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Lucrezia Borgia #2
Luz Sobre Lucrecia
Buenos Aires. 18 cm. 469 p. Encuadernación en tapa blanda de editorial ilustrada. Colección 'Romántica bolsillo ; ', numero coleccion(56). Jean Plaidy .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario. 9501515311
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First published January 1, 1958
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About the author
Jean Plaidy
187 books1,586 followersEleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
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June 6, 2022
"De ce-ar trebui sa existe discutiile astea despre razboi si lupte, cand avem poezia, muzica si dragostea?"
Autoarea este cunoscuta pentru cartile sale care imbina istoria cu fictiunea si care se vand in intreaga lume. Am mai citit de la ea: Anne de York care mi s-a parut destul de buna.
Romanul de fata a aparut in 1958 si, foarte interesant, se numeste "Light on Lucrezia" facandu-ma sa ma gandesc la "lumina" intunericului, caci asa cum stim din istorie, a fost una dintre cele mai diabolice femei si a facut parte dintr-o familie pe masura.
Cartea incepe cu Alfonso de Aragon in prim plan, mergand calare spre Roma pentru a-si cunoaste mireasa: Lucrezia Borgia, fiica Papei. Tanarul este ingrozit caci despre familie si chiar despre mireasa se aud zvonuri despre fapte dintre cele mai groaznice: incesturi, asasinate, comploturi criminale, minciuni, calomnii, desfrauri, perversiuni si nu in ultimul rand otraviri.
Intre timp, tanara Lucrezia isi jeleste iubitul ucis, pe Pedro si copilul smuls din bratele sale. Nu are nicio dorinta de maritis, dar cand il vede pe tanarul frumos si galant se topeste de dragul lui.
Il cunoastem si pe cardinalul Cesare Borgia, fratele ei, care este un barbat dominator, mailitios, crud, patimas si mandru, dar si pe papa Alexandru, care ucide cu zambetul pe buze, asa cum se deda si la desfrauri cu femei.
Cesare primeste titlul de duce de Valentinois si merge in Franta pentru a-si cauta o mireasa si a forma o alianta cu francezii.
Alfonso este omorat la ordinul lui Cesare si Lucrezia ramane iarasi vaduva. Pentru ea urmeaza o a treia casatorie cu ducele Alfonso Ferrara.
Romanul mi s-a parut ca este mai mult despre Cesare decat despre Lucrezia. Desi autoarea incearca sa creeze niste personaje puternice si vii precum Cesare si Papa, acestea nu conving totusi. Lucrezia este foarte neinteresanta, stearsa si plictisitoare, doar face copii pe banda rulanta si ii pierde, poarta la infinit discutii inutile, sta la fereastra si priveste in gol, plangand necontenit dupa cate un 'Alfonso' sau 'Pedro' absolut neinteresant. Sincera sa fiu, mi s-a parut cam inceata la minte, in niciun caz intriganta inteligenta si ambitioasa la care ne asteptam. Din nota autoarei intelegem ca aceasta incearca sa o portretizeze ca pe o fata "confuza, nascuta intr-o societate corupta". Tot autoarea ne spune ca Lucrezia se bucura de o reputatie atat de proasta pentru ca "scriitorii din trecut credeau ca povestirile de senzatie erau mai bine primite decat adevarul". Asadar astfel s-a creat imaginea de femme-fatale diabolica.
In incheiere am selectat cateva citate care mi s-au parut interesante:
"Numai o privire era de ajuns pentru a declansa mania unui Borgia, iar acea manie putea insemna cutitul unui asasin, o ultima baie in Tibru sau, ceea ce era, probabil, si mai ingrozitor, o invitatie la masa familiei Borgia."
"Daca Pedro al tau ar fi trait, l-ai fi uitat pana acuma, dar din cauza ca l-au omorat... facand din el un martir... de asta ti-l amintesti."
"Am iesit invingator asupra greutatilor din trecutul meu pentru ca nu am incercat sa le depasesc decat atunci cand au fost aproape de mine."
"Ce spirit cu adevarat frantuzesc! Esti plina de maniere intr-un moment, impetuoasa in clipa urmatoare. Marturisesc ca aceasta combinatie mi se pare fascinanta."
"Nu ar trebui ca toti generalii sa fie increzatori inainte de batalie? Sa crezi in infrangere inseamna sa dai tarcoale dezastrului."
"Asta era mai mult decat o aventura sexuala; era un simbol."
Autoarea este cunoscuta pentru cartile sale care imbina istoria cu fictiunea si care se vand in intreaga lume. Am mai citit de la ea: Anne de York care mi s-a parut destul de buna.
Romanul de fata a aparut in 1958 si, foarte interesant, se numeste "Light on Lucrezia" facandu-ma sa ma gandesc la "lumina" intunericului, caci asa cum stim din istorie, a fost una dintre cele mai diabolice femei si a facut parte dintr-o familie pe masura.
Cartea incepe cu Alfonso de Aragon in prim plan, mergand calare spre Roma pentru a-si cunoaste mireasa: Lucrezia Borgia, fiica Papei. Tanarul este ingrozit caci despre familie si chiar despre mireasa se aud zvonuri despre fapte dintre cele mai groaznice: incesturi, asasinate, comploturi criminale, minciuni, calomnii, desfrauri, perversiuni si nu in ultimul rand otraviri.
Intre timp, tanara Lucrezia isi jeleste iubitul ucis, pe Pedro si copilul smuls din bratele sale. Nu are nicio dorinta de maritis, dar cand il vede pe tanarul frumos si galant se topeste de dragul lui.
Il cunoastem si pe cardinalul Cesare Borgia, fratele ei, care este un barbat dominator, mailitios, crud, patimas si mandru, dar si pe papa Alexandru, care ucide cu zambetul pe buze, asa cum se deda si la desfrauri cu femei.
Cesare primeste titlul de duce de Valentinois si merge in Franta pentru a-si cauta o mireasa si a forma o alianta cu francezii.
Alfonso este omorat la ordinul lui Cesare si Lucrezia ramane iarasi vaduva. Pentru ea urmeaza o a treia casatorie cu ducele Alfonso Ferrara.
Romanul mi s-a parut ca este mai mult despre Cesare decat despre Lucrezia. Desi autoarea incearca sa creeze niste personaje puternice si vii precum Cesare si Papa, acestea nu conving totusi. Lucrezia este foarte neinteresanta, stearsa si plictisitoare, doar face copii pe banda rulanta si ii pierde, poarta la infinit discutii inutile, sta la fereastra si priveste in gol, plangand necontenit dupa cate un 'Alfonso' sau 'Pedro' absolut neinteresant. Sincera sa fiu, mi s-a parut cam inceata la minte, in niciun caz intriganta inteligenta si ambitioasa la care ne asteptam. Din nota autoarei intelegem ca aceasta incearca sa o portretizeze ca pe o fata "confuza, nascuta intr-o societate corupta". Tot autoarea ne spune ca Lucrezia se bucura de o reputatie atat de proasta pentru ca "scriitorii din trecut credeau ca povestirile de senzatie erau mai bine primite decat adevarul". Asadar astfel s-a creat imaginea de femme-fatale diabolica.
In incheiere am selectat cateva citate care mi s-au parut interesante:
"Numai o privire era de ajuns pentru a declansa mania unui Borgia, iar acea manie putea insemna cutitul unui asasin, o ultima baie in Tibru sau, ceea ce era, probabil, si mai ingrozitor, o invitatie la masa familiei Borgia."
"Daca Pedro al tau ar fi trait, l-ai fi uitat pana acuma, dar din cauza ca l-au omorat... facand din el un martir... de asta ti-l amintesti."
"Am iesit invingator asupra greutatilor din trecutul meu pentru ca nu am incercat sa le depasesc decat atunci cand au fost aproape de mine."
"Ce spirit cu adevarat frantuzesc! Esti plina de maniere intr-un moment, impetuoasa in clipa urmatoare. Marturisesc ca aceasta combinatie mi se pare fascinanta."
"Nu ar trebui ca toti generalii sa fie increzatori inainte de batalie? Sa crezi in infrangere inseamna sa dai tarcoale dezastrului."
"Asta era mai mult decat o aventura sexuala; era un simbol."
April 6, 2019
Although I thoroughly enjoy historical fiction, I was a little surprised there was not more history put into this story. I felt it was more character analysis and I couldn’t get the feeling of the time as much as I have in her other works. I still enjoyed it, though.
April 17, 2016
Going into this book, I had no idea that this was the second book in the series. I started Light on Lucrezia with a bit of trepidation since I wasn’t sure if I would understand the story as it was a sequel, following Madonna of the Seven Hills, the first book in Jean Plaidy’s Lucrezia Borgia series. However, it was soon evident that this book could be read as a stand-alone because there was no confusion, not even a hint that another book preceeded it.
Plaidy introduces a new image of Lucrezia; instead of the sexy, murdering vixen she history normally portrays her as, she is a misunderstood girl who feels very much alone. I enjoyed this new perspective on Lucrezia since it presented her as a normal human being rather than some otherworldly creature of Satan the Borgias are normally viewed as.
However, that is where the fun in this book stops. Starting with Lucrezia’s character, she was the very definition of Mary Sue. Radiant, charming, witty and intelligent, she was flat and unrealistic. I did pity her when her during her miscarriages but apart from that, I felt nothing. Her difficulties and problems did not stir me and I was irritated with her lack of nerve. She willingly went along with everything her father, Rodrigo, and her brother, Cesarae, planned. She accepted everything they said even though deep down, she knew that it was somehow wrong and illogical. Being in her head wasn’t fun because while the events of the book were interesting and even enjoyable to read, Lucrezia was just a dull and vapid character. Completely lifeless and uninspired, her perspectives were soporific.
Lucrezia’s innocence was the very definition of exasperating. During the first parts of the book, this was what sets her apart from the rest of her family. Whereas the rest were vipers and cunning snakes, she was content to lark around and talk to people. However, it becomes vexing halfway into the book since she was completely aware of her father and Cesarae’s evildoings yet she didn’t act in order to stop it. She was indifferent and apathetic, satisfied with sitting around and crying for all the deaths that had taken place without actually acting to stop it.
Even after her beloved husband was killed by her brother, she was still the same. She had moments of distrust and anger but in the end, she accepted that her brother was her husband’s murderer. Blood does run thicker than water but come on, she was a Borgia and she should have a spine at the least.
The other issue I had with this book was its historical accuracy. As a historical fiction novel, it is granted that the author will take some liberties with the names, dates and events in order to fit into the storyline but this book read like a fanfiction of the hit TV series, The Borgias. True, there isn’t much known about the Borgias and their lives but since the book covers a lengthy passage of time, it would have been better if the author had included some real and recorded events. Apart from the characters, the entire thing seemed to have been dreamed up. The dates are confusing too since no specific year was mentioned and I was forced to try to deduce what part of the 15th century we were in.
The monotony of the book made it an even lengthier read. Nothing happened, merely an endless cycle of Lucrezia marrying somebody then falling in love, justifying her father and her brother’s actions, having a baby then somebody dying. 300 pages full of the same thing happening over and over again with only the people and the settings as the difference.
Light on Lucrezia was a disappointing read and quite frankly, a waste of my money. I will not be back for Jean Plaidy’s other books.
Plaidy introduces a new image of Lucrezia; instead of the sexy, murdering vixen she history normally portrays her as, she is a misunderstood girl who feels very much alone. I enjoyed this new perspective on Lucrezia since it presented her as a normal human being rather than some otherworldly creature of Satan the Borgias are normally viewed as.
However, that is where the fun in this book stops. Starting with Lucrezia’s character, she was the very definition of Mary Sue. Radiant, charming, witty and intelligent, she was flat and unrealistic. I did pity her when her during her miscarriages but apart from that, I felt nothing. Her difficulties and problems did not stir me and I was irritated with her lack of nerve. She willingly went along with everything her father, Rodrigo, and her brother, Cesarae, planned. She accepted everything they said even though deep down, she knew that it was somehow wrong and illogical. Being in her head wasn’t fun because while the events of the book were interesting and even enjoyable to read, Lucrezia was just a dull and vapid character. Completely lifeless and uninspired, her perspectives were soporific.
Lucrezia’s innocence was the very definition of exasperating. During the first parts of the book, this was what sets her apart from the rest of her family. Whereas the rest were vipers and cunning snakes, she was content to lark around and talk to people. However, it becomes vexing halfway into the book since she was completely aware of her father and Cesarae’s evildoings yet she didn’t act in order to stop it. She was indifferent and apathetic, satisfied with sitting around and crying for all the deaths that had taken place without actually acting to stop it.
Even after her beloved husband was killed by her brother, she was still the same. She had moments of distrust and anger but in the end, she accepted that her brother was her husband’s murderer. Blood does run thicker than water but come on, she was a Borgia and she should have a spine at the least.
The other issue I had with this book was its historical accuracy. As a historical fiction novel, it is granted that the author will take some liberties with the names, dates and events in order to fit into the storyline but this book read like a fanfiction of the hit TV series, The Borgias. True, there isn’t much known about the Borgias and their lives but since the book covers a lengthy passage of time, it would have been better if the author had included some real and recorded events. Apart from the characters, the entire thing seemed to have been dreamed up. The dates are confusing too since no specific year was mentioned and I was forced to try to deduce what part of the 15th century we were in.
The monotony of the book made it an even lengthier read. Nothing happened, merely an endless cycle of Lucrezia marrying somebody then falling in love, justifying her father and her brother’s actions, having a baby then somebody dying. 300 pages full of the same thing happening over and over again with only the people and the settings as the difference.
Light on Lucrezia was a disappointing read and quite frankly, a waste of my money. I will not be back for Jean Plaidy’s other books.
October 14, 2017
Baca buku lanjutan Lucrezia Borgia ini ternyata sangat bagus!!! High recommended bagi para pecinta historical fiction.
Buku kedua ini diawali dgn kisah kedatangan Alfonso of Aragon, Duke of Bisceglie, calon suami kedua Lucrezia, dan juga adik kandung Sanchia (ipar Lucrezia sekaligus kekasih Cesare Borgia). Tidak ada yg menduga ternyata pasangan ini saling jatuh cinta sejak pandangan pertama, walau Alfonso selalu mencemaskan keselamatan dirinya terutama dari Cesare Borgia yang terang2an membenci semua suami Borgia. Malang tak dapat ditolak, walau sudah dilindungi oleh istri dan kakaknya, Cesare berhasil menembus dan membunuh Alfonso lewat antek2nya.
Lucrezia tersadar bahwa jika dia bisa membebaskan diri dari selubung proteksi ayah dan kakaknya, dia harus menikah dgn bangsawan yg kedudukannya lebih kokoh dan kuat daripada Borgia. Karena itu Lucrezia tidak menolak utk dinikahkan ke-3 kalinya, dan kali ini pilihan Paus Alexander jatuh pada Alfonso Este, calon Duke of Ferrara. Lucunya sebenarnya Ercole, Duke tua Ferrara enggan utk menjalin hubungan keluarga dgn Borgia, namun juga tidak kuasa menolak karena takut dgn keganasan keluarga Borgia, terutama saat Cesare sedang mengekspansi wilayahnya ke seluruh Italia. Maka dgn mahar sangat besar, akhirnya Lucrezia berhasil menikah dgn Alfonso Este ini.
Lucrezia sudah mulai mengalami percobaan-percobaan dan ketidaksenangan dari kakak iparnya, Isabella Este, seorang wanita dominan yg berselera tinggi, sangat cerdas, egosentris serta punya rasa iri hati dan dengki sama besarnya dgn ambisinya. Isabella nyaris selalu menggunakan segala intrik utk menjatuhkan Lucrezia dan secara mengagumkan, Lucrezia bisa "mengalahkan" kakak iparnya ini dgn ketenangan dan keanggunan dirinya. Karakter Lucrezia berkembang dgn baik sejak dia meninggalkan Roma dan di Ferrara, dia membuktikan pesona kerapuhannya bisa menjadi senjata yang memikat para adik iparnya, tetapi ironisnya suaminya tidak tertarik pada dirinya kecuali sbg alat pengembangbiakan keturunan Ferrara. Tidak ayal lagi menyebabkan Lucrezia jatuh ke hubungan platonis dgn Pietro Bembo, si penyair dan Francesco Gonzaga (suami Isabella Este).
Saat suaminya akhirnya menjabat resmi sbg Duke Ferrara, terjadi perseteruan antara adik-adik sang duke yang terbelah menjadi 2 kubu. Sama seperti keluarga Borgia dimana Cesare membunuh Giovanni, seperti Cain membunuh Abel karena iri hati, di keluarga Ferrara juga terjadi peristiwa yang tak sama tapi nyaris mirip. Karena iri hati Ippolito (yg menjadi kardinal) terhadap saudara tirinya yang dikatakan sangat tampan dan rupawan, Giulio harus kehilangan sebuah matanya. Dan karena Alfonso enggan menghukum berat Ippolito, maka memicu Giulio & Ferrante (adik kandung Alfonso dan Ippolito yg lebih pro pada Giulio) utk membuat konspirasi pembunuhan terhadap Duke baru ini tapi malah berakhir dgn kesialan Giulio dan Ferrante dgn hukuman penjara seumur hidup mereka.
Saya puas dgn buku ini, yang berawal dgn kelahiran Lucrezia dan diakhiri dgn kematian Lucrezia. Isi cerita juga tidak banyak berbeda dgn orisinalitas yang saya buka dari website Wikipedia. Yang mungkin agak "mengganggu" adalah tidak adanya tulisan tahun-tahun yang menyertai semua peristiwa/kejadian bersejarah, sehingga saya harus bolak-balik membuka Wikipedia. Dan walaupun epilog lebih terkesan rangkuman sepuluh tahun terakhir kehidupan Lucrezia sehingga terasa dipadatkan dan kurang informatif ttg saat-saat terakhir hidupnya. Namun tidak mengurangi keindahan dan kecerdasan sang pengarang merangkai jalinan semua kehidupan keluarga Borgia dan semua orang-orang di sekitar mereka.
Buku kedua ini diawali dgn kisah kedatangan Alfonso of Aragon, Duke of Bisceglie, calon suami kedua Lucrezia, dan juga adik kandung Sanchia (ipar Lucrezia sekaligus kekasih Cesare Borgia). Tidak ada yg menduga ternyata pasangan ini saling jatuh cinta sejak pandangan pertama, walau Alfonso selalu mencemaskan keselamatan dirinya terutama dari Cesare Borgia yang terang2an membenci semua suami Borgia. Malang tak dapat ditolak, walau sudah dilindungi oleh istri dan kakaknya, Cesare berhasil menembus dan membunuh Alfonso lewat antek2nya.
Lucrezia tersadar bahwa jika dia bisa membebaskan diri dari selubung proteksi ayah dan kakaknya, dia harus menikah dgn bangsawan yg kedudukannya lebih kokoh dan kuat daripada Borgia. Karena itu Lucrezia tidak menolak utk dinikahkan ke-3 kalinya, dan kali ini pilihan Paus Alexander jatuh pada Alfonso Este, calon Duke of Ferrara. Lucunya sebenarnya Ercole, Duke tua Ferrara enggan utk menjalin hubungan keluarga dgn Borgia, namun juga tidak kuasa menolak karena takut dgn keganasan keluarga Borgia, terutama saat Cesare sedang mengekspansi wilayahnya ke seluruh Italia. Maka dgn mahar sangat besar, akhirnya Lucrezia berhasil menikah dgn Alfonso Este ini.
Lucrezia sudah mulai mengalami percobaan-percobaan dan ketidaksenangan dari kakak iparnya, Isabella Este, seorang wanita dominan yg berselera tinggi, sangat cerdas, egosentris serta punya rasa iri hati dan dengki sama besarnya dgn ambisinya. Isabella nyaris selalu menggunakan segala intrik utk menjatuhkan Lucrezia dan secara mengagumkan, Lucrezia bisa "mengalahkan" kakak iparnya ini dgn ketenangan dan keanggunan dirinya. Karakter Lucrezia berkembang dgn baik sejak dia meninggalkan Roma dan di Ferrara, dia membuktikan pesona kerapuhannya bisa menjadi senjata yang memikat para adik iparnya, tetapi ironisnya suaminya tidak tertarik pada dirinya kecuali sbg alat pengembangbiakan keturunan Ferrara. Tidak ayal lagi menyebabkan Lucrezia jatuh ke hubungan platonis dgn Pietro Bembo, si penyair dan Francesco Gonzaga (suami Isabella Este).
Saat suaminya akhirnya menjabat resmi sbg Duke Ferrara, terjadi perseteruan antara adik-adik sang duke yang terbelah menjadi 2 kubu. Sama seperti keluarga Borgia dimana Cesare membunuh Giovanni, seperti Cain membunuh Abel karena iri hati, di keluarga Ferrara juga terjadi peristiwa yang tak sama tapi nyaris mirip. Karena iri hati Ippolito (yg menjadi kardinal) terhadap saudara tirinya yang dikatakan sangat tampan dan rupawan, Giulio harus kehilangan sebuah matanya. Dan karena Alfonso enggan menghukum berat Ippolito, maka memicu Giulio & Ferrante (adik kandung Alfonso dan Ippolito yg lebih pro pada Giulio) utk membuat konspirasi pembunuhan terhadap Duke baru ini tapi malah berakhir dgn kesialan Giulio dan Ferrante dgn hukuman penjara seumur hidup mereka.
Saya puas dgn buku ini, yang berawal dgn kelahiran Lucrezia dan diakhiri dgn kematian Lucrezia. Isi cerita juga tidak banyak berbeda dgn orisinalitas yang saya buka dari website Wikipedia. Yang mungkin agak "mengganggu" adalah tidak adanya tulisan tahun-tahun yang menyertai semua peristiwa/kejadian bersejarah, sehingga saya harus bolak-balik membuka Wikipedia. Dan walaupun epilog lebih terkesan rangkuman sepuluh tahun terakhir kehidupan Lucrezia sehingga terasa dipadatkan dan kurang informatif ttg saat-saat terakhir hidupnya. Namun tidak mengurangi keindahan dan kecerdasan sang pengarang merangkai jalinan semua kehidupan keluarga Borgia dan semua orang-orang di sekitar mereka.
December 31, 2019
A bit of a slog if I'm honest
I wanted a fictional overview of Lucrezia Borgia and the people in her life based on historical fact but easy to read. All covered by this novel. However, Plaidy's ability as a storyteller is absent here. It's almost as if she got fed up of writing about Lucrezia but felt obliged to go on til the bitter end. And at the end, she galloped through to the deathbed scene with unseemly alacrity. Not her finest work but I know a lot more about Lucrezia's timeline than I did before.
I wanted a fictional overview of Lucrezia Borgia and the people in her life based on historical fact but easy to read. All covered by this novel. However, Plaidy's ability as a storyteller is absent here. It's almost as if she got fed up of writing about Lucrezia but felt obliged to go on til the bitter end. And at the end, she galloped through to the deathbed scene with unseemly alacrity. Not her finest work but I know a lot more about Lucrezia's timeline than I did before.
February 16, 2016
Two DNFs in a row! Apparently I'm on a roll.
This book is so dull. It's all tell, there's no meat on the bones, and I find it hard to believe Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso of Naples were such wet blankets.
This book is so dull. It's all tell, there's no meat on the bones, and I find it hard to believe Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso of Naples were such wet blankets.
May 7, 2012
Pure novellised hagiography. Lucrezia is an unusual choice for a Mary Sue, and therefore this novel doesn't really work very well.
June 20, 2015
It was fairly good until then the rest of the book drags on with not much happening.
April 6, 2024
My comments in video: https://youtu.be/aF3eByetG_E
A work of historical novel that is focused mainly on the sentimental, so much that important characters such as Savonarola and Della Rovere are only mentioned superficially. It is not as good as Alexandre Dumas's, but it has greater psychological depth than Puzo's. Here I highlight some interesting relationships with Napoleon, with the Parma Charterhouse of Stendhal, and even with the Sangurimas of Juan de la Cuadra.
I await your comments
Una obra de novela histórica que está centrada principalmente en lo sentimental, tanto así que personajes importantes como Savonarola y Della Rovere son solo mencionados de pasada. No es tan buena como la de Alexandre Dumas, pero tiene una profundidad psicológica mayor que la de Puzo. Acá destaco unas relaciones interesantes con Napoleón, con la Cartuja de Parma de Stendhal, e incluso con los Sangurimas de Juan de la Cuadra.
Espero sus comentarios
A work of historical novel that is focused mainly on the sentimental, so much that important characters such as Savonarola and Della Rovere are only mentioned superficially. It is not as good as Alexandre Dumas's, but it has greater psychological depth than Puzo's. Here I highlight some interesting relationships with Napoleon, with the Parma Charterhouse of Stendhal, and even with the Sangurimas of Juan de la Cuadra.
I await your comments
Una obra de novela histórica que está centrada principalmente en lo sentimental, tanto así que personajes importantes como Savonarola y Della Rovere son solo mencionados de pasada. No es tan buena como la de Alexandre Dumas, pero tiene una profundidad psicológica mayor que la de Puzo. Acá destaco unas relaciones interesantes con Napoleón, con la Cartuja de Parma de Stendhal, e incluso con los Sangurimas de Juan de la Cuadra.
Espero sus comentarios
November 29, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed Plaidy's earlier look at the life of the infamous but possibly unfairly maligned Lucrezia Borgia, Madonna of the Seven Hills, in which Plaidy neatly focused, not on the most infamous rumors and legends about this woman and her family, but on how those nasty tales might have gotten started. This is a nice distinction, maybe -- you can't talk effectively about rumors without mentioning their content, at least in passing, after all -- but one that Plaidy is a master of making, and making into satisfying novels.
Which is why I love her, and, as I mentioned when writing about The Scarlet Contessa, a book set in pretty much the same time and place as Plaidy's Borgia books, wish she'd taken up Caterina Sforza as a subject at some point. Oh, what a glorious book that would have been!
La Sforza does make an appearance in Light on Lucrezia. the sequel to Madonna of the Seven Hills, but only for a few pages: a swift depiction of her resistance to Cesare's military onslaught and her famously rapey personal encounter with the man after he won the battle. How Plaidy could convey this account and then pass over the notion of writing a book about Caterina will always be a mystery to me. If I'm wrong about this, and she did write about Caterina in more detail under one of her many, many pseudonyms, please, for all love, enlighten me.
But enough about the Lady of Forli; this book is about Lucrezia, picking up exactly after the previous book with the apprehensive coming of the second of her three husbands, Alfonso, illegitimate son of the king of Naples, to Rome. Plaidy protrays this marriage as utterly idyllic, marred only by what every relationship in Lucrezia's life seems to have been marred: the jealousy of the odious Cesare. Every page devoted to this marriage -- and there really aren't many of them -- foreshadows the poor Alfonso's inevitable fate, so when it comes, the reader yawns a bit. And yawns a bit further when Lucrezia predictably chooses to stick by her evil brother, whom she has been conditioned to worship and seek to please since birth.
The rest of the novel focuses on Lucrezia's third marriage, to another Alfonso, this one the heir to the Duke of Ferrara -- which is to say that things pick up from here. Ferrara is ruled by an ancient line of haughty, snotty aristocrats, the Estes (who trace their lineage to times before the Carolingians ruled a good chunk of Europe), who resent that their bloodline will now bear the taint of Borgia ancestry, too, if Lucrezia does her job and makes Este babies. Which is to say that Lucrezia is thrown into a den of vipers, with the chief she-snake being her sister-in-law, Isabella, Marquesa of Mantua, who has long regarded herself the prettiest, most stylish, most accomplished woman in Italy and so sees Lucrezia as a rival to be humiliated at every opportunity. Hilariously, the passive and pliant Lucrezia's non-reaction to Isabella's ploys (and those of Isabella's own sister-in-law, Elisabetta Gonzaga) is precisely the best way to keep her would-be rival at the height of annoyance.
As Lucrezia's domestic troubles take center stage, at last the figures of her father Rodrigo (Pope Alexander VI) and brother Cesare the Fratricide, fade into the background. This may be why a lot of readers have complained that this second Borgia novel is dull compared to the first; it lacks the dramatic focus the first book, devoted almost wholly to foreshadowing the murder of Giovanni Borgia by Cesare, had. But really? It's all in the title: Light on Lucrezia. Finally, Lucrezia Borgia is the heroine of her own life, or at least as much of one as a Renaissance Pope's only (acknowledged) daughter can be. Which is to say that the modern reader spends a lot of these books wanting to slap Lucrezia and tell her to take some control and set some boundaries, but yeah...
La Borgia's reputation seems to have been on the mend in my lifetime, and I wonder if Plaidy's books might not have helped get this started. For my part, I find her portrait of a passive people pleaser annoying but having the ring of truth to it. A pretty little girl with such monstrous relatives might well just teach herself not to see them as they were as long as they kept her in nice dresses and poets and behaved themselves when she was around, especially in a society that still exercised mighty energies to keep women in their places (the odd amazing virago like Caterina Sforza or Isabella d'Este notwithstanding; some people just don't follow the rules, no matter when they're born), and I find the idea that Lucrezia was such a one far more plausible than that she was a monstrous female Cesare, whoring and poisoning her way across Italy out of ego, malice and desire for power.
So yeah, Holliday Granger played her just right.
Which is why I love her, and, as I mentioned when writing about The Scarlet Contessa, a book set in pretty much the same time and place as Plaidy's Borgia books, wish she'd taken up Caterina Sforza as a subject at some point. Oh, what a glorious book that would have been!
La Sforza does make an appearance in Light on Lucrezia. the sequel to Madonna of the Seven Hills, but only for a few pages: a swift depiction of her resistance to Cesare's military onslaught and her famously rapey personal encounter with the man after he won the battle. How Plaidy could convey this account and then pass over the notion of writing a book about Caterina will always be a mystery to me. If I'm wrong about this, and she did write about Caterina in more detail under one of her many, many pseudonyms, please, for all love, enlighten me.
But enough about the Lady of Forli; this book is about Lucrezia, picking up exactly after the previous book with the apprehensive coming of the second of her three husbands, Alfonso, illegitimate son of the king of Naples, to Rome. Plaidy protrays this marriage as utterly idyllic, marred only by what every relationship in Lucrezia's life seems to have been marred: the jealousy of the odious Cesare. Every page devoted to this marriage -- and there really aren't many of them -- foreshadows the poor Alfonso's inevitable fate, so when it comes, the reader yawns a bit. And yawns a bit further when Lucrezia predictably chooses to stick by her evil brother, whom she has been conditioned to worship and seek to please since birth.
The rest of the novel focuses on Lucrezia's third marriage, to another Alfonso, this one the heir to the Duke of Ferrara -- which is to say that things pick up from here. Ferrara is ruled by an ancient line of haughty, snotty aristocrats, the Estes (who trace their lineage to times before the Carolingians ruled a good chunk of Europe), who resent that their bloodline will now bear the taint of Borgia ancestry, too, if Lucrezia does her job and makes Este babies. Which is to say that Lucrezia is thrown into a den of vipers, with the chief she-snake being her sister-in-law, Isabella, Marquesa of Mantua, who has long regarded herself the prettiest, most stylish, most accomplished woman in Italy and so sees Lucrezia as a rival to be humiliated at every opportunity. Hilariously, the passive and pliant Lucrezia's non-reaction to Isabella's ploys (and those of Isabella's own sister-in-law, Elisabetta Gonzaga) is precisely the best way to keep her would-be rival at the height of annoyance.
As Lucrezia's domestic troubles take center stage, at last the figures of her father Rodrigo (Pope Alexander VI) and brother Cesare the Fratricide, fade into the background. This may be why a lot of readers have complained that this second Borgia novel is dull compared to the first; it lacks the dramatic focus the first book, devoted almost wholly to foreshadowing the murder of Giovanni Borgia by Cesare, had. But really? It's all in the title: Light on Lucrezia. Finally, Lucrezia Borgia is the heroine of her own life, or at least as much of one as a Renaissance Pope's only (acknowledged) daughter can be. Which is to say that the modern reader spends a lot of these books wanting to slap Lucrezia and tell her to take some control and set some boundaries, but yeah...
La Borgia's reputation seems to have been on the mend in my lifetime, and I wonder if Plaidy's books might not have helped get this started. For my part, I find her portrait of a passive people pleaser annoying but having the ring of truth to it. A pretty little girl with such monstrous relatives might well just teach herself not to see them as they were as long as they kept her in nice dresses and poets and behaved themselves when she was around, especially in a society that still exercised mighty energies to keep women in their places (the odd amazing virago like Caterina Sforza or Isabella d'Este notwithstanding; some people just don't follow the rules, no matter when they're born), and I find the idea that Lucrezia was such a one far more plausible than that she was a monstrous female Cesare, whoring and poisoning her way across Italy out of ego, malice and desire for power.
So yeah, Holliday Granger played her just right.
January 30, 2024
César y Alejandro son unos pesados y Lucrecia nunca hizo nada malo en su vida ;w; she deserved better ;w;
May 16, 2021
Ah! The scandalous Borgias! Lucrezia has been accused of being incestuous and even of being a poisoner but things might have actually gone differently.
The series about the Borgias had her sleeping with her brother Cesare but what was really the truth about Lucrezia. Jean Plaidy was as curious as I am and set out to find out more about Lucrezia Borgia.
I finished it on Friday, May 14th. As I suspected this Lucrezia has nothing to do with the series which made her incestuous, sleeping with her brother Cesare.
No, this Lucrezia was a bit of an innocent, capable of love. She was close to Cesare, yes, and it seems all of the Borgias, except for Giovanni and Cesare, loved each other passionately but not necessarily in an incestuous way.
Yes, Cesare was cruel, capable of murdering innocents. He was also an overprotective older brother to Lucrezia for whom he only wanted the best.
This Lucrezia had like in the series one child out of wedlock with Pedro Caldes who was murdered.
She was indeed first married to Giovanni Sforza, a brute, who was indeed made to look like a fool by Roderigo Borgia a.k.a. Alexander VI because Roderigo having learned of the cruelty and violence with which Giovanni treated his daughter, he wanted the marriage annulled. He forced Giovanni to say that it had not been consummated and that Lucrezia was still a virgin while she was actually pregnant with her first child Giovanni il Romano Borgia.
Lucrezia remarried with Alfonso of Biciglie, a relative of the King of Naples and of Sancha, her sister-in-law. That Alfonso was Lucrezia's great love but he was murdered by Cesare.
She had a child with him, Roderigo, whom she never saw again alive when she remarried with Alfonso of Ferrara. That marriage was not a love affair at all. Lucrezia entered this marriage to get away from her father and from Cesare whom she had trouble hating though he killed her beloved Alfonso.
This other Alfonso preferred tavern girls, voluptous ones and crude. Lucrezia's purpose to him was only to give birth to his heir and other children.
Lucrezia died at the age of 39 after giving birth to their last child.
Alfonso is said to have remarried with a bonnet-maker daughter he had fallen in love with.
Lucrezia's last love was Francesco Gonzaga, duke of Mantua, husband to Isabelle D'Este who hated Lucrezia from the first. Isabelle was Alfonso's sister.
Jean Plaidy writes a good novel and does obviously a lot of research so if you want to real story about Lucrezia Borgia, then this is the book for you.
Obviously Lucrezia because she was the daughter of a Pope was slandered all through her life, accused of incest and of poisoning people.
This Lucrezia's only resemblance to Holliday Grainger's Lucrezia is the girlish's looks and long golden hair.
I've been very busy so it took me all that while to read it.
The series about the Borgias had her sleeping with her brother Cesare but what was really the truth about Lucrezia. Jean Plaidy was as curious as I am and set out to find out more about Lucrezia Borgia.
I finished it on Friday, May 14th. As I suspected this Lucrezia has nothing to do with the series which made her incestuous, sleeping with her brother Cesare.
No, this Lucrezia was a bit of an innocent, capable of love. She was close to Cesare, yes, and it seems all of the Borgias, except for Giovanni and Cesare, loved each other passionately but not necessarily in an incestuous way.
Yes, Cesare was cruel, capable of murdering innocents. He was also an overprotective older brother to Lucrezia for whom he only wanted the best.
This Lucrezia had like in the series one child out of wedlock with Pedro Caldes who was murdered.
She was indeed first married to Giovanni Sforza, a brute, who was indeed made to look like a fool by Roderigo Borgia a.k.a. Alexander VI because Roderigo having learned of the cruelty and violence with which Giovanni treated his daughter, he wanted the marriage annulled. He forced Giovanni to say that it had not been consummated and that Lucrezia was still a virgin while she was actually pregnant with her first child Giovanni il Romano Borgia.
Lucrezia remarried with Alfonso of Biciglie, a relative of the King of Naples and of Sancha, her sister-in-law. That Alfonso was Lucrezia's great love but he was murdered by Cesare.
She had a child with him, Roderigo, whom she never saw again alive when she remarried with Alfonso of Ferrara. That marriage was not a love affair at all. Lucrezia entered this marriage to get away from her father and from Cesare whom she had trouble hating though he killed her beloved Alfonso.
This other Alfonso preferred tavern girls, voluptous ones and crude. Lucrezia's purpose to him was only to give birth to his heir and other children.
Lucrezia died at the age of 39 after giving birth to their last child.
Alfonso is said to have remarried with a bonnet-maker daughter he had fallen in love with.
Lucrezia's last love was Francesco Gonzaga, duke of Mantua, husband to Isabelle D'Este who hated Lucrezia from the first. Isabelle was Alfonso's sister.
Jean Plaidy writes a good novel and does obviously a lot of research so if you want to real story about Lucrezia Borgia, then this is the book for you.
Obviously Lucrezia because she was the daughter of a Pope was slandered all through her life, accused of incest and of poisoning people.
This Lucrezia's only resemblance to Holliday Grainger's Lucrezia is the girlish's looks and long golden hair.
I've been very busy so it took me all that while to read it.
April 20, 2020
Let me just mention real quick...if you're thinking of reading this, you DEFINITELY should read 'Madonna of the Seven Hills' first. That book follows Lucrezia from the day she's born to the day of her second marriage to Alfonso of Aragon. 'Light on Lucrezia' picks up right where it left off, with her marriage to Alfonso, brother of Sanchia of Aragon (wife of Lucrezia's younger brother, and mistress to her older one).
Lucrezia's story is such a sad one. She's never able to be truly happy, and it seems whenever she is, there is always someone there to destroy it. Most of the time it's her brother Cesare's doing, but once he dies there are others who step in to make Lucrezia's life as uncomfortable as possible. I think Ms. Plaidy has done a wonderfully realistic job of telling Lucrezia's story. She's avoided turning this into a nasty tabloid rendition of the story that only focuses on rumor and debauchery, and instead chose to get inside Lucrezia, telling how she feels towards those she loves and why she behaved the way she did. Most of the time it's because she had no other choice.
I will admit, this book was a bit more slow-going than some of the others I've read by Ms. Plaidy. It took me almost 2 weeks to read this because it was just too easy to put it down. It didn't have that 'I've just GOT to know what's going to happen next!' urgency to it that some of her other books have. This didn't take away from the story in any way though.
Overall, if you're a fan of the Borgias or if you're planning on watching the Showtime Series 'The Borgias' and are looking for a book to introduce yourself to this incredibly dysfunctional family before the show starts, then I absolutely recommend these two books. However, if you're looking for the trashy version of this family's life, then you'll have to look elsewhere. Ms. Plaidy keeps the story classy and realistic.
Lucrezia's story is such a sad one. She's never able to be truly happy, and it seems whenever she is, there is always someone there to destroy it. Most of the time it's her brother Cesare's doing, but once he dies there are others who step in to make Lucrezia's life as uncomfortable as possible. I think Ms. Plaidy has done a wonderfully realistic job of telling Lucrezia's story. She's avoided turning this into a nasty tabloid rendition of the story that only focuses on rumor and debauchery, and instead chose to get inside Lucrezia, telling how she feels towards those she loves and why she behaved the way she did. Most of the time it's because she had no other choice.
I will admit, this book was a bit more slow-going than some of the others I've read by Ms. Plaidy. It took me almost 2 weeks to read this because it was just too easy to put it down. It didn't have that 'I've just GOT to know what's going to happen next!' urgency to it that some of her other books have. This didn't take away from the story in any way though.
Overall, if you're a fan of the Borgias or if you're planning on watching the Showtime Series 'The Borgias' and are looking for a book to introduce yourself to this incredibly dysfunctional family before the show starts, then I absolutely recommend these two books. However, if you're looking for the trashy version of this family's life, then you'll have to look elsewhere. Ms. Plaidy keeps the story classy and realistic.
July 10, 2011
This is the first book of Plaidy's I've read that reads like a true sequel. It picks up right where Madonna of the Seven Hills ends. Lucrezia is no longer married and no longer with her former lover. The story opens with Alphonso traveling to Rome for his marriage to Lucrezia. Alphonso is the sister of Sanchia, who is the wife of Lucrezia brother, who is also the mistress of Lucrezia's other brother, who was also the mistress of Lucrezia's other brother until he was murdered by yes, his own and still Lucrezia's brother. It sounds a little over the top, and if it was fiction, a little unbelievable. But knowing this is based on fact turns this unbelievable story into reality.
The story is actually prefaced by a note from the author about the character of Lucrezia. History has painted her as a wicked character just like the rest of her family, capable of murder, love affairs, and even insect. But Plaidy's point of view is that she was instead innocent of this, but tainted do to her connection with the rest of her family. I haven't read anything else about the Borgias, but as Lucrezia is written here you can't help falling in love with her, and even feel a bit sorry for her.
It's no surprise given the author that I loved the book. But what might be more of a surprise is that I loved the story of Lucrezia and the rest of the Borgias. Reading this definitely make me want to read more about the family, and yes what the Showtime series as well. If you want to know what this family is all about, I would suggest the book (and its prequel) to find out just why this family is so infamous.
The story is actually prefaced by a note from the author about the character of Lucrezia. History has painted her as a wicked character just like the rest of her family, capable of murder, love affairs, and even insect. But Plaidy's point of view is that she was instead innocent of this, but tainted do to her connection with the rest of her family. I haven't read anything else about the Borgias, but as Lucrezia is written here you can't help falling in love with her, and even feel a bit sorry for her.
It's no surprise given the author that I loved the book. But what might be more of a surprise is that I loved the story of Lucrezia and the rest of the Borgias. Reading this definitely make me want to read more about the family, and yes what the Showtime series as well. If you want to know what this family is all about, I would suggest the book (and its prequel) to find out just why this family is so infamous.
September 8, 2013
Light on Lucrezia is the sequel to Madonna on the Seven Hills. The novel opens with the moody Lucrezia preparing for her second marriage. The marriage has been arranged for her by her father, the Pope. She happens to be marrying Sanchia's brother, Alfonso. (Sanchia is her sister-in-law.) The two are a great couple; however, Lucrezia isn't to be allowed her happily ever after for politics and family interfere once again. After her husband's murder, Lucrezia's life is a bit of a mess. A third marriage is arranged after a time, but, it's less than ideal. At least as depicted by Plaidy! But though Lucrezia's fate is the happiest of the Borgia family, that really is not saying much considering what happens...
Reading Light On Lucrezia is like suffering through the last half of Gone With The Wind. There are highlights, of course, but overall it just gets more depressing and hopeless with every single chapter until the dreariest of endings. Is the ending inevitable? Sure. It is (very loosely) based on history. Cesare's fate is set in stone. And Lucrezia's childbearing misfortunes are realistic enough, but it was so very sad to read of all the miscarriages and the babies that died so very young.
Madonna of the Seven Hills and Light on Lucrezia have recently been published as one novel. Plaidy's depiction of the Borgias is interesting. They have their fascinating-but-troubling moments to shine. And the first novel, at least, had some lightness and frivolity to it. I think Plaidy's characterization is better than say, The Borgia Bride, but not as wonderful as Blood and Beauty. I really want Sarah Dunant to write another Borgia novel!!!
Reading Light On Lucrezia is like suffering through the last half of Gone With The Wind. There are highlights, of course, but overall it just gets more depressing and hopeless with every single chapter until the dreariest of endings. Is the ending inevitable? Sure. It is (very loosely) based on history. Cesare's fate is set in stone. And Lucrezia's childbearing misfortunes are realistic enough, but it was so very sad to read of all the miscarriages and the babies that died so very young.
Madonna of the Seven Hills and Light on Lucrezia have recently been published as one novel. Plaidy's depiction of the Borgias is interesting. They have their fascinating-but-troubling moments to shine. And the first novel, at least, had some lightness and frivolity to it. I think Plaidy's characterization is better than say, The Borgia Bride, but not as wonderful as Blood and Beauty. I really want Sarah Dunant to write another Borgia novel!!!
December 8, 2014
The novel opens in 1498 when eighteen-year-old Lucrezia is about to be married for a second time.
As with the previous book, the core of the story is Lucrezia’s relationship with her father – Pope Alexander VI – and her brother Cesare, only this time the mighty Borgias are seen in decline.
Cesare is arguably the best-drawn character. He, his charismatic father, and the beautiful Sanchia are my favourite characters, though the former two are far from likable as people.
The characterization is generally is very good, as is the imagery, but it’s not enough to save this somewhat bland novel, based on fascinating events, written by a talented author who’s not made use of the potential available to create something special.
This book, like the first one, did not prove to be very engaging. At times I was losing concentration, owing to the lack of action, too much incidental detail, and a slow-paced narrative.
There’s also one stupid line in the book, namely: “I am Lucrezia Borgia,” said Lucrezia.
Why a talented author like Ms Plaidy needs to add ‘said Lucrezia’ to the above dialogue is beyond me. I’m sure readers of all levels of intelligence will work out which character is speaking.
A disappointing read.
As with the previous book, the core of the story is Lucrezia’s relationship with her father – Pope Alexander VI – and her brother Cesare, only this time the mighty Borgias are seen in decline.
Cesare is arguably the best-drawn character. He, his charismatic father, and the beautiful Sanchia are my favourite characters, though the former two are far from likable as people.
The characterization is generally is very good, as is the imagery, but it’s not enough to save this somewhat bland novel, based on fascinating events, written by a talented author who’s not made use of the potential available to create something special.
This book, like the first one, did not prove to be very engaging. At times I was losing concentration, owing to the lack of action, too much incidental detail, and a slow-paced narrative.
There’s also one stupid line in the book, namely: “I am Lucrezia Borgia,” said Lucrezia.
Why a talented author like Ms Plaidy needs to add ‘said Lucrezia’ to the above dialogue is beyond me. I’m sure readers of all levels of intelligence will work out which character is speaking.
A disappointing read.
February 23, 2019
While I quite liked the first book in the Lucrezia Borgia series, Madonna of the Seven Hills, I just can not get through this second book. Lucrezia's story does interest me but this book just drags on and on. Some parts where fun to read but for the most time I had to force myself to pick up this book and start reading again. I got to about half way but I give up.
The characters are lifeless and I don't feel involved with them at all. I believe I commented on that in my review of the first book also. In this book it seems to be even worse. The Borgia's are such a colourfull family it must be possible to make their characters more lively than Plaidy does.
What also bothers me is the lack of dates mentioned. It's a novel, not a history textbook, but I had no idea when events were taking place. Given that the book makes great leaps through time it would be nice to get some indication time.
I really wanted to love this book but sorry, I just can't.
The characters are lifeless and I don't feel involved with them at all. I believe I commented on that in my review of the first book also. In this book it seems to be even worse. The Borgia's are such a colourfull family it must be possible to make their characters more lively than Plaidy does.
What also bothers me is the lack of dates mentioned. It's a novel, not a history textbook, but I had no idea when events were taking place. Given that the book makes great leaps through time it would be nice to get some indication time.
I really wanted to love this book but sorry, I just can't.
October 3, 2013
Light on Lucrezia continues the story of Lucrezia Borgia from the first in the series, Madonna of the Seven Hills by Jean Plaidy. Dubbed 'the original crime family,' the Borgias were quite the interesting family and the myths that follow them are certainly intriguing.
Jean Plaidy is a phenomenal writer and her story is captivating. I was surprised that she portrayed Lucrezia as the innocent pawn since that seems to be a rare occurrence. While unexpected, it was not an unwelcome point of view. And I will not comment on the notorious relationship between brother and sister; I'll let you discover how Plaidy handles that for yourself.
In addition, even though Cesare is portrayed as a vicious monster, I actually found myself feeling for him when he was down. What a testament to Plaidy's writing skills. Or maybe it's just me.
Anyway, I recommend this series to those who enjoy historical fiction. It is a fairly quick read, the writing is superb and the Borgias definitely make for good drama.
Jean Plaidy is a phenomenal writer and her story is captivating. I was surprised that she portrayed Lucrezia as the innocent pawn since that seems to be a rare occurrence. While unexpected, it was not an unwelcome point of view. And I will not comment on the notorious relationship between brother and sister; I'll let you discover how Plaidy handles that for yourself.
In addition, even though Cesare is portrayed as a vicious monster, I actually found myself feeling for him when he was down. What a testament to Plaidy's writing skills. Or maybe it's just me.
Anyway, I recommend this series to those who enjoy historical fiction. It is a fairly quick read, the writing is superb and the Borgias definitely make for good drama.
January 25, 2022
Phew! Light of Lucrezia, the follow up to Madonna of the Seven Hills, was full of the same character driven intrigue, romance, scandal and tragedy that made the Borgias notorious.
This book was a little longer than the first and it appears to be quite an extensive account of Lucrezia's life, loves, births and deaths and at some points one does feel slightly bogged down by each new affair, but Plaidy wrote with such attention and compassion for Lucrezia, making this historical lady both delicate and durable, that she feels very contemporary
In the author's note, Plaidy states that in her research into Lucrezia the sensationalist accounts may have been just that - similar to modern day tabloids and the celebrity. Plaidy wished to "shine a light on Lucrezia", that this scandalous seductress was a young woman of her time. A woman born into politics that demanded much of her and yet expected very little. I think Plaidy was successful in showing Lucrezia as a woman rather than the witch, history remembered her as.
This book was a little longer than the first and it appears to be quite an extensive account of Lucrezia's life, loves, births and deaths and at some points one does feel slightly bogged down by each new affair, but Plaidy wrote with such attention and compassion for Lucrezia, making this historical lady both delicate and durable, that she feels very contemporary
In the author's note, Plaidy states that in her research into Lucrezia the sensationalist accounts may have been just that - similar to modern day tabloids and the celebrity. Plaidy wished to "shine a light on Lucrezia", that this scandalous seductress was a young woman of her time. A woman born into politics that demanded much of her and yet expected very little. I think Plaidy was successful in showing Lucrezia as a woman rather than the witch, history remembered her as.
August 24, 2020
Finally got around to finishing Plaidy's duology on Lucrezia Borgia. This second part comprises her life from her second marriage until the end, and while not a bad book, I liked it less than the first one. Plaidy goes out of her way both to cast Lucrezia as a veritable saint and to make Cesare the undisputed villain of the piece, giving credence to every single vicious rumour ever circulated about him. That Lucrezia has been unfairly maligned by much of history is a known fact, but this verges on hagiography. Meanwhile, while Cesare Borgia was by no means a shining hero and engaged in plenty of underhanded and violent means to achieve his goals, this generally fascinating though hardly admirable character is little more than a brainless, arrogant thug in Plaidy's version. Depth and complexity of all the characters left something to be desired.
March 10, 2011
What I've learned from Madonna of the Seven Hills and Light on Lucrezia is that this girl was stained by the reputation of her infamous family. The same family who she loved so much was the same family who gave her the most grief. It took me a very long time to get into this book. I got bogged down with the repetition of events (I mean really do I need a full report every time she washes her hair?) and the on/off switch of her grief. Several pages devoted to detailing Lucrezia's grief...until a handsome man shows up and then that grief is forgotten. When Lucrezia did manage to find some happiness, I really wanted her to hold onto it and felt badly for her when the object of her joy was taken away.
All in all, this book was ok.
All in all, this book was ok.
March 25, 2021
(In my last review I said I've read about a dozen books by Plaidy but turns out it's more like 30! Anyway...)I enjoyed this sequel though I think it could probably be read as a stand alone. It certainly paints Lucrezia Borgia as a sad figure, constantly being manipulated and just sort of used as a pawn in her family's schemes. Again I can't speak to the accuracy of it all but Plaidy presents the Borgias as a bit of an effed up family.
Think I will give this one a B.
Think I will give this one a B.
July 2, 2019
Lucrezia's realization of the colossal passion of the Borgias after the death of Alfonso d'Aragon (Duke of Bisceglie and Prince of Salerno), her second husband, and that she may have just exchanged the Borgias' gilded cage for another after she moved to Ferrara to marry Alfonso d'Este (Duke of Ferrara), her third husband.
December 1, 2015
Nikako mi se ne svidja stil pisanja ove autorice, no s obzirom da je rijec o jednoj od najdrazih mi prica uopce, procitala sam je. Tesko. Stil pisanja ne uzrokuje u vama emocionalnu vezu s likovima i zato je ova knjiga jako naporna s vremena na vrijeme.
November 8, 2017
Just read this book having read book one. Well written and researched the fascinating story of lucrezia continues. I love Jean Plaidys style she is easy to read and you get pulled into whatever she writes. Couldn't put it down.
February 12, 2018
Quite readable. Plaidy eschews the sensationalism used by many other people writing about the Borgias and instead tries to understand how the Lucrezia of the Vatican could become the respected Duchess of her later years.
February 14, 2018
Impressive. But, if you haven’t read the first book would be confused with some characters that are mentioned in the second book. From many journals were written that Lucrezia was an evil princess, but Plaidy has written differently. At least, I won’t judge a person from one side story.
February 1, 2021
3.5 Enjoyable sequel, but felt that it was lacking in some of the warmth and depth of the first book. Not sure if this was due to the writing or the fact it was focusing more on lucrezia than the family as a whole
December 29, 2017
3.5. Enjoyable finish to the story.
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