Duchess of Milan (Onyx) [Paperback]

Michael Ennis (Author)

Book Description

Series: Onyx | Publication Date: October 1, 1993

A bestselling historical epic of simmering sex, betrayal and intrigue. In 15th-century Italy, two women face each other with a ruthlessness and brilliance no man has ever matched. Enter their world of splendor and depravity, of passion and evil, of wit and cunning.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This complex, ambitious novel of Renaissance Italy by the author by Byzantium explores volatile events of the period from 1491 to 1508, as dukes of Naples and Milan scheme viciously, the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor play politics and the runty Valois king Charles VIII claims kinship with the house of Milan in order to "crusade" over the Alps and install French authority. The tale's appealing protagonist is Beatrice d'Este, who cherishes the poetry of Dante and maintains a healthy awe for the goddess Fortune. Wedded at 15 to faithless, dark-haired Lodovico Sforza, 40, the cruelly powerful son of an upstart condottiere, Beatrice first loathes and then loves her callous spouse, though the development of their relationship is not convincing. Throughout, Beatrice vies with shrewish cousin Isabella of Aragon for the title of Duchess of Milan. Scenes of torture, sex and childbirth; texts of letters; descriptions of gowns, artifacts, dreams, ceremonies and hunt parties; and inserted passages of explanatory history (Leonardo da Vinci periodically reports as engineer at the court of Milan) add color and texture. The narrative sometimes sags beneath the weight of its supernumary characters and compulsive documentation, but the play of strongwilled personalities against a vivid historical background produces a satisfying tale. 60,000 first printing; $60,000 ad/promo.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Medieval Italy on the cusp of the modern world serves as the setting for Ennis's second sprawling and colorful historical novel, after Byzantium ( LJ 7/89). In the last years of dominance for the great Italian city-states, two unusual women nurture ambitions as Duchess of Milan: Isabella of Aragon, wife of Gian Galeazzo Sforza, is Duchess in name, while her cousin Beatrice d'Este is married to Lodovico Sforza, Gian Galeazzo's uncle and regent. The novel explores their machinations, offering a fascinating depiction of the power wielded by women in positions of influence at a time when it was supposedly reserved for men. Ennis has the sure touch required to sort out the web of alliances among the ruling families of Italy and to create compelling fiction from the internecine strife of city-state politics. Its vivid, passionate, and treacherous characters make Duchess of Milan absorbing reading. Highly recommended where quality historical fiction is in demand. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/92.
- Dean James, Houston Acad. of Medicine/Texas Medical Ctr. Lib.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451404289
• ISBN-13: 978-0451404282
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,828,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Duchess of Milan, February 24, 2000

By 

Susan E. Newell (Bothell, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Duchess of Milan (Onyx) (Paperback)

This is a book I wish I could write. Historical fiction is a difficult genre in that the story, frequently known to readers already, and the characters, which must be made up almost whole from the author's imagination, must meld somehow into something people want to read. Ennis' "Duchess" is such a book. Intense in its character studies, involved in plot, precise in details such as dress of 15th century Italy, it exudes authenticity. It is more a political novel than an historical one, in that the central theme is one of political machinations the like of which would make Machiavelli proud. I own this book and it is one of only a half dozen that I have re-read. It is rich enough to sustain multiple readings. I can't recommend it highly enough for those who love historical fiction.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Renaissance Soap Opera on a Grand Scale, June 12, 2001

By 

"erynnmarie" (Jersey City, N.J.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Duchess of Milan (Hardcover)

I am a History Buff and I loved this book; couldn't put it down and was sorry when I finished reading it. Mr. Ennis is so talented an author that he transported me to the 15th century. From his wonderful description of Renaissance notables and cities - I got to know them and almost felt I walked the streets and saw their palaces. As in any good History Book the facts, dates, characters and events are all there because he is a thorough researcher but he has brought it to a higher, more intimate level by making it a novel - putting words into their mouths,describing villas, decor, battles,costumes,feasts, pagents, with the appearances and manerisms of the principal characters. In so doing he makes this historical period come alive. I hope it will be brought to the screen as we have very few movies of this important period in History.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid, sensual historical novel which can't be put down., August 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Duchess of Milan (Onyx) (Paperback)

I "discovered" this book when it was recommended to me by a friend. It turned out to be one of the best books I have ever read. Michael Ennis does a fantastic job of placing the reader squarely in the last decade of the 15th century amid a cast of characters who are vividly brought to life, often through their own words. The sexually charged atmosphere is believable and runs as a strong undercurrent throughout the action of the book. It starts somewhat slowly as the characters are all brought onto the stage, but soon begins to pick up moment as the action commences and the characters are brought into direct conflict. This is a very good read, and an extremely well written book.