Customer Reviews

Bianca : A Novel of Venice

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This is the first time I have ever written a review. However, as I tend to rely on them rather heavily when making selections it seemed an apt time to start,if only to rebuff the haughty "what a dog" review. I discovered Bianca at the public library and enjoyed it thoroughly, and have subsequently purchased a copy for my personal library. The story was both entertaining and informative. I believe Mr. Elegants researched well and painted an accurate and vivid picture that kept me turning pages until the wee hours.

ALTHOUGH I AM NOT A RICHARD NIXON FAN, ROBERT ELEGANT, THE AUTHOR OF BIANCA WAS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE WRITERS.I READ THE BOOK BEFORE MY THIRD TRIP TO VENICE AND FLORENCE AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AS A MUST READ BEFORE GOING TO EITHER CITY. THE STORY TAKES YOU INTO THE HEART OF THE CULTURE OF MID SIXTEENTH CENTURY MEDICI FLORENCE. THE SHENANIGANS OF POLITICS SEEM TO NOT HAVE CHANGED MUCH BUT THIS LOVE STORY IS TRUE. BIANCA CAPELLO WAS FRANCESCO DI MEDICI'S MISTRESS AND LATER HIS WIFE.IT IS AMAZING THE FLORENTINES WHO HAVE BELIEVED THE MEDICI VERSION OF HISTORY HAVE TRIED TO ERADICATE THE MEMORY OF BIANCA. FOR THE ROMANTIC HISTORY LOVER THIS IS A REAL TREAT.

I am the author of 'Bianca", which has received generally favorable review in the the trade press. I am somewhat surprised at the `lack of courage of a 'reader in San Diego,' who writes a vitriolic review, but has not the courage to allow his/her name to appear. On the other hand, the general illiteracy of the letter and the banality of the thought processes are rassuring. He/she obviously does not have either the intelligence or the education to appreciate even a popular novel.

The book jacket holds promise. A story set in Renaissance Italy filled with political intrigue. But what a miserable book. There are many books out there where it is obvious that the author did his/her homework and thoroughly researched the subject. Some can weave an interesting story with their knowledge and some just regurgitate it back. This is a regurgitation and a poorly written one at that. It is full of cliches, (writing about "her full lips" should be illegal - in the same category as "it was a dark and stormy night"), badly constructed sentences, typographical errors and non sequitors. The author desparately needs an editor. The only reason I finished it was because I was amazed at its' awfulness.