I simply loved Fiorata's The Glassblower of Murano (set in the 1600s), and awaited her second novel with relish. The Botticelli Secret is set 200 years earlier (1480s) in Florence (and many other Italian cities)! and is a captivating read. The painting by Botticelli for the Medici family of La Primavera (the goddess Flora) is the subject of this fictional account. Fiorata researched many scholarly tomes to include much factual information, while giving this a fast paced romantic thriller read. I enjoyed reading about the painting, as much as the main characters as they develop. Luciana, the model for the painting, is an interesting choice for heroine. Part model, 'full time whore', humourous, and completely fascinating. The account starts because she is angry at not being paid for her modelling, so she steals the unfinished painting! Brother Guido is her counterpart, counterpoint: education, refined, naive. La Pimavera was one of Fiorata's favourite paintings - and the books has as many secrets as the painting has opinions!
Vanora Bennett's Portrait of an Unknown Woman is another intricate interesting read about historical figures, and history within paintings. At that book review I said I would never look at paintings the same way again, although I have always tried to determine what the painting meant, what was hidden in plain sight.
Fiorato recommended several books for further reading, which I have also particularly enjoyed: Katherine (Anya Seton), My Lady's Crusade (Annette Motley), Leper of St Giles (Ellis Peters) and Lady of Hay (Barbara Erskine).
Showing posts with label Marina Fiorato. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marina Fiorato. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Glassblower of Murano, Marina Fiorato
The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato is one of those novels you fall into, and can't believe you could have missed. (I never saw the hardcover). This is a first novel, and it has alot of moments that feel personal, intimate, they actually happened to the author.
I love the city of Venice, so anything with this many wonderful reviews is going to grab my attention (thank you Library for having this book!). She absolutely captivates her audience from both the 1681 story of the venetian glassblowers who create the Versaille Mirrors for Louis XIV to the story of his present day descendent Lenonora who leaves London, her marraige and country, for her art and heritage. The history is excellent. The descriptions are delightful (I loved the page solely on her experience of listening to Vivaldi's Four Seasons IN the cathedral it had been originally played in.) I loved the feel of present day Venice, as well as the whispers and deja vu of the past. The mystery, drama and intrigue, really will take your breath away. The history lives and breathes, which is what I often feel when I visit ancient sites. Expect to be transported, in both time and space.
I love the city of Venice, so anything with this many wonderful reviews is going to grab my attention (thank you Library for having this book!). She absolutely captivates her audience from both the 1681 story of the venetian glassblowers who create the Versaille Mirrors for Louis XIV to the story of his present day descendent Lenonora who leaves London, her marraige and country, for her art and heritage. The history is excellent. The descriptions are delightful (I loved the page solely on her experience of listening to Vivaldi's Four Seasons IN the cathedral it had been originally played in.) I loved the feel of present day Venice, as well as the whispers and deja vu of the past. The mystery, drama and intrigue, really will take your breath away. The history lives and breathes, which is what I often feel when I visit ancient sites. Expect to be transported, in both time and space.
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