Lucrezia Borgia [Paperback]

Maria Bellonci (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

Although she was a daughter of Pope Alexander VI and chiefly remembered as a raven-haired poisoner, Bellonci depicts a passionate woman moving uncertainly through the Papal court and the intrigues, ambitions and political chicanery that swirled about her. Winner of the Viareggio Literary Award and the Galante Prize in Italy in 1953.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maria Bellonci was born and educated in Rome. Married to the distinguished critic Goffredo Bellonci she wrote and sponsored literature throughout her life, through the Strega Prize and the Italian P.E.N. society, of which she was the Vice-President. With the publication of Lucrezia Borgia in Italy she won the Viareggio Literary Award and the Galante Prize. It was then published throughout the world to great acclaim. She wrote numerous distinguished works of history and also wrote for newspapers and radio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix Press (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184212059X
• ISBN-13: 978-1842120590
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,091,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Italian Masterpiece, January 20, 2009

By 

SSB - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucrezia Borgia (Women in History S.) (Paperback)

Winner of two coveted Italian literary awards when it was published in 1950, this book is masterfully translated to English and is one of the most well-written books I've read. Some of the passages are almost esquisite! The subject--Lucrezia Borgia, illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI--was obviously well-researched and the text based upon documents maintained in Italian archives, including at the Vatican. I learned a lot about Italian history of the period, social life, and the role/plight of women by reading this excellent book. I didn't want it to end and intend to read the other books written by this author.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good bio of Lucrezia, June 14, 2011

By 

N. NATALE "artist" (western Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lucrezia Borgia (Women in History S.) (Paperback)

This bio includes a lot of info about Lucrezia in the context of her family and time. I am still reading but not finding it too dry and/or too specific. Of course watching the TV series "The Borgias" has already made me aware of some of the characters involved, but this book fleshes out the Borgia family and gives many details that are too involved for TV drama.

If you want to know more about Lucrezia and her family, I think this book can provide you with a lot more detail and not put you to sleep while doing it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Primary Sources, August 10, 2009

By 

P. J. Sullivan (Northern California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucrezia Borgia (Hardcover)

This is probably the most accurate biography of Lucretia Borgia. (Yes, she spelled her name Lucretia, not Lucrezia.) The author accessed many primary sources--official documents, Vatican archives, contemporary letters and diaries. It is not an easy read, as there are many characters and titles to keep track of. The political alliances are complicated and keep changing. It is worth the effort, but I could have done without the detailed descriptions of wardrobes, pomp, and ceremony.

This book will surprise you if you are expecting a notorious poisoner putting arsenic and henbane into drinks right and left. Lucretia's sinister reputation is myth, mostly guilt by association. I haven't seen any evidence that she ever poisoned anyone. She can be faulted for aiding and abetting her brother Cesare, but what choice did she have against such a monster? She was a pawn in the power games of her father and her brother. Deep down, she was a pious conoisseur of poetry and poets.

The Borgias are enshrouded in mystery and "the mystery is insoluble," says Maria Bellonci. This book may not answer all your questions, but it will give you authentic glimpses into Renaissance Italy.