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The Borgias #1
Blood & Beauty
By the end of the fifteenth century, the beauty and creativity of Italy is matched by its brutality and corruption, nowhere more than in Rome and inside the Church. When Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia buys his way into the papacy as Alexander VI, he is defined not just by his wealth or his passionate love for his illegitimate children, but by his blood: He is a Spanish Pope in a city run by Italians. If the Borgias are to triumph, this charismatic, consummate politician with a huge appetite for life, women, and power must use papacy and family—in particular, his eldest son, Cesare, and his daughter Lucrezia—in order to succeed.
Cesare, with a dazzlingly cold intelligence and an even colder soul, is his greatest—though increasingly unstable—weapon. Later immortalized in Machiavelli’s The Prince, he provides the energy and the muscle. Lucrezia, beloved by both men, is the prime dynastic tool. Twelve years old when the novel opens, hers is a journey through three marriages, and from childish innocence to painful experience, from pawn to political player.
Cesare, with a dazzlingly cold intelligence and an even colder soul, is his greatest—though increasingly unstable—weapon. Later immortalized in Machiavelli’s The Prince, he provides the energy and the muscle. Lucrezia, beloved by both men, is the prime dynastic tool. Twelve years old when the novel opens, hers is a journey through three marriages, and from childish innocence to painful experience, from pawn to political player.
545 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2013
945 people are currently reading
15490 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Dunant
28 books1,618 followersSarah Dunant is a cultural commentator, award-winning thriller writer and author of five novels set in Renaissance Italy exploring women’s lives through art, sex and religion. She has two daughters, and lives in London and Florence.
Sarah’s monthly history program and podcast on history can be found via the BBC website.
Sarah’s monthly history program and podcast on history can be found via the BBC website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,410 reviews
March 2, 2018
Oh, the Borgias. What an extraordinary family and what a story.
Just when you think that things couldn't become more scandalous, they do.
A Pope with a family? Check. Forbidden attraction between siblings? Check. Poisonings and intrigue and, dare I say, murder?
The attraction of this story is not just the crazy Borgias, it's also Rome itself.
All roads lead to it, the center of power in Europe for centuries. One never really "rules" Rome, you just ride your wave of popularity until it crashes.
This city was the perfect backdrop to showcase the political acumen of Alexander VI, Cesare Borgias, and, eventually, Lucrezia Borgias.
Blood & Beauty contains political as well as personal drama, the shifting alliances of kings, queens, and city-states, and some very unique family dynamics.
Sarah Dunant ranks among my favorite historical fiction authors. Her stories are well-researched and never dull.
Somehow, she distills the legend to find the human being within.
If you enjoy historical fiction about the Renaissance and Rome, it doesn't get much better than this.
Just when you think that things couldn't become more scandalous, they do.
A Pope with a family? Check. Forbidden attraction between siblings? Check. Poisonings and intrigue and, dare I say, murder?
The attraction of this story is not just the crazy Borgias, it's also Rome itself.
All roads lead to it, the center of power in Europe for centuries. One never really "rules" Rome, you just ride your wave of popularity until it crashes.
This city was the perfect backdrop to showcase the political acumen of Alexander VI, Cesare Borgias, and, eventually, Lucrezia Borgias.
Blood & Beauty contains political as well as personal drama, the shifting alliances of kings, queens, and city-states, and some very unique family dynamics.
Sarah Dunant ranks among my favorite historical fiction authors. Her stories are well-researched and never dull.
Somehow, she distills the legend to find the human being within.
If you enjoy historical fiction about the Renaissance and Rome, it doesn't get much better than this.
July 25, 2016
Eh.
Dunant's clearly done her research, and I appreciate an accurate and sympathetic fictional account of the family. But I feel like this book fails as a work of fiction. That same historical research gets in the way of story, and large swathes of the book read as the straight listing of historical events. (Which isn't to say historical accuracy and good storytelling are mutually exclusive, just that they fail to combine here.) None of the characters come off the page with any real vibrancy, everyone is curiously flat, which is a shame when you're dealing with such interesting historical figures. I want to give it more stars, because Dunant has many a lovely turn of phrase and I appreciate the obvious love she has for the family, but although by no means unpleasant or difficult to get through, it just wasn't a very engaging or effective read for me.
Dunant's clearly done her research, and I appreciate an accurate and sympathetic fictional account of the family. But I feel like this book fails as a work of fiction. That same historical research gets in the way of story, and large swathes of the book read as the straight listing of historical events. (Which isn't to say historical accuracy and good storytelling are mutually exclusive, just that they fail to combine here.) None of the characters come off the page with any real vibrancy, everyone is curiously flat, which is a shame when you're dealing with such interesting historical figures. I want to give it more stars, because Dunant has many a lovely turn of phrase and I appreciate the obvious love she has for the family, but although by no means unpleasant or difficult to get through, it just wasn't a very engaging or effective read for me.
May 19, 2013
Sarah Dunant has written three acclaimed novels of Renaissance Italy in which she consciously narrowed her focus to the long-concealed stories of ordinary women on the margins rather than following what she termed the “historical celebrity version of life.” Now, in a noteworthy switch, we’re presented with Blood & Beauty, which centers on perhaps the most grasping and notorious celebrities of the era. The Borgia name instantly evokes images of glorious wealth and even more glorious power, corruption, poison, and incest.
So we might approach this current book believing it to be a significant departure. In addition to climbing on a new bandwagon by fictionalizing famous real-life leaders, her canvas has broadened. It encompasses the names many readers know well, first and foremost the ruthlessly ambitious Spanish-born Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI), patriarch not only to his beloved illegitimate children but to Catholic believers worldwide.
But looking beyond them, it also presents an overarching portrait of the European political scene, including the changing alliances and deadly jockeying for supremacy among Rome, Naples, Milan, France, and Spain. This is the grand sweep of history, moving from the epic to the personal and back.
As Alexander uses his progeny as pawns to further his dynastic goals, they clash with the rulers of other Italian city-states and with one another. Their interactions are what push the plot forward. They are Juan, the eldest, his father’s loyal and self-important favorite; Cesare, charismatic, astute, callously ambitious, and overprotective of the beautiful sister he adores too much; Jofré, less complex and more childlike than his older siblings; and young Lucrezia, an ardently devout romantic who, over the ten-year span of the novel, becomes torn between her family’s orders and her own desires.
An unlikely cardinal, with his very worldly appetites, Cesare follows most closely in his father’s shoes. He has a lot of on-page time, with not much change to his personality. His presence gets somewhat wearing after a while, but the conclusion proves he has some surprises up his sleeve. There are no caricatures here, and he and his siblings’ personas reflect contemporary research much more than their infamous legends.
The novel uses a true omniscient viewpoint, a technique difficult to master – and for the most part it succeeds. Dunant’s perspective swoops from person to person and place to place, allowing insight into major as well as minor characters, from papal messenger Pedro Calderón to Ludovico Sforza, the Borgias’ Milanese foe, to the physician treating Cesare for the “French disease.” Every sentence has her sharp intelligence behind it and showcases her trademark dedication to detail.
There are times, though, when she draws far back from the main plotlines to speak to readers about the historical context. While these informative segments are narrated with flair and drama, they break up the reading experience. At these times, the story feels less a character-driven work than a history-driven one.
Emerging gradually from amidst the multiple story strands is a shining thread of feminine empowerment. This isn’t meant in the modern sense, but in the more subtle, quietly crafty, behind-the-scenes ways open to women of the era. Alexander and Cesare may hold the heaviest reins of power in Blood & Beauty, but its women are its moral center. Lucrezia’s transformation from unguarded innocent to shrewd game-player is the novel’s most compelling aspect. She, her practical and straight-talking mother Vannozza dei Catanei, and tough warrior-woman Caterina Sforza are brilliant characters whose survival instincts we can’t help but admire. Although each suffers significant losses, that doesn’t make their triumphs any less sweet.
As always, Dunant is perfectly at home in her setting. The atmosphere is decadent and dangerous in equal measure, with descriptions emphasizing the tightly knotted themes of art, politics, and faith. “Most men need to be overwhelmed in order to appreciate the divine. That is Rome’s job,” observes Alexander, in one of many classic lines, while gazing at the awe-inspiring splendor of the Sistine Chapel.
From different angles, too, all of the novels in her earlier trilogy (The Birth of Venus, In the Company of the Courtesan, and Sacred Hearts) spoke of the influential power of the family during the Italian Renaissance. This latest work is no different; the Borgias simply bring this motif unavoidably front and center. Complex, perceptive, and erudite, and with magnificent, strong women: this is what we’ve come to expect from Dunant. Those who reveled in all the details of this colorful historical era, too, will find even more of it to enjoy here. On the whole, maybe Blood & Beauty isn’t such a huge departure for her after all.
Thanks to Random House for sending me a copy via First Reads.
So we might approach this current book believing it to be a significant departure. In addition to climbing on a new bandwagon by fictionalizing famous real-life leaders, her canvas has broadened. It encompasses the names many readers know well, first and foremost the ruthlessly ambitious Spanish-born Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI), patriarch not only to his beloved illegitimate children but to Catholic believers worldwide.
But looking beyond them, it also presents an overarching portrait of the European political scene, including the changing alliances and deadly jockeying for supremacy among Rome, Naples, Milan, France, and Spain. This is the grand sweep of history, moving from the epic to the personal and back.
As Alexander uses his progeny as pawns to further his dynastic goals, they clash with the rulers of other Italian city-states and with one another. Their interactions are what push the plot forward. They are Juan, the eldest, his father’s loyal and self-important favorite; Cesare, charismatic, astute, callously ambitious, and overprotective of the beautiful sister he adores too much; Jofré, less complex and more childlike than his older siblings; and young Lucrezia, an ardently devout romantic who, over the ten-year span of the novel, becomes torn between her family’s orders and her own desires.
An unlikely cardinal, with his very worldly appetites, Cesare follows most closely in his father’s shoes. He has a lot of on-page time, with not much change to his personality. His presence gets somewhat wearing after a while, but the conclusion proves he has some surprises up his sleeve. There are no caricatures here, and he and his siblings’ personas reflect contemporary research much more than their infamous legends.
The novel uses a true omniscient viewpoint, a technique difficult to master – and for the most part it succeeds. Dunant’s perspective swoops from person to person and place to place, allowing insight into major as well as minor characters, from papal messenger Pedro Calderón to Ludovico Sforza, the Borgias’ Milanese foe, to the physician treating Cesare for the “French disease.” Every sentence has her sharp intelligence behind it and showcases her trademark dedication to detail.
There are times, though, when she draws far back from the main plotlines to speak to readers about the historical context. While these informative segments are narrated with flair and drama, they break up the reading experience. At these times, the story feels less a character-driven work than a history-driven one.
Emerging gradually from amidst the multiple story strands is a shining thread of feminine empowerment. This isn’t meant in the modern sense, but in the more subtle, quietly crafty, behind-the-scenes ways open to women of the era. Alexander and Cesare may hold the heaviest reins of power in Blood & Beauty, but its women are its moral center. Lucrezia’s transformation from unguarded innocent to shrewd game-player is the novel’s most compelling aspect. She, her practical and straight-talking mother Vannozza dei Catanei, and tough warrior-woman Caterina Sforza are brilliant characters whose survival instincts we can’t help but admire. Although each suffers significant losses, that doesn’t make their triumphs any less sweet.
As always, Dunant is perfectly at home in her setting. The atmosphere is decadent and dangerous in equal measure, with descriptions emphasizing the tightly knotted themes of art, politics, and faith. “Most men need to be overwhelmed in order to appreciate the divine. That is Rome’s job,” observes Alexander, in one of many classic lines, while gazing at the awe-inspiring splendor of the Sistine Chapel.
From different angles, too, all of the novels in her earlier trilogy (The Birth of Venus, In the Company of the Courtesan, and Sacred Hearts) spoke of the influential power of the family during the Italian Renaissance. This latest work is no different; the Borgias simply bring this motif unavoidably front and center. Complex, perceptive, and erudite, and with magnificent, strong women: this is what we’ve come to expect from Dunant. Those who reveled in all the details of this colorful historical era, too, will find even more of it to enjoy here. On the whole, maybe Blood & Beauty isn’t such a huge departure for her after all.
Thanks to Random House for sending me a copy via First Reads.
May 25, 2016
This is a book I should have read on it's own, not while I was also reading something else. I kept losing my concentration, especially in the first part which I found quite dry. After the death of Juan Borgia, you really begin to know Rodrigo (Pope Alexander VI). The whole feeling of the novel changed for me then and the characters in the Borgia family came alive. What passionate and violent times they lived in and it's worthwhile knowing that all the major cities behaved in similar warring fashion. I give Dunant full marks for not getting bogged down in trashing Lucrezia's reputation. Rating the book more on the last two thirds, it earns a 4★.
February 9, 2020
Familia Borgia a fost, cu adevărat, o familie de neuitat!
"Lumea e plină de atâtea pericole."
"Sunt puțini cei în care poți avea încredere. Păstrează-ți gândurile pentru tine până ajungi să stai bine pe picioarele tale."
"Fii cu băgare de seamă la cei care vor să te ispitească, oameni răi care nu se lasă până nu te doboară, mizând pe tinerețea care te face o pradă ușoară."
"Îți mai spun o dată, fiule: până nu te obișnuiești cu toate, ai face bine să te folosești mai mult de urechi decât gură."
"Lumea e plină de atâtea pericole."
"Sunt puțini cei în care poți avea încredere. Păstrează-ți gândurile pentru tine până ajungi să stai bine pe picioarele tale."
"Fii cu băgare de seamă la cei care vor să te ispitească, oameni răi care nu se lasă până nu te doboară, mizând pe tinerețea care te face o pradă ușoară."
"Îți mai spun o dată, fiule: până nu te obișnuiești cu toate, ai face bine să te folosești mai mult de urechi decât gură."
June 26, 2016
This is a wonderfully engaging re-telling of the Borgia family story from Roderigo's election as Pope Alexander VI in 1492 to Lucrezia's third marriage into the d'Este family in 1502. Dunant resists just churning out the usual scurrilous stories of incest, poisoning, murder and decadence, and instead offers a more complex tale of complicated politics and characters.
The narrative is marked by a sly wit: `the Pope sits in darkness in his bedchamber. Recently his legs have been causing him trouble. Perhaps he is not used to spending so much time on his knees', and is clear-sighted about the characters: `To be lauded as a hero for a battle that everyone knows you didn't win could be a burden as much as a triumph. Juan, however, manages to remain oblivious'.
At the book's heart is Roderigo (pope, devoted family man, easily moved to tears yet ruthless when necessary) and the wonderfully menacing and yet dangerously charismatic Cesare who steals every scene in which he appears. Dunant manages his portrait sensitively and gives him a psychological acuity frequently missing from the more sensationalist literature: her treatment of the capture of Caterina Sforza, for example, is masterly.
Dunant's previous Renaissance books haven't really worked for me but I loved this. It's one of those rare books that I wanted to read slowly to savour the pleasure of every page - and I can't wait for the second volume in the story.
The narrative is marked by a sly wit: `the Pope sits in darkness in his bedchamber. Recently his legs have been causing him trouble. Perhaps he is not used to spending so much time on his knees', and is clear-sighted about the characters: `To be lauded as a hero for a battle that everyone knows you didn't win could be a burden as much as a triumph. Juan, however, manages to remain oblivious'.
At the book's heart is Roderigo (pope, devoted family man, easily moved to tears yet ruthless when necessary) and the wonderfully menacing and yet dangerously charismatic Cesare who steals every scene in which he appears. Dunant manages his portrait sensitively and gives him a psychological acuity frequently missing from the more sensationalist literature: her treatment of the capture of Caterina Sforza, for example, is masterly.
Dunant's previous Renaissance books haven't really worked for me but I loved this. It's one of those rare books that I wanted to read slowly to savour the pleasure of every page - and I can't wait for the second volume in the story.
April 1, 2020
Oh, I didn't realize I never wrote a review for this book. I think it's very well written and the story is interesting for most parts, though I'll also recommend you to also read The Family by Mario Puzo, it's another intriguing historical novel about the Borgias with the family members being treated as human beings with both flaws and strength instead of cartoonish evil villains.
My review for The Family: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My review for Borgia (comic):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for The Family: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My review for Borgia (comic):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 16, 2016
Think of Renaissance Italy and one name tends spring to mind: Borgia. The Borgias. A family with humble Spanish roots that raced their way to the height of power in the late fifteenth century. The head of the family was Rodrigo, known now to history as Pope Alexander VI; he and his sons Juan, Cesare and Jofre, his daughter Lucrezia and long term mistress Vanozza are familiar to many.
With their rise in power came rumour, scandal, violence and corruption. Rodrigo himself is thought to have bribed his way into the Papal throne, Juan met a mysterious end one dark night and was fished out of the Tiber, Cesare was notorious for his violence, murder and womanising and Lucrezia is the original femme fatale. They are rumoured to have poisoned their enemies, murdered their rivals, and to have loved each other a little too much… but how much of this really happened? We may never know for sure, and that’s what makes a fictional exploration of this family and their time so fascinating.
Sarah Dunant’s new novel Blood and Beauty explores the myth, the legend, the propaganda and the facts about this family, creating an addictive read from start to finish. The writing is just gorgeous- there really is no other word for it. The third person present tense works so well throughout the novel; this style is a particular favourite of mine, and Dunant pulls it off perfectly. Her characterisation is brilliant; my favourite characters in the book were Cesare Borgia, who becomes more and more sinister as the novel progresses, and Giovanni Sforza, who is slimy yet sympathetic here rather than the token bad guy he is portrayed as in Showtime’s series The Borgias. The conversation between characters in the book really shines; scenes with Vanozza and the Pope, the Pope and Cesare, & Cesare and Lucrezia are all wonderfully imagined and believeable. Caterina Sforza also makes an appearance in the novel towards the end, which I was very pleased about (I do like her!). The portrayal of Lucrezia here is much more sympathetic than traditional history would have us think, but it is not a whitewash and she, like everyone else, is realistic and believeable.
As it progresses, the novel moves along at differing paces; sometimes events are raced through quite quickly, other times scenes are in depth and create a real feeling of closeness with the characters. The quicker pace of storytelling sometimes felt a little rushed, but a book full of long drawn out scenes would be tedious so I think the book balances out well. Part three in particular explores the various paces; something that feels hurried in chapter 15 is better explained in chapter 16 and the same events are explored from various points of view, giving the reader a very even picture of goings on.
Sarah Dunant does not claim to tell the truth of the story of The Borgias- I don’t think anyone could ever do that- but she does explore their history and their story in a very realistic way. The novel stands alone but in the Author’s Note we are told that a sequel is on the cards, so I will certainly look forward to that!
The UK hardback run of this novel looks beautiful; black on red with stained page edges. It looks good, it reads well. All in all I'm a very happy reader.
Oh, and I found my lost dust jacket! Hurray!
With their rise in power came rumour, scandal, violence and corruption. Rodrigo himself is thought to have bribed his way into the Papal throne, Juan met a mysterious end one dark night and was fished out of the Tiber, Cesare was notorious for his violence, murder and womanising and Lucrezia is the original femme fatale. They are rumoured to have poisoned their enemies, murdered their rivals, and to have loved each other a little too much… but how much of this really happened? We may never know for sure, and that’s what makes a fictional exploration of this family and their time so fascinating.
Sarah Dunant’s new novel Blood and Beauty explores the myth, the legend, the propaganda and the facts about this family, creating an addictive read from start to finish. The writing is just gorgeous- there really is no other word for it. The third person present tense works so well throughout the novel; this style is a particular favourite of mine, and Dunant pulls it off perfectly. Her characterisation is brilliant; my favourite characters in the book were Cesare Borgia, who becomes more and more sinister as the novel progresses, and Giovanni Sforza, who is slimy yet sympathetic here rather than the token bad guy he is portrayed as in Showtime’s series The Borgias. The conversation between characters in the book really shines; scenes with Vanozza and the Pope, the Pope and Cesare, & Cesare and Lucrezia are all wonderfully imagined and believeable. Caterina Sforza also makes an appearance in the novel towards the end, which I was very pleased about (I do like her!). The portrayal of Lucrezia here is much more sympathetic than traditional history would have us think, but it is not a whitewash and she, like everyone else, is realistic and believeable.
As it progresses, the novel moves along at differing paces; sometimes events are raced through quite quickly, other times scenes are in depth and create a real feeling of closeness with the characters. The quicker pace of storytelling sometimes felt a little rushed, but a book full of long drawn out scenes would be tedious so I think the book balances out well. Part three in particular explores the various paces; something that feels hurried in chapter 15 is better explained in chapter 16 and the same events are explored from various points of view, giving the reader a very even picture of goings on.
Sarah Dunant does not claim to tell the truth of the story of The Borgias- I don’t think anyone could ever do that- but she does explore their history and their story in a very realistic way. The novel stands alone but in the Author’s Note we are told that a sequel is on the cards, so I will certainly look forward to that!
The UK hardback run of this novel looks beautiful; black on red with stained page edges. It looks good, it reads well. All in all I'm a very happy reader.
Oh, and I found my lost dust jacket! Hurray!
April 21, 2013
I won this book from that other site I sometimes frequent.
It’s a long book--502 pages in the ARC--so it took me awhile to get through it. And this rendering of Pope Alexander VI and his 6 illegitimate children still isn’t even all told, as Dunant is writing a sequel. All I knew about the Borgias was something about the daughter Lucrezia, something not very nice, maybe something about affairs ending with bastard children. I was glad, then, that she and her brother Cesare are the main characters in the book. Dunant’s version is that maybe the Italians or history have given Lucrezia a bad rap, and she really was an innocent thrown into the conniving, evil ways of her brother and father. In the epilogue it is revealed that Sarah Dunant read volumes of histories of the Borgia period, with multiple versions and opinions of the same events. She then writes the novel as she imagines it occurred, and who is to say what’s true or not in a work of fiction. Very well executed. With so much war and hate mongering going on, and with the Vatican smack dab in the middle of it all, it could have been a big bore for me, but it certainly was not!
It’s a long book--502 pages in the ARC--so it took me awhile to get through it. And this rendering of Pope Alexander VI and his 6 illegitimate children still isn’t even all told, as Dunant is writing a sequel. All I knew about the Borgias was something about the daughter Lucrezia, something not very nice, maybe something about affairs ending with bastard children. I was glad, then, that she and her brother Cesare are the main characters in the book. Dunant’s version is that maybe the Italians or history have given Lucrezia a bad rap, and she really was an innocent thrown into the conniving, evil ways of her brother and father. In the epilogue it is revealed that Sarah Dunant read volumes of histories of the Borgia period, with multiple versions and opinions of the same events. She then writes the novel as she imagines it occurred, and who is to say what’s true or not in a work of fiction. Very well executed. With so much war and hate mongering going on, and with the Vatican smack dab in the middle of it all, it could have been a big bore for me, but it certainly was not!
August 1, 2013
I don't know how such intrigue, sex and extreme machinations from the Borgias could be made static and boring, but that is how I found this historical fiction novel. I think writing it in the 3rd person present had a lot to do with my discomfort reading it.I felt so removed from the characters. Perhaps a first person narrative would have drawn me into the times and feeling for the period a little more. I watched a season of The Borgias on Showtime and didn't care for that, either, but for different reasons. Such meaty material warrants a readable, exciting book! I see many people loved it, but it was not for me.
September 23, 2012
Full disclosure: I work for the publisher of this book, which is why I have read it before it's out. But it's not a marketing gimmick to say I completely loved it. I'm not by any means a historical fiction reader, really, though I do enjoy Hilary Mantel, and I think I enjoyed this for the same reason. The setting is incredibly strong - you can almost smell the hot Roman streets in the height of summer, and feel the cloying air. More than this, though, the characters are unbelievably realistic. Lucrezia Borgia is followed from the age of 14 through her first two marriages, and I watched her develop with a sort of fascinated horror.
I don't know anything about the history of the Borgias, their reputation or in fact this historical period. It's testament to the quality of the storytelling that Dunant is able to splice the historical and political elements into the human without either feeling tokenistic.
Seriously impressed. I am really looking forward to the next in this series.
I don't know anything about the history of the Borgias, their reputation or in fact this historical period. It's testament to the quality of the storytelling that Dunant is able to splice the historical and political elements into the human without either feeling tokenistic.
Seriously impressed. I am really looking forward to the next in this series.
November 30, 2013
3.85 stars. It's funny how our moods are. I tried this book back in August and I couldn't get into it. The author loves lots of details. I picked it up again in November and I really enjoyed it. When I say details (I wish I had the book in front of me to choose a sentence) but her writing style was full of adjectives. I could skim those. What I did like was the story. I've read many NF books on this family and have been waiting for some HF books to come out. The ones that have are full of incest and full of propaganda. Dunant sticks to the facts and tries to understand the characters. I enjoyed her version of their lives. Cesare intrigues me. The devil you love to hate. If you want to know about the family, you will enjoy this. If you're looking for Showtime's version you'll be disappointed.
May 14, 2015
If you are looking for a book about the Borgias that reads like an episode of Showtime's The Borgias, steer clear of this book. You might try Sins of the House of Borgia, but be warned, it's pretty awful. If you are looking for a fictional novel that strips away all of the rumors and provides a reader with an in-depth look at the various, complex relationships of the Borgia household, drop everything and start reading.
Dunant does a brilliant job diminishing some of the more scandalous rumors surrounding the house of Borgia. I rather enjoyed the way Dunant rumors about illegitimate children and murders part of daily conversation topics between Pope Alexandar and children. "Oh Cesare, did you hear? The citizens of Rome think you dumped your brother's body in the Tiber?" "That's nice. I didn't do it but I think those Orsini should be watched." Alright, it wasn't quite that subdued but I'm just a book reviewer, not a bestselling author.
I will admit there were parts that were a little dry and bogged down with more of a non-fictional style of writing (not that all non-fiction is dry!) but overall I found the book to be exceptionally well done. I think it takes a talented author to tell a compelling tale without giving into all of the salacious gossip. Most of the time, history is interesting enough on it's own without people running around making assumptions and jumping to rash conclusions.
This book is definitely a must read for anyone who is interested in the Borgia family. On a slightly related note, I would just like to say that Cesare Borgia tops my list of historical bad boys. Stay tuned for further additions to the list.
"The more outrage the better. This way people will fear us while we are alive and never-ever-forget us when we are dead."
Dunant does a brilliant job diminishing some of the more scandalous rumors surrounding the house of Borgia. I rather enjoyed the way Dunant rumors about illegitimate children and murders part of daily conversation topics between Pope Alexandar and children. "Oh Cesare, did you hear? The citizens of Rome think you dumped your brother's body in the Tiber?" "That's nice. I didn't do it but I think those Orsini should be watched." Alright, it wasn't quite that subdued but I'm just a book reviewer, not a bestselling author.
I will admit there were parts that were a little dry and bogged down with more of a non-fictional style of writing (not that all non-fiction is dry!) but overall I found the book to be exceptionally well done. I think it takes a talented author to tell a compelling tale without giving into all of the salacious gossip. Most of the time, history is interesting enough on it's own without people running around making assumptions and jumping to rash conclusions.
This book is definitely a must read for anyone who is interested in the Borgia family. On a slightly related note, I would just like to say that Cesare Borgia tops my list of historical bad boys. Stay tuned for further additions to the list.
"The more outrage the better. This way people will fear us while we are alive and never-ever-forget us when we are dead."
November 24, 2015
Where is the craft? This book has simply taken a series of events surrounding the Borgias and stated them - with a little manufactured dialogue thrown in. But where is the craft of storytelling? Where is the actual character development so the reader actually becomes invested in the character and their journey? Absent. This is lazy writing. Take an interesting family/historical period + just narrate the series of events = paint-by-numbers historical novel. Ugh.
Two stars because the author obviously did extensive research. The writing is just so poor.
Two stars because the author obviously did extensive research. The writing is just so poor.
April 7, 2016
Not having read any other novels on the Borgia family and knowing only their black reputation, I was pleased that this novel treated them evenhandedly and as well-rounded characters. I don't know how good other novels about them are, but I'll take this one as the gold standard. The story begins with Rodrigo's election to the papacy in 1492--he takes the name Alexander VI-- and treats of his four children. It progresses until a year or so before his death; we know he is dying, by the end of the novel. Cesare is as cruel and duplicitous as history portrays him, but Lucrezia is presented as a victim of her father and brother's whims. This novel takes us through the tumultuous years of politicking, corruption, intrigue and wars between the Italian city-states, with Alexander and Cesare as puppet masters.
Pacing was very good and the writing kept me enthralled throughout. Highly recommended.
Pacing was very good and the writing kept me enthralled throughout. Highly recommended.
August 19, 2017
From BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime:
Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance Sarah Dunant takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias.
The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual was crammed into that period.
Our abridgement begins in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia wins his campaign to become Pope, and describes the repercussions for his children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia and Jofre. Juan, the only legitimate son, will be allied in marriage to Spain, while Cesare is promised to the church - thus ensuring their legacy within the Vatican. As for Lucrezia, she is part of the price Borgia paid for his Papacy - though only 12, she must wed to shore up an uneasy alliance with the powerful Milanese Sforza family.
Episode 2:
Pope Alexander VI begins his reign with caution, impressing the Romans while keeping his mistress and his children in check - as best he can.
Episode 3:
Lucrezia frets about the strategic alliance her father is making with her marriage, and Cesare is recalled to Rome.
Episode 4:
Alexander plays out the diplomatic chess game of matchmaking his three eligible offspring, and manages to make his fourth, Cesare, a Cardinal.
Episode 5:
Alexander's difficulties with his enemies are complicated by his children's marital problems. As the French prepare to invade Italy, his Papacy hangs in the balance.
Episodes 6-10
Our abridgement began last week in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia won his campaign to become Pope. This week, we move on to the next four years of his reign. The problems seeded in the first year are blossoming into crises at every turn, as Italy explodes into war against the invading French. Rising above this challenge through a series of canny political manoeuvres, Alexander proves less able in his ability to control his children.
Read by Robert Glenister
Written by Sarah Dunant
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sm7hs
Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance Sarah Dunant takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias.
The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual was crammed into that period.
Our abridgement begins in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia wins his campaign to become Pope, and describes the repercussions for his children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia and Jofre. Juan, the only legitimate son, will be allied in marriage to Spain, while Cesare is promised to the church - thus ensuring their legacy within the Vatican. As for Lucrezia, she is part of the price Borgia paid for his Papacy - though only 12, she must wed to shore up an uneasy alliance with the powerful Milanese Sforza family.
Episode 2:
Pope Alexander VI begins his reign with caution, impressing the Romans while keeping his mistress and his children in check - as best he can.
Episode 3:
Lucrezia frets about the strategic alliance her father is making with her marriage, and Cesare is recalled to Rome.
Episode 4:
Alexander plays out the diplomatic chess game of matchmaking his three eligible offspring, and manages to make his fourth, Cesare, a Cardinal.
Episode 5:
Alexander's difficulties with his enemies are complicated by his children's marital problems. As the French prepare to invade Italy, his Papacy hangs in the balance.
Episodes 6-10
Our abridgement began last week in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia won his campaign to become Pope. This week, we move on to the next four years of his reign. The problems seeded in the first year are blossoming into crises at every turn, as Italy explodes into war against the invading French. Rising above this challenge through a series of canny political manoeuvres, Alexander proves less able in his ability to control his children.
Read by Robert Glenister
Written by Sarah Dunant
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sm7hs
February 7, 2014
After being glued to the soap opera that was Showtime's The Borgias I thought I better read up on the real story. Author Sarah Dunant had commented that after researching this book for two years she didn't contradict any known facts and where information was not clear took her best guess with the available historical material.
As she has commented in her epilogue, "The Borgias were victims of bad press" and history is written by the victors and overall The Borgias came up short in their ambitions, but what a ride they had on the way. I found this a fascinating read, especially the character of Cesare Borgia, history's original badboy the infamous subject of Machiavelli's The Prince. And for all her "bad press", Lucrezia is portrayed as an intelligent women trying to make her way in a world where she really was just a pawn of her ambitious family. This book ends with the Borgias at the height of their power and a sequel is in the works which deals with their fall from grace.
An interesting read for anybody who wants to read the probable truth behind one of history's infamous families.
As she has commented in her epilogue, "The Borgias were victims of bad press" and history is written by the victors and overall The Borgias came up short in their ambitions, but what a ride they had on the way. I found this a fascinating read, especially the character of Cesare Borgia, history's original badboy the infamous subject of Machiavelli's The Prince. And for all her "bad press", Lucrezia is portrayed as an intelligent women trying to make her way in a world where she really was just a pawn of her ambitious family. This book ends with the Borgias at the height of their power and a sequel is in the works which deals with their fall from grace.
An interesting read for anybody who wants to read the probable truth behind one of history's infamous families.
January 6, 2020
This book, and In The Name of the Family, also by Sarah Dunant, are the first I've read anything about the Borgias. After watching both of the popular TV shows, I knew I wanted to know more of this family without the soap opera drama. Sarah Dunant is one of my favorite writers of historical fiction, and I was happy to see that she had written about this family and piece of history. Both books are well written, full of historical facts and just enough imagination to keep the story interesting and even paced. You can't help but love this power seeking family, with Lucrezia Borgia as the main character you end up rooting for, hoping she finds love and happiness in the midst of the religious and political madness that surrounded her. Highly recommend for those who love historical fiction, or epic family dramas.
April 20, 2013
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and, Borgia junkie that I am, I'm NEVER going to turn down something Borgia-related. Also it's got a very pretty cover and I am a very shallow person. "Borgia book, let me love you!" I said, opening the first page.
Further disclaimer: I have not actually read much historical fiction centered around the Borgia family. Mostly, this is because I've heard through the grapevine that most of it is uniformly terrible. I have however read several historical accounts of the family, notably Sarah Bradford's Lucrezia bio (oh hey, Bradford's Cesare bio is finally available on Kindle. Holla!), Christopher Hibbert's overview of the family, and Elizabeth Lev's bio of Caterina Sforza, badass bitch of Renaissance Italy. So I'm no expert, but I have a clear knowledge and interest in the family and the time period.
Which is to say the bar for pleasing me as a reader was pretty low. You would not have to jump very high, in fact you basically just have to hop a little and I will love your Borgia book.
All of this long, stupid intro is to say that I loved this book from Sarah Dunant. In fact, my personal rating would probably be either a 4.5 or a solid 5 stars. The reason I gave it four stars is the following: I think for this book to be the slam dunk it was with me, you have to already be interested in the subject matter.
I'm easy when it comes to Borgia historical fiction. Be well written, get the characterizations right (looking at you, Tom Fontana's Borgia), and I'll pretty much buy what you're selling. You can't really consider yourself an impartial reader when you watch Showtime's The Borgias chanting for Cesare and Lucrezia to "just make out already!" I'm Sarah Dunant's target audience on this book, and I stayed up one night until 2 am because "OMG I'm so close to the siege of Forli! Caterina Sforza gurl, let's do this!"
For people lacking that sort of obsessive love of the historical figures or the time period, I'm not sure this book will really grab them. It is well written, interesting, and it is completely clear that Dunant did her homework as far as research is concerned. The characterizations are great, whether it's Cesare and Michelotto's "best bros who murder" relationship or Cesare and Lucrezia's "you get that you guys are actually related though?" connection.
The real flaw I thought in the book was the choice to stage everything in third person present tense. While Dunant spends time with each of the main figures and their perspectives, the narrative device keeps the reader from ever really diving deep into any of the characters. Unfortunately this choice sometimes made the book read more "historical" than "historical fiction".
This didn't bother me any, I'll take the Borgia tale in any form, especially one well written and with all my favorites well represented. For other readers though, I can easily see the book not having enough of a personal narrative hook to get them invested.
The book is fairly long and yet doesn't cover their entire history, and like I noted it was certainly a page-turner for me. In the epilogue, Sarah Dunant talks about writing a concluding volume to the Borgia saga and man, will I read that the second it becomes available. (Like seriously, gimme!)
Like any historical fiction writer, Dunant makes deliberate choices with the more shady aspects of the Borgia story. But all of her choices made sense for her characters and indeed are in line with historian theories.
This is a very, very long review to say the following: I really, really liked it. However, I wish we had gotten closer to the characters at the heart of the story, which was a failing I felt in the narrative device chosen.
So basically, I LOVED it but your mileage may vary.
Further disclaimer: I have not actually read much historical fiction centered around the Borgia family. Mostly, this is because I've heard through the grapevine that most of it is uniformly terrible. I have however read several historical accounts of the family, notably Sarah Bradford's Lucrezia bio (oh hey, Bradford's Cesare bio is finally available on Kindle. Holla!), Christopher Hibbert's overview of the family, and Elizabeth Lev's bio of Caterina Sforza, badass bitch of Renaissance Italy. So I'm no expert, but I have a clear knowledge and interest in the family and the time period.
Which is to say the bar for pleasing me as a reader was pretty low. You would not have to jump very high, in fact you basically just have to hop a little and I will love your Borgia book.
All of this long, stupid intro is to say that I loved this book from Sarah Dunant. In fact, my personal rating would probably be either a 4.5 or a solid 5 stars. The reason I gave it four stars is the following: I think for this book to be the slam dunk it was with me, you have to already be interested in the subject matter.
I'm easy when it comes to Borgia historical fiction. Be well written, get the characterizations right (looking at you, Tom Fontana's Borgia), and I'll pretty much buy what you're selling. You can't really consider yourself an impartial reader when you watch Showtime's The Borgias chanting for Cesare and Lucrezia to "just make out already!" I'm Sarah Dunant's target audience on this book, and I stayed up one night until 2 am because "OMG I'm so close to the siege of Forli! Caterina Sforza gurl, let's do this!"
For people lacking that sort of obsessive love of the historical figures or the time period, I'm not sure this book will really grab them. It is well written, interesting, and it is completely clear that Dunant did her homework as far as research is concerned. The characterizations are great, whether it's Cesare and Michelotto's "best bros who murder" relationship or Cesare and Lucrezia's "you get that you guys are actually related though?" connection.
The real flaw I thought in the book was the choice to stage everything in third person present tense. While Dunant spends time with each of the main figures and their perspectives, the narrative device keeps the reader from ever really diving deep into any of the characters. Unfortunately this choice sometimes made the book read more "historical" than "historical fiction".
This didn't bother me any, I'll take the Borgia tale in any form, especially one well written and with all my favorites well represented. For other readers though, I can easily see the book not having enough of a personal narrative hook to get them invested.
The book is fairly long and yet doesn't cover their entire history, and like I noted it was certainly a page-turner for me. In the epilogue, Sarah Dunant talks about writing a concluding volume to the Borgia saga and man, will I read that the second it becomes available. (Like seriously, gimme!)
Like any historical fiction writer, Dunant makes deliberate choices with the more shady aspects of the Borgia story. But all of her choices made sense for her characters and indeed are in line with historian theories.
This is a very, very long review to say the following: I really, really liked it. However, I wish we had gotten closer to the characters at the heart of the story, which was a failing I felt in the narrative device chosen.
So basically, I LOVED it but your mileage may vary.
August 27, 2013
One could argue it's hard to write a bad book about The Borgias, given the plot lines History has given us: a Spanish cardinal who bribes his way to the top of the Church of Rome. A bastard son who is made a cardinal, but would rather lead an army. Another bastard son who leads the army, but would rather be in bed with a prostitute. A lovely daughter who loves her eldest brother, possibly to the point of incest. Add battles between Rome and Naples, Rome and Milan, Rome and Florence, and Rome and the French. Plus a few strategic marriages, non-stop intrigue and back-stabbing, and The Plague. Who couldn't tell a good story about that?
The recent TV series "The Borgias" for one.
The Borgias were so manipulative, so grasping that it's easy for their story to become pulp fiction -- all about the outrages without any insight. Dunant manages to get the balance right between the more prurient bits, and an explanation of both the times and the individuals involved. Consequently while the reader is unlikely to approve of the Borgias, he will at least understand that there was an inner logic -- however immoral -- to what they did.
Some of the reviewers on this page have faulted the book for not providing still more supporting history and a deeper exploration of the characters' psyches. And while it's true there is some information at the back of the book that changed my view of Lucrezia -- she was apparently a conscientious and dedicated administrator -- I think too much detail would drag down what is now a very crisp and engaging story.
Highly recommended.
The recent TV series "The Borgias" for one.
The Borgias were so manipulative, so grasping that it's easy for their story to become pulp fiction -- all about the outrages without any insight. Dunant manages to get the balance right between the more prurient bits, and an explanation of both the times and the individuals involved. Consequently while the reader is unlikely to approve of the Borgias, he will at least understand that there was an inner logic -- however immoral -- to what they did.
Some of the reviewers on this page have faulted the book for not providing still more supporting history and a deeper exploration of the characters' psyches. And while it's true there is some information at the back of the book that changed my view of Lucrezia -- she was apparently a conscientious and dedicated administrator -- I think too much detail would drag down what is now a very crisp and engaging story.
Highly recommended.
March 11, 2018
I am attempting audiobooks and my whole interaction with this work is framed by the fact that I don't think the audiobook form is working for me. I find it generally more difficult to follow what is happening (especially in the beginning) and they very clearly expose flaws in writing (though, this book was well written so that is not a particular concern here). It took me a long time to get into this, perhaps because of the general remove at which I felt from the characters throughout. I thought the last half of the book was much more engaging, with some fantastic scenes, but I think because I was listening to it (during my commute, cooking, often thinking of other things) I think I missed some of the subtle wit that others commented on and so enjoyed. I also thought the diplomacy/political strategizing was communicated in a slightly basic way.
Blood and Beauty is the historical story of the Borgia family, the head of which ascends to the papacy early in the novel. Outside of Pope Alexander VI, the novel largely focuses on his children Cesare and Lucrezia, and is set during Renaissance Europe. It's a subtle work with a large scope, and I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read a physical copy. As is, this was a 3-star experience for me.
Blood and Beauty is the historical story of the Borgia family, the head of which ascends to the papacy early in the novel. Outside of Pope Alexander VI, the novel largely focuses on his children Cesare and Lucrezia, and is set during Renaissance Europe. It's a subtle work with a large scope, and I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read a physical copy. As is, this was a 3-star experience for me.
April 24, 2018
tw: racism, incest (implied), gruesome animal death, sexism, rape, sexual assault
Well. This was one hell of a book. 500 pages of one family and what they did, laid bare for all to see. The Borgias. What. A. Family. My word! And here I thought the Pope was supposed to be a virtuous man. Guess not during the 15th century.
This book was intense. I knew nothing about the Borgias. I didn’t even know the patriarch was a Pope. All I knew was that there was a TV show about the family and I think this book was the source of that show. I may or may not watch it. It’s currently on Netflix but I’m so behind in everything that it may just have to be put on the backburner.
I learned a lot about the Borgias. They were a ruthless family, doing whatever they could to get to the top and remain there. They did it by any means necessary, which often included murder. I am amazed this family got away with the things they did but money talks, I suppose.
I would have given this 4 (four) stars, maybe even 5 (five) but the synopsis was kind of misleading. I thought this was mostly about Lucrezia and how she navigates life as a Borgia. I did get that but I also got POVs from different members of the family. I didn’t mind that, per se, but I just wasn’t expecting it so it diminished my liking of this book.
Another point I want to make before I end this post is the way this book was written. It was written in present tense (I think it’s called second person but I could be wrong), so we essentially experienced everything in real time. It was certainly an interesting way to write a history book. I’m not sure I liked it. I’d have to read more books like that in order to make a better opinion.
Overall, this was interesting and fascinating book. I told myself I would read more books from different time periods of history and I did that, thanks to Mom. This book was sparked a curiosity in the Catholic church history that I would like to explore more. In terms of recommendations, if you can get past the trigger warnings and size then I think history lovers would like this book.
Well. This was one hell of a book. 500 pages of one family and what they did, laid bare for all to see. The Borgias. What. A. Family. My word! And here I thought the Pope was supposed to be a virtuous man. Guess not during the 15th century.
This book was intense. I knew nothing about the Borgias. I didn’t even know the patriarch was a Pope. All I knew was that there was a TV show about the family and I think this book was the source of that show. I may or may not watch it. It’s currently on Netflix but I’m so behind in everything that it may just have to be put on the backburner.
I learned a lot about the Borgias. They were a ruthless family, doing whatever they could to get to the top and remain there. They did it by any means necessary, which often included murder. I am amazed this family got away with the things they did but money talks, I suppose.
I would have given this 4 (four) stars, maybe even 5 (five) but the synopsis was kind of misleading. I thought this was mostly about Lucrezia and how she navigates life as a Borgia. I did get that but I also got POVs from different members of the family. I didn’t mind that, per se, but I just wasn’t expecting it so it diminished my liking of this book.
Another point I want to make before I end this post is the way this book was written. It was written in present tense (I think it’s called second person but I could be wrong), so we essentially experienced everything in real time. It was certainly an interesting way to write a history book. I’m not sure I liked it. I’d have to read more books like that in order to make a better opinion.
Overall, this was interesting and fascinating book. I told myself I would read more books from different time periods of history and I did that, thanks to Mom. This book was sparked a curiosity in the Catholic church history that I would like to explore more. In terms of recommendations, if you can get past the trigger warnings and size then I think history lovers would like this book.
Read
May 18, 2013It is the summer of 1492 and the death of Pope Innocent VIII has left the papal throne empty, ready for the new incumbent. In Conclave, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia is busy doing what he does best - plotting. Never one to embark on anything half heartedly, his gleeful shouts of, "I am Pope!" lack dignity, but show us what lies ahead. For Rodrigo Borgia is a new kind of pontiff; unashamedly using nepotism to advance the careers of his children, making political alliances, waging war and always plotting for more power. This is historical fiction at its best - sumptuous and rich in detail, with characters you can sympathise with and care about. The author really makes this era come alive as she unravels the myths of the Borgia family and tells the story of their rise and the beginnings of their fall.
Much of our sympathy is focused on Lucrezia, who, although adored and petted by her father and elder brother, Cesare, soon finds that her main use is in the marriage market. Cesare is, of course, the ultimate in jaunty evil. Given as a hostage by his father, he casually remarks, "I think, if it meets with your approval, I will not go the whole way..." There is a great deal of tension between Cesare and brother Juan; while younger brother Jofre is portrayed as the typical spoilt and petulant youngest child. The author manages to get the right balance of intrigue, fear, naked ambition and danger into the storyline, which rattles along at a great pace. This would be ideal summer reading at the beach - a fantastic story, wonderful setting and a family we seem to never tire of reading about.
Much of our sympathy is focused on Lucrezia, who, although adored and petted by her father and elder brother, Cesare, soon finds that her main use is in the marriage market. Cesare is, of course, the ultimate in jaunty evil. Given as a hostage by his father, he casually remarks, "I think, if it meets with your approval, I will not go the whole way..." There is a great deal of tension between Cesare and brother Juan; while younger brother Jofre is portrayed as the typical spoilt and petulant youngest child. The author manages to get the right balance of intrigue, fear, naked ambition and danger into the storyline, which rattles along at a great pace. This would be ideal summer reading at the beach - a fantastic story, wonderful setting and a family we seem to never tire of reading about.
August 5, 2013
I thought this was an appropriate novel to read since I just returned from a trip to Rome and I have been eager to learn more about the Borgias!!! This did provide me with a good overview of their story but lacked much intimacy with the characters!!! There are a lot of players in this family and I wish that Dunant had allowed the reader to get closer to them emotionally maybe by telling their story from one characters perspective!!! Still would love to read more about this notorious family... strong 3.5!!!
December 26, 2013
Rodrigo Borgia, a noble of Spanish descent, in 1492 wins a majority of votes carefully cultivated among the College of Cardinals, the vote that would mandate the rest of his life be spent as Pope Alexander VI. Totally besotted with his own children, Juan, Cesare, and Lucrezia, and endeared to his former and present lover, Alexander will spend the remainder of his life manipulating, severing and unifying the bonds of these faithless and troubled children. One can imagine what it was like to technically not exist as the children of a Pope and yet to live in the opulent lifestyle of what seemed like limitless power of the Borgia clan.
The Borgias have as many enemies as supporters and it’s Alexander’s job to keep his finger on the pulse of the yet to be enacted secret plots. While this is happening, Juan and Cesare barely tolerate each other and Juan’s amorous escapades are the talk of Rome. Cesare has received a church position but yearns for the life of a military strategist and campaigner. Alexander is trying to secure marriage betrothals for his children, all meant to secure the loyalty of both friends and enemies. For Italy is divided as city-states war with each other, and France has its eye on exploiting the divisions for its own gain.
A violent death and a serious illness temporarily devastates Alexander and gradually Lucrezia inwardly despises her family for using her as a marital tool and a not very effective one at heading off future conflicts within and outside of Rome. Revenge must wait while the all-out war Cesare wages for his father occurs. The outcome is devastating for so many and stifles all doubts of the strength of the Borgia clan, including another female warrior leader formerly respected for her indomitable fierceness and military successes. Yes, there is blood, beauty, lust, violence, murder, disease and enough verbal altercations to keep the reader rapidly flipping the pages to the very last word.
Blood and Beauty is a classic work of historical fiction written in the style of an embellished, thrilling account. The novel also includes vivid descriptions of the gorgeous art and architecture of Rome, especially within Vatican City. The unique quality of this story lies in changes wrought by Pope Alexander VI and his Borgia family in an extremely troubled time in Italian history. Rome at this time was a dirty, dangerous city that slowly evolved into the magnificent cultural and sacred icon. The author presents the immorality of the Borgias without commentary which this reader finds leads to some interesting reflection on how the Catholic Church operated in the 15th and 16th centuries. The writing is handled so deftly that one almost unconsciously dismisses the “right/wrong” issues because one is so caught up with the machinations of Alexander and Cesare Borgia, not knowing how each scenario will unfold!
Sarah Dunant is a superb author of historical fiction. Blood and Beauty is a memorable, phenomenal account of one of the most notable and infamous families in world history. Highly, highly recommended – and there is more Borgia impact to come which this reviewer eagerly anticipates!
The Borgias have as many enemies as supporters and it’s Alexander’s job to keep his finger on the pulse of the yet to be enacted secret plots. While this is happening, Juan and Cesare barely tolerate each other and Juan’s amorous escapades are the talk of Rome. Cesare has received a church position but yearns for the life of a military strategist and campaigner. Alexander is trying to secure marriage betrothals for his children, all meant to secure the loyalty of both friends and enemies. For Italy is divided as city-states war with each other, and France has its eye on exploiting the divisions for its own gain.
A violent death and a serious illness temporarily devastates Alexander and gradually Lucrezia inwardly despises her family for using her as a marital tool and a not very effective one at heading off future conflicts within and outside of Rome. Revenge must wait while the all-out war Cesare wages for his father occurs. The outcome is devastating for so many and stifles all doubts of the strength of the Borgia clan, including another female warrior leader formerly respected for her indomitable fierceness and military successes. Yes, there is blood, beauty, lust, violence, murder, disease and enough verbal altercations to keep the reader rapidly flipping the pages to the very last word.
Blood and Beauty is a classic work of historical fiction written in the style of an embellished, thrilling account. The novel also includes vivid descriptions of the gorgeous art and architecture of Rome, especially within Vatican City. The unique quality of this story lies in changes wrought by Pope Alexander VI and his Borgia family in an extremely troubled time in Italian history. Rome at this time was a dirty, dangerous city that slowly evolved into the magnificent cultural and sacred icon. The author presents the immorality of the Borgias without commentary which this reader finds leads to some interesting reflection on how the Catholic Church operated in the 15th and 16th centuries. The writing is handled so deftly that one almost unconsciously dismisses the “right/wrong” issues because one is so caught up with the machinations of Alexander and Cesare Borgia, not knowing how each scenario will unfold!
Sarah Dunant is a superb author of historical fiction. Blood and Beauty is a memorable, phenomenal account of one of the most notable and infamous families in world history. Highly, highly recommended – and there is more Borgia impact to come which this reviewer eagerly anticipates!
July 17, 2018
This was the first historical novel about the Italian Renaissance period that I’ve read and, for me, it was undoubtedly one of the most thrillingly dramatic of such genre. Like icing on the cake, I also thoroughly enjoyed Sarah Dunant’s imagery-rich but non-cumbersome style of writing. I’m giving it 4 full stars.
For most European historical fiction lovers, the name “Borgia” is probably quite familiar. For me though, it is a historical name that I first came across while watching a few episodes of the Showtime TV series “The Borgias” several years ago. But the story didn’t even stick with me. While reading the novel, I couldn’t resist jumping over to Wikipedia from time to time to dig out facts relating to certain characters or events. Even so, and always bearing in mind that history is written by the winners (i.e. the enemies of the Borgias after the latter's fall from grace), I find it impossible to make up my mind over what to believe to be the true faces of the two principal characters: Rodrigo Borgia and Lucrezia Borgia. My mind boggles and oscillates between what historians claim to be facts, what the author portrays in the novel, and what has become over the years popular belief. The question that keeps reeling in my brain is: was Rodrigo Borgia a kind and loving father and suave politician on an even keel, whose hand was sometimes forced by circumstances, or was he a power-lusting, lascivious and materialistic glutton, or was he an innately duplicitous being? Another lingering doubt is about his daughter Lucrezia. Was she an innocent and malleable pawn in his father’s and brother’s elaborate political schemes, or was she a hypocritical, materialistic and licentious hedonist, or a bit of both? Perhaps of the principal characters, the painting of the blood-thirsting, vengeful and merciless Cesare Borgia seemed to be most consistent in all the three areas of history, fiction and popular belief.
The author does declare in the Historical Epilogue:
“While Blood & Beauty is unapologetically an act of the imagination, the novel draws heavily on the work of modern historians whose judgment on the Borgias is more scrupulous and discriminating than many in the past.”
“….I have taken the liberty of writing what feels to me to be the psychological truth of the personalities as they have emerged from the research. In this I am no more right – or possibly no more wrong – than anyone else.”
Fair enough. That said, the Renaissance period in Italy, or the parallel époque elsewhere in Europe for that matter, was one marked by ruthless power- and territory-grabbing and rotten-to-the-core corruption and immoral dealings both within and without the realm of Christianity. That such times were the nursery bed for players like the Borgias would render their story almost a natural course of event.
July 6, 2013
This is the story of the Borgia family from the election of Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander VI in 1492 through to the announcement of Lucrezia Borgia's third marriage in 1502. This was a tumultuous time in Italian history and the Borgias were strong and fascinating characters, with ruthless ambitions and enormous sexual appetites. The main three characters in the novel are Rodrigo, his extremely ambitious son Cesare and his daughter Lucrezia.
I have been fascinated by the Borgias since reading Jean Plaidy's novels as a teenager and I was really looking forward to reading this. Maybe that's part of the problem. I liked it but I didn't love it and I expected to love it. It took me a full two weeks to read which is a long time for me. Somehow I never felt the urge to get back to it, which baffled me because I've always liked Dunant's writing. Partly I feel that the problem was that her scope was so wide. So much was going on that the book was far more about plot than about character and sometimes when historical records are inconclusive, she shies away from making it clear what she thinks would have happened. I often felt like I was reading narrative non-fiction rather than fiction.
There were so many characters that few could be developed in any depth. For example there was time spent introducing Guilia Farnese as a character in the early parts of the book, but then she was relegated to brief mentions thereafter. Central characters like Jofre Borgia, his wife Sancia and Juan Borgia are simply one dimensional caricatures. Even Cesare is never really explained. I was also disappointed by the way that the romance between Lucrezia and her Spanish lover was developed (or not). For example there is no mention of her maid being murdered which I always thought was a central clue as to how things unfolded. When the pace slowed down the book became more compelling, but then we'd be back to battle scenes and I just...switched off.
It was a very uneven read for me. There were segments here or there when I'd be riveted for 100 pages at a time, but too many times I found it heavy going.
I have been fascinated by the Borgias since reading Jean Plaidy's novels as a teenager and I was really looking forward to reading this. Maybe that's part of the problem. I liked it but I didn't love it and I expected to love it. It took me a full two weeks to read which is a long time for me. Somehow I never felt the urge to get back to it, which baffled me because I've always liked Dunant's writing. Partly I feel that the problem was that her scope was so wide. So much was going on that the book was far more about plot than about character and sometimes when historical records are inconclusive, she shies away from making it clear what she thinks would have happened. I often felt like I was reading narrative non-fiction rather than fiction.
There were so many characters that few could be developed in any depth. For example there was time spent introducing Guilia Farnese as a character in the early parts of the book, but then she was relegated to brief mentions thereafter. Central characters like Jofre Borgia, his wife Sancia and Juan Borgia are simply one dimensional caricatures. Even Cesare is never really explained. I was also disappointed by the way that the romance between Lucrezia and her Spanish lover was developed (or not). For example there is no mention of her maid being murdered which I always thought was a central clue as to how things unfolded. When the pace slowed down the book became more compelling, but then we'd be back to battle scenes and I just...switched off.
It was a very uneven read for me. There were segments here or there when I'd be riveted for 100 pages at a time, but too many times I found it heavy going.
August 15, 2014
Sarah Dunant is one my favourite writers, and I found myself comparing it with her other three books set in the Italian Renaissance. I’m not sure if I was spoiled by the mini-series released about the Borgia’s, but I almost gave up on this book because half of it felt like a history lesson, which I had not noticed in the other three books I’ve read. Half way through, I felt like she had the mojo back, and I was totally hooked.
May 20, 2013
A wonderfully detailed and rich account of the life of the Borgias, however this is not the full story and a sequel is to follow. I look forward to reading it.
September 2, 2013
I'm a huge Sarah Dunant fan, but I had to force myself to finish this book. The title should be Blood and Beauty and Brutality because it was brutal for me to read this novel. I want to give the book 2 stars because I truly did not care for it, but I realize that my reaction to the book is based on my reaction to the (male) characters and not the author's writing or research.
I was raised Catholic, and I've read plenty of fiction and nonfiction tomes on the corruption of the (early) Catholic church. I knew what my history classes taught me about the Borgias, and unlike my feelings for the Medici family, I have never harbored a fascination for the Borgias. I could not get beyond my disgust with the actions of the Popes and Catholic church during this time period. Every man was a brute in this novel,and every woman a whore or a victim. I understand this is representative of the time period; however, the book offered no respite from the wickedness. I found myself bored during many passages; there is such a thing as oversaturation from horror. Just when I was ready to give up (over and over again) the author provided a little relief, and I felt as if the characters were becoming real people and not merely caricatures. Alas, this did not last for long.
I realize my review and reaction to this novel are far different from other goodreads readers, but I found the reading of this book tedious. My loyalty to Dunant is what kept me reading. Yes, it's a thorough reading of this family, and yes, what we know of the Borgias has been written by their enemies, and I believe Dunant sifted through her research and strived to portray the characters as realistically as possible (taking into consideration what history tells us about them). The problem for me is that I found all the men so abhorrent that it made for monotonously tiresome reading.
I'm not sure if I will be able to to stomach the sequel.
I was raised Catholic, and I've read plenty of fiction and nonfiction tomes on the corruption of the (early) Catholic church. I knew what my history classes taught me about the Borgias, and unlike my feelings for the Medici family, I have never harbored a fascination for the Borgias. I could not get beyond my disgust with the actions of the Popes and Catholic church during this time period. Every man was a brute in this novel,and every woman a whore or a victim. I understand this is representative of the time period; however, the book offered no respite from the wickedness. I found myself bored during many passages; there is such a thing as oversaturation from horror. Just when I was ready to give up (over and over again) the author provided a little relief, and I felt as if the characters were becoming real people and not merely caricatures. Alas, this did not last for long.
I realize my review and reaction to this novel are far different from other goodreads readers, but I found the reading of this book tedious. My loyalty to Dunant is what kept me reading. Yes, it's a thorough reading of this family, and yes, what we know of the Borgias has been written by their enemies, and I believe Dunant sifted through her research and strived to portray the characters as realistically as possible (taking into consideration what history tells us about them). The problem for me is that I found all the men so abhorrent that it made for monotonously tiresome reading.
I'm not sure if I will be able to to stomach the sequel.
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