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The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus
Author: Sarah Dunant
Alessandra Cecchi is not quite fifteen when her father, a prosperous cloth merchant, brings a young painter back from northern Europe to decorate the chapel walls in the family?s Florentine palazzo. A child of the Renaissance, with a precocious mind and a talent for drawing, Alessandra is intoxicated by the painter?s abilities. — But their burgeo...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781400060733
ISBN-10: 1400060737
Publication Date: 2/17/2004
Pages: 416
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 220

3.8 stars, based on 220 ratings
Publisher: Random House
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
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Top Member Book Reviews

  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
reviewed The Birth of Venus on + 79 more book reviews
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
Dunant does a gorgeous job of describing Renaissance Florence. The young heroine, Alessandra, is overwhelmed with curiosity and a passion for painting. Thrown in the middle of a town ruled by a religious tyrant, stuck in a marriage of convenience, Alessandra must try to keep herself a lady instead of filling her passions. Beautiful writing, incredible descriptions. This book will stick with you.
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
reviewed The Birth of Venus on + 23 more book reviews
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Fascinating look at 15th century (Renaissance)Italy at the time of the death of Lorenzo de Medici and the 4-year reign of the fire-and-brimstone- preacher, Savonarola. Interesting characters --- especially, Alessandra the narrator and protagonist, her mother, and Erila family slave, nurse and chaperone to Alessandra. Two poignant male characters, Alessandra's antagonistic brother Tomaso, and Cristoforo... No more said. Read the book. It's a fast read and will peak your curiosity about 15th century Italy, the Renaissance and its art and artists.
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
reviewed The Birth of Venus on
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed this book. It had good historical background. It made me think of Jane Austen's books, the focus on the disadvantages of being a woman in those times. I wish it had more detailed encounters between Alessandra and the painter. It just seemed there was a lacking in there secret longing for each other. It could be more convincing. But, overall it was a good read.

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  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
reviewed The Birth of Venus on + 25 more book reviews
A really good read. I love historical fiction and this book was very informative of the period.
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
reviewed The Birth of Venus on + 4 more book reviews
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