Painting Mona Lisa

by Jeanne Kalogridis

London. 20 cm. 564 p. Encuadernación en tapa blanda de editorial ilustrada. Idioma Inglés. Jeanne Kalogridis. Originally HarperCollins, 2006 .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario. 9780007210305 (pbk.); 0007210302 (pbk.)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Italy, Historical, Art, Mystery, Renaissance

Paperback

First published May 2, 2006

About the author

Jeanne was born in Florida , and has been interested in books ever since. Her interest in language led her to earn an M.A. in Linguistics. She taught English as a Second Language for eight years at The American University of Washington, D.C., before retiring to write full time.

She now lives in California with an overly adored Labrador retriever. Her outside interests include yoga and reading everything ever published.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jeanne...

Reviews

[Rio (Lynne) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never had a book disappoint me in this way. The first half was pure 5 stars. I couldn't put it down. I loved the writing style, the story, everything. You know an author is good when you know the outcome, but still find yourself at the edge of your seat. This started with the famous and gruesome murder at The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Then enters Girolamo Savonarola, the fanatical monk who turned Florence upside down. I found the author kept close to the facts about the Medici's and Savonarola. I was loving it! I loved learning about the artists and how Lorenzo took them under his wing and helped them flourish. What went wrong? Lisa Gherardini. The author wrote in the reader's guide how she didn't change known facts. Hmmmm. I get most of Lisa's life was fuzzy, but there were known facts and Kalogridis obviously ignored them. I know, I know it's fiction, but she did make that comment instead of saying she was simply going for a possible maybe. Not wanting to ruin it for you, but Lisa was not an only child (Lisa focuses that she was.) Lisa was supposed to be happily married to Francesco del Giocondo, who historians believe commissioned her famous painting. I know some things we will never know, but half way through the author went overboard and into major story telling. I had just read Sharon Penman's article called Ten Commandments For Writing Historical Fiction. Rule 2: You should not defame real people. Well, this is where Kalogridis makes Lisa's husband into an evil/raping blackmailer. All I kept thinking was this poor man is turning in his grave. If there was some known fact that he wasn't a good person, then I could see this, but all I could find is how happily married they were. There is a blurb on Wikipedia that she was lovers with Giuliano, but we don't know if that was before or after her marriage. She turned this into a mystery novel about a deep dark secret and an odd connection between Lisa and Leonardo and a third mystery man who killed a Medici. The author simply kept losing me with the ridiculous twists and turns. My final review: The first half was 5 stars, The second half 1.
I recommend this to anyone who wants to know about Florence in the 15th century, The Medici's, Savonarola and anyone who loves Renaissance art, but understand the Lisa part is pure fiction.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Lisa Gherardini, supposedly painted by Leonardo da Vinci and known as Mona Lisa. She was the wife of Francesco del Giocondo. In this story before she marries him, she is married to the youngest son of Lorenzo de Medici, Giuliano, just for a few days before tragedy strikes. This part is fiction, which I assume author did this to introduce the family of Lorenzo de Medici through Giuliano. I’m always looking forward to author’s note to learn more about the author’s choices, but there is no author’s note in this book.

In the late 15th century, the city of Florence is technically ruled by Lorenzo de Medici. A powerful banker family. Their rival Pazzi arranges to murder both brothers, Guliano and Lorenzo de Medici. One dies, one survives. This part is too drawn out.

I credit author for skillfully introducing Leonardo da Vinci. Instead of just giving out his name, she makes known him as an eager artist, studying human anatomy, writing differently than the rest in a style of mirror image, with rustic Vinci dialect.

Lisa is a daughter of a wealthy wool merchant and as her father delivers goods to the household of Lorenzo de Medici, she sometimes accompanies him. This is where she meets Leonardo da Vinci. Medici, patron of many arts, commissions da Vinci to paint young Lisa. At the same visit, she meets Lorenzo’s youngest son Giuliano.

There are moments where the story is absorbing, but for most of the time whatever is happening is written in a drawn out style. If you liked her first book, The Borgia Bride, then you may like this book. It’s the same style of writing, which I don’t like.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I,Mona Lisa takes the readers back in time in the 15th century Florence during the last years of rule of Lorenzo de' Medici and the raise of the Dominican monk and religious fanatic Girolamo Savonarola who preaches against any kind of display of art, even comfort, against the Medici and the pope.

We are introduced to this world through the eyes of young Lisa. Lisa is the daughter of a successful wool merchant and his mysterious aristocratic wife.

Historical note:
There seem to be some evidences which point that Giuliano and Lisa were lovers in real life and when he went in exile in 1494,she was pregnant.
And so some believe that the portrait was commissioned by Giuliano Himself.It is said that da Vinci mentioned a painting "of a certain Florentine lady" done from life at the request of the magnificent Giuliano de' Medici.

Oh,and love the fact that the author included the information about Leonardo being vegetarian and about the birds,since according to sources he often bought birds and then he would free them.

[C.W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her follow-up to 2005's The Borgia Bride, Ms Kalogridis brings to life the woman behind the enigmatic smile of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous painting.

Lisa di Antonio Gheradini is born the daughter of a successful cloth merchant in 15th century Florence, a city dominated by the Medici and rife with dangerous intrigue and treachery since the assassination attempt known as the Pazzi Conspiracy, during which the Medici overlord, Lorenzo Il Magnifico, lost his brother and nearly his own life. Lisa grows into womanhood overshadowed by these traumatic events, which lead to the popular rise of the fanatic monk, Salvonarola, whose rabid crusade against the Medici resulted in a dark period of fear and persecution. Unbeknownst to her, Lisa also carries a secret--one which binds her to the Medici cause and brings her to the attention of Leonardo.

Ms Kalogridis vividly recreates the Pazzi Conspiracy through the eyes of one of its conspirators, and details of life in Renaissance Florence pepper the narrative with realism. Likewise, the Medici's magnetic appeal and passion for power and the arts offer a fascinating contrast to Salvonarola's brimstone condemnation, and the inclusion of a slave in Lisa's household underscores the deep division between social classes, while Lisa's personal trials drive a mystery-laden relationship with the exceptional artist who will eventually paint her into immortality. I, MONA LISA offers readers a well-researched, captivating foray into a turbulent episode in Italian history.

[Chrissie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book starts with a bang; it is very exciting! You are drawn in immediately, but then it goes down-hill, unless you enjoy fictitious murder mysteries. If you know me, you know this genre is not one of my favorites! Far from it. What I did enjoy was reading about Renaissance Florence, peopled with the likes of Savonarola and the Medici family. Michelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci have to be included too. The author has not twisted the historical dates and events. What she has done is bind together the Medici family with Mona Lisa, Lisa di Antonio Gherardini, the model of De Vinci’s famed portrait. I never bought this, nor some other family connections that were thrown in! As you read the story, if you know a little about the history of the Medici family, you will also immediately know something is wrong with the story being fed us. To explain more would be a spoiler. I repeat, this book is at heart a fictional murder mystery woven around known historical events. I never found the fictional mystery believable.

Very little is known about Mona Lisa, so it is her family and relations that are imagined. These are the aspects of the story that are fictional. I wanted to know more about Mona Lisa. It was my error to choose this book. I thought I could learn more about her, but I can’t because practically nothing is known. What is known is that she married Francesco del Giocondo. Here, the book has played with the historical facts. No mention is made of this. There is no author’s note, only a “conversation with the author” at the end of the book. Francesco’s fictional portrait is truly evil. I find this disturbing, given that a man that did live, albeit years ago, has been misrepresented.

In summary, the author never succeeded in making me believe in the fictional aspects of the story. A good author can do this. A good author can make the imaginary feel real. Many others enjoy Jeanne Kalogridis’ writing. It is best you go read their reviews.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, Mona Lisa takes you into the heart of Florence when the monk Savanarola, was preaching his messages of hell fire and brimstone against the Borgia pope's decadence and lust, the evilness of sodomy, and what was going to happen to the rich of Florence if they did not repent and change their ways; in the middle of all this you meet you Madonna Lisa, her sick Mother, her faithful yet beautiful slave, her deceitful Father and the hateful and demanding world which she is tossed into. From the first page of the novel the reader is tossed into a world of cathedrals filled with murderers, intrigue, affairs, and people who are loyal to causes that will ultimately get them killed or out them on the wrong side of an executioner's axe.

Young Lisa must negotiate her way through a world that is both unkind and dangerous while meeting some of the most famous people that we revere today such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Lorenzo the Magnificent, and so on, the world's most famous painting is started, and the girl behind it is transformed into a flesh and blood character who fights increasingly overwhelming odds to live her life, and save the lives of those she loves, this was an amazing book and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

[Deborah Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of historical fiction and love Cecelia Holland, Kate Horsley (please write more!) and was thankful to discover Jeanne Kalogridis. This is a read I devoured to get to the next gripping development. I will read anything this author writes. Her style is rich and her characters feel real and felt by the reader. A visually and emotionally satisfying read.

"Set against the drama of 15th Century Florence, I, Mona Lisa is painted in many layers of fact and fiction, with each intricately drawn twist told through the captivating voice of Mona Lisa herself."

Hard to put down when it was time for lights out. Gets my five star rating.

[Ivana - Diary of Difference · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny enough, this was the book that introduced me to Dan Brown's work.

[Veronica Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I, Mona Lisa is a great book. Really nailed the politics surrounding the paintings the mystery of the debated women behind that smile. I feel it was daring to even write from that perspective. What constitutes as what we really know about the Mona Lisa will never be enough because the painting was cut back to fit it’s current frame.

There could have been more information what went from La giocanda to Mona Lisa the charm behind that smile. I feel it’s important to get a grasp of the clues we were left. Art history with any painting, sculpture and photograph we are still dechipering.

[Julay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quel roman incroyable ! Pour une fois, Catherine de Médicis n'est pas dépeinte comme une reine intolérante et sanguinaire, mais comme une femme qui s'est battue par amour pour ses enfants qu'elle a vu successivement monter sur le trône sans qu'aucun d'eux ne lui survive. Elle est décrite sous le prisme de sa passion pour l'astrologie et les mathématiques; l'accent est mis sur sa grande intelligence plutôt que sur les actes perpétrés par ses fils au cours de leur règne.

[Matt Schiariti · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading her Diaries of the Family Dracul I decided to look into her historical fiction novel, The Borgia Bride and I loved every single word of it. I, Mona Lisa takes place in the same time frame of The Borgia Bride, has some more in depth scenes of characters that were only mentioned in the Borgia Bride and is every bit as good!

I really enjoy how Kalogridis writes historical fiction. She uses real events and people from history and 'fills in the blanks' as it were in regards to what she thinks would have happened to the people involved behind the scenes of history.

This book is told from the perspective of the woman who was the subject of DaVinci's great work, The Mona Lisa. Little is really known about the true person, but Kalogridis fleshes her out so completely that you feel as if you know her, as if her personality were captured in the memories of history.

As with the Borgia Bride, and because of the tumultuous times that were the mainstay of this part of history in Italy, betrayal, twists, turns and secrets fill up the majority of the book. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see who would betray whom next, what secret from each of the characters' histories would be revealed next and what the consequences would be for each one in turn.

GREAT book and I look forward to anything else that Kalogridis writes. She's that good and I'm hooked.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book on Wednesday and it's now Saturday night and I just finished. I'm slightly embarrassed by how much time I devoted to reading this book. It truly was a fantastic read. The storyline was very captivating and held your interest literally until the last line of the Epilogue. There were only 2 things about it that kept me from giving it 5 stars. 1) There was a little bit of questionable language. It wasn't very much and it didn't even occur until almost 2/3 of the way through, but it was enough to make me a little uncomfortable. (The language probably would only give it a PG rating if this were a movie though.) 2) There was a little bit of sexual innuendo that again made me uncomfortable. Again nothing big and by the time I began to wonder if I should quit reading it was over. (Like maybe a total of 10 lines in the entire book.) For me I'm sensitive to these things so it was enough to hold back a star. Also, because of these things I would hesitate to recommend this book without the disclaimer of those items above. But the storyline and characters and intrigue were AMAZING!

[Bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betrayal, Love, Loss: A Story of Mona Lisa

This tale is set against the turbulent backdrop of late 15th century Florence.

Through the eyes of Lisa di Antonio Gherardini Giocondo, we meet the Medici, Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, feast on the Florentine Renaissance and then experience the puritanical turbulence of Girolamo Savanarola (including the Bonfire of the Vanities).

The story itself, though, is an intricate tale of Lisa's life complete with elements of love, high drama, betrayal and loss.

'People kill and die because they cannot control their emotions'

Whether you read this novel as pure fiction or would like it to be plausible explanation, enjoy the story. While I read it as escapist fiction, I enjoyed the writing and became caught up in the possibilities explored.

[Xysea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book surprisingly engrossing, albeit in a sort of way, but better.

The story centers around a murder - that of Giuliano de Medici in the late 15th century in Florence - and the subsequent solving of that murder.

(Another good book on this subject is also one I mailed out for bookmooch called April Blood, but that book was more dry and less entertaining that this one - though the fictional details closely resemble the actual ones)

The plot has a decent pace, the characters are effective and well-drawn. Overall, an enjoyable, not too deep historical read that sweep you off to parts unknown for a few hours, or days.

[Grettel Perez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lisa di Antonio Ghetardini, hija de un comerciante proveedor de lanas finas, juicioso seguidor de los discursos de Savonarola, descubrirá junto a su fiel esclava Zalumma el secreto que la envuelve en una serie de intrigas en torno a una de las familias más poderosas de Italia, los Medicis.

En una Florencia renacentista, amenazada por el reinado francés, la caída de los mecenas del arte comenzará con el asesinato de Lorenzo y las intrigas de los Pazzi. Madonna Lisa impactada por la personalidad de Leonardo un joven pintor prodigio, buscará la felicidad con una locura muy alejada de las manos de Francesco del Giocondo.

Un inverosímil retrato de la mujer con la sonrisa más famosa del mundo.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is kind of Philippa Gregory-ish for those who like ehr. I like getting really involved in a story & while this book has a great plotline with twists & turns throughout the novel, I wouldn't consider it a literary classic. However, it's a fun read and once you get into the heart of it, it's impossible to put down.

[Chequers · Rating 3 out of 5]

La storia e' abbastanza bella, ma lo stile della Kalogridis e' sempre lo stesso, un romanzo Harmony con piu' pagine ed uno sfondo storico.Il libro si legge bene ma alla fine mi sembra sempre che manchi qualcosa.

[Ale Sandoval Tress]

https://bibliobulimica.wordpress.com/...

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. A different perspective on Mona Lisa’s parentage and yet another reason for her mysterious smile. I like how this author uses undisputed facts for the majority of her book, and then adds her twists to “ behind the scenes”.
There are two( or more) sides to every story, as proven by the array of books written about 15th century Italy.

[Palma Misuriello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ci ho messo non meno di 10 anni per convincermi a leggerlo. Leggevo sempre le prime 50 pagine e lo abbandonavo perché era troppo descrittivo. Ho completato finalmente il libro e devi dure che è bellissimo, enigmatico e travolgente. Consigliatissimo per chi ama la storia di Firenze e gli intrighi.

[Ilaria F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un bell'affresco rinascimentale che seppur molto romanzato riesce a non fare troppi torti alla Storia (quella con la maiuscola).
Non concedo la quarta stellina solo per quel pizzico di melodramma di troppo, che a tratti fa un po' telenovela messicana.

[Chris Hendrickx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historische roman over het leven in het 15e eeuwse Florence. Gaat over het leven van Mona Lisa.

[Beth Sponzilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started out not really liking this book. I’d say by almost halfway through I would give it 3 stars. It got a lot better after that and things started to connect. The story is told by a girl, Monna Lisa, who is connected to the powerful Medici family of Florence, as well as Leonardo de Vinci. It is a murder mystery, and along the way a famous portrait is captured.

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Florence, and in fact the whole of Italy, around this time is gold for Historical Fiction. The big artists and even bigger religious personalities of the time all bound with the Medici family - what more could you ask for.

This is an interesting take on the live of Lisa del Giocondo, the model for Leonardo Da Vinci's most famous surviving painting. Little is know of her live, so the author had much to play with, but she strayed a bit to far from known fact - especially towards the ending.

Still, a most enjoyable read.

[Annelies - In Another Era · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa is de dochter van een wolhandelaar in Medici Florence. Samen met haar moeder deelt ze een liefde voor kunst. Maar dan valt de stad ten prooi aan de monnik Savonarola die predikt tegen al deze uiterlijke verlangens en nog veel meer tegen de machtige Medici familie. De geschiedenis lijkt zich te herhalen: net als tijdens die bloederige dagen van tientallen jaren eerder wordt het gevaarlijk een vriendin te zijn van de Medici. In een web van leugens en intriges zal Lisa alles en iedereen op het spel moeten zetten, en ontmoet ze Leonardo Da Vinci die haar zal vereeuwigen.

Oké, de laatste 150 pagina's verliest de schrijfster het helemaal. Ze gaat nogal de bocht uit qua geloofwaardigheid en haalt letterlijke en figuurlijke vallende lijken uit de kast. Maar haar tijdslijn is wel correct. En vooral het tijdsbeeld dat ze neerzet van Florence, eerst onder de Medici's en later onder Savonarola, is fenomenaal.

Dat andere boek van die andere renaissance schrijfster Dunant, The Birth of Venus, behandelt dezelfde historische feiten, ook vanuit een jonge vrouw, die ook een schilder ontmoet (alleen is dit Michelangelo en niet Da Vinci, de eerstgenoemde komt trouwens ook uitvoerig in dit boek aan bod). En hoewel Dunants tijdsbeeld nog treffender is, zat ik toch sterker in dit verhaal.

Want ja het is een historisch verhaal, maar er zit ook veel mysterie in, je blijft gewoon doorlezen. De personages maken stuk voor stuk fouten en zijn dus zo menselijk. Lisa zou je naïef kunnen noemen, maar ze wordt neergezet als een sterke jonge vrouw met haar eigen wil - iets dit ik vaak mis in dit soort boeken.

Het tijdsbeeld heeft ze dus juist, alleen wordt met Lisa, de Mona Lisa, een serieus loopje genomen. We weten niet veel van haar en de schijfster neemt uiteraard alle sappige mogelijkheden op in het verhaal en doet er nog een schep bovenop. Da Vinci zelf wordt ook weer even anders neergezet. Boeiend dat wel, want hij krijgt ineens een grotere rol dan gewoon die magistrale kunstenaar zoals hij in Leonardo's Swans wordt opgevoerd. Een politieke rol zelfs. Al vrees ik dat deze Leonardo ver van de waarheid zit...

Tja, meeslepend historisch drama dan maar?

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Mona Lisa takes place in Florence near the end of the Medici family's golden years. The novel begins with the murder of Guiliano de Medici and the attempted murder of his brother Lorenzo. The opening chapters were slightly confusing for me because this is the first HF novel I have read set in Italy during this time period. The second chapter explained a lot of Italian politics of the time period, but I felt overwhelmed with the names and information. I am glad that I continued reading this book because the overall story was strong. Madonna Lisa has a past shrouded in mystery and her present day life holds nothing but tragedy. Florence is faced with financial downturn, floods, and threats of an invading army. A prophet/priest (Savanarola) appears on the scene and stirs up trouble by preaching against the Medici family, Renaissance ideals, writings, and artwork. Lisa's father supports Savanarola, but her mother is suspicious. Through a tragic circumstance, Lisa loses her mother and Lisa's father takes her to Lorenzo de Medici so that he may find her future husband. Lisa meets Leonardo da Vinci at a party at the Medici household and an unbreakable bond is formed and tested over time, along with the infamous Mona Lisa painting.

I enjoyed reading this novel because it was well written. This novel would benefit from the addition of two items: a glossary of Italian terms, and a map of Florence.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day while perusing some books on Amazon, I came across this book. Despite never having been familiar with the author, the premise of this book intrigued me. I, Mona Lisa tells the story of Lisa (whose last name escapes me), the "real" woman painted in the famous artwork, The Mona Lisa. Using a stream of history in her work, the author is able to paint this story within the time of the Pazzi and Medici family rivalry.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the author's ability to keep the story moving as well as always throwing in little twists throughout the way. The book was a little hard for me to get in at the beginning, however, after about 30 pages or so, I was definitely hooked. The story is complete with most of my requirements for a decent plot: death, deception, betrayal, forbidden love...

Further, my inner feminist was pleased that the main character in this book, a woman, seemed very proactive and a little headstrong. One can definitely tell that the author took great care in how she described the fictional Mona Lisa.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I am sure that you will enjoy this book. It is very easy to read, and most of the historical characters/events you have heard of before. If not, as the author has once stated: "The nice thing about historical fiction is that it gives one an entertaining way to learn about history."

[Tori Hoeschler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is to historical fiction what Twilight is to a Pulitzer...not even close. At what point did the memo stop circulating that says "naming your characters with names of famous historical figures does not historical fiction make"? What the author has done here is create a pseudo saga that happens to take place in Renaissance Florence, and with characters who happen to have names like Leonardo DaVinci and Lorenzo di Medici. It is blatantly obvious this woman had this silly little damsel in distress with a peek-a-boo plot twist story line already written and in the course of editing, she perused wikipedia for a couple hours to find some snippets she could use to beef up the "Historical" part of this complete piece of fiction. No. No. No. No. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars is because as FICTION, it was entertaining; the story moved along, the obtuse manipulation of DaVinci's life was amusing, and it was a good, light summer read. If you are considering this book with no expectations and just want something to toss into your beach bag, by all means, enjoy, but don't you DARE take the "historical" bits seriously. If you are considering this book and have even a shred of knowledge about the period within which the story takes place, then please be prepared to join me in my last page expulsion, "Oh Pu-lease."
(steps off soapbox, exits stage right)

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I, Mona Lisa is another breathtaking, fabulous historical novel by Jeanne Kalogridis. Bringing a keen eye for detail and a marvelous pen to Renaissance Italy, Kalogridis weaves a compelling tale of jealousy, passion, secrets, lies and power where she attempts to unravel the strange secrets behind Leondardo di Vinci's most famous piece of art.

I, Mona Lisa follows the life of Italian noblewoman Lisa, the subject of de Vinci's Mona Lisa through the tumultuous changes in Italy and the fall of the powerful Medici family. After Lisa's mother dies, she knows life won't ever be the same. Around the same time she meets Giuliano de Medici, and the pair fall in love. Despite her's father's warnings and the growing political undercurrents against the Medicis, Lisa marries Guiliano. After his sudden death, Lisa is swept up into the political intrigue and delicately woven plots among the Italian nobility and learns a dark, yet shocking secret about her family.

Written in a clear and passionate voice, I, Mona Lisa a thrilling, well-written picture of the past that keeps readers flipping pages (really, don't let the thickness fool you). This novel gave an interesting spin on a unique approach to the time and its happenings. I particularly enjoyed Kalogridis' depiction of the 15th century, it felt incredibly real and served as the perfect setting for this well-crafted and compelling tale.