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A Guid’Antonio Vespucci Mystery #1
O Mistério das Lágrimas da Virgem
Verão de 1480. O aclamado advogado florentino Guid’Antonio Vespucci regressa a Itália depois de uma missão governamental, mas encontra frustrados os seus sonhos de paz. Saqueadores turcos terão raptado da cidade uma jovem e bonita rapariga, e tê-la-ão vendido como escrava. Além disso, um dos quadros da capela da família de Guid’Antonio mostra agora uma Virgem Maria a chorar.
Os florentinos, zangados e receosos, interpretam estes acontecimentos como sinais da fúria de Deus perante o seu apoio ao líder da cidade, Lorenzo de’Medici, e à recusa de Lorenzo em acabar a guerra com o papa.
Na iminência de perder o controlo sobre a cidade, Lorenzo encarrega Guid’Antonio, seu amigo e fiel aliado político, da investigação do misterioso quadro e do desaparecimento da bela rapariga.
Os florentinos, zangados e receosos, interpretam estes acontecimentos como sinais da fúria de Deus perante o seu apoio ao líder da cidade, Lorenzo de’Medici, e à recusa de Lorenzo em acabar a guerra com o papa.
Na iminência de perder o controlo sobre a cidade, Lorenzo encarrega Guid’Antonio, seu amigo e fiel aliado político, da investigação do misterioso quadro e do desaparecimento da bela rapariga.
368 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
10 people are currently reading
3411 people want to read
About the author
Alana White
8 books90 followersAlana White is the author of the Guid'Antonio Vespucci mystery series, whose titles include The Sign of the Weeping Virgin (#1) and The Hearts of All on Fire (#2). Both are set at the height of the Italian Renaissance in Florence, Italy. Other books include Come Next Spring, a coming of age novel set in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in the 1940s, and a biography of Sacagawea, Sacagawea: Westward With Lewis and Clark. She is a longtime member of the Historical Novel Society and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in Nashville, TN.
Alana welcomes readers and is always available for reader group chats. Please visit her at www.AlanaWhite.com for more information. As well as HNS and SCBWI, she is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, the Author's Guild, and the Women's National Book Association.
Alana welcomes readers and is always available for reader group chats. Please visit her at www.AlanaWhite.com for more information. As well as HNS and SCBWI, she is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, the Author's Guild, and the Women's National Book Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 29, 2013
Critics are praising Alana White's elegant prose and her skill in weaving a vast amount of historical detail into the plot of this fascinating mystery novel set in Renaissance Florence. I heartily concur, but also must note the considerable wit at work in the book--one of the many qualities that make it such an enjoyable reading experience.
It comes through in dialogue: "God, I've died and gone to heaven," her protagonist Guid'Antonio Vespucci says over a meal of roast pork and fried ravioli. "No, you've come home to Italy," remarks the man's nephew. It comes through in White's cleverly drawn minor characters, especially the all-knowing, sardonic Cesare, Guid'Antonio's manservant. And it comes through in the way White archly points out the parallels between 15th-century Florentine society and our own--the religious zealots whipping the masses into a frenzy of fear and misdirected blame, the deep divide between the haves and have-nots, the very character of Guid'Antonio, as full of angst, including the marital variety, as any male protagonist in contemporary fiction.
I found myself taking an odd sort of comfort in these parallels--the more things change, right? But they also helped deepen my connection to the story, the characters and their way of life so exotic, so different in so many ways from our own.
White takes us everywhere we've ever fantasized about in Renaissance Florence--an upper-class dining room serving up specialties of a fabulous cook, the studiolo of Lorenzo de Medici (where il Magnifico himself is holding forth), even the elegant apartment where Botticelli's Primavera holds pride of place in its original setting, framed and hanging over a daybed. Can you imagine being part of this culture, where so much art was springing up all around you every day? Where you could meet Michelangelo as a resolute little boy holding his father's hand in the marketplace? Where you could share in the suspense as to which artist would actually be chosen to decorate the Sistine Chapel?
White feeds all the fantasies, and teaches us a great deal about Italian history along the way. I also love the unique mystery that drives the plot. It's not a mere murderer her sleuth Guid'Antonio is trying to catch. No, he must save all of Florence. And that is a cause any lover of the City of Flowers can cheer for.
It comes through in dialogue: "God, I've died and gone to heaven," her protagonist Guid'Antonio Vespucci says over a meal of roast pork and fried ravioli. "No, you've come home to Italy," remarks the man's nephew. It comes through in White's cleverly drawn minor characters, especially the all-knowing, sardonic Cesare, Guid'Antonio's manservant. And it comes through in the way White archly points out the parallels between 15th-century Florentine society and our own--the religious zealots whipping the masses into a frenzy of fear and misdirected blame, the deep divide between the haves and have-nots, the very character of Guid'Antonio, as full of angst, including the marital variety, as any male protagonist in contemporary fiction.
I found myself taking an odd sort of comfort in these parallels--the more things change, right? But they also helped deepen my connection to the story, the characters and their way of life so exotic, so different in so many ways from our own.
White takes us everywhere we've ever fantasized about in Renaissance Florence--an upper-class dining room serving up specialties of a fabulous cook, the studiolo of Lorenzo de Medici (where il Magnifico himself is holding forth), even the elegant apartment where Botticelli's Primavera holds pride of place in its original setting, framed and hanging over a daybed. Can you imagine being part of this culture, where so much art was springing up all around you every day? Where you could meet Michelangelo as a resolute little boy holding his father's hand in the marketplace? Where you could share in the suspense as to which artist would actually be chosen to decorate the Sistine Chapel?
White feeds all the fantasies, and teaches us a great deal about Italian history along the way. I also love the unique mystery that drives the plot. It's not a mere murderer her sleuth Guid'Antonio is trying to catch. No, he must save all of Florence. And that is a cause any lover of the City of Flowers can cheer for.
January 16, 2020
"I believe she's an Andalusian," Palla said
"Absolutely, a Spanish breed." Excitement quavered in Amerigo's voice. "I've heard of them." With gentle hands, he quieted the mare's restive movements, running his fingers over her back and withers, then down each leg, inspecting the hooves, and then the teeth. He rubbed the animal's shoulder gently. "Excellent condition. Well fed, and there are few tangles in this extraordinary mass of curling tail and mane."
Guid'Antonio said, "And yet she's been missing and presumably wandering for almost two weeks."
Palla's dark gaze went to the stable keep. "Do please tell them your explanation for this."
The fellow lifted his hands up in a gesture of helpless wonder. "We are awash in miracles!"
Palla cut a smiling glance toward Guid'Antonio. "Remarkable, isn't it, how suddenly He is so prompt with them?"
The place is Florence, Italy. The year is 1480. Guid'Antonio Vespucci (a well known lawyer) has been recruited by Lorenzo de' Medici to unravel a series of mysteries and miraculous events which have sent Florence's populace into an uproar. First, a beautiful young bride (age 14) has been abducted on her way to the baths in the countryside. She was riding the horse mentioned in the opening quote. Her hysterical nurse and young slave both insist the abduction was the work of marauding Turks. If this wasn't enough, a painting of the Virgin Mary in a Florence church has suddenly begun weeping *real* tears.
Lorenzo, as unofficial (but widely acknowledged) leader of Florence, has been at war with the Pope over land disputes. In retaliation, the Pope excommunicated the ENTIRE city. No one is allowed to baptize babies, marry inside churches, or ritually bury their dead. To a superstitious populace, recent events seem to say that God Himself is raining vengeance down on them. Lorenzo, naturally, is concerned about these events, and enlists Guid'Antonio's aid in solving the mysteries.
Bottom line: White has given us a dazzling view into the art, culture, and lives of late 15th century Florence. We get to know several historically important characters (Leonardo da Vinci and Amerigo Vespucci to name a few). The pace flounders a few times, but I didn't have a difficult time staying engaged in the story line. I felt the ending was satisfactory, but at least one of the mysteries wasn't addressed fully (although whether it can be is a completely different matter for debate). I recommend this book as a library check out win, and even recommend shelling out money to buy this offering if you are a fan of renaissance Europe. Given 3.5 stars or a rating of "Very Good".
"Absolutely, a Spanish breed." Excitement quavered in Amerigo's voice. "I've heard of them." With gentle hands, he quieted the mare's restive movements, running his fingers over her back and withers, then down each leg, inspecting the hooves, and then the teeth. He rubbed the animal's shoulder gently. "Excellent condition. Well fed, and there are few tangles in this extraordinary mass of curling tail and mane."
Guid'Antonio said, "And yet she's been missing and presumably wandering for almost two weeks."
Palla's dark gaze went to the stable keep. "Do please tell them your explanation for this."
The fellow lifted his hands up in a gesture of helpless wonder. "We are awash in miracles!"
Palla cut a smiling glance toward Guid'Antonio. "Remarkable, isn't it, how suddenly He is so prompt with them?"
The place is Florence, Italy. The year is 1480. Guid'Antonio Vespucci (a well known lawyer) has been recruited by Lorenzo de' Medici to unravel a series of mysteries and miraculous events which have sent Florence's populace into an uproar. First, a beautiful young bride (age 14) has been abducted on her way to the baths in the countryside. She was riding the horse mentioned in the opening quote. Her hysterical nurse and young slave both insist the abduction was the work of marauding Turks. If this wasn't enough, a painting of the Virgin Mary in a Florence church has suddenly begun weeping *real* tears.
Lorenzo, as unofficial (but widely acknowledged) leader of Florence, has been at war with the Pope over land disputes. In retaliation, the Pope excommunicated the ENTIRE city. No one is allowed to baptize babies, marry inside churches, or ritually bury their dead. To a superstitious populace, recent events seem to say that God Himself is raining vengeance down on them. Lorenzo, naturally, is concerned about these events, and enlists Guid'Antonio's aid in solving the mysteries.
Bottom line: White has given us a dazzling view into the art, culture, and lives of late 15th century Florence. We get to know several historically important characters (Leonardo da Vinci and Amerigo Vespucci to name a few). The pace flounders a few times, but I didn't have a difficult time staying engaged in the story line. I felt the ending was satisfactory, but at least one of the mysteries wasn't addressed fully (although whether it can be is a completely different matter for debate). I recommend this book as a library check out win, and even recommend shelling out money to buy this offering if you are a fan of renaissance Europe. Given 3.5 stars or a rating of "Very Good".
September 6, 2017
http://www.alanawhite.com/the_sign_of...
An interesting but ultimately unsatisfying mystery of the historical figures Guid'Antonio Vespucci, a lawyer in 15th century Florence and his nephew, the [future] explorer, Amerigo and how they solve the mysteries of a disappeared girl and why a portrait of the Virgin Mary weeps. Guid-Antonio does not feel, like many townspeople, she weeps because of Lorenzo di Medici's trying to grab for power: he IS already the unofficial ruler. There is much intrigue involving the then-pope, Sextus IV, and excommunication of all of Florence. The novel moved slowly until near the end where things were revealed little by little. Doggerel written by Botticelli almost invisibly on his "St. Augustine" contributed to a major breakthrough. A famous portrait exists of Guid'Antonio, a middle-aged man in profile, dressed in his red lawyer's robes among a group of townsmen.
An interesting but ultimately unsatisfying mystery of the historical figures Guid'Antonio Vespucci, a lawyer in 15th century Florence and his nephew, the [future] explorer, Amerigo and how they solve the mysteries of a disappeared girl and why a portrait of the Virgin Mary weeps. Guid-Antonio does not feel, like many townspeople, she weeps because of Lorenzo di Medici's trying to grab for power: he IS already the unofficial ruler. There is much intrigue involving the then-pope, Sextus IV, and excommunication of all of Florence. The novel moved slowly until near the end where things were revealed little by little. Doggerel written by Botticelli almost invisibly on his "St. Augustine" contributed to a major breakthrough. A famous portrait exists of Guid'Antonio, a middle-aged man in profile, dressed in his red lawyer's robes among a group of townsmen.
April 23, 2015
Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!
I've always wanted to go to Europe - Italy, and France in particular, which is a big part of why historical fiction is such a favorite of mine. I'm a a major, unrepentant history nerd, and getting to read and see these fascinating locales in new ways through new books, especially ones so vividly drawn like Florence here with The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, is always a highlight of reading for me. Alana White's novel of Renaissance Florence is a strong, well-written and full of life, from the characters to the streets they walk. From the first page, the reader is caught up in the life of Guid'Antonio Vespucci, his famous nephew Amerigo Vespucci, and that of Il Magnifico - Lorenzo de' Medici. With a detailed, informative style and a clear voice, White's story is enveloping and vivid; a dense read but one that is rewarding.
The disappearance and assumed death of a young, beautiful Florentine wife, the "miraculous" appearance of the tears from a painting of the Virgin Mary, and the ongoing struggle with Pope Sixtus IV are all important factors to the plot, and the the struggles of the protagonist, Guid'Antonio. A Medici man through and through, one literally haunted by his failure to protect Lorenzo's murdered brother, Guid'Antonio finds himself charged with finding out whether there is a conspiracy to incite Florentines to revolt against their unofficial but powerful Medici leader. Guid'Antonio is a strong protagonist - full of principle, but also internal conflicts and doubts. He didn't develop as much as I would have liked, but this was a solid, intelligent lead for a strong mystery novel.
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin is consistently very evocative of Renaissance Florence. That's a very good thing, and what kept me coming back when I would struggle with the mystery. The vivid imagery is the strongest aspect of the novel, and Florence really comes to life under White's pen. From the neighborhoods and churches, to the Medici palace, White clearly knows her way around the City of Flowers, and it shows in her sensory language. The characters are solid, even if the secondary personages need a little more definition, the plot is compelling and fresh, and the mystery not easily uncovered, but it is the setting that really makes this novel stand out.
I did think the novel stalled a little bit in the middle. Guid'Antonio understandably has a lot of leads to run down, questions to be answered and people to be found and the pace slowed down enough to make my reading progress a bit difficult. I didn't want to stop reading The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, but I did want some faster revelations or progression on the mystery. The mystery is itself well-constructed; the red herrings few but believable until Vespucci disproves them, but it did feel a bit stretched (or ignored, as when Maria's mother takes over the story) at times. However, White is a more than capable author and she found her storytelling footing soon enough and kept me engaged til the end.
If you're a fan of Italy, or of the Italian renaissance, or interested in papal politics, or in the fascinating life of Lorenzo de' Medici, you cannot pass on Alana White's impressive The Sign of the Weeping Virgin. Good, convoluted historical mysteries with interesting characters and creative plots can be hard to come across and it will be a while until I find one that measures up to the caliber of White's first novel. Impressive, well-written, and with an excellent use of place-as-character, The Sign of the Weeping Virgin was a hit with me.
I've always wanted to go to Europe - Italy, and France in particular, which is a big part of why historical fiction is such a favorite of mine. I'm a a major, unrepentant history nerd, and getting to read and see these fascinating locales in new ways through new books, especially ones so vividly drawn like Florence here with The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, is always a highlight of reading for me. Alana White's novel of Renaissance Florence is a strong, well-written and full of life, from the characters to the streets they walk. From the first page, the reader is caught up in the life of Guid'Antonio Vespucci, his famous nephew Amerigo Vespucci, and that of Il Magnifico - Lorenzo de' Medici. With a detailed, informative style and a clear voice, White's story is enveloping and vivid; a dense read but one that is rewarding.
The disappearance and assumed death of a young, beautiful Florentine wife, the "miraculous" appearance of the tears from a painting of the Virgin Mary, and the ongoing struggle with Pope Sixtus IV are all important factors to the plot, and the the struggles of the protagonist, Guid'Antonio. A Medici man through and through, one literally haunted by his failure to protect Lorenzo's murdered brother, Guid'Antonio finds himself charged with finding out whether there is a conspiracy to incite Florentines to revolt against their unofficial but powerful Medici leader. Guid'Antonio is a strong protagonist - full of principle, but also internal conflicts and doubts. He didn't develop as much as I would have liked, but this was a solid, intelligent lead for a strong mystery novel.
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin is consistently very evocative of Renaissance Florence. That's a very good thing, and what kept me coming back when I would struggle with the mystery. The vivid imagery is the strongest aspect of the novel, and Florence really comes to life under White's pen. From the neighborhoods and churches, to the Medici palace, White clearly knows her way around the City of Flowers, and it shows in her sensory language. The characters are solid, even if the secondary personages need a little more definition, the plot is compelling and fresh, and the mystery not easily uncovered, but it is the setting that really makes this novel stand out.
I did think the novel stalled a little bit in the middle. Guid'Antonio understandably has a lot of leads to run down, questions to be answered and people to be found and the pace slowed down enough to make my reading progress a bit difficult. I didn't want to stop reading The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, but I did want some faster revelations or progression on the mystery. The mystery is itself well-constructed; the red herrings few but believable until Vespucci disproves them, but it did feel a bit stretched (or ignored, as when Maria's mother takes over the story) at times. However, White is a more than capable author and she found her storytelling footing soon enough and kept me engaged til the end.
If you're a fan of Italy, or of the Italian renaissance, or interested in papal politics, or in the fascinating life of Lorenzo de' Medici, you cannot pass on Alana White's impressive The Sign of the Weeping Virgin. Good, convoluted historical mysteries with interesting characters and creative plots can be hard to come across and it will be a while until I find one that measures up to the caliber of White's first novel. Impressive, well-written, and with an excellent use of place-as-character, The Sign of the Weeping Virgin was a hit with me.
March 19, 2013
A young woman goes missing. On the other side of Florence, a painting mysteriously begins weeping. Investigator Guid’Antonio Vespucci, friend of Lorenzo di Medici and newly returned from a diplomatic mission in France, is determined to get to the bottom of both mysteries. Is the weeping Virgin in the painting a sign of God's displeasure, as the congregation believes, or is it a product of human machinations? Alana White brings to life 15th century Florence with well-placed details and sharp dialogue in this well-researched mystery.
May 3, 2013
This is a work of graceful prose that transports you back to Renaissance Italy, with political intrigue and characters that are fully realized and completely fascinating. All the political intrigue is here, with references to known situations, issues, people, and localities. I'm sure those who are familiar with the streets of Florence and environs can trace all the activity of the story, as the environment is superbly described.
For aficionados of the Italian Renaissance, this is an enjoyable and rare treat.
For aficionados of the Italian Renaissance, this is an enjoyable and rare treat.
June 24, 2015
4.5 - 5 stars
An intriguing mystery set in late 15 c. Florence, filled with Machiavellian plots, engaging characters, and plenty of well-researched detail about the milieu of that time and place. Highly recommended, especially for readers interested in all aspects of everyday life and culture in Renaissance Italy.
An intriguing mystery set in late 15 c. Florence, filled with Machiavellian plots, engaging characters, and plenty of well-researched detail about the milieu of that time and place. Highly recommended, especially for readers interested in all aspects of everyday life and culture in Renaissance Italy.
February 20, 2013
An historical mystery set in 1480 Florence with an adherent of Lorenzo the Magnificent, Guid'Antonio, investigating again.
Yup, just learned it is a series---the Five Star Mystery. I have no idea why she's calling it the "Five Star" as White has a long way to go to achieve that rating.
For some reason I'm feeling generous in giving White a "3"---must be all the good research and few mechanical errors. It certainly isn't the copious loose threads and wandering storyline.
My Take
Kudos to White for the beautifully researched background for 1480 Florence. She did a lovely job of interweaving history into her mystery. That said, I found the telling of the tale to be very melodramatic and, in some ways, I couldn't wait to be done with it. The writing is immature and needs tightening. White kept dragging it out, and I was getting so bored, although I did enjoy how well she set her scenes.
Her characters need more depth. Lorenzo the Magnificent did not come across all that magnificently, but more as an unsure young man stepping into his father's shoes much too early. Nor was I impressed with the lackadaisical approach of Guid'Antonio and Amerigo to their investigation. It was a lot of talk without much action until the end. What was with their going off to examine the baths and then they turn around before they ever get there? As for questioning the father…that seemed rather obvious, and not something to postpone. Whatever did they discover about the Virgin's tears? Why was Giuliano with the Pazzis anyway?
Okay, so Guid'Antonio has been away from Florence and his family for two years. Nobody writes? Nobody keeps him informed as to what is happening in the city? Nobody says anything to Amerigo?
There are all these hints dropped about Maria's fidelity… The possibility for tension with his wife is set up...and it goes nowhere. I'm not buying Maria's whining about how Guid'Antonio worked for Lorenzo alone. If she's been raised in Italy, in Florentine society, she has to know how to keep her bread buttered…! Although, White did provide a LOT of tension in the opening chapters. Teasing me with all these ominous hints of changes and infidelity. I must say, if things really had gotten so bad, wouldn't someone, Cesare?, have mentioned that the men should be careful on their first day back in the city?
Why is the changed lock never explained? I can't imagine that Guid'Antonio has gone off without any servants, nor that he and Amerigo would be riding alone all that distance. Family boss? White throws out these little barbs from Guid'Antonio about Lorenzo, which also go nowhere. White also makes a point of marking the difference between the rotten food available in the market with the enticing food that appears on the Vespucci table, but we never learn where it comes from. For that matter, where is Elisabetta at dinner? What's with all the story padding with Lorenzo's mistresses and the one who got away from Guid'Antonio? Yes, padding. White throws these tidbits in to bring in the sex, and she'd have been better off concentrating on the love scenes Guid'Antonio has with his wife. Unless, of course, she's setting the stage for future installments. What was the point of the little sojourn off to Lorenzo's farm? Felt like more padding to me. Then after all his promises to Maria, there's that ending. On the plus side, the lack of conflict over it is typical White.
White has set it up to perform as a series. While I appreciate her attention to history and incorporating it accurately into the story, I would love it if she would provide the same attention to her characters and the actual execution of her plot.
The Story
It's been twenty-seven years since Mehmet took Constantinople and the unity wrought by that disaster has evaporated, especially with Sixtus IV needing more and more cities for his family to rule. Makes me think of Napoleon propping up all those thrones with his siblings' backsides.
After serving two years as ambassador to the French court of Louis XI drumming up support for the Medicis, Guid'Antonio and his young secretary/nephew, Amerigo, are finally heading home.
The Characters
The forty-four-year-old Guid'Antonio Vespucci is both friend and supporter of Lorenzo de'Medici and has a doctorate of law. Maria del Vigna is his second wife; Giovanni is his five-year-old son. Mona Alessandra del Vigna, Maria's mother, is ill. Cesare Ridolfi is his manservant. The one who stayed in Italy while his master went to France. Olimpia Pasquale is the lusty nurse for his son. Domenica is Cesare's mother and the household cook.
Amerigo Vespucci is the twenty-six-year-old nephew who accompanied Guid'Antonio to France as his secretary. Doesn't seem to have learnt much in terms of thinking before he speaks. Antonio is Amerigo's older brother and a notary who has kept the Vespucci businesses earning while Guid'Antonio and Amerigo were in France. Nastagio is Amerigo and Antonio's father and very anti-Lorenzo; Elisabetta is his bitchy wife. Brother Giorgio is another uncle, and he hasn't been told the state of the family finances.
Lorenzo de'Medici is the thirty-one-year-old unofficial head of Florentine government. He is married to Clarice Orsini, a Roman, and they have two sons: Piero and Giovanni. Giuliano is his younger brother. Bianca is their sister, unfortunately married to Guglielmo de'Pazzi, Francesco's brother. Angelo Poliziano had been a friend of Lorenzo's until he paid him back with cowardice. Lorenzino and Giovanni are under Lorenzo's guardianship; too bad he's thieving from them. Lucrezia Tornabuoni de'Medici is Lorenzo's powerhouse of a mother.
The government of Florence
Chancellor Bartolomeo Scala is worn down with governing Florence and worrying over his wife Madalena's sixth pregnancy. Alessandro Braccesi is Scala's assistant. There are nine Lords Prior including: Tommaso Soderini, who is also the Gonfaloniere of Justice and Lorenzo's uncle by marriage---and suspected of plotting against him; Antonio Capponi; Pierfilippo Pandolfini; and, Piero di Nasi.
Palla Palmierie is Florence's chief of police (?). Sandro Botticelli is finishing up a fresco in the Ognissanti Church, a commission from the Vespuccis. Leonardo da Vinci has just opened his own shop. Luca Landucci is an apothecary, who will work on figuring out how the tears work in exchange for advance warning. Neri Saginetto owns a pleasant tavern that he runs with help from his beautiful daughter Evangelista.
Brother Martino Leone seems to have gone mad with Brother Paolo trying to chase him down and both of them guarded by Ferdinando Bongiovi. Roberto Ughi is the father abbot and a supporter of Sixtus. Brother Battista Bellincioni is the almoner.
The beauteous Camilla Rossi da Vinci is married to a fat wine merchant, Castruccio Senso. Margherita is her ancient nurse; Luigi is her young slave. Jacopo Rossi da Vinci is her very angry father. Senso is doing business with Salvestro Aboati.
The enemies of Medici Florence
The Pazzi conspirators
Francesco de'Pazzi struck the remaining blows once Bernardo Bandini's axe fell. Piero Vespucci, a relative, is in the Stinche while his son, Marco, is exiled.
Pope Sixtus IV wants Lorenzo and the Medicis dead and gone. He's recently completed the construction of the chapel that will come to be known as the Sistine, but he needs the Florentine artisans to make it beautiful. Count Girolamo Riario is one of Sixtus' nephews and a vicious, greedy man.
King Ferrante of Naples has allied with the pope. Prince Alfonzo leads Ferrante's troops against Florence.
The Cover
The cover has a Renaissance feel to it with an intricate gray-green carved border blending into the waters under the golden-hued bridge outside the city of Florence, and its tinted golden sky blending into the weeping Virgin.
The title terrifies the Florentines into wondering if God has abandoned them when they learn of The Sign of the Weeping Virgin.
Yup, just learned it is a series---the Five Star Mystery. I have no idea why she's calling it the "Five Star" as White has a long way to go to achieve that rating.
For some reason I'm feeling generous in giving White a "3"---must be all the good research and few mechanical errors. It certainly isn't the copious loose threads and wandering storyline.
My Take
Kudos to White for the beautifully researched background for 1480 Florence. She did a lovely job of interweaving history into her mystery. That said, I found the telling of the tale to be very melodramatic and, in some ways, I couldn't wait to be done with it. The writing is immature and needs tightening. White kept dragging it out, and I was getting so bored, although I did enjoy how well she set her scenes.
Her characters need more depth. Lorenzo the Magnificent did not come across all that magnificently, but more as an unsure young man stepping into his father's shoes much too early. Nor was I impressed with the lackadaisical approach of Guid'Antonio and Amerigo to their investigation. It was a lot of talk without much action until the end. What was with their going off to examine the baths and then they turn around before they ever get there? As for questioning the father…that seemed rather obvious, and not something to postpone. Whatever did they discover about the Virgin's tears? Why was Giuliano with the Pazzis anyway?
Okay, so Guid'Antonio has been away from Florence and his family for two years. Nobody writes? Nobody keeps him informed as to what is happening in the city? Nobody says anything to Amerigo?
There are all these hints dropped about Maria's fidelity… The possibility for tension with his wife is set up...and it goes nowhere. I'm not buying Maria's whining about how Guid'Antonio worked for Lorenzo alone. If she's been raised in Italy, in Florentine society, she has to know how to keep her bread buttered…! Although, White did provide a LOT of tension in the opening chapters. Teasing me with all these ominous hints of changes and infidelity. I must say, if things really had gotten so bad, wouldn't someone, Cesare?, have mentioned that the men should be careful on their first day back in the city?
Why is the changed lock never explained? I can't imagine that Guid'Antonio has gone off without any servants, nor that he and Amerigo would be riding alone all that distance. Family boss? White throws out these little barbs from Guid'Antonio about Lorenzo, which also go nowhere. White also makes a point of marking the difference between the rotten food available in the market with the enticing food that appears on the Vespucci table, but we never learn where it comes from. For that matter, where is Elisabetta at dinner? What's with all the story padding with Lorenzo's mistresses and the one who got away from Guid'Antonio? Yes, padding. White throws these tidbits in to bring in the sex, and she'd have been better off concentrating on the love scenes Guid'Antonio has with his wife. Unless, of course, she's setting the stage for future installments. What was the point of the little sojourn off to Lorenzo's farm? Felt like more padding to me. Then after all his promises to Maria, there's that ending. On the plus side, the lack of conflict over it is typical White.
White has set it up to perform as a series. While I appreciate her attention to history and incorporating it accurately into the story, I would love it if she would provide the same attention to her characters and the actual execution of her plot.
The Story
It's been twenty-seven years since Mehmet took Constantinople and the unity wrought by that disaster has evaporated, especially with Sixtus IV needing more and more cities for his family to rule. Makes me think of Napoleon propping up all those thrones with his siblings' backsides.
After serving two years as ambassador to the French court of Louis XI drumming up support for the Medicis, Guid'Antonio and his young secretary/nephew, Amerigo, are finally heading home.
The Characters
The forty-four-year-old Guid'Antonio Vespucci is both friend and supporter of Lorenzo de'Medici and has a doctorate of law. Maria del Vigna is his second wife; Giovanni is his five-year-old son. Mona Alessandra del Vigna, Maria's mother, is ill. Cesare Ridolfi is his manservant. The one who stayed in Italy while his master went to France. Olimpia Pasquale is the lusty nurse for his son. Domenica is Cesare's mother and the household cook.
Amerigo Vespucci is the twenty-six-year-old nephew who accompanied Guid'Antonio to France as his secretary. Doesn't seem to have learnt much in terms of thinking before he speaks. Antonio is Amerigo's older brother and a notary who has kept the Vespucci businesses earning while Guid'Antonio and Amerigo were in France. Nastagio is Amerigo and Antonio's father and very anti-Lorenzo; Elisabetta is his bitchy wife. Brother Giorgio is another uncle, and he hasn't been told the state of the family finances.
Lorenzo de'Medici is the thirty-one-year-old unofficial head of Florentine government. He is married to Clarice Orsini, a Roman, and they have two sons: Piero and Giovanni. Giuliano is his younger brother. Bianca is their sister, unfortunately married to Guglielmo de'Pazzi, Francesco's brother. Angelo Poliziano had been a friend of Lorenzo's until he paid him back with cowardice. Lorenzino and Giovanni are under Lorenzo's guardianship; too bad he's thieving from them. Lucrezia Tornabuoni de'Medici is Lorenzo's powerhouse of a mother.
The government of Florence
Chancellor Bartolomeo Scala is worn down with governing Florence and worrying over his wife Madalena's sixth pregnancy. Alessandro Braccesi is Scala's assistant. There are nine Lords Prior including: Tommaso Soderini, who is also the Gonfaloniere of Justice and Lorenzo's uncle by marriage---and suspected of plotting against him; Antonio Capponi; Pierfilippo Pandolfini; and, Piero di Nasi.
Palla Palmierie is Florence's chief of police (?). Sandro Botticelli is finishing up a fresco in the Ognissanti Church, a commission from the Vespuccis. Leonardo da Vinci has just opened his own shop. Luca Landucci is an apothecary, who will work on figuring out how the tears work in exchange for advance warning. Neri Saginetto owns a pleasant tavern that he runs with help from his beautiful daughter Evangelista.
Brother Martino Leone seems to have gone mad with Brother Paolo trying to chase him down and both of them guarded by Ferdinando Bongiovi. Roberto Ughi is the father abbot and a supporter of Sixtus. Brother Battista Bellincioni is the almoner.
The beauteous Camilla Rossi da Vinci is married to a fat wine merchant, Castruccio Senso. Margherita is her ancient nurse; Luigi is her young slave. Jacopo Rossi da Vinci is her very angry father. Senso is doing business with Salvestro Aboati.
The enemies of Medici Florence
The Pazzi conspirators
Francesco de'Pazzi struck the remaining blows once Bernardo Bandini's axe fell. Piero Vespucci, a relative, is in the Stinche while his son, Marco, is exiled.
Pope Sixtus IV wants Lorenzo and the Medicis dead and gone. He's recently completed the construction of the chapel that will come to be known as the Sistine, but he needs the Florentine artisans to make it beautiful. Count Girolamo Riario is one of Sixtus' nephews and a vicious, greedy man.
King Ferrante of Naples has allied with the pope. Prince Alfonzo leads Ferrante's troops against Florence.
The Cover
The cover has a Renaissance feel to it with an intricate gray-green carved border blending into the waters under the golden-hued bridge outside the city of Florence, and its tinted golden sky blending into the weeping Virgin.
The title terrifies the Florentines into wondering if God has abandoned them when they learn of The Sign of the Weeping Virgin.
August 16, 2024
Dois acontecimentos que a autora sobre os quais teceu uma pequena teia, utilizando fios de histórias reais de Florença e das suas famílias e homens mais influentes na época, entre eles grandes nomes do Renascimento. Uma linhas melhores ligadas que outras, que culminam num final morno e precipitado.
May 2, 2022
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin is a real treasure for lovers of the Renaissance in Florence. We see Florence at a turbulent time in its history, through the eyes of protagonist Guid’Antonio Vespucci (a historical person), who has just returned to his city after two years away. Thus, the reader discovers the nature of the current political strife along with Guid’Antonio, as he catches up on all that has happened since his departure.
This story works on three levels, all related: there is Florence’s political situation, presented with clarity by this knowledgeable author; there is the immediate mystery to be solved; and there are Guid’Antonio’s personal difficulties, because, like every good detective, he has his own messy life to contend with as well as the broader problems he’s working on. Guid’Antonio is a Medici man, haunted by the murder of Giuliano de’ Medici two years before the book begins, and that allegiance colors everything he does in this vividly realized trip through 15th century Florence.
One of the many pleasures of this book is the chance to glimpse famous Renaissance personages, coming alive in the context of the story. We meet Amerigo Vespucci, Lorenzo the Magnificent, Sandro Botticelli, Andrea Verrocchio, Leonardo da Vinci, and the prolific diarist Luca Landucci, and we even get a quick look at a very young Michelangelo. There are also several references to works of art, new then, but so well known to us now that many readers will immediately be able to picture them as they crop up.
Virgin brings Florence to the reader in living color, with the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of that remarkable period all right there to experience. Highly recommended!
This story works on three levels, all related: there is Florence’s political situation, presented with clarity by this knowledgeable author; there is the immediate mystery to be solved; and there are Guid’Antonio’s personal difficulties, because, like every good detective, he has his own messy life to contend with as well as the broader problems he’s working on. Guid’Antonio is a Medici man, haunted by the murder of Giuliano de’ Medici two years before the book begins, and that allegiance colors everything he does in this vividly realized trip through 15th century Florence.
One of the many pleasures of this book is the chance to glimpse famous Renaissance personages, coming alive in the context of the story. We meet Amerigo Vespucci, Lorenzo the Magnificent, Sandro Botticelli, Andrea Verrocchio, Leonardo da Vinci, and the prolific diarist Luca Landucci, and we even get a quick look at a very young Michelangelo. There are also several references to works of art, new then, but so well known to us now that many readers will immediately be able to picture them as they crop up.
Virgin brings Florence to the reader in living color, with the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of that remarkable period all right there to experience. Highly recommended!
February 10, 2013
In her impressive historical novel, The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, Alana White reprises Florence in the 15th Century through her protagonist, Guid’ Antonio Vespucci. As the novel opens, Guid Antonio, accompanied by his nephew Amerigo, has returned to Florence after a diplomatic assignment in France.
A respected lawyer and trusted friend of Florence’s most prominent citizen, Lorenz di Medici, Guid’ Antonio finds some disturbing changes in the city he loves. The city’s depleted treasury has created a number of desperately poor citizens. A young woman has disappeared, supposedly abducted by the Turks and sold into slavery. Even more baffling, the painting of the Virgin Mary in the Vespucci family church has begun to weep. This phenomenon is seen by superstitious Florentines as a sign that the city is cursed by God because Lorenzo di Medici refuses to end his war with Pope Sixtus IV in Rome. As a “Medici man,” Guid’ Antonio must deal with new and as yet, unidentified enemies: “Whatever the circumstances, Florence, Lorenzo, and Guid’Antonio, the Medicis and the Vespuccis, were one and the same.”
As Guid’Antonio and Amerigo set out to unravel these mysteries, they are beset by rumors and whispers, as well as political turmoil which escalates as the Turkish king moves to expand his Islamic empire and Pope Sixtus surreptitiously acquires a large tract of land too close to Florence.
In Guid’ Antonio Vespucci, Alana White has created an intelligent, compelling protagonist who invites further development in subsequent novels. However, the center of this historical mystery is Renaissance Florence, a vibrant presence painted by the writer in rich lights and shadows, much like the paintings of Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci, both of whom appear as characters in the book. From the well-crafted suspense through the political machinations to the domestic details of the Florentines’ households, White has painted a luminous and textured portrait of Florence that lingers in the reader’s mind long after the end of the novel.
A respected lawyer and trusted friend of Florence’s most prominent citizen, Lorenz di Medici, Guid’ Antonio finds some disturbing changes in the city he loves. The city’s depleted treasury has created a number of desperately poor citizens. A young woman has disappeared, supposedly abducted by the Turks and sold into slavery. Even more baffling, the painting of the Virgin Mary in the Vespucci family church has begun to weep. This phenomenon is seen by superstitious Florentines as a sign that the city is cursed by God because Lorenzo di Medici refuses to end his war with Pope Sixtus IV in Rome. As a “Medici man,” Guid’ Antonio must deal with new and as yet, unidentified enemies: “Whatever the circumstances, Florence, Lorenzo, and Guid’Antonio, the Medicis and the Vespuccis, were one and the same.”
As Guid’Antonio and Amerigo set out to unravel these mysteries, they are beset by rumors and whispers, as well as political turmoil which escalates as the Turkish king moves to expand his Islamic empire and Pope Sixtus surreptitiously acquires a large tract of land too close to Florence.
In Guid’ Antonio Vespucci, Alana White has created an intelligent, compelling protagonist who invites further development in subsequent novels. However, the center of this historical mystery is Renaissance Florence, a vibrant presence painted by the writer in rich lights and shadows, much like the paintings of Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci, both of whom appear as characters in the book. From the well-crafted suspense through the political machinations to the domestic details of the Florentines’ households, White has painted a luminous and textured portrait of Florence that lingers in the reader’s mind long after the end of the novel.
February 15, 2013
If I pronounce the word Medici, I bet you will first think about Catherine de’ Medici (1547–1559), a Regent Queen of France. By then, the Medici dynasty was actually already a century old and powerful.
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin centers around Lorenzo de’ Medici, also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449 – 1492). Living at the time of the Italian Renaissance, he is well known for supporting the arts.
The hero is Guid’Antonio Vespucci (see Alana White’s page, in the right column), Lorenzo’s friend and supporter; also ambassador to France and to other essential diplomatic missions.
I knew almost nothing about Lorenzo de’ Medici and had never heard about Guid’Antonio.
We had lots of history classes in France related to the Papal states and their evolution, but again, presented as something isolated. This book beautifully puts to light the struggles of power between...
My full review is here:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2013/02/15/b...
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin centers around Lorenzo de’ Medici, also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449 – 1492). Living at the time of the Italian Renaissance, he is well known for supporting the arts.
The hero is Guid’Antonio Vespucci (see Alana White’s page, in the right column), Lorenzo’s friend and supporter; also ambassador to France and to other essential diplomatic missions.
I knew almost nothing about Lorenzo de’ Medici and had never heard about Guid’Antonio.
We had lots of history classes in France related to the Papal states and their evolution, but again, presented as something isolated. This book beautifully puts to light the struggles of power between...
My full review is here:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2013/02/15/b...
February 10, 2013
I really wanted to like this. I like historical mysteries. This one is set in 1480 in Florence. But instead of catching the reader's attention, the author began with the history of the time. Yes, it was critical to the story, but should have come out in the story. It was full of details of the period, but more as if the author wanted to prove she knew what she was writing about. She thanked the Nashville Public Library and a Nashville writers group. They should have helped more. She needed an editor to help her. I didn't even care if the mystery were solved, and as far as I could tell, only one of the two mysteries was solved.
February 16, 2016
Though it's billed as a historical mystery, I place this one squarely in the classic historical fiction category. The most mysterious mystery is never truly solved, though many truth and discoveries are revealed along the way. However, fans of history - and especially the Italian Renaissance - will appreciate the flowery detail, vivid descriptions, and wide cast of characters (both familiar and new) who bring 1480 Florence to life.
August 13, 2013
I just won this book from Goodreads and am so excited to read it! Thank you for this opportunity!
July 1, 2022
A delightful read! This taste of Renaissance Florence couched in the form of a historical mystery is a story to savor like a glass of good Chianti. Others have commented on the larger plot lines, so I will just note a few details I liked.
- It was interesting to see great Florentine Renaissance artists not as isolated geniuses as in an art book, but as a community of talented men who knew each other, each yearning to be chosen to fill the blank spaces of the newly completed Sistine Chapel. Somehow having Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Michelangelo as cameo characters in a single story brought it home to me what a remarkable place Florence was in 1480.
- The dialogue felt very Italian in its cadence and style.
- The book gives a vivid portrayal of life in a city-state. It’s a special kind of loyalty and social cohesion that is unfamiliar to most modern readers (like me), but which White has portrayed convincingly.
- Finally, the relationship between the story’s detective, the historical character Guid’Antonio Vespucci, and Lorenzo de’Medici, the ‘first among equals’ of the Florentine Republic, is given a nuanced treatment. There is a whiff of the Mafia in how the Medici family operates in the novel, but only a whiff. We see Lorenzo and his family through the eyes of Guid’Antonio, who admires Lorenzo and considers him a friend, but a friend he has to be careful with and whose ambitions he finds slightly troubling, but does not go so far as to openly question. There is a tacit understanding that there are lines he cannot cross with this valued, loved, but powerful friend. This paradox of a friendship was the deeper mystery of the story to me.
When I read historical novels, I like to be confronted with a culture and mindset that is alien to me, but authentic to the time. This novel did not disappoint!
- It was interesting to see great Florentine Renaissance artists not as isolated geniuses as in an art book, but as a community of talented men who knew each other, each yearning to be chosen to fill the blank spaces of the newly completed Sistine Chapel. Somehow having Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Michelangelo as cameo characters in a single story brought it home to me what a remarkable place Florence was in 1480.
- The dialogue felt very Italian in its cadence and style.
- The book gives a vivid portrayal of life in a city-state. It’s a special kind of loyalty and social cohesion that is unfamiliar to most modern readers (like me), but which White has portrayed convincingly.
- Finally, the relationship between the story’s detective, the historical character Guid’Antonio Vespucci, and Lorenzo de’Medici, the ‘first among equals’ of the Florentine Republic, is given a nuanced treatment. There is a whiff of the Mafia in how the Medici family operates in the novel, but only a whiff. We see Lorenzo and his family through the eyes of Guid’Antonio, who admires Lorenzo and considers him a friend, but a friend he has to be careful with and whose ambitions he finds slightly troubling, but does not go so far as to openly question. There is a tacit understanding that there are lines he cannot cross with this valued, loved, but powerful friend. This paradox of a friendship was the deeper mystery of the story to me.
When I read historical novels, I like to be confronted with a culture and mindset that is alien to me, but authentic to the time. This novel did not disappoint!
November 21, 2014
Sometimes, when you love a book, you just can't get through it fast enough. You devour its entirety swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it is complete. Other times when you love a book, you truly need to just savor it slowly, relishing the sensation as if to prolong the experience. The Sign of the Weeping Virgin was certainly in the latter category for me; I enjoyed every aspect of this book so much that I took a very long time to complete it.
This book came into my hands when I was contacted by the author, Alana White, who after enjoying my review of another Italian history book, requested that I read hers and share my thoughts. Instantly, I was flattered by her appreciation and respect for my experience and research in Renaissance Italy, and extremely excited that she would think of me in this way. To be recognized by a scholar in the field with far more credentials than myself is a wonderful feeling. Understand that her connection certainly doesn't bias my review, but considering the stories coming out recently about bad-behaving authors, it is nice to acknowledge those who really are gems. Alana White is a gem.
Now, to the book. The Sign of the Weeping Virgin begins in Florence two years after the Pazzi Conspiracy. Florentine investigator and Medici man Guid'Antonio Vespucci, has just returned from France and is immediately confronted with major issues that threaten Lorenzo de Medici's ('il Magnifico) grip on Florence, and the stability of the entire city. A well known Florentine woman has gone missing, supposedly abducted by Turks, and if that were not quite enough to cause fear and panic, a Holy painting of the Virgin Mary begins to weep - signifying to some the Virgin's displeasure with Medici rule, causing great unrest. Guid'Antonio must get to the bottom of the disappearance and the 'miraculous' tears, all while attempting to reconcile his own place in this ever changing political landscape.
With reference to the whole, I enthusiastically applaud the author's stylistic choices in presentation. Alana White approaches the history in a way that clearly demonstrates her superior perspicacity of Renaissance Florence, and will thrill and gratify someone who is well educated on the topic. However, it is also expertly presented for a reader who may not have the academic background. She finds a magical middle ground where the information necessary is almost casually expressed, so that it is not overwhelming to grasp context, but fully represents the history and the major powers in play. It takes great skill for any historian to find a concise clear way of outlining one of the most complex and rich eras of history, and she has done so masterfully.
The treatment of massively significant historical figures in this book is also handled with great finesse. The writing manages to be reverent of many immensely influential characters, without over-romanticizing or essentializing their personalities. Figures like Lorenzo Medici, Amerigo Vespucci, Botticelli, da Vinci, and so many others are presented with genuine personalities and subtleties that make them human, rather than an idealized figure of eras long past. I can appreciate an author that allows a character to speak for themselves through action, without imposing their personal judgement or bias. Additionally, I enjoyed the imagery presented in the writing as both beautiful and accurate. Having been to Florence, many scenes sprung clear pictures to my mind, but even beyond that, descriptions of food, clothing and atmosphere were all quite artful, without being cumbersome.
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin is overflowing with an immense amount of little details to appreciate - so much so, that I will yet likely uncover more on subsequent re-reads. These little moments, often no more than a mere mention or half line,completely enriched my experience, and often left me smiling a giddy history-nerd smile behind the pages. One that stood out to me was the Lorenzo's exasperated interactions with his son Piero, for knowing that Piero will grow up to be widely known as the most disappointing Medici ("Piero the Unfortunate"), gave these brief mentions so much more meaning.
Another huge success of this book is its ability to bring together many varying aspects of Renaissance life. Many authors focusing in a historical context will choose one class - the nobles, or the peasants, and focus all their attention there. This book manages to showcase the lives of the nobles and political figures in the republic, religious life and its immense pressures, as well as the life of a woman in the Renaissance. But it does not stop there, for it also showcases the cultivation of art and culture and the major players of that, as well as the common folk, and even slavery. These personalized insights, however brief some may be, help to extrapolate the entirety of the human Renaissance experience.
This is a book I would recommend not only to historians and fans of Florence, but to all readers who are looking to expand their horizons. It is a fun read, a witty one, and yet will enthrall you with all the richness this historical period has to offer. Do not pass this one up. It will definitely be a favourite of mine for the whole year!
On a side note: Her recommendations for further reading and cited sources make me happy.
This book came into my hands when I was contacted by the author, Alana White, who after enjoying my review of another Italian history book, requested that I read hers and share my thoughts. Instantly, I was flattered by her appreciation and respect for my experience and research in Renaissance Italy, and extremely excited that she would think of me in this way. To be recognized by a scholar in the field with far more credentials than myself is a wonderful feeling. Understand that her connection certainly doesn't bias my review, but considering the stories coming out recently about bad-behaving authors, it is nice to acknowledge those who really are gems. Alana White is a gem.
Now, to the book. The Sign of the Weeping Virgin begins in Florence two years after the Pazzi Conspiracy. Florentine investigator and Medici man Guid'Antonio Vespucci, has just returned from France and is immediately confronted with major issues that threaten Lorenzo de Medici's ('il Magnifico) grip on Florence, and the stability of the entire city. A well known Florentine woman has gone missing, supposedly abducted by Turks, and if that were not quite enough to cause fear and panic, a Holy painting of the Virgin Mary begins to weep - signifying to some the Virgin's displeasure with Medici rule, causing great unrest. Guid'Antonio must get to the bottom of the disappearance and the 'miraculous' tears, all while attempting to reconcile his own place in this ever changing political landscape.
With reference to the whole, I enthusiastically applaud the author's stylistic choices in presentation. Alana White approaches the history in a way that clearly demonstrates her superior perspicacity of Renaissance Florence, and will thrill and gratify someone who is well educated on the topic. However, it is also expertly presented for a reader who may not have the academic background. She finds a magical middle ground where the information necessary is almost casually expressed, so that it is not overwhelming to grasp context, but fully represents the history and the major powers in play. It takes great skill for any historian to find a concise clear way of outlining one of the most complex and rich eras of history, and she has done so masterfully.
The treatment of massively significant historical figures in this book is also handled with great finesse. The writing manages to be reverent of many immensely influential characters, without over-romanticizing or essentializing their personalities. Figures like Lorenzo Medici, Amerigo Vespucci, Botticelli, da Vinci, and so many others are presented with genuine personalities and subtleties that make them human, rather than an idealized figure of eras long past. I can appreciate an author that allows a character to speak for themselves through action, without imposing their personal judgement or bias. Additionally, I enjoyed the imagery presented in the writing as both beautiful and accurate. Having been to Florence, many scenes sprung clear pictures to my mind, but even beyond that, descriptions of food, clothing and atmosphere were all quite artful, without being cumbersome.
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin is overflowing with an immense amount of little details to appreciate - so much so, that I will yet likely uncover more on subsequent re-reads. These little moments, often no more than a mere mention or half line,completely enriched my experience, and often left me smiling a giddy history-nerd smile behind the pages. One that stood out to me was the Lorenzo's exasperated interactions with his son Piero, for knowing that Piero will grow up to be widely known as the most disappointing Medici ("Piero the Unfortunate"), gave these brief mentions so much more meaning.
Another huge success of this book is its ability to bring together many varying aspects of Renaissance life. Many authors focusing in a historical context will choose one class - the nobles, or the peasants, and focus all their attention there. This book manages to showcase the lives of the nobles and political figures in the republic, religious life and its immense pressures, as well as the life of a woman in the Renaissance. But it does not stop there, for it also showcases the cultivation of art and culture and the major players of that, as well as the common folk, and even slavery. These personalized insights, however brief some may be, help to extrapolate the entirety of the human Renaissance experience.
This is a book I would recommend not only to historians and fans of Florence, but to all readers who are looking to expand their horizons. It is a fun read, a witty one, and yet will enthrall you with all the richness this historical period has to offer. Do not pass this one up. It will definitely be a favourite of mine for the whole year!
On a side note: Her recommendations for further reading and cited sources make me happy.
June 16, 2022
Read this book on the heels of finishing Pope Joan, so the historical time periods meshed well and kept me in that world of Church and politics. There were several plot lines to follow to get to the bottom of why/how the virgin was weeping. White threaded the needle expertly as she wove the tapestry of the red herrings, false starts, and villains. Enjoyed being immersed in Florence with these characters. The giant mastiff (featured on the cover) was a nice touch, and I hope he will show up in future books in the series as more of a major character!
August 25, 2025
Walk the streets and alleyways of medieval Florence and the surrounding countryside. Marvel at the art and artists filling all the churches with masterpieces even while the people starve. It's a study in contrasts surrounding a mystery our main character Guid'Antonio Vespucci must unravel, while dancing the delicate steps of political friendships. I enjoyed this meaty, complex, and atmospheric mystery my Alana White. Brava!
December 16, 2022
It was a tough read.
April 26, 2023
Saw this author in a Tennessee trivial book. Having little knowledge of the Italian Renaissance, this book intrigued me. It transported me to 15th century Florence.
October 21, 2024
DNF - I could barely get through the first 100 pages, it was tedious. While in Florence Italy, I thought this might be a good historical fiction book to read. I was wrong.
July 5, 2025
Incredible level of historical detail, really feels like a fleshed-out 15th century Florence
August 6, 2016
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin by Alana White is a historical mystery that takes place during the Renaissance era which is one of my favorite time periods so this novel really appealed to me. More intriguing is the mystery of the missing beautiful girl and the painting of the Virgin Mary crying miraculous tears. This novel is rich in historical detail and is beautifully written in such a way that it brings the streets of Florence alive to it’s readers.
The novel opens with Guid’ Antonio returning home to his wife and child after being away in Rome for two years on political business. Guid’ Antonio, a respected lawyer, is a prominent citizen, in part due to his friendship with Lorenzo de’ Medici, the city’s leader. When he and his nephew Amerigo go to see what has been happening in the city they are surprised to find that their once peaceful city is no longer. It seems that the kidnapping of the girl by the Turks and the tears of the Virgin Mary have the citizens of the city believing it is because of God’s wrath against Lorenzo de’ Medici and his adamant refusal to end his war with the Pope.
Lorenzo believes it is all a set up as does Guid’ Antonio as well so he sets out to investigate along with his nephew. Their investigation takes us on a whirlwind journey from the marketplaces of Florence to the studios of famous painters Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli. All the while clues are being discovered that are leading them closer and closer to discovering who is behind the mysterious happenings but can Guid’ Antonio stay out of danger with all the upheaval in the city against the de’ Medici’s long enough to do the solving.
I found the beginning of the novel a bit slow as you are being introduced to all the characters and even the story is slow to start as Guid’ Antonio has just arrived home and is familiarizing himself with everything again. However as it got going I became more and more invested in finding out what or who was behind the missing girl and the tears of the Virgin Mary in Guid’ Antonio’s church. This book is apparently the first in a series featuring Guid’ Antonio and the only thing I would say that I’d love to see in future books is more character development in terms of seeing more of Guid’ Antonio’s family life included as it would give him more of a personal feel to the reader – I didn’t feel I got to know him as much as I would have liked. Other than that though I really enjoyed the story and I’m looking forward to hopefully reading more mysteries with Guid’ Antonio as the lead character.
If you enjoy historical mysteries and the Renaissance period as I do then my guess is you’d really enjoy this novel. It’s a book to take your time with and savor otherwise you may miss the beautiful sights and sounds of Florence that are brought alive on it’s pages.
The novel opens with Guid’ Antonio returning home to his wife and child after being away in Rome for two years on political business. Guid’ Antonio, a respected lawyer, is a prominent citizen, in part due to his friendship with Lorenzo de’ Medici, the city’s leader. When he and his nephew Amerigo go to see what has been happening in the city they are surprised to find that their once peaceful city is no longer. It seems that the kidnapping of the girl by the Turks and the tears of the Virgin Mary have the citizens of the city believing it is because of God’s wrath against Lorenzo de’ Medici and his adamant refusal to end his war with the Pope.
Lorenzo believes it is all a set up as does Guid’ Antonio as well so he sets out to investigate along with his nephew. Their investigation takes us on a whirlwind journey from the marketplaces of Florence to the studios of famous painters Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli. All the while clues are being discovered that are leading them closer and closer to discovering who is behind the mysterious happenings but can Guid’ Antonio stay out of danger with all the upheaval in the city against the de’ Medici’s long enough to do the solving.
I found the beginning of the novel a bit slow as you are being introduced to all the characters and even the story is slow to start as Guid’ Antonio has just arrived home and is familiarizing himself with everything again. However as it got going I became more and more invested in finding out what or who was behind the missing girl and the tears of the Virgin Mary in Guid’ Antonio’s church. This book is apparently the first in a series featuring Guid’ Antonio and the only thing I would say that I’d love to see in future books is more character development in terms of seeing more of Guid’ Antonio’s family life included as it would give him more of a personal feel to the reader – I didn’t feel I got to know him as much as I would have liked. Other than that though I really enjoyed the story and I’m looking forward to hopefully reading more mysteries with Guid’ Antonio as the lead character.
If you enjoy historical mysteries and the Renaissance period as I do then my guess is you’d really enjoy this novel. It’s a book to take your time with and savor otherwise you may miss the beautiful sights and sounds of Florence that are brought alive on it’s pages.
April 27, 2014
This is this Authors debut novel in the realm of historical fiction and, as much as I enjoy good historical fiction, I just couldn’t get into this one at all. I think it was a case of the classic line ‘it’s me, honestly, not you’.
To say the cast of characters in this book is immense would be an under-statement, and I felt at times it would have helped me along in my reading if there had been a character list printed in the front of the book; I have a sneaky feeling that many other readers who pick up this book may feel the same way too. Although none of the characters stand out in the book, they are interesting to say the least, and the main protagonist is very interesting; he is cranky, complicated, lonely and extremely loyal; all traits which seemed at odds to the world in which he was living, a world where loyalty seemed to be as fleeting as the wind.
Despite the indication in the synopsis that this may have edged into the realms of a genre I never read, I found there to be little to no romance in this book; there is no love in the traditional sense of the word and no homoerotic longings as can often take place in a novel of this kind. What there is however is political intrigue by the boatload, and this made the book a compelling read and was, for me, the saving grace that earned the rating of 3 thumbs as opposed to it being lower.
It is obvious that the Author has done a lot of research into this era in Florence’s history, and I found this interesting and educating as I did not know about some of the historical details touched upon in the novel. I felt this was helped by the fact that the main protagonist was actually a real-life figure in these times, and this added more realism to the descriptions used and the events encountered in the book.
I would recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction but particularly those who like a good solid mystery that is full of political intrigue.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/04/22...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
To say the cast of characters in this book is immense would be an under-statement, and I felt at times it would have helped me along in my reading if there had been a character list printed in the front of the book; I have a sneaky feeling that many other readers who pick up this book may feel the same way too. Although none of the characters stand out in the book, they are interesting to say the least, and the main protagonist is very interesting; he is cranky, complicated, lonely and extremely loyal; all traits which seemed at odds to the world in which he was living, a world where loyalty seemed to be as fleeting as the wind.
Despite the indication in the synopsis that this may have edged into the realms of a genre I never read, I found there to be little to no romance in this book; there is no love in the traditional sense of the word and no homoerotic longings as can often take place in a novel of this kind. What there is however is political intrigue by the boatload, and this made the book a compelling read and was, for me, the saving grace that earned the rating of 3 thumbs as opposed to it being lower.
It is obvious that the Author has done a lot of research into this era in Florence’s history, and I found this interesting and educating as I did not know about some of the historical details touched upon in the novel. I felt this was helped by the fact that the main protagonist was actually a real-life figure in these times, and this added more realism to the descriptions used and the events encountered in the book.
I would recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction but particularly those who like a good solid mystery that is full of political intrigue.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/04/22...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
February 18, 2013
The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, by Alana White, is a new novel that brings to life Italian history, specifically in Florence, much of which I had no prior knowledge. Italian history not being one I’m quite as well read or educated on, this book’s through research and information circled with a fictional mystery was very enlightening and descriptive.
Most people who enjoy history have heard of Amerigo Vespucci. His uncle was Guid Antonio Vespucci, a lawyer in Florence during the early 1400s, a time when the arts were flourishing and the Medici family was in power. The Vespucci family was also a major family influence in the area and Guid Antonio supported the Medicis and had a close friendship with Lorenzo de Medici, or Lorenzo the Magnificent. This was a time and place ripe with intrigue, political maneuvering, and families sparring for position. White utilizes all this in her book, mixed with the Renaissance players such as artists Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo Da Vinci, while also delighting readers with savory details of lavish meals, affairs, and controversies.
As a protagonist, Guid Antonio was interesting and his conversational thoughts unique. He was at all times seemingly confused, yet also extremely intelligent. Pious, yet also flawed. This made him quite the original detective and his dialogue with supporting characters, like his nephew Amerigo, carried subtle nuances and light humor.
The best part of this book was White’s revelatory research and historical presence. Due to this her characters were well detailed and very human. We come to know their passions and vices, their secrets and faults, as well as their documented successes and legacies. It wasn’t a fast-paced thriller, but more of an educated and historically detailed mystery.
I am an art history buff, so I really enjoyed the introduction of the major artists of this time and as always, enjoy a good conspiracy where paintings and clues are involved.
I look forward to the next book in White’s series of Guid Antonio Vespucci historical mysteries. I highly recommend this book if you love braintwisters that are history-heavy prose combined with beautiful descriptive detail and interesting detective work set in one of the best-loved eras–the Italian Renaissance.
See more at www.hookofabook.wordpress.com
Most people who enjoy history have heard of Amerigo Vespucci. His uncle was Guid Antonio Vespucci, a lawyer in Florence during the early 1400s, a time when the arts were flourishing and the Medici family was in power. The Vespucci family was also a major family influence in the area and Guid Antonio supported the Medicis and had a close friendship with Lorenzo de Medici, or Lorenzo the Magnificent. This was a time and place ripe with intrigue, political maneuvering, and families sparring for position. White utilizes all this in her book, mixed with the Renaissance players such as artists Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo Da Vinci, while also delighting readers with savory details of lavish meals, affairs, and controversies.
As a protagonist, Guid Antonio was interesting and his conversational thoughts unique. He was at all times seemingly confused, yet also extremely intelligent. Pious, yet also flawed. This made him quite the original detective and his dialogue with supporting characters, like his nephew Amerigo, carried subtle nuances and light humor.
The best part of this book was White’s revelatory research and historical presence. Due to this her characters were well detailed and very human. We come to know their passions and vices, their secrets and faults, as well as their documented successes and legacies. It wasn’t a fast-paced thriller, but more of an educated and historically detailed mystery.
I am an art history buff, so I really enjoyed the introduction of the major artists of this time and as always, enjoy a good conspiracy where paintings and clues are involved.
I look forward to the next book in White’s series of Guid Antonio Vespucci historical mysteries. I highly recommend this book if you love braintwisters that are history-heavy prose combined with beautiful descriptive detail and interesting detective work set in one of the best-loved eras–the Italian Renaissance.
See more at www.hookofabook.wordpress.com
February 11, 2013
3.5 stars. Take a mysterious painting in a church that seems to cry and a mysterious disappearance of a woman who has a lot of pull between the families of Florence and you have this book. Filled with great detail and a historical mystery that was interesting to see come together, "The Sign of the Weeping Virgin" will appeal to historical mystery lovers of all stripes.
Admittedly, this book did take me a little bit of time to get into. There is a lot of detail and a lot of characters in the book and it took me awhile to sort everything out and figure out how all of the players went together. I was interested in the mystery but it took awhile for it to unfold. I almost had to make notes on some of the characters to keep track of who they were and why they were important to the story. This definitely made it a little more slow going for me. Once the book picks up towards the middle, it made it much easier to place all of the various characters.
The real star of this book and a major factor that kept me reading was the setting of this book. I will read just about anything set in Italy. I love, love, love reading about that beautiful country and find it absolutely fascinating. White adds a lot of good detail that makes you feel as if you are walking the streets of Florence while eating a slice of pecorino (om nom nom nom). If you like armchair traveling like I do, I think you will really enjoy this book.
Bottom line: Stay for the travel by armchair!
Admittedly, this book did take me a little bit of time to get into. There is a lot of detail and a lot of characters in the book and it took me awhile to sort everything out and figure out how all of the players went together. I was interested in the mystery but it took awhile for it to unfold. I almost had to make notes on some of the characters to keep track of who they were and why they were important to the story. This definitely made it a little more slow going for me. Once the book picks up towards the middle, it made it much easier to place all of the various characters.
The real star of this book and a major factor that kept me reading was the setting of this book. I will read just about anything set in Italy. I love, love, love reading about that beautiful country and find it absolutely fascinating. White adds a lot of good detail that makes you feel as if you are walking the streets of Florence while eating a slice of pecorino (om nom nom nom). If you like armchair traveling like I do, I think you will really enjoy this book.
Bottom line: Stay for the travel by armchair!
February 27, 2013
If you love Italian history mixed with mystery, then The Sign of The Weeping Virgin is perfect! Author Alana White uses real historical figures in this splendid novel, setting the right mood for a story that feels incredibly real. Set in 15th c. Florence at a time when the city was in danger of Turkish invasion, political enemies, the Church, Guido’Antonio Vespucci and his nephew Amerigo are entangled in discovering the mystery behind a weeping Virgin and the disappearance of a pious woman.
Sponsoring the investigation is Lorenzo de Medici, despised by both the Church and political enemies. Clues are everywhere- the mystery dances through the pages as Guido’Antonio discovers, thanks to the great Leonardo Da Vinci, how it is that the Virgin sheds tears…but who is making her do so? Is the event related to the young woman being kidnapped by the Turks and then sold into slavery?
This is a fascinating story enveloped by breathtaking descriptions of Florence during the Renaissance- Paradise for art history aficionados! This book was a real treat for me –art, history and mystery all meshed into one beautifully written novel- excellent prose. Although, I have to admit that even if I found the beginning to be rather slow, once the mystery picked up the pace and the events unraveled, I just could not put this down. Loved it!
This review first appeared in the February Issue of HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW- Editor's Choice
January 4, 2014
The story is set in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance. Although listed as Mystery #1 in a series, I would categorize it as historical fiction or historical mystery. The novel documents the struggle by the Medici family to maintain control of Florence, helped by his good friend Guid'Antonio Vespucci, who is brought in after the murder of Medici's brother. There is the disappearance of a beautiful girl (sold into slavery? murdered? run off with a lover?) that starts Guid'Antonio searching for what has transpired. He is assisted by his young nephew Amerigo Vespucci (yeah, that explorer.) We also have cameos by Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli playing bit parts in the story. There is the threat by Rome with Pope Sixtus IV cutting off Florence from the church. A painting in the church starts weeping supposedly because of displeasure over the Medici's. There is further the threat of the Pazzi family against the Medici's. This is the era where there are five divided areas of Italy--Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples and Florence--all ripe for invasion by the Turks.
The writing is very detailed and slow to start, having many characters and sometimes requiring a look back to see what happened or who they are. However, the story line catches you about 1/3 of the way through and moves rapidly thereafter.
I enjoyed the story and would like to see a continuation into the next decades hightlighting the life of the Borgias.
The writing is very detailed and slow to start, having many characters and sometimes requiring a look back to see what happened or who they are. However, the story line catches you about 1/3 of the way through and moves rapidly thereafter.
I enjoyed the story and would like to see a continuation into the next decades hightlighting the life of the Borgias.
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