The Marriage Portrait: Reese's Book Club: A novel

O'Farrell is an amazing writer, and I loved Hamnet as did my book club. The Marriage Portrait takes her eye over to another backstory. It took a bit of research to form a character from a barely-known person. The writing = 10; it felt at times like a stretch to find some three dimensional characters outside of our female protagonist. Yet, I appreciate this view into history and another glimpse into the ugly intrigues of the Medicis. I look forward to more of her books!

thenextgoodbook.com

What’s it about?

This work of historical fiction is set in Italy in the 1550’s. Lucrezia de’ Medici is born to marry well. She is the third daughter of the grand duke of Tuscany. Her role in life has always been to ally another strong family with hers through marriage. Alternating between her childhood and her first year of marriage (at fifteen-years-old) we get a glimpse into the life of a young duchess and the pressures that surround her.

What did it make me think about?

The role of woman in Renaissance society.

Should I read it?

“Hamnet” was one of my favorites last year and my expectations were high. Expectations can ruin many a good book…. I enjoyed this novel but it did not have the depth of Hamnet. Do not let this keep you from reading this book- it is entertaining and I think those of you who like historical fiction will enjoy this novel. It is a little melodramatic but who doesn’t like a little drama. All in all and interesting take on marriage and power in 1550’s Italy.

Quote-

Historical Note

“In 1560, fifteen-year-old Lucrezia di Cosimo de’ Medici left Florence to begin her married life with Alfonos II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara.

Less than a year later, she would be dead.

The official cause of her death was given as ‘putrid fever’, but it was rumored that she had been murdered by her husband.”

Good historical fiction. Great ending.

O' Farrell is an incredible writer. You are in Italy, and then you journey to Spain with our tragic character, Lucre. You see the 1500's through the eyes of a young girl who is described as spirited, wild and willful. O'Farrell does a great job of weaving in a feminine voice in a time where feminine voices were silent. She uses story telling to develop a character from the real Lucre to give context to the type of life this young girl would have lived as the daughter of a powerful man in the turbulent history of the regions of the now country of Italy. O'Farrell gives depth to a life that was both sheltered and pampered. And dare I say like a pure breed pup that is readied for breeding or selling to the highest bidder. Her supporting characters like Sonja and Emily are women who serve and these two women are the women that love Lucre. O'Farrell is careful with Eleanor's representation. The mother of Lucre is a powerful woman and embraces her role with great commitment. Does she really love Cosimo de Medici as much as she displays? She gives birth to many offspring and reference to her health gives the reader a chance to see into the life of a high born woman of the times. To embrace arranged marriages and to produce offspring at the risk of one's life, everything is held in balance with luck, trust, and determination. Lucre struggles but tries. And O'Farrell gives us a story that captures the times and still allows us small wins in our hearts. I have nothing for Alfonso. I must say, he is not given a great deal of depth, but you know his soul. He is also a product of his time and when you take a peek at his true story, you are not too too sad for him. But you do feel for the people in his orbit if they are not true to form.

Intense Italy