39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A perfect example of Historical Fiction at its finest!, April 23, 2007
This review is from: I, Mona Lisa (Paperback)
After having loved "The Borgia Bride" by Jeanne Kalogridis, I was looking forward to "I, Mona Lisa" with high expectations and was delighted to pour through this wonderful novel filled with historical fact blended with innovative fiction, and twists and turns galore. Set in Florence in the 1490s, the novel tells the story of Madonna Lisa, the woman behind Leondardo DiVinci's masterpiece. The story is a clever and romantic possibility of the reason behind that famous smile (or lack thereof?).
If you enjoy historical fiction, "I, Mona Lisa" and "The Borgia Bride" are two examples of the genre at its finest: wonderful character development, rich plots, a studied knowledge of the place, times and characters (you will recognise famous historical figures throughout both novels), a careful weaving of fact and fiction, and just enough twists and turns to keep the modern reader both interested and engaged. I highly recommend both novels!
P.S. DO NOT READ THE BACK OF THE BOOK PRIOR TO READING IT!!!! Whomever wrote the blurb on the back of this novel certainly didn't want the readers to be shocked about one of the interesting plot-twists more than halfway through the novel. If you want to be surprised and enjoy this book to its fullest, I highly recommend NOT reading the back of the book!
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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kalogridis' best!, November 13, 2006
This review is from: I, Mona Lisa (Paperback)
Ms. Kalogridis has hit her stride - she makes historical characters come to life - while her The Borgia Bride showed the Borgias in Rome, Mona Lisa shows a different prospective around the same time in Florence. A time of the Medicis, Savonarola, Leonardo. I, Mona Lisa introduces us to the real Mona Lisa, who is the daughter of a wool merchant. When she marries a Medici, becomes embroiled in the turmoil of the time - The main influence of the time was Savanarola - talk about your mad monk - his words crumble Florence - This book makes history come to life. Kalogridis is an amazing writer. She doesn't crank books out every six months, she creates a full picture of whatever era she is writing about, and it's worth the wait. I have been a fan of Kalogridis since the old vampire days (her family Dracul is a must read for fans of Dracula). She is a gracious lady who deserves every accolade she gets. Keep 'em coming Jeanne!
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Your smile will be no secret while reading this tale of Renaissance intrigue and love, January 11, 2007
This review is from: I, Mona Lisa (Paperback)
The real history of the Italian Renaissance needs little doctoring to make it an engrossing topic - it's full of intrigue, warring families, corrupt Papal power mongers, astonishing wealth and poverty, poisonings, artistic and scientific creativity and amazing beauty. Kalogridis has a wonderful knack for selecting delectible real stories, conducting meticulous research, and then using her pen to write in the missing (possible) personal pieces with results that are a gift to read.
The story she created for "I, Mona Lisa" fills in the blanks behind the secretive smile that has captured the imaginations of millions. The outrageous real events of the time (the Pazzi conspiracy & murders; Savonarola and his priest posse; the corrupt Borgia papacy, etc) are a no-fail back drop for this enthralling story of a love-struck wool merchant's daughter who becomes a political pawn caught up in the espianoge swirling around the Medici, Pazzi and the Church.
The story of Lisa di Antonio Gherardini, the name of the woman believed to be the sitter for Leonardo da Vinci's most famous portrait, follows a familiar formula. We meet her as a young teen and with her witness several traumatic events which fuel her adolescent angst and rebellion against her father. This merchant's daughter manages to capture the eye and then the heart of a Medici prince, and her wiley slave helps her plot to follow her heart. Suddenly bad things happen, danger lurks, and the plot becomes sinister and suspenseful... Lisa takes foolish risks, and then more bad things happen... you just keep turning pages and losing sleep! I won't ruin the ending... but follow the formula. In this light, Kalogridis has not accomplished anything new, but she has certainly excelled at bringing this formula to life!
The joy of this book is Kalogridis' ability to paint such an alive picture of the fear, suspense & political intrigue of Florence during the end of Lorenzo the Magnificent's reign and the subsequent oppressive rule of Savonarola (read "April Blood" by Lauro Martines or watch the "The Medici: God Fathers of the Renaissance" DVD set to compare her story with historical fact). Those who have visited Florence will appreciate the detail with which she describes the buildings and layout of the city - you will re-visit as you read.
Some reviewers have categorized "I, Mona Lisa" as a historical romance. I respectfully disagree - the romantic interest of Lisa may be the force which drives her survival under the circumstances of the story, but the political intrigue of the time is the theme which dominates. Regardless, both history buffs & romantics will be satisfied by the plentiful supply of accurate facts AND unrequitted love that remains alive in the most hopeless of circumstances.
Keep writing, Ms. Kalogridis - I will keep reading!
(I highly recommend "The Borgia Bride" by Jeanne Kalogridis as well - I believe I enjoyed that even more than this one!)
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