by Sarah Dunant
I seldom write two-star reviews, but at about the 30-percent mark, this story just wasn't worth my time anymore. It's crass, slow-moving, and just an ugly read. Yuck.
Per my last post, I started this book completely blind. No previously read reviews and I didn't refresh my memory on the summary. I mean, I had an idea by the title but it was so very different, and better, than I expected! I should preface by saying that I have a weird fascination with courtesans...
Honestly not as good as The Birth of Venus. But interesting. Told from the viewpoint of Bucino, the companion of Fiametto, the courtesan of the title. THe story opens in a besieged Rome, which the two of them escape to go to Venice, where Fiametto once again sets up a career as a courtesan. Int...
Really wanted to like it, as it was highly recommended by a friend, but I found it dragged. I kept waiting for something to happen, besides the move to Venice, and kept reading and reading and finally gave up.
I picked this book up at the library after reading and liking The Birth of Venus (BOV) by Sarah Dunant. In this novel she again sets her story in renaissance Italy, this time in the early 1500’s and in Venice. I had a no idea that Italy was in such turmoil during the renaissance but apparently it ...
I totally loved this book. What a story! Pure escapism into a real historical past. Marvelous - such a good story. At the end of the book the author clearly states what is fact and what is fiction. I had already looked up several of the characters and deeds. This book and Wikepedia make history into...
Audio Publisher: Time Warner AudioBooks; Abridged Ed edition (30 Mar 2006)Language EnglishISBN-10: 1405501421ISBN-13: 978-1405501422Nothing like starting off your novel with a gritty narrative about sack of sixteenth century Rome to get the attention of your readers now is there? (The Lutherans stru...
One of my all time favorite historical fiction novels. Stephen Hoye is stellar in this narration.
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