.
Oh. And this may come as a rather odd criticism. But, there are far too many descriptions of the clothing worn, without ever really creating a word-picture of them. Quite frustrating actually. LOL