El Sello Medici

by Theresa Breslin

Italia, 1502. Todo está dominado por las luchas intestinas entre las grandes dinastías y ciudades-estado, el papado de los Borgia y la incesante e impulsiva política de Cesare, Il Valentino. En este ambiente, un joven gitano llamado Matteo es golpeado una y otra vez tras ser testigo de un crimen del bandido al que acompaña, el temible Sandino, y se arroja a un río cercano como única escapatoria. Llevado por las aguas a una muerte segura, el chico es rescatado por varios individuos a los que capitanea un hombre mayor, tan afable como extraño a ojos de Matteo, y que se identifica como Leonardo Da Vinci, un ingeniero que trabaja a las órdenes de Cesare Borgia en la revisión de las fortalezas que están bajo su poder militar. Da Vinci porta un salvoconducto que le brinda total movilidad y protección allá dónde va y pronto Matteo se da cuenta de que con estos hombres puede sentirse a salvo de la implacable persecución de Sandino y sus secuaces. Nadie sabe que el chico porta un secreto por el que las familias Borgia y Medici están dispuestas a matar y que hará que el grupo se vea envuelto en una intriga donde el asesinato, la venganza y la traición lo contaminan todo; una intriga durante la que el joven Matteo se irá convirtiendo en un hombre que sucumbe a la fascinante mirada del mundo que le ofrece el genio de Leonardo.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Young Adult, Italy, Adventure, 16th Century

608 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Theresa Breslin is a Scottish author of over 50 books, known for her contributions to children's and young adult literature. She won the Carnegie Medal in 1994 for Whispers in the Graveyard, which tells the story of a dyslexic boy overcoming personal struggles. Born and raised in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, she started writing as a teenager and later worked as a librarian before becoming a full-time author.

Her works often explore historical and social themes, as seen in Divided City (2005), which addresses sectarianism in Glasgow, and The Medici Seal (2006), a historical novel featuring Leonardo da Vinci. Her book Prisoner of the Inquisition (2010) was shortlisted for another Carnegie Medal.
Breslin has received numerous accolades, including the Scottish Book Trust's Outstanding Achievement Award and an Honorary Fellowship from the Association for Scottish Literary Studies. In 2019, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to literature.

Reviews

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 sterren - Nederlandse paperback

Dat de historische figuur Leonardo Da Vinci zich perfect leent voor het thrillergenre bewijst het immense succes van de Davinci code . Zijn carrière als duizendpoot op het gebied van zowel de wetenschap, de filosofie als de kunsten maakt hem tot een ongrijpbare man die schrijvers maar al te graag inzetten om grootse complotten omheen te bedenken.

  Hij was een mens, een uitermate begaafd mens weliswaar maar zijn grootsheid wordt nergens aangedikt met verborgen boodschappen in zijn kunstwerken of bedachte uitvindingen in dit jongensboek.

Het draait allemaal rond de ik-figuur Matteo, een zigeunerjongen die aanspoelt bij de groep rond Da Vinci en zich vanaf dat moment inzet als zijn persoonlijke assistent. Zijn verleden als dief van het medicizegel uit de titel verzwijgt hij.

Matteo's analfabetisme wordt ruimschoots goedgemaakt met een immense kennis van kruiden en planten als hulp bij de genezing van mensen. In zijn tijd met Da Vinci ontmoet hij de gegoede familie Dell'Orte waarmee hij door de jaren heen een vriendschappelijke band zal krijgen. Maar dan haalt het verleden van Matteo hem in als een van de grote families zich wreekt op die familie.

Ze hopen daar het Medici Zegel - dat toegang geeft tot de macht van de familie Medici - te vinden die Matteo nog steeds bij zich draagt. Uit een gevoel van schuld sluit hij zich aan bij de overgebleven Paolo en Rossanna Dell'Orte en staat hen bij in de strijd tegen andere families. De wereld van wetenschap en cultuur wordt verruild voor de wrede tragiek van het oorlogsbestaan.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It took me a while to get into it at first; I dont think I was paying much attention the first time round... But once I got into it, I was hooked. The descriptions were so accurate and so detailed that it caught my interest immediately. I went on the net and looked up the Da Vinci paintings mentioned in the book, as well as looked up the history of that time period. It certainly sparked a new interest of mine. As soon as I was done, I recommended it to the rest of my family who have enjoyed it as much. It follows a very fascinating angle of the story

[Kell · Rating 4 out of 5]

*REVIEWED FOR PUBLISHERS*

Theresa Breslin is one of the most highly respected writers fro children and young adults working in Britain today and it’s easy to see why! The historical framework of The Medici Seal has been meticulously researched so that fictional characters sit comfortably alongside actual historical figures and does it so well that you can’t see the join. This story has everything you could possibly want; murder, mystery, secrets, action, drama, love, hate and all that lies in between. It’s superbly written and Breslin has a flair for bringing the characters and the era vividly to life, so that the reader is instantly plunged into the heady atmosphere of 16th Century Italy and the life and adventures of a young boy taken into the household of the famous Leonardo Da Vinci. It’s a tale of finding one’s-self and one’s place within the world – a voyage of discovery that will lead Matteo back and forth across a country torn apart by war. If you love reading, you will love this book – trust me, you want to read it!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fleeing from an attacker, a young boy named Matteo falls into a river and is saved from drowning by none other than Leonardo Da Vinci, whose assistant he subsequently becomes. Travelling with Da Vinci, he gets to observe much of the great man's work, both artistic and scientific, as well as his dealings with Cesare Borgia, who employs him at the time Matteo encounters him in 1502. But the story Matteo tells his new master and other acquaintances about himself is not the whole truth, nor is Matteo is true name.

Set during a fascinating period and populated by a number of equally fascinating historical figures, I was hoping this would turn out to be an intriguing read. However, the pace was just too slow and the story frequently dragged, seemingly going nowhere. Also, I just never cared all that much for the protagonist.

[Luis Andrade M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toda su vida la paso huyendo, y perseguido. Tanto su padre (al que desconocía y no sabía con qué intenciones, suponiendo que era venganza lo que lo motivaba), como un ladrón que lo había empujado a cometer un robo y del que no terminó bien, iniciando así su persecución.

Por fortuna, el niño cae en manos de Leonardo Da Vinci y su futuro cambia radicalmente: se le brinda instrucción y guía, además de cobijo y alimentación.

En su huida,la familia dell’Orte pierde al padre, madre y dos de sus hijos. Se siente comprometido por. Llevar la desgracia a una familia inocente.

Así, te lleva por una trepidante y siempre culposa historia del que se revelará ser hijo de Jacopo Medici en un momento complicado de dicha familia.

Buena historia que deja ver de cerca la vida de Leonardo y su equipo, en su cotidianidad.

[nicole ❁ུ۪ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a DNF on page 90.
I was looking forward to reading this, but I wasn't really into the story and didn't really get what it was about.
Not that it is a bad book or anything.
I'll probably re-read this sometime this year.
Until then...

[Swiftsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is impossible to feel impartial towards the plight and experiences of Matteo, an intelligent, inquisitive ten-year old who barely escapes death in Renaissance, Italy. As the story proceeds, we are ingeniously led through omniscient eyes, to view as this boy becomes a man. Although initially faced with death under the hand of the single-dimension mercenary Sandino, Matteo is fortunately found and taken under the wing of the meticulous yet caring tutelage of one of the most famous artisans known in history, Leonardo da Vinci (I typed di Caprio in just now by accident). The company was humorous, light, organized yet focused all the same-- all in all to devotedly serve the 'Maestro' Leonardo da Vinci diligently as they could.

As I slept in the night, this book left me pondering of the fickleness in human nature; yet the hearts of gold, such as with Elisabetta, that can be found in times of adversity. Elisabetta's character moved me in so many ways and I couldn't help but grieve as well for the sudden, cruel and unwarranted passing of her family.

There is just so much to say about this book. What I say barely gives it enough credit.

Cleanly and beautifully written. :) I would almost want to be a character in the book to get a glimpse at Matteo himself and not Leonarda da Vinci.

[Gili Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a supposedly gypsy being chased by malefactors, is rescued by Leonardo da Vinci's friends and is offered respite in the Master's household as a servant boy.
The story gives some insights into Da Vinci's talent and profound generosity and plans to educate the boy suspecting in the way he looked at his eye that he was of Medici descent. This is discovered towards the end of the story when everything seems to come together during the last chapter.
Interesting story but would not say that the author is really adept at novel writing.

[Juan Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buen libro, tiene buena trama, está ambientado en la Italia de casas-estado. Se lee bastante bien, y uno de los protagonistas es el gran Leonardo da Vinci, pero lo que me hace darle 3 estrellas es por uno de los protagonista, que no suena muy creíbles los diálogos ya que es un niño de 10 años.

[Mohammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. I’d like to first of all thank one of my best friends - Callum, and his superbly talented grandmother, for kindly gifting it to me.

The story is set in Renaissance Italy, following the life of an orphan - Matteo, and his entry into the Da Vinci household. History and fiction neatly tie together throughout the novel, with the characters being a blend of both the fantastical and the historical, and the events of history tying into the narrative as well.

This narrativisation of history is not limited to events and individuals, but also to Leonardo’s own art and creations. Throughout, Leonardo’s art is perceived through the eyes of young Matteo, with his relationship with Leonardo’s creations being deeply impacted by his own life experiences.

Leonardo’s art and inventions cannot be separated from the time period in which he operated, as well as on his own religious beliefs and lived experiences. Throughout the novel, Breslin also develops on this idea, speculating on what may have driven his artistic pursuits.

In sum, this novel managed to enable me to interpret and experience Leonardo’s art through these different unique vantage points, and I’m supremely grateful for this profound experience.

With all the history and art involved in the ‘Medici Seal’, it is easy to lose sight of the underlying story, but that would be a mistake. The characters feel real in a way that is rare in fiction. Over a long time period, they develop and are changed by their life experiences. While once Matteo was shy and ashamed to begin learning how to read and write, we slowly grow with him as he begins to pen his own letters to Elisabetta. This transition is not rushed and is believable, reminding me of my own life experiences and growth.

If there is any criticism I have with this novel, it is the ending. Why did Matteo have to secretly be a noble? Why couldn’t he be a regular individual who developed into a learned, strong, and kind-hearted person? This feels reminiscent to me of the “chosen hero” trope so often repeated in fiction, and I feel Matteo coming to terms with being “Jannek” would have been much more moving than finding out he was “Jacomo”.

Overall, this is an excellent work. I highly recommend it, particularly to those interested in immersing themselves in this time period.

[caffeinated reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half the courts of Europe and most of mighty Rome itself are bastards. Our employer,
my patron for the moment, Cesare Borgia, is a bastard.

The year is 1502. A boy is fished from a river in Romagna, Italy, by the party of Leonardo da Vinci. When asked his name, the boy replies, “Matteo”.

Matteo explains that he is an orphan, that he has escaped from his employer who has treated him brutally, and that it was during this escape that he accidentally fell into the river. Matteo deliberately omitted saying that he was the son of a gypsy woman and has been in the care of his grandmother until she died, that he never knew who his father was, and that he was escaping from Sandino, a man-for-hire, who was trying to kill him when he fell into the river.

Matteo had an even bigger secret: he had with him the seal of the Medicis which the much-feared Cesare Borgia (Duke of Valentinois) and the Medici family would kill to obtain. And so Matteo came to live with da Vinci, acting as his all around errand boy and the latter’s assistant in his nocturnal activities which included cutting up of cadavers for his studies in anatomy.

He lived a happy enough life until his past started catching up with him. Friends who have cared for him have been brutally murdered, and people have been lurking in the shadows prepared to ambush.

In the midst of the struggle between the Vatican and the Italian states, the alliance of the French army with Milan, the beauty and magnificence of Lucrezia de Borgia, the transfer of power in the Vatican from Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia ( Pope Alexander VI) to Cardinal Guiliano della Rovere (Pope Julius II), the art and scientific experiments of Leonardo da Vinci, and the political treatises of Machiavelli, Matteo would find out the explosive truth of the people who were after him. And it was not primarily because he had in his possession the seal of the Medicis.

If you liked Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, you will like The Medici Seal.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Autorin beginnt mittendrin in Matteos Geschichte. Nur durch einen Trick kann er Sandino entkommen. Was davor passiert ist, wird erst im Lauf der Geschichte erzählt. Auf seiner Flucht trifft er auf eine Gruppe, die mit Leonardo da Vinci reist und wird von ihr aufgenommen. Er wird der Gehilfe des Meisters, aber die Gefahr bleibt. Immer wieder kommt Sandino ihm gefährlich nahe.

Die Zeit, in der die Geschichte spielt, ist sehr interessant. Leider weiß ich selbst nur wenig davon, aber das Buch hat mir einen guten Eindruck verschafft, auch wenn ich nicht beurteilen kann, wie gut die Autorin recherchiert hat. Manches an Matteo hat mich ein bisschen gestört, zum Beispiel dass er sich anfangs so dagegen wehrt, als ihm da Vinci anbietet ihn zu unterrichten. Das habe ich nicht nachvollziehen können. Sowieso sind seine Entscheidungen manchmal genau das Gegenteil von dem, was er selbst sagt. Aber das gehört wahrscheinlich zum Erwachsenwerden dazu.

Ich tue mich ein wenig schwer mit der Einordnung des Medici-Siegel als Jugendbuch. Meiner Meinung nach ist es mehr ein Buch für junge Erwachsene. Es gibt Szenen, die sicherlich für Jugendliche schwer zu verdauen sind. Auf der anderen Seite ist am Ende wenn nicht alles wieder gut, aber es ist sehr nahe dran. Das gibt es bei Erwachsenenbüchern nicht mehr. Wahrscheinlich liegt dieses Buch mittendrin und kann sowohl in die eine, als auch in die andere Kategorie eingeordnet werden. Mich hat das Buch gut unterhalten, es war spannend erzählt und war nie langweilig.

[iHaventaClue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly one of my favorite books.
I don't want to spoil, so I'll keep it cheesily vague I suppose, but Breslin's use of language really puts the reader in the perspective of Matteo, looking at 1500s Italy through his unique gaze. I adore the way she presents Leonardo da Vinci, as well as how she manipulates fact and fiction to create consuming images of Italy, artists, and power struggles of the time while telling the mysterious story of our growing protagonist. She really brings to life the era Matteo is a part of, and when I read it I am totally absorbed into this living, breathing world that we can learn of through his childish (but ever-maturing) viewpoint. The reader experiences the good the bad, the beautiful the ugly, the secrets and intricacies of the broader happenings, mirrored in the details of da Vinci's work being described.
I know, I know, I'm rambling and I could do so all day. So I'll end it with: if it sounds even the slightest bit interesting to you, I'd highly recommend giving it a chance.
P.S. Though I've read it over and over again, maybe my fond memories of it make me biased, so take my review with a grain of salt :]

[Marie Kaa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mein zweiter Leseversuch - dnf.
Damals als es rauskam war ich etwa 11, also die primäre Zielgruppe. Und ich glaube mich zu erinnern, dass ich es auch damals nicht beednet habe und mich insgesamt sehr lange mit dem dicken Buch abgequält habe, bis mir das Cover anzusehen schon zum Hals raus hing. Das Problem damals: zu langweilig und zu gespickt mit für mein empfinden trockenen Begebenheiten, Vokabular und Personen. Damals war es mir herzlich egal wer Papst war und wieso ein Brigant Brigant war (allein das Wort schpn, uäh). Das Problem jetzt: das Historische würde mich interessieren - die spannende und facettenreiche Renaissance Zeit in Italien weiß ich als Erwachsene sehr zu schätzen- aber die Rahmenhandlung mit Matteo etc natürlicherweise nicht mehr.
Mich hat damals wie heute der Name 'Leonardo DaVinci'angezogen. Er verpsricht Faszination, Mysterium, Wissen, Macht und Ästhetik. Aber ich bleibe wohl lieber bei Dokumentationen oder Fachbüchern. Vieleicht gibt es aber auch bessere historische Romane... :)

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matteo is on the run when he is taken in by the household of Leonardo Da Vinci. This is the story of the Borgia Pope and his murderous son Cesare, through to new rulers, wars with France and all the while Matteo is living a borrowed' life to keep safe. The story starts when he is just a boy and takes him through to adulthood. The story shows how turbulent life was in Italy when it was nothing but a group of warring city states. It focuses on the Medici family and their influence in Florence and eventually the Papacy. We follow through these wars and conflicts by going with Matteo (Janek) as he becomes involved in the wars, Papacy and working with Da Vinci. Obviously really good research for the times and places. Also the belief systems are threaded well into the story. An enjoyable story but I would have liked more of Da Vinci's character - he floats in the background a bit.

[Dąbrówka Mocha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Szok - przeczytałam powieść historyczną. A ja i historia, no cóż, niekoniecznie jest nam po drodze. Ale co lepsze książka mi się podobała. Barwnie przedstawione postacie, a zakończenie mnie osobiście zaskoczyło.

Dużo detali historycznych, a zarówno wydarzenia jak i bohaterowie przedstawieni zostali w sposób możliwie rzeczywisty. Dla mnie oczywiście większość z nich to nowiny, gdyż nie przykładałam się wcześniej, by znać historię XV./XVI.-wiecznych Włoch. Bardzo spodobała mi się postać Leonarda da Vinci oraz tego w jaki nienachalny sposób starał się prowadzić swoje prace badawcze. W książce jest także sporo walki, a także miłości, zarówno tej romantycznej jak i braterskiej.

Cieszę się, że książka wpadła mi w ręce.

[Paulioteca · Rating 4 out of 5]

La novela está contextualizada en una ambientación histórica como es la Italia del Renacimiento, pasando por diversas ciudades como Florencia, Milán, Ferrara, Prato...
La autora da un gran peso a Leonardo Da Vinci y a su trabajo en los años en los que transcurre la trama, a través de lo que nos cuenta Matteo, el protagonista, que se convierte en su ayudante.
También nos cuenta la situación política de Italia con personajes reales, en la que se ve envuelto Matteo a raíz de un robo.
La parte de ficción está bien encajada en el contexto histórico, se nota el trabajo de documentación de la autora.
Un libro solo recomendado a quienes os guste la novela histórica.

[Julianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of like Dan Brown for the younger set: very fast read (especially given that it clocks in around 500 pages) with fun historical tidbits. Normally, I'm not a big fan of giving major roles to real people in historical fiction books because I think they tend to come out as caricatures, but I like the way Theresa Breslin portrays Da Vinci. While everything seems to get wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste in the last 50 pages or so, this book is a fun way to get to a conclusion even when it feels a little too convenient.

[Chromatic Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the time of Leonardo Da Vinci, it is a story about a young boy Matteo, who is saved from drowning in a river by Da Vinci’s friends, it has a lot of historical depth about those times which is interesting and it follows the young boys life story which is closely entwined with the the Medici and the Borgia families. Young Matteo becomes an assistant to Leonardo. He also becomes a soldier. I enjoyed it, It gave a good flavour of those times and what it was like to live in them.

[camys✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is like traveling through Renaissance Italy, the historical facts are so good explained and if you are just like me, obsessed with art and history you should definitely read it, if you liked Medici and The Borgias you should definitely read it because it will be so easier to understand, so underrated, great characters, good plots and so realistic!!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this to read with my son many years back. Eventually read it myself about 13 years later.
Plot definitely twisted and rushed to a conclusion but it was an enjoyable read. Have been teaching Tudor history to youngsters lately and having some of the characters and wars that touch on the edge of that as the focus of the book added interest.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb historical story providing a rich picture of Sixteenth century Italy bringing to life the world of Leonardo da Vinci as painter, inventor and scientist and his relationship to a young boy with an inquiring mind as he grows towards adulthood, in an ever changing and sometimes very violent political landscape. A very engaging story with an unexpected ending.

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a beautiful book! This is an amazing insight into the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci and the Medici and Borgia families. It took me long time to finish this book because I didn't want to finish it. This will forever be one of my favourites.

[Karina Van Den Eynden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about the life of A going boy, Matteo. We lives and Works together with Leonardo da Vinci and has many experiences with him. He grows up and becomes a soldier. In the end he finds out he is a di Medici and het the love of his life.

[Benji · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me forever to read but the story wasn´t as complicated as one would think from the amount of pages. All in all a light book, easy to read and recommendable to young readers.

[Monique Corbeil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to read this book but unfortunately could get into it. Might re-read it again at a later date.

[Me Moi Myself]

Very Very good, except I feel like the ending was rushed.

[Francois Vinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très bon roman d'époque

[skyel1ne · Rating 3 out of 5]

was war das bitte??? dieses buch hat mich für mindestens drei wochen nicht los gelassen weil das in der bibliothek bei “kinderbüchern” stand????

[Natalie Shtivelman]

3.5