Helpful Score: 16
Although the ending fell flat with me, by and large I enjoyed this tale of art and politics in Renaissance Italy. Most especially, I appreciated the way Dunant weaved in the treatment of women during this time. No doubt the heroine was a smart, classy woman, but I loved that her slave was the one outwitting everyone. Not a fast read, but full of good, researched, historical information about the time.
Helpful Score: 13
What an awesome book...starting with the death of a nun and the mysteries surrounding her, the story grabbed me from the beginning. The book is a coming of age story of Alessandra Cecchi and her life growing up during the Italian Renaissance. I felt connected to Alessandra and wanted her to succeed and find herself...this is an interesting read with lots of twists in the plot. I highly recommend it.
Helpful Score: 11
I heard such rave reviews from many people about this book so I picked it up myself. It was an interesting story but just didn't grab my attention and hold me to my seat like I was expecting.
Helpful Score: 9
If you ever read The Agony and The Ecstasy the Michaelangelo biography you would enjoy this book. They would actually be good to read one after the other. Its the Florence of Art and the Church and is very enjoyable. This is a book that you could reread and enjoy
Helpful Score: 8
Read this as a book club pick and thoroughly enjoyed it. It gives rich insight into the feudal life of Italy, including the morals of the time and along the way gives a very entertaining story.
