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dueratti 's review for:
The Virgins of Venice
by Gina Buonaguro
I've been itching to read a good historical novel set in Italy, so I had high hopes for this book.
The beginning was... rough. The writing felt clumsy and most of the characters annoyed me. As I got into the rhythm of the story and recalibrated my expectations, it got a bit better.
The beginning was... rough. The writing felt clumsy and most of the characters annoyed me. As I got into the rhythm of the story and recalibrated my expectations, it got a bit better.
The protagonist, Justina, is one of the least interesting characters in this novel and I didn't enjoy being inside her head. Part of the reason is that her voice felt too modern. She's very open-minded for a sixteenth-century Venetian noble girl and, while I understand this is probably intended to make her more likable and relatable to readers, the effect was discordant.
Almost the entire plot is crises, disasters and emergencies in quick succession, almost like a written soap opera. It certainly worked to keep my attention all the way through, but I don't think I actually liked this book.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the various locations.
[Finished 15 April 2024]
I enjoyed the descriptions of the various locations.
[Finished 15 April 2024]
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy
Minor: Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Slavery, Lesbophobia