Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Book
Review: Dunant has created a masterpiece. The narrative brings Renaissance Florence to life. The main character Alessandra is wonderfully drawn; the masterful writing evokes empathy for most of the main characters, particularly Christoforo and the Painter. Deeply moving glimpse of a key period in world history.
Rating:
Summary: Strange and wonderful
Review: It would be easier to list what this book doesn't have than what it does. And that's strictly meant in a positive light, for the sheer amount of turns this book makes is amazing. Brilliantly conceived and written--something akin to McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood," though that subject is completely different, and well-plotted and coupled with historical settings (think "Pompeii") this is truly an enjoyable read.Yes, there's sex, mayhem, violence, and everything else, but it's not gratuitous--it's there as part of the plot, and expertly woven in. The characters are well-drawn and it's pleasing without being overly simplistic in a commercial way. I would highly recommend this book! Also recommended: McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD
Rating:
Summary: Birth of a great novel
Review: Alessandra, the main character in this riveting novel, is witty and talented; completely absorbed with a painter's talent. Enter the monkey-wrench: Her parents have arranged for her to marry a wealthy and much older man. Around all this swirls the city of Florence with its political, religious, and moral turmoil. Great story-great setting. If you're interested in the Medicis and what Florence was like long ago, this is the book for you. And if you're not, it's still a great experience, for the story can stand on its own without any help from the city of Florence of the cast of colorful characters that Dunant has created. Savonarola comes most to mind-the evil fundamentalist monk whose followers wreak havoc on just about everything. With great writing like that in McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood" or "The Life of Pi," this unusual novel holds its own in the precarious book market of today. This is great writing, great storytelling, and an enjoyable and well-paced read. Also recommended: Life of Pi, Bark of the Dogwood, Little Children
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Second only to "Girl with a Pearl Earring," this wonderfully written tale by Dunant is full of colorful characters, a great plot, and writing worthy of notice. The pacing of this stellar novel is excellent, as is the development of its totally believable and memorable characters. Would give it more stars if that were an option. Also recommended: "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" and "Bark of the Dogwood."
Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: What a knock-out read this turned out to be! It wasn't at all what I expected, and while the descriptions of what it was about weren't misleading, I somehow thought this was going to be a stuffy, "filled with boring historical facts" kind of book. It wasn't and I highly recommend it. Also would recommend Robert Harris's "Pompeii"--and excellent read, along with a book called "The Bark of the dogwood."
Rating:
Summary: A Novel to Savor
Review: Alessandra Cecchi is a young woman born into the Renaissance world of Florentine, Italy. The world of the Medici and Savonarola. Sarah Dunant has created a character of fiction but Alessandra breathes life and lives so fully it is as if the reader has a time machine to that long ago place. Dunant's words are golden and multi-hued painting the reader a vivid, living picture of the people of Florence. The book tells of Alessandra and her family. Her father is a cloth merchant. Her mother is a woman of grace and wisdom. She has two brothers, who are different from each other and from Alessandra. She has an older sister, but Alessandra is at odds with her siblings. She is a woman who longs to draw and paint in a city that celebrated learning, art and beauty until the rigorous religious fanaticism of Savonarola took over. A painter comes to paint the Cecchi family's chapel and there is a strange connection between Alessandra and the painter. Their lives move through a world of secrets and danger and the reader never wants the story to end. This is a beautiful, brilliantly constructed book to savor and to be read over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic read.
Review: This was a wondferful book. I was very captivated by it and was sad when I reached the end. The story of the rise and fall and rise again of the Medici family in Florence along with the story of the "Painter" was extremely interesting. I found myself looking up the history of this time period (late 1400s) in order to understand the story more and what was going on. Even without knowing the history of this time period, I beleive the reader will find this an interesting and exciting book. Although some of the language was a bit shocking at first (call me a prude) I soon got use to it. Great book!!
Rating:
Summary: wonderful historical tale
Review: I couldn't put it down. Exquisite descriptions and a facinating tale set in renaissance Florence.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I loved this book. It has the history, insight, and intellect of The Da Vinci Code, only with three-dimentional characters. The story is charmingly realistic but yet at the same time hauntingly and tragically romantic. The author is careful to make each aspect of the novel intricate and touching, while at the same time telling the true story of one of history's greatest cities.
Rating: 
Summary: Identity of the painter
Review: After reading this book, I'm still not sure who the painter was. Was he supposed to be a famous artist? Other reviewers have indicated that his identity is revealed, but I did not find this to be the case. Does anyone else know?
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