Customer Reviews

The Smile

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This story is absolutely amazing. After starting and tossing aside so many dud YA novels lately, I was so excited when this story instantly drew me in--not because the story was instantly exciting, but because Elizabetta (Mona Lisa) is a compelling character. I was able to connect emotionally to the story, and I felt every joy and heartache that Elizabetta felt. It was also quite refreshing to read a story that doesn't nauseate me with the "he's so cute" romance (which I think I've had my fill of lately). The romance in this story is tender and draws me in to the emotions.
The story is true to life, and for those who like "Disney endings" this book may not be as enjoyable. But I think it was a lovely story.

Author Donna Jo Napoli has done it again! This book is a wonderfully written story of a young girl who could conceivably have posed for Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting. Although the book is fiction, it tells a realistic and believable story.

As usual, Ms. Napoli has done her research on this topic. The story includes many interesting details of Italian life, politics, and power struggles in Florence circa 1490's - early 1500's. This is more that just a simple YA book, as are all Ms. Napoli's works. This is a story of love, death, family loyalty, war, decadence, religion, politics, class struggles, etc. It is also a coming of age story, as seen through the eyes of the main character, Elisabetta - aka "Monna Lisa".

This book is thoroughly entertaining as well as emotional and moving. Anyone who likes accurate historical details woven into their love stories will enjoy this book. The characters are believable and sympathetic. Also great for fans of Leonardo da Vinci - she includes some thoughtful descriptions of him and the Renaissance art world. Written for teens, but sophisticated enough for adult fans of historical fiction as well! I highly recommend it.

On a recent trip to Italy we had to choose books that could be enjoyed by an 11 year old, her Mom and grandma. This book was everyone's favorite! In fact Donna Jo Napoli's books are fabulous at any age! Wonderful historical fiction, she is my favorite!

As with all Donna Jo Napoli books I have read there is no happy ending. But with all Napoli books I have read it is one that stays with you after you finish reading it. The smile is probably one of the better Napoli books but I honestly think all of her YA books are amazing. Well reccomended.

This was a wonderful story...beautifully written. Like many others have said, it SHOWS (not states) you the emotions. I smiled, laughed, cried throughout the whole story. Such a good, practical, and truthful ending. Not one of those fairytale endings. Love it. I'm holding it in my hand. And. A really easy book, but one that I would remember my whole life. The imagery Jo Napoli gives us of Florence. The raw, real feelings. Such a sad, sad story. You can really connect to the characters. Unlike MOST stories these days, the events are NOT predictable...it has twists and turns. It makes me want more and more. Plus, what I like most in books, is it gives us a really clear view on history. About the Medici family and the events occurring in Florence at the time. While I read this book, I lived there. This is a wonderful book you HAVE to read. It's a mix of everything. A story behind the smile.

As I middle-school English teacher, I had the joy of introducing this book to my students this fall. Our school had selected the book because of the connection to fine art, but I was pleased that the book delivered something much more intesting--the story of a young noble lady during the Italian Renaissance. My students cheered for Elisabetta's pursuit of marriage for love. They saw how the life of a woman during this time period was based almost solely upon her marriage. Middle-school girls will find this story especially interesting because most of the story takes place when the main character and narrator is close to their ages. The boys who read the book also enjoyed it because of its engaging story and the attitude of the narrator. I also kept telling them that they were getting a rare inside view of the mind of a teenage girl. Overall, I recommend this book to young adult readers. My only complaint (and the complaint of my students) is the ending, but I won't spoil it for those who are about to pick up this book.

I have read quite a few of Donna Jo Napoli novels and she has yet to dissapoint. This story is simple yet deep and I found it hard to put down. You really get to know the main character and cheer her on in her life's journey.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Smile. Historically accurate, fast paced, and difficult to put down Napoli excels with her character development and ability to hook the reader in her late 15th century world. Mona, the central character is 13 at the beginning of the novel. Napoli takes the reader through her life, with the loss of her mother, her arranged marriage and lost love. Along the way she is introduced to Leonardo Da Vinci and is eventually becomes the setting for the world's most famous portrait. Napoli integrates historical facts into her setting making this the ideal historical fiction novel for any age reader. This novel shows the irony behind Mona Lisa's smile; a story of lost love and tragedy.

Highly recommend.

This book has many elements that make it a great one. It provides a very accurate and interesting portrayal of 15th Century Italy. Most of all, the idea behind the story is a genius one. Napoli takes the intrigue and sheer mystery that surrounds Leonardo Da Vinci's famous 'Mona Lisa' and wraps it within a romantic blanket. Who was Mona Lisa? After reading this story, I feel as if I knew her. The characters and relationships are well developed and seem very authentic. Overall, Napoli simply does a fantastic job placing the reader into Florence, Italy alongside the 'real' Mona Lisa. It is a story that will pique your interest in the history that is interwoven within the storyline.

I use to love reading. I would gobble up every book that came my way. I would do so because i loved the things i felt when i read and the words the beautifly colord words!Aperintly there is such a thing as too much of a good thing because over time i became like an adict.Although all the feelings had been sucked out of reading and when i read i only felt numb i was ok with it because life just seemed so painfull it was better to just go thrugh it numbly. But then i read this book and all the colors of life came back! I felt everything the good and the bad and i loved it.
Dona Jo Napoli creats a tail so wonderfull you look up when the books over and every color seams brighter ever moment seams more important everything is more dramatic both the good and the bad. And even if the moment she created for you lasts only a minuet you cant help but think of her as a genius and love her.
This is the story of Elisabetta or Mona Lisa.Her life is told in 3 parts and although you can never hope to create someones whole life in a book no matter how long Dona doese her best. And her best is amazing!The story tells of many things it is a story of deep passion intrige loss and most of all love. Mona Lisa goes thrugh much but her life is not the worst that could be offered, she sees this and prevails. Thrugh her eyes you feel so much. This is a book that i dont think can be described with word other then its own, so even though i try to i impress opon you a need for you to read this. Plese.