Customer Reviews

Signora Da Vinci: A Novel (Library Edition)

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Not much is known about the woman who gave birth to one of the most brilliant men in our history, Leonardo da Vinci. Her name and the events around her famous son's birth is pretty much it. Until now. Robin Maxwell takes us back to 15th century Italy and paints us a beautiful picture of Leonardo's childhood and of his fascinating mother, Caterina.

Young Caterina is raised surrounded by her father's love and the beautiful countryside of Vinci, Italy. At the age of eight Caterina's father, Ernesto, teaches her the ways of apothecary and alchemy - not a safe hobby and punishable by death. A free-spirited girl, she often roams the land without a guardian. One afternoon she meets Piero, the son of a neighboring noble family. They quickly fall in love during their clandestine meetings and Caterina becomes pregnant. Piero's family forbids them to marry and unfortunately for Caterina, Piero shows no backbone and is sent away to Florence and quickly married off. When Caterina gives birth to her son she falls in love instantly and their unbreakable bond is formed. In one of the most heart-wrenching scenes I have ever read, Piero's family swoops in and whisks little Leonardo right out of Caterina's arms. This is a usual fate of fatherless children during this time - the need to preserve the family bloodline is of the utmost importance. I was broken-hearted and grieved along with Caterina.

So powerful is Caterina's maternal love in this novel...it just exudes from the page and makes you feel all warm and tingly inside. Everything she does is for her child, even going so far as securing a spot for him for as an apprentice with the famous Florentine artisian, Maestro Verrocchio, far away in Florence. Being the inventive girl that she is, Caterina finds a way to be near her son - come hell or high water. Leonardo is remarkably talented and it showed from an early age. His hunger for knowledge is completely addicting and I can't wait to read more about him.

My favorite aspect of the novel is when we meet Lorenzo de Medici and enter his world of philosophers, thinkers, scientists and artists. He is one hotty intellectual and totally stole the show (IMO). The great minds of the time are also brought to life; Sandro Bottiicelli, Marsilio Ficino, Christoforo Landino and Leon Battista Albertia are just to name a few.

I have one word for this novel...DIVINE and I recommend Signora da Vinci to EVERYONE! You will meet some of the most fascinating and enthralling characters and will not want to put this one down! It's the kind of novel that you carry everywhere and read whenever you can squeeze in a few minutes - in the kitchen while cooking, in the bathroom, waiting in the grocery store line...anywhere.

Once I've finished a novel I'm pretty stoked and eager to move on to the next adventure awaiting me. However, with Signora Da Vinci I just kind of sat back and ran through the novel again in my mind, this time slowly savoring it. Robin Maxwell has most definitely sealed herself a spot among my stalk-worthy list of authors!

Much of what is known of Leonardo da Vinci's mother was that she was young and unmarried at the time of the birth. In her latest novel, Robin Maxwell takes this morsel of information and builds a life for this woman full of heartache, intrigue, and triumph. Caterina da Vinci sees life at its lowest and lives life at its highest. In her attempts to remain close to her son, she renounces her femininity so that she can live alone in Florence. Maxwell made Caterina da Vinci and the world of the Italian Renaissance come to life in a Signora da Vinci.

Caterina, the beloved only daughter of a local apothecary, is raised differently from most girls in Vinci, let alone the Western world at that time. Her father is more than an apothecary. He is a man who values knowledge above all and runs a forbidden alchemy lab in his home above his shop. He educates Caterina in all aspects of his life. Caterina's knowledge and belief in the Hermetic arts eventually set her up for her adult life in Florence where she had to disguise herself as a man to remain close to Leonardo. It is there that she runs into Lorenzo Il Magnifico and comes to be part of his inner intellectual circle. Although alchemy is not something that intrinsically interestes me, I found this section and the growing relationship of the male Caterina and Lorenzo the most engrossing parts of this novel. It was like taking a peak inside the Renaissance's "Dead Poet's Society."

Caterina's friends and family, although living in Roman Catholic Italy, are far from Christian. The growing threat of an Inquisition ultimately changes the face of Florence. They are all threatened with discovery and punishment under the theocratic rule of Fra. Savonarola and they must act before the world that they love is destroyed by a corrupt members of an increasingly corrupt Church. This is not the highlight of Catholic history and Maxwell doesn't pull any punches in this regard. Criticism is warrented, but some of the content in Signora da Vinci might be offensive to Catholics and other Christians. There is a scene where Caterina and Lorenzo consume small cakes consisting of narcotics as their true sacrament while being housed at the Vatican. While I'm sure that the Eucharist is commonly attacked and desparaged by pagans, this scene was quite unsettling to me. I don't consider myself to be very particularly religious. I can only imagine how this scene might affect those who are.

Caterina da Vinci lived quite an adventure in Signora da Vinci. I felt at times as if I was walking down the streets of Florence and basking in some of the most interesting aspects of the Italian Renaissance right along with Caterina. Her unique view of a man's world from the inside was interesting and provided some excellent drama. The author's subplot dealing with Leonardo and Caterina's involvement with the Shroud of Turin was quite interesting. While I had reservations about some of the content, I did enjoy reading this novel. If you are interested in reading about Leonardo da Vinci or Florence, you should give this novel a try.

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"Signora da Vinci" is an imaginative creation of a life for a woman about whom we know almost nothing beyond her name, Caterina, and that she was the unwed mother of that universal genius of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519).

Historians have little to say about Caterina, other than that she was a peasant girl from the countryside beyond the Tuscan village of Vinci; she was likely illiterate; she was seduced by a man from Vinci named Piero and bore him a son who was taken from her and raised in his father's household. A few brief references among Leonardo's writings to a woman named Caterina may or may not refer to the artist's mother. But lack of historical information about Leonardo's mother doesn't prevent the author from giving her an interesting and unusual life.

In Maxwell's book, Caterina is no ignorant peasant. She's a brilliant young woman who has been highly educated in secret by her father, an apothecary, or pharmacist, as well as--again in secret-- an alchemist. In Maxwell's version of Leonardo's early life, his mother is presented as the source of her son's astounding intelligence.

When Leonardo's talent for drawing leads his father to apprentice him to a prominent Florentine artist, Caterina cooks up a daring scheme to follow her son to Florence: she disguises herself as a man and opens an apothecary shop of her own. In this fictional world, she has no trouble concealing her sex. Under the male name Cato, she gains respect and finds she has a lot in common with Lorenzo de' Medici, the ruler of Florence, and the circle of intellectuals around him, all of whom share Caterina's interest in alchemy.

There's something about Lorenzo that makes modern women writers want to jump into bed with him vicariously, through their characters. In this novel, Lorenzo is attracted to Cato, but filled with guilt about feeling desire toward a man. Cato/Caterina then lets Lorenzo in on her secret and they enjoy a passionate affair that lasts the rest of Lorenzo's life--even though Caterina is at least 12 years older than Lorenzo.

In the latter part of the book, Caterina follows Leonardo to Milan, where they become involved in a plot to overthrow the fanatical monk Savonarola, who was terrorizing Florence with his hell-fire sermons, a plot that involves Leonardo falsifying a relic, which turns out to be the still-controversial Shroud of Turin! Although the plot strains credulity, it makes for an exciting read.

If only the author had paid attention to getting her Italian on straight! Just about every Italian word in the text is misspelled or misused, and no one would ever have referred to Leonardo's mother as "Signora da Vinci," nor would Leonardo himself have been called "da Vinci." Vinci is a place, not a last name. Maxwell has people eating tomatoes in the 1470s, when that fruit didn't arrive from the New World until the late 1490s, and Savonarola using the word "homosexual," which wasn't invented until the 19th century. Furthermore, readers without a background in Renaissance history may be hard-pressed to know when the events of the novel take place, as Maxwell gives no dates until near the end of her story, when she mentions Lorenzo de' Medici's death in 1492 and the burning at the stake of Savonarola in 1498.

Provided you don't take it seriously as either history or biography, you can enjoy this book as entertaining fiction.

Signora da Vinci is brilliantly descriptive novel. Since there are little to no historical facts known about Leonardo da Vinci's mother, author Robin Maxwell is able to shape and mold Caterina as she wishes. The lack of concrete information about this woman leads to the fanciful literary interpretation of the daily undertakings of Leonardo's young, unwed mother.
Caterina is an impressively knowledgeable, alchemist's daughter who falls in love with a member of a prestigious local family. Of course, this bond is forbidden in the mid 1400's, and when it is discovered that Caterina is pregnant, the shame only intensifies. She is forced to give up her son, Leonardo, almost instantly. This sets a pattern for the rest of the novel, as mother and son are constantly reuniting. The start of the novel is slightly slow, but once I arrived at the second half, I found the story to move almost seamlessly once Caterina moves to Florence to be near Leonardo, where he has begun his artistic journey as an apprentice. When Caterina's new identity comes into play, the story quickly picks up.
Signora da Vinci places the reader right in the mix of the Renaissance, as Leonardo da Vinci blossoms, yet he does not steal the show from his intelligent, passionate mother. The bond between mother and son is strong and Maxwell's descriptive writing is lyrical, sharp, and not at all over done. As far as historical accuracy is concerned Maxwell does a nice job of laying out her story while maintaining fact. Facts about Leonardo are tossed in, such as his backwards writing and flying machine sketches, prominent figures such as Botticelli and Lorenzo the Magnificent are prominent characters and there are adventures centered on classic religious disputes that were reflective of the struggle between the Church and the emerging discoveries of the mind.
All in all Signora da Vinci is an exciting, vivid read that is sure to please those that love historical fiction and will surely interest readers who may not be avid readers of the genre.

Robin Maxwell's portrayal of the relationship between Caterina and Leonardo DaVinci is such a beautiful love story that will touch the hearts of any mother. Her eloquent play on words allows the reader's imagination to vividly picture Italy during the Renaissance era. Her detail to historical facts is explicit, yet written in the style of fiction, which keeps the reader turning pages.

Signora DaVinci is one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read. I am anxious to read other novels by Robin Maxwell, and can't wait for her next novel "O' Juliet" to be released.

Robin Maxwell's rendition of the life of Signora DaVinci is splendid. We have numerous opportunities to read about Leonardo DaVinci's life, but time seems to have forgotten his mother. Ms. Maxwell takes us through Signora DaVinci's life from the time she is a young girl, being raised by her alchemist father, through the better half of the 1400s, through her own experience with the terrors imposed on all who dared depart from the stringent "laws" and interpretations handed down by the Catholic church, the horrendous burnings of prostitutes, homosexuals, intellectuals and researchers....much of the ugliest pieces of the Renaissance...and her own personal departure from the conventional. Alas, Signora Davinci may have been one of history's original free-thinking women!

One may reasonably liken Ms. Maxwell's clever and innovative use of language - simple words - to weaving a brilliant multi-threaded tapestry. This tapestry has been formed by what Ms. Maxwell's research showed her what may have constituted the actual life of Leonardo DaVinci's mother.

Not a fan of historical writings, I actually dreaded even starting the arduous task of even beginning this seemingly dismal and dreary novel. Once I turned the first page I was captivated.

In Vinci, Italy Caterina, as befitting the daughter of an apothecary, is trained in alchemy. In 1451 when she turns fourteen, Caterina meets and falls in love with much older Piero da Vinci. Although he is from a much higher social circle, he offers to marry her. They make love and she becomes pregnant.

He reneges on his pledge as his family threatens to disown him if he weds his inferior mistress. After Caterina gives birth, Piero's family takes away the newborn Leonardo from his unwed mom; as she has no rights compared to their influence. The da Vinci brood abuse Leonardo, but his visits to his mom gives him hope. When she sees his incredible drawings, she arranges for him to apprentice with a master artist in Florence. Missing her son, who is becoming renowned as an artist, Caterina arranges a reunion with her Leonardo, but a surprise awaits her in Florence.

SIGNORA DA VINCI is a fascinating biographical fiction that looks deep into the life of Leonardo's mother. The story line is well written as it brings out the sacrifices Caterina did to obtain quality time with her son while he is raised by his wealthy affluent paternal family. The background of the Renaissance is also intricately interwoven into the plot. Although she performs some seemingly implausible events, which Caterina admits "would be impossible for a woman of my station" that detracts from the tale even with an explanation, sub-genre fans will relish this reflective refreshing indirect glimpse into the life of Leonardo through the eyes of his doting mom.

Harriet Klausner

According to the author, Robin Maxwell, we have either two or three pieces of information about Leonardo da Vinci's mother. And that's it! However, Maxwell uses what little information we know and creates an enchanting piece of historical fiction. Thus, the book is on the one hand preposterous (extraordinarily unlikely that she has captured much of whom Leonardo's mother was) but at the same time enchanting (What a tale! And what a wonderful creation is Maxwell's Caterina, Leonardo's mother).

The book begins with her unlikely education. Her father, an apothecary (and alchemist) has a wide ranging library--from Greek literature on. He teaches his daughter the tools of being an apothecary and alchemy. He urges her to read the classics in their original language. The end result? By her mid-teens, an extraordinarily well read young woman, very unique for the times. And then, in a moment of weakness, Caterina becomes pregnant by a cowardly jerk. He reneges on his promise to marry her; his family takes the infant, now named Leonardo, from her.

Necessity leads her to serve as wet nurse to her child in the house of the child's father, Piero, but once the child was weaned from milk, she was booted out of the house.

There follows, after some years have passed, a personal odyssey for Caterina, who transforms herself into Cato the Apothecary (she play being a male) and moves to Florence to be near her son, who is apprenticing with a painter, to further Leonardo's developing career. She opens an apothecary's practice and does well; she and Leonardo delight in being able to see one another.

The story develops with many twists and turns (many, again, preposterous--but enchanting). Cato comes to know the Medici, become allied with Lorenzo the Magnificent (and they later become more than friends), become part of an intellectual group containing some of the luminaries of Florence, and so on.

Enter the wicked Savonarola. Florence is turned upside down by this religious tyrant. From that point, we see some intriguing developments, as Cato, Lorenzo Medici, and Leonardo set out to end Savonarola's reign. In the process, readers will learn of the scenario by which the Shroud of Turin is created (delightful if extremely unlikely!) and used to destroy the reign of terror in Florence.

Anyhow, this is an interesting romp in historical fiction. The book is well written, and I flew through the pages as I became engaged with the story and its characters. I think that the author tends to romanticize somewhat the Medici family, but--all in all--a good read.

After having read this book, I have a feeing that the author has chosen Signora Da Vinci for a title more to attract attention (would you have picked this book up if the title had been Signora Cattalivoni, for example?), than because she was fascinated with Leonardo's mother. For someone who wants to discover a woman responsible for giving birth to one of the greatest minds of all times, I feel like she has chosen too flowery a path. It's just not believable, too packed full of recognizable names and facts... From the Turin shroud, to his mother posing as Mona Lisa, the author seems to want to capitalize on every single mystery that surrounds the figure of Leonardo. I would have preferred something more historical and documented when it comes to such a figure.
I honestly think that I would have enjoyed this book more if it was not pretending to be about Leonardo's mother, but instead just about some adventurous woman, who got an education unusual for a girl of her time, and decided to use it. I have easier time imagining that a few women like that did exist, than imagining that such a woman did exist AND was Leonardo's mother AND was the lover of Lorenzo Medici, AND was Mona Lisa's prototype, etc., etc.

Another problem I had with this book is that it picks its sides and sticks to them. Every single behavior of Leonardo's is excused. I imagine a lot of religious people would already have problems with the author making light of sodomy. I am not one of them, but it did annoy me somewhat that the author seemed to dismiss Leonardo's sodomy trial as a political attack on the Medici (two of their relative, and one more person, were accused along with Leonardo). The charge was not just sodomy, the charge was that four of them took advantage of one young man. That, to me, just sound like rape. And regardless of who is the victim - the man, or the woman - it sounds far from innocent. Yet, the author does not seem to feel the need to address that particular detail of that particular sodomy charge.

But, all those reservations aside, the book reads well. The characters are quite black-and-white, I don't believe there was a single grey one, but they do feel full of life and fascinating, the pace is good, the language is neither simplistic, nor over-embellished. A pleasant read overall, just not particularly educational, historical or believable, do not expect to learn a whole lot of truth about Leonardo Da Vinci from this one.

Signora da Vinci is by far and away the best work of historical fiction I have ever read on Renaissance Florence. I'm a big fan of Robin Maxwell's books on Anne Boleyn, but her latest novel surpasses even these. I just love the way Maxwell writes a story; the history never seems forced, and in this case, Caterina's story is artfully interwoven with historical events to create a fascinating retelling of Renaissance Italy and its most notorious of artists, Leonardo da Vinci.

Signora da Vinci has a terrific cast of historic characters, and covers some of my favorite controversially debated events. From Lorenzo de Medici and his Platonic Academy to Botticelli and the many great artistic masters of the day, this book takes all the most fascinating aspects of the birth of the Renaissance in Florence and ties them together to present a magnificent story that is both enthralling and informative from start to finish. There is a focus on the struggle between the renewed interest in humanist philosophy spreading across Italy versus the Catholic Church, which considered free thought and scientific reason corrupt and heretical. I have always had an interest in Greek and Roman philosophy and art and architecture, and it was very eye opening to read how The Church in the 15th Century so adamantly rejected a cultural return to examining the philosophies of classical antiquity.

This book is filled with surprises and twists; Maxwell cleverly fills in history's gaps and provides interesting explanations for certain historic events today still shrouded in mystery. I love the way she approaches Savonarola and the reason for his downfall. I usually don't particularly like reading about Savonarola simply because he was such a hateful man and is one of those people I wish history would just forget about. But oh how I snickered at this author's portrayal of his demise! I don't want to give too much away in this review because so much of my pleasure in reading this novel was the delight I felt at uncovering how Maxwell addressed nearly every one of the holes in history concerning Renaissance Italy. There is so much I want to say about this book and its many conspiracy theories, but they are better left a surprise for the reader!

Robin Maxwell accomplished a mammoth feat in giving a voice to so extraordinary a man as Leonardo da Vinci. So much is said about his art and his inventions, but few venture to take up the challenge of describing Leonardo as a man. And what a man he was! A true Reniassance man in every sense of the word, Leonardo da Vinci was not only a genius and artistic mastermind but also a deeply feeling human being with equally as deep emotions. Maxwell presents him to us in the most vulnerable of forms: immersed in the most tender relationship of all, that between a mother and a child. It was so interesting to read as Leonardo grew from an inquisitive little boy to an intellectually curious teenager to a recognized master whose insight others eventually sought out in order to increase their own knowledge.

I will leave you by saying that Signora da Vinci is my favorite book I have read since starting this blog, and believe me, you do not want to miss it. If Signora da Vinci is not already on your TBR pile, it should be, and up on the top at that!