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on April 11, 2015
Towers of Tuscany is about a young woman who is a talented painter, which is not acceptable in the 13th century. She hides her talents behind that of her father who is a well-known and respected painter, Sophia marries a rough young man who drinks too much and does not appreciate her artistic abilities. He neglects her for drink; she eventually runs away to another Italian city where she begins to paint again, disguised as a young boy. From this point, the story becomes more complex with a young man who becomes her suitor and asks her to marry him. In between these happenings, Sophia lives a life of unacceptance in the artistic world because she is a woman, and she struggles with her love of creating beautiful holy paintings while knowing that her talent will never be accepted. The story has a tragic ending, and while it is uplifting for today's reader in that today Sophia's life would be far different, still there is a sadness at knowing her talents nearly were wasted because she was a female.
Beth Bristow
Beth Bristow
on April 22, 2014
The Towers of Tuscany is a fictional biography of an Italian woman born in the early years of the Italian Renaissance, or the late years of the Middle Ages, depending on your classification.
The sense of place, San Gimignano and Siena, is very strong in The Towers of Tuscany. Reading the book, I felt I was walking the streets of the medieval towns, and looking at the art that adorns them. The book is rich with historical detail, and rich with artistic detail.
Art is the driving force of The Towers of Tuscany, and for the character of Sophia. I felt compassion for the woman and sympathy, but overall, I did not like Sophia, just as it is difficult to like driven people in any time and any place.
Like most women in her misogynistically repressive time, Sophia's life was limited, difficult, and at times horrendous. She suffers violence and rape at the hand of her husband.
Early on in The Towers of Tuscany we learn that Sophia is suffering severely from her loveless and violent situation. When a chance to escape her situation occurs, Sophia is forced into living in another psychologically damaging situation. There really is no escape for this poor woman.
At a certain point I found myself thinking of the French film The Return of martin Guerre, that was made in English, by and starring Jodie Foster, as Sommersby. If you enjoyed those films, and you enjoy historical novels with female protagonists, you should like The Towers of Tuscany.
Please read my full review at Italophile Book Reviews.
[...]
The sense of place, San Gimignano and Siena, is very strong in The Towers of Tuscany. Reading the book, I felt I was walking the streets of the medieval towns, and looking at the art that adorns them. The book is rich with historical detail, and rich with artistic detail.
Art is the driving force of The Towers of Tuscany, and for the character of Sophia. I felt compassion for the woman and sympathy, but overall, I did not like Sophia, just as it is difficult to like driven people in any time and any place.
Like most women in her misogynistically repressive time, Sophia's life was limited, difficult, and at times horrendous. She suffers violence and rape at the hand of her husband.
Early on in The Towers of Tuscany we learn that Sophia is suffering severely from her loveless and violent situation. When a chance to escape her situation occurs, Sophia is forced into living in another psychologically damaging situation. There really is no escape for this poor woman.
At a certain point I found myself thinking of the French film The Return of martin Guerre, that was made in English, by and starring Jodie Foster, as Sommersby. If you enjoyed those films, and you enjoy historical novels with female protagonists, you should like The Towers of Tuscany.
Please read my full review at Italophile Book Reviews.
[...]
on April 17, 2014
First of all let me state that I am not a lover of historical fiction. But somehow this book landed in my Kindle! My heart sank when I read I was now in 14 th century Tuscany! However, the story quickly drew me into its medieval world, so much so that I sometimes jumped when someone spoke to me suddenly!
Some readers did not like the detailed descriptions of how paint was made, and the painstaking way those endless religious themes for houses and churches were executed -- usually the Madonna and Child. It did not bother me, it amazed me to learn how much hard slog went into painting in that age!
The main character, Sofia, is strong and well-drawn, and she dragged me willy-nilly into her rather awful medieval existence. (I confess I did wonder about the highly questionable hygiene of those days -- they seldom seemed to wash, and the descriptions of the men ... well, let's just say most men were smelly and off-putting!)
The story has twists and turns, and you often fear for the life of this strong-willed Sofia in such an unforgiving age ruled by religious fanaticism. It would spoil the tale for future readers to say too much. Be aware that the lives of several characters did revolve around art: the panels and the fresco's of the time, and art impacts greatly on Sofia's life.
I found it very hard to put the book down to do other things. It's a dramatic and suspenseful tale.
Some readers did not like the detailed descriptions of how paint was made, and the painstaking way those endless religious themes for houses and churches were executed -- usually the Madonna and Child. It did not bother me, it amazed me to learn how much hard slog went into painting in that age!
The main character, Sofia, is strong and well-drawn, and she dragged me willy-nilly into her rather awful medieval existence. (I confess I did wonder about the highly questionable hygiene of those days -- they seldom seemed to wash, and the descriptions of the men ... well, let's just say most men were smelly and off-putting!)
The story has twists and turns, and you often fear for the life of this strong-willed Sofia in such an unforgiving age ruled by religious fanaticism. It would spoil the tale for future readers to say too much. Be aware that the lives of several characters did revolve around art: the panels and the fresco's of the time, and art impacts greatly on Sofia's life.
I found it very hard to put the book down to do other things. It's a dramatic and suspenseful tale.
on November 12, 2016
I was looking for historical fiction set in Italy and this did not disappoint. Good characters well developed. Ended too soon.
on February 20, 2015
This book included a great deal of detail about medieval art and the culture of Tuscany in the 14th Century. Although it had beautiful language, the story line was disappointing. Even with the inclusion of an epilogue, there was no denouement. It just ended...
on May 23, 2014
The Towers of Tuscany is one of those rare novels that draws you into a world that you don't want to leave. The world is the artist's workshop in 14th century Tuscany during a period when art of breathtaking beauty and spirit was being produced. The main character, Sofia Carelli, embarks on a journey from cloistered, unhappy wife to an individual capable of fulfilling her own destiny--or at least trying. The writing is fast paced and draws you in quickly from the first page. Definitely a page-turner, and it keeps you wondering what's going to happen next - it's hard to put down! It was compelling to read about the lengths that Sofia must go to in order to fulfill her desire to create art, and I also really enjoyed the descriptions of life at this time in history. The supporting characters are interesting and well crafted, and even the more antagonistic characters have moments of sympathy/humanity and aren't just flat villains. Sofia's love of art is infectious, and makes the reader root for her as she fights for the chance to paint in a time when women weren't supposed to. Highly recommended for readers who want a novel that engages both the heart and the mind.
on May 16, 2015
A very enjoyable read with a strong female lead. It was well-written and had good editing, which is important to me. I never lost interest in what would happen next or at the end but I did sometimes find myself day-dreaming during the somewhat lengthy descriptions of painting technique, color/pigment preparation, etc. I just wasn't really interested in those details. But, that said, it didn't take anything away from the story for me and I would recommend this book if you like historical fiction with a likeable, strong female lead. If you also like art history then that may be a bonus for you.
on April 8, 2014
I don’t normally read historical novels, but The Towers of Tuscany got my attention because of the art background. As an artist I thought that aspect would hold my interest. I was wonderfully surprised to find everything in the book held my interest. The book covered a plethora of emotions without being maudlin, more than I ever wanted to know about 14th Century hygiene (though I still found it interesting), a woman’s place in society at that time, and of course tidbits of 14th Century art history.
I still can’t believe I found such a fantastic book during the time it was free. It is definitely the best free book I have read on Kindle.
I still can’t believe I found such a fantastic book during the time it was free. It is definitely the best free book I have read on Kindle.
on June 29, 2017
A woman seeking a non-traditional occupation of being an artist in the pre-plague 1400s in Italy wrestles with the chauvinistic and oppressive attitudes that dominated the era.
