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Fierce Dreamer: A Novel
From the bestselling author of The Bloodletter’s Daughter comes a historical novel about a defiant seventeenth-century artist who dared to feed her passions and explore the limitless possibilities of art.
Born in the bustling artist quarter of Rome, Artemisia, daughter of renowned painter Orazio Gentileschi, is unavoidably drawn into a profession unheard of for women. With an innate grasp of color, light, and composition, and inspired by the mercurial Caravaggio, the fiery Artemisia embraces her calling with a precocious brilliance. But as a young woman, she also finds herself oppressed by a powerful patriarchy, and she is forced to endure emotional and physical abuse at the hands of men.
Until a shattering act of violence unleashes Artemisia’s righteous fury.
Refusing to be silenced and resolved to best men at their own games, Artemisia does what no woman had dared to do before. She fights back.
A bracing historical novel about a woman boldly at odds with her time, Fierce Dreamer explores the fearless determination that would fuel Artemisia Gentileschi’s most courageous works of art and make her independent voice a vital one for our own time.
Born in the bustling artist quarter of Rome, Artemisia, daughter of renowned painter Orazio Gentileschi, is unavoidably drawn into a profession unheard of for women. With an innate grasp of color, light, and composition, and inspired by the mercurial Caravaggio, the fiery Artemisia embraces her calling with a precocious brilliance. But as a young woman, she also finds herself oppressed by a powerful patriarchy, and she is forced to endure emotional and physical abuse at the hands of men.
Until a shattering act of violence unleashes Artemisia’s righteous fury.
Refusing to be silenced and resolved to best men at their own games, Artemisia does what no woman had dared to do before. She fights back.
A bracing historical novel about a woman boldly at odds with her time, Fierce Dreamer explores the fearless determination that would fuel Artemisia Gentileschi’s most courageous works of art and make her independent voice a vital one for our own time.
Audio CD
First published May 5, 2020
342 people are currently reading
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About the author
Linda Lafferty
10 books297 followersThe daughter of a naval commander, Linda Lafferty attended fourteen different schools growing up, ultimately graduating from the University of Colorado with a master's degree and a PhD in education. Her peripatetic childhood nourished a lifelong love of travel, and she studied abroad in England, France, Mexico, and Spain. Her uncle introduced her to the sport of polo when she was just ten years old, and she enjoys playing to this day. She also competed on the Lancaster University Riding Team in England in stadium jumping, cross country, and dressage. A veteran school educator, she is the author of The Bloodletter's Daughter and The Drowning Guard. She lives in Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 19, 2024
Whilst the storytelling is good and Artemisia is a "ledge" in modern parlance, the whole thing is a bit too rapey for my liking! Men and their stupid cocks get far too much air time!
There is entertainment, intrigue, suspense but honestly I just wanted Artemisia to stab every man she met in the penis! Now that's entertainment!
A fairly decent fiction but not one I'm going to return to in the future.
There is entertainment, intrigue, suspense but honestly I just wanted Artemisia to stab every man she met in the penis! Now that's entertainment!
A fairly decent fiction but not one I'm going to return to in the future.
May 24, 2020
(If you don't know anything about the real life woman, then spoilers ahead)
I know there are more in depth studies of Artemesia Gentileschi's life than what I've come across on the internet, but I still have a hard time believing there is very much information about the life of a woman who lived in the early 1600's. I can't find corroboration for many of the disturbing elements of this story so I assume many of the details in this book were the author's creation. It seems to me that she took every chance to add sordid and base details to Artemesia's life, simply to make the book more shocking and titillating.
Furthermore, the book gravitates toward and climaxes on the most horrific part of Artemesia's life (her rape and the trial of her rapist) then ends before we see her triumphant years as a famous artist. Why? I'm guessing because there's just not enough of the ambulance-chasing type of shocking details there. So the main focus of this book ends up being Artemesia's rape.
Oh how this upsets me! Artemesia Gentileschi spent her life trying to get away from this one event that was forced upon her. She didn't want her life defined by this horrible thing a man did to her. She was one of the few female artists of her time and certainly no female artist came close to her level of fame at that time. And here we have a book that pivots around the one thing she shouldn't be defined by! I'm sure some will say this is because we get to see her rise above and fight back against her rapist (and the patriarchy) but that's simply a flimsy excuse for the author's attempt to make this woman's life full of the base, vulgar, and traumatic. Much less of the book should have been about the rape. There are even hints of her future rape throughout the beginning of the book and her younger years. It's as if the author wants to make Artemisia's whole life tainted by this disgusting man and what he did to her. Artemesia deserves better!
I know there are more in depth studies of Artemesia Gentileschi's life than what I've come across on the internet, but I still have a hard time believing there is very much information about the life of a woman who lived in the early 1600's. I can't find corroboration for many of the disturbing elements of this story so I assume many of the details in this book were the author's creation. It seems to me that she took every chance to add sordid and base details to Artemesia's life, simply to make the book more shocking and titillating.
Furthermore, the book gravitates toward and climaxes on the most horrific part of Artemesia's life (her rape and the trial of her rapist) then ends before we see her triumphant years as a famous artist. Why? I'm guessing because there's just not enough of the ambulance-chasing type of shocking details there. So the main focus of this book ends up being Artemesia's rape.
Oh how this upsets me! Artemesia Gentileschi spent her life trying to get away from this one event that was forced upon her. She didn't want her life defined by this horrible thing a man did to her. She was one of the few female artists of her time and certainly no female artist came close to her level of fame at that time. And here we have a book that pivots around the one thing she shouldn't be defined by! I'm sure some will say this is because we get to see her rise above and fight back against her rapist (and the patriarchy) but that's simply a flimsy excuse for the author's attempt to make this woman's life full of the base, vulgar, and traumatic. Much less of the book should have been about the rape. There are even hints of her future rape throughout the beginning of the book and her younger years. It's as if the author wants to make Artemisia's whole life tainted by this disgusting man and what he did to her. Artemesia deserves better!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2021
Probably the best read of the Art Museum Bookclub in years. Lafferty puts the reader beside Artemesia as she goes through the trials of her life. Her struggles with her family, her passion for art, and all the horrors that were Rome during this period were conveyed so greatly from the author. Her words paint scenes similar to Artemesia’s paintings especially during the trial. I can’t wait for the museums meeting on this book. 👍👍👍👍👍
July 27, 2022
I grab anything I can on this subject, was not disappointed.
January 4, 2021
Fierce Dreamer by Linda Lafferty
Length: 315 Pages
Genres: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
"'Artemisia. Boys will be jealous of you for the rest of your life. You have a gift they would kill for. Yes, you have the promise of physical beauty, but there are plenty of pretty girls in Rome. You possess something much more rare. You have God-given talent. You will be a great painter. And many will hate you for your art.'"
Trigger Warnings in this book for Rape, Sexual Assault, and Violence
My first book of 2021, and oh, how wonderful it was! I picked this up solely because I am participating in this year's Buzzword Readathon, hosted by Kayla at BooksandLala. This month's buzzword was dream, or dreamer or dreaming, anything along those lines. Honestly, I have to thank the Readathon for pushing it to the top of my TBR!
I have always had a fascination with Artemisia Gentileschi, a woman who became an accomplished painter, and so much more, in a time when women were nothing more than wives, mothers, servants, or even prostitutes. Born to the artist Orazio Gentileschi, a follower of Caravaggio's, and Prudenzia di Ottaviano Montoni, we follow Artemisia through her hard but sheltered childhood, constantly at her father's feet, until her early adulthood and through the trial that would shadow the rest of her life.
Artemisia is exceptionally gifted, headstrong and passionate, of her father's "Tuscan blood", as is remarked by others. She is Orazio's pride and joy, and as a child and remarkable protégé, she is allowed to come and go as she pleases, visiting various bottegas to learn from the masters themselves. She is even taken to the execution of Beatrice Cenci, a woman who killed her father who was raping her, something that sticks with her and even goes on to mimic her own life, only with a different outcome. But, as she matures, her father's love turns to control, especially as she comes into undeniable beauty. She is soon kept inside like a caged bird, only allowed to paint still lifes at her father's instruction. Artemisia longs to be free, to paint the dark and dramatic works she dreams of, like her idol Caravaggio.
I absolutely adored Artemisia, her strength, her conviction, her refusal to let those more powerful than her win. When the horrible day of her rape by her tutor, Agostino Tassi, comes, as anyone who knows her story will anticipate, her emotions were my own. Her outrage, her fear and broken heart. She understands immediately that she has lost, perhaps, her only ticket to freedom via her virginity and a chance for marriage. This quote, from one of her first conversations with Tassi, sums up her personality perfectly:
"The maestro studied the nude and then shifted his gaze to her. 'I think it will be a challenge and a pleasure to teach you, Sinorina,' he said. 'You have tremendous potential.'
She looked at him coldly. "I have tremendous skill, Maestro Tassi.'"
Every man in this story I hated at least once, from Agostino to the loathsome Cosimo Quorli to Artemisia's eldest brother, and even, and maybe in particular, her mercurial father who only suggests she bring her rapist to trial when he fears for his own reputation. The strongest characters in this book were of course the women, especially how they interacted with one another, including the fleeting and loving moments with Prudenzia before her untimely death, and Tuzia, the neighbor who would later become Orazio's lover, and eventually, be tried at court for involvement in the rape.
Artemisia, who overcame so much, is brought wonderfully to life in "Fierce Dreamer". I'm excited to pick up another book by Lafferty, and if they are anything like this one, she will surely become a favorite of mine! I just adored this book, and I think you will, too.
For more reviews visit my blog!
Length: 315 Pages
Genres: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
"'Artemisia. Boys will be jealous of you for the rest of your life. You have a gift they would kill for. Yes, you have the promise of physical beauty, but there are plenty of pretty girls in Rome. You possess something much more rare. You have God-given talent. You will be a great painter. And many will hate you for your art.'"
Trigger Warnings in this book for Rape, Sexual Assault, and Violence
My first book of 2021, and oh, how wonderful it was! I picked this up solely because I am participating in this year's Buzzword Readathon, hosted by Kayla at BooksandLala. This month's buzzword was dream, or dreamer or dreaming, anything along those lines. Honestly, I have to thank the Readathon for pushing it to the top of my TBR!
I have always had a fascination with Artemisia Gentileschi, a woman who became an accomplished painter, and so much more, in a time when women were nothing more than wives, mothers, servants, or even prostitutes. Born to the artist Orazio Gentileschi, a follower of Caravaggio's, and Prudenzia di Ottaviano Montoni, we follow Artemisia through her hard but sheltered childhood, constantly at her father's feet, until her early adulthood and through the trial that would shadow the rest of her life.
Artemisia is exceptionally gifted, headstrong and passionate, of her father's "Tuscan blood", as is remarked by others. She is Orazio's pride and joy, and as a child and remarkable protégé, she is allowed to come and go as she pleases, visiting various bottegas to learn from the masters themselves. She is even taken to the execution of Beatrice Cenci, a woman who killed her father who was raping her, something that sticks with her and even goes on to mimic her own life, only with a different outcome. But, as she matures, her father's love turns to control, especially as she comes into undeniable beauty. She is soon kept inside like a caged bird, only allowed to paint still lifes at her father's instruction. Artemisia longs to be free, to paint the dark and dramatic works she dreams of, like her idol Caravaggio.
I absolutely adored Artemisia, her strength, her conviction, her refusal to let those more powerful than her win. When the horrible day of her rape by her tutor, Agostino Tassi, comes, as anyone who knows her story will anticipate, her emotions were my own. Her outrage, her fear and broken heart. She understands immediately that she has lost, perhaps, her only ticket to freedom via her virginity and a chance for marriage. This quote, from one of her first conversations with Tassi, sums up her personality perfectly:
"The maestro studied the nude and then shifted his gaze to her. 'I think it will be a challenge and a pleasure to teach you, Sinorina,' he said. 'You have tremendous potential.'
She looked at him coldly. "I have tremendous skill, Maestro Tassi.'"
Every man in this story I hated at least once, from Agostino to the loathsome Cosimo Quorli to Artemisia's eldest brother, and even, and maybe in particular, her mercurial father who only suggests she bring her rapist to trial when he fears for his own reputation. The strongest characters in this book were of course the women, especially how they interacted with one another, including the fleeting and loving moments with Prudenzia before her untimely death, and Tuzia, the neighbor who would later become Orazio's lover, and eventually, be tried at court for involvement in the rape.
Artemisia, who overcame so much, is brought wonderfully to life in "Fierce Dreamer". I'm excited to pick up another book by Lafferty, and if they are anything like this one, she will surely become a favorite of mine! I just adored this book, and I think you will, too.
For more reviews visit my blog!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2020
What a terrific novel this is! Artemisia is a talented artist but she's also a woman living in 17th century Rome and as a result has little freedom and even less respect. Her father is an artist and she's got a relationship with Caravaggio as well (she's been referred to as painting in the style of Caravaggio). That doesn't help, however, because she's still stuck. Then she's raped by Agostino Tassi. Her father (!) presses charges and Tassi, a truly evil man, is put on trial. Highly recommend that the reader do some googling while reading because of of these are real people and their stories are fascinating. I learned a lot not only from Lafferty's carefully researched book but also because she piqued my interest to keep reading elsewhere. Artemisia's art focused on women and sadly for many years she was more or less ignored. Her work was due to be the subject of an exhibition at the National Gallery in London this year but that, like so much else has been delayed. The publication of this novel has not been delated, however and it's an excellent read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For art fans and fans of historical fiction.
April 28, 2024
"Fierce Dreamer" tells the story of an interesting woman, but I don't think the novel quite did her justice. There isn't a lot of character depth or development and the writing style didn't really work for me.
August 10, 2021
Well, I know more Italian insults now compared to before I read this book.
September 5, 2020
Title: Fierce Dreamer
Author: Linda Lafferty
Format: Kindle (Bought)
[ Enjoyed ] Yes. No. I don't know.
[ Last Read ] Finished during lunch today.
[ Reread ] Unlikely.
[ Cover Lust ] No.
[ Intriguing Title ] Kind of.
[ Interesting Premise/Plot ] Yes.
[ Preview Impressions ] On the fence.
[ Kept My Attention ] Mostly yes.
[ Got Bored / Mind Wandering ] Not really.
[ Skimmed/Skipped Scenes/Chapters ] No.
[ Reread Past Scenes For Fun ] No.
[ Reread Past ScenesCause My Memory Sucks To Clear Confusion ] Didn't bother. Couldn't remember any names.
[ Stayed Up Late ] No.
[ Took a Long Break Midway ] No.
[ Ending Left Me Feeling ] Neutral.
[ Easy Light Reading ] No.
[ Turn Brain Off ] Yes. (I didn't. Oh the pain...)
[ Guilty Pleasure ] Hell no.
Other thoughts I'm throwing in: (Might contain spoilers; I fail at identifying them.)
What little I knew of Art...whatever...mia (I can't remember her name) was from a fairly brief (20 minutes?) overview during an art history course way back in college (circa 2004-2005?). I remember thinking, "Wow, what a forward-thinking doting father that loved his daughter!"
This book destroyed my initial impression of Art's father.
He is not forward-thinking. He is not doting. And I seriously question his love. (He loves her. He loves her not. He loves her... He loves her not...)
Hell, I question just about all the people from that time period. What a bunch of idiotic hypocrites!!! How the fk did Fran...whatever-his-name-is went from being protective to scum?! What kind of father shelters his daughter like crazy yet calls her a whore/slut to everyone else?! Oh, apparently any words that comes out of a female's mouth are lies while any words out of a male's mouth are undeniably 100% the utter fking truth. Even if said male is a scum you don't trust. (Wow! Such...unconditional...TRUST!!!) And the chaperone thing, while I understand the concept in general, you'd think everyone would be smart enough to figure, hey, if a guy (or two) really wants to rape a chick, he can easily knock a single weak female chaperone out cold. (Or just bloody fking kill her.)
But no, everyone is fking dumb. Logic, what's that?
Reading Fierce Dreamer was so fking infuriating because of this. I knew this stuff in general. I just couldn't believe how extreme it was. Like, at one point I declared all women should have just committed mass suicide to leave the idiot men to die out. But wait, the women are just are dumb as the men!
The start of the story was hard for me to get into. Art is 3 yo, and the early chapters are of her childhood. I had a hard time remembering she wasn't older during the chapters. At the pace the story was going, I assumed this book would dabble key points throughout her entire life.
Nope, it slowed down with the introduction of Tass..io? (Again, I can't remember any names. Not familiar with Italian names.) When I kept expecting the thing that led to suing to happen, it didn't. And when it finally did happen, the suing didn't happen for quite a while. Finally when it happens, I realized the rest of the book wasn't enough to cover the rest of Art's life.
Fierce Dreamer focused on the event that made Art a badass women for her time period. I was surprised at the court ruling because back in my art history class, while we did learn that Art's father sued Tassio(?), my teacher said that the records were burned/lost, so she had no idea what the outcome was when a classmate asked about it. (I guess they were found/discovered since then?)
Thankfully the author included some additional notes at the end about Art after the last chapter. I would have liked to continue reading her story into success and fame though. (Surely it wasn't smooth sailing after getting married and moving, right? She hasn't achieved her dream just yet!)
Author: Linda Lafferty
Format: Kindle (Bought)
[ Enjoyed ] Yes. No. I don't know.
[ Last Read ] Finished during lunch today.
[ Reread ] Unlikely.
[ Cover Lust ] No.
[ Intriguing Title ] Kind of.
[ Interesting Premise/Plot ] Yes.
[ Preview Impressions ] On the fence.
[ Kept My Attention ] Mostly yes.
[ Got Bored / Mind Wandering ] Not really.
[ Skimmed/Skipped Scenes/Chapters ] No.
[ Reread Past Scenes For Fun ] No.
[ Reread Past Scenes
[ Stayed Up Late ] No.
[ Took a Long Break Midway ] No.
[ Ending Left Me Feeling ] Neutral.
[ Easy Light Reading ] No.
[ Turn Brain Off ] Yes. (I didn't. Oh the pain...)
[ Guilty Pleasure ] Hell no.
Other thoughts I'm throwing in: (Might contain spoilers; I fail at identifying them.)
What little I knew of Art...whatever...mia (I can't remember her name) was from a fairly brief (20 minutes?) overview during an art history course way back in college (circa 2004-2005?). I remember thinking, "Wow, what a forward-thinking doting father that loved his daughter!"
This book destroyed my initial impression of Art's father.
He is not forward-thinking. He is not doting. And I seriously question his love. (He loves her. He loves her not. He loves her... He loves her not...)
Hell, I question just about all the people from that time period. What a bunch of idiotic hypocrites!!! How the fk did Fran...whatever-his-name-is went from being protective to scum?! What kind of father shelters his daughter like crazy yet calls her a whore/slut to everyone else?! Oh, apparently any words that comes out of a female's mouth are lies while any words out of a male's mouth are undeniably 100% the utter fking truth. Even if said male is a scum you don't trust. (Wow! Such...unconditional...TRUST!!!) And the chaperone thing, while I understand the concept in general, you'd think everyone would be smart enough to figure, hey, if a guy (or two) really wants to rape a chick, he can easily knock a single weak female chaperone out cold. (Or just bloody fking kill her.)
But no, everyone is fking dumb. Logic, what's that?
Reading Fierce Dreamer was so fking infuriating because of this. I knew this stuff in general. I just couldn't believe how extreme it was. Like, at one point I declared all women should have just committed mass suicide to leave the idiot men to die out. But wait, the women are just are dumb as the men!
The start of the story was hard for me to get into. Art is 3 yo, and the early chapters are of her childhood. I had a hard time remembering she wasn't older during the chapters. At the pace the story was going, I assumed this book would dabble key points throughout her entire life.
Nope, it slowed down with the introduction of Tass..io? (Again, I can't remember any names. Not familiar with Italian names.) When I kept expecting the thing that led to suing to happen, it didn't. And when it finally did happen, the suing didn't happen for quite a while. Finally when it happens, I realized the rest of the book wasn't enough to cover the rest of Art's life.
Fierce Dreamer focused on the event that made Art a badass women for her time period. I was surprised at the court ruling because back in my art history class, while we did learn that Art's father sued Tassio(?), my teacher said that the records were burned/lost, so she had no idea what the outcome was when a classmate asked about it. (I guess they were found/discovered since then?)
Thankfully the author included some additional notes at the end about Art after the last chapter. I would have liked to continue reading her story into success and fame though. (Surely it wasn't smooth sailing after getting married and moving, right? She hasn't achieved her dream just yet!)
June 3, 2020
1596, Via Paolina, Rome, Italy. Campo Marzio. Orazio Gentileschi (father) had ½-finished paintings, brushes of all sizes/shapes, pallets, clay pots of paints, trays of pigments, & everything else renowned artist/painter need around him.
On this easel was Signora Prudenzia Gentileschi his beautiful young wife & their 1st-born daughter: Artemisia Gentileschi (3).
The smell of turpentine burned their eyes.
Piazza Navona. Orazio & Artemisia had gone to the House of Farnese to speak with the art procurer.
He took her to the Colosseum.
1597, Via del Corso. Artemisia was already sketching with black lead in her papa’s bottega.
1599, Orazio & Artemisia went to see the Ponte Sant’Angelo (Roman bridge, Tiber River) Rome, Italy.
Artemisia was going to paint Beatrice Cenci.
Maestro Caravaggio (old friend) & Orazio conversation was sometimes quite crude.
It wasn’t long & Orazio was taking Artemisia all around Rome to see paintings/altarpieces.
Tor di Nona prison. Artemisia along with Francesco Gentileschi (brother) went to see Orazio.
He & some of the other artists had written some foul things about another artist.
Artemisia (12) was bound/determined to read/write.
Maddalena (Gentileschis’ servant) would take Artemisia, Giulio Gentileschi, & Marco Gentileschi to the Campo de’ Fiori market.
Christmas time. A midwife was brought in to help Prudenzia birth the baby.
Prudenzia revealed something to Artemisia.
Later the Priest had arrived.
1606–1611, Rome, Italy. Signora Donna Tuzia di Stefano Medaglia (neighbor, wife) was now staying
with Orazio & the Gentileschi family.
She was teaching/instructing Artemisia (16) how to be a woman.
The affair was short-lived.
It seems Cosimo Quorli (painter/artist) & Maestro Agostino Tassi have taken a fancy to Artemisia.
She has no interest in either 1 of them.
What about Niccolo Bedino (17, Agostino’s asst.)?
1611, Rome, Italy. Artemisia had just finished her next masterpiece Cleopatra.
Orazio, Artemisia & Donna (tenant) & her 2 sons moved to Sassia.
That didn’t help Cosimo Quorli (pedophile, rapist) & Agostino Tassi (suitor, pedophile, rapist) still took their liberties upon Artemisi.
Someone had stolen Artemisia’s painting of Judith.
What did Orazio & Artemisia discuss?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
Warning: This book contains descriptive accounts of extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (virgin, pedophile, rape, child: verbal/mental/physical/sexual abuse) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader. If you are especially sensitive to this type of material, it is strongly advised not to read any further.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very professionally written Italian historical fiction book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great Italian movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author (s); Lake Union Publishing; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
On this easel was Signora Prudenzia Gentileschi his beautiful young wife & their 1st-born daughter: Artemisia Gentileschi (3).
The smell of turpentine burned their eyes.
Piazza Navona. Orazio & Artemisia had gone to the House of Farnese to speak with the art procurer.
He took her to the Colosseum.
1597, Via del Corso. Artemisia was already sketching with black lead in her papa’s bottega.
1599, Orazio & Artemisia went to see the Ponte Sant’Angelo (Roman bridge, Tiber River) Rome, Italy.
Artemisia was going to paint Beatrice Cenci.
Maestro Caravaggio (old friend) & Orazio conversation was sometimes quite crude.
It wasn’t long & Orazio was taking Artemisia all around Rome to see paintings/altarpieces.
Tor di Nona prison. Artemisia along with Francesco Gentileschi (brother) went to see Orazio.
He & some of the other artists had written some foul things about another artist.
Artemisia (12) was bound/determined to read/write.
Maddalena (Gentileschis’ servant) would take Artemisia, Giulio Gentileschi, & Marco Gentileschi to the Campo de’ Fiori market.
Christmas time. A midwife was brought in to help Prudenzia birth the baby.
Prudenzia revealed something to Artemisia.
Later the Priest had arrived.
1606–1611, Rome, Italy. Signora Donna Tuzia di Stefano Medaglia (neighbor, wife) was now staying
with Orazio & the Gentileschi family.
She was teaching/instructing Artemisia (16) how to be a woman.
The affair was short-lived.
It seems Cosimo Quorli (painter/artist) & Maestro Agostino Tassi have taken a fancy to Artemisia.
She has no interest in either 1 of them.
What about Niccolo Bedino (17, Agostino’s asst.)?
1611, Rome, Italy. Artemisia had just finished her next masterpiece Cleopatra.
Orazio, Artemisia & Donna (tenant) & her 2 sons moved to Sassia.
That didn’t help Cosimo Quorli (pedophile, rapist) & Agostino Tassi (suitor, pedophile, rapist) still took their liberties upon Artemisi.
Someone had stolen Artemisia’s painting of Judith.
What did Orazio & Artemisia discuss?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
Warning: This book contains descriptive accounts of extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (virgin, pedophile, rape, child: verbal/mental/physical/sexual abuse) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader. If you are especially sensitive to this type of material, it is strongly advised not to read any further.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very professionally written Italian historical fiction book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great Italian movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author (s); Lake Union Publishing; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 7, 2024
The author won't win any literary awards, but she fashions a really good book out of rage and art history. The book is about Artemisia Gentileschi, an Italian Baroque painter in the early 1600s who created some amazing art depicting women being menaced by lecherous men or exacting violent revenge against them.
The book starts with Artemisia being taken to the beheading of Beatrice Cenci. Definitely worth looking up the story on Wikipedia. Beatrice was raped repeatedly by her father until she finally had enough and killed him. The authorities punished her despite enormous outcry from the public. The author writes, And so a girl of six learned for the first time what the word “rape” meant. And that a young woman had been executed because she dared to seek revenge.
The story is told in broad strokes and the writing is a bit clumsy, but the infuriating sexism and Artemisia's genius (you'll be looking up hers and Caravaggio's paintings) overcame my tendency to get overly distracted by awkward sentence construction and storytelling tics.
I'm especially grateful to the book for two things:
* Learning about Giovanna Garzoni, a proto-feminist still-life artist who was pretty cool, and was friends with Artemisia.
* Being inspired to compare Artemisia's painting of "Susanna and the Elders" with her father Orozio's version. In the book, Artemisia is exasperated with her father's poor technique and his utter lack of understanding about what women's bodies look like. (Apparently Caravaggio would hire prostitutes to pose for him.) Susanna's breasts in Orazio's version are hilarious, and he really did pale in comparison to Artemisia's talent. So, in the book, Artemisia poses naked for her father to help him with his art. Orazio's painting of Cleopatra was supposedly based on Artemisia's body. This act will be used against her during her famed rape trial.
Memorable book about a great artist.
The book starts with Artemisia being taken to the beheading of Beatrice Cenci. Definitely worth looking up the story on Wikipedia. Beatrice was raped repeatedly by her father until she finally had enough and killed him. The authorities punished her despite enormous outcry from the public. The author writes, And so a girl of six learned for the first time what the word “rape” meant. And that a young woman had been executed because she dared to seek revenge.
The story is told in broad strokes and the writing is a bit clumsy, but the infuriating sexism and Artemisia's genius (you'll be looking up hers and Caravaggio's paintings) overcame my tendency to get overly distracted by awkward sentence construction and storytelling tics.
I'm especially grateful to the book for two things:
* Learning about Giovanna Garzoni, a proto-feminist still-life artist who was pretty cool, and was friends with Artemisia.
* Being inspired to compare Artemisia's painting of "Susanna and the Elders" with her father Orozio's version. In the book, Artemisia is exasperated with her father's poor technique and his utter lack of understanding about what women's bodies look like. (Apparently Caravaggio would hire prostitutes to pose for him.) Susanna's breasts in Orazio's version are hilarious, and he really did pale in comparison to Artemisia's talent. So, in the book, Artemisia poses naked for her father to help him with his art. Orazio's painting of Cleopatra was supposedly based on Artemisia's body. This act will be used against her during her famed rape trial.
Memorable book about a great artist.
June 29, 2020
It's early 17th century Rome, and young Artemisia Gentileschi is showing great skill in her art. She is bold and daring with her paintings, not settling for simple still lifes. She longs to capture color, light, emotion, and pain. Artemisia desires to be a great painter such as her father, Orazio Gentileschi, or the master Caravaggio himself, but being a woman she knows she is trapped by her gender and status.
Fierce Dreamer is a fictional account of the life of a daring female artist in Post-Renaissance Rome. She lives under the oppressive rule of a patriarchal society that tells her and women that they are not smart enough, good enough, or worthy enough to be more than wives, mothers, or mistresses. Even then they are treated as second class citizens.
Artemisia suffers a violent attack from a friend of her father. She knows her chances of ever becoming an artist on her own are now ruined. Mocked and berated by those she loves, Artemisia decides to fight back, determined not to let men control her destiny.
The setting of this book was utterly captivating. Linda Lafferty places you right alongside Artemisia. You can smell the paints, the turpentine, the sour wines, the body odor, and the cooking of artichokes and figs. Artemisia seemed to pour out her pain and anger onto the canvas. It is said by many Art Historians that her works eclipsed her father’s. I suggest that you check out her painting 𝓙𝓾𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓢𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓯𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼. Although a Biblical scene, many interpret that Artemisia’s revenge on her attacker is painted here.
*Trigger Warnings: rape
Thank you to @lakeunionauthors and @netgalley for this digital copy for review.
Fierce Dreamer is a fictional account of the life of a daring female artist in Post-Renaissance Rome. She lives under the oppressive rule of a patriarchal society that tells her and women that they are not smart enough, good enough, or worthy enough to be more than wives, mothers, or mistresses. Even then they are treated as second class citizens.
Artemisia suffers a violent attack from a friend of her father. She knows her chances of ever becoming an artist on her own are now ruined. Mocked and berated by those she loves, Artemisia decides to fight back, determined not to let men control her destiny.
The setting of this book was utterly captivating. Linda Lafferty places you right alongside Artemisia. You can smell the paints, the turpentine, the sour wines, the body odor, and the cooking of artichokes and figs. Artemisia seemed to pour out her pain and anger onto the canvas. It is said by many Art Historians that her works eclipsed her father’s. I suggest that you check out her painting 𝓙𝓾𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓢𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓯𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼. Although a Biblical scene, many interpret that Artemisia’s revenge on her attacker is painted here.
*Trigger Warnings: rape
Thank you to @lakeunionauthors and @netgalley for this digital copy for review.
May 24, 2020
Artemisia Gentileschi was a female painter who lived in 17th century Rome. This book goes on to create a version of her life story for it’s readers and let me just say, that as a reader, I loved this book. Artemisia is a stone-cold badass. She’s born to a semi-famous artist, Orazio, as the first child and it is quickly determined that she’s a child prodigy when it comes to art. What’s even cooler about Artemisia, other than her talent, is that she’s also all about standing up to the patriarchy and sticking it to the man. Artemisia deserves to be canonized as a saint. The way she kicks men’s asses all around like it’s nothing, even as a little girl, is inspiring. Despite horrible things happening to her, Artemisia never loses her spirit, her fire, her sass or her appeal. She never backs down from a fight and she is absolutely the epitome of tough girl. Artemisia rocks and so did this book.
June 5, 2020
This was an interesting book into the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, a Roman girl who wishes to become an accomplished painter like her father. Young ladies in that era, the 1600s, were expected to marry young, soon after starting their menses, and maintain a household. They were not even educated. It was her father's plan to have his sons become painters like him, which was the proper thing to do in that era, but when he realized she had unusual talent, he relinquished and started tutoring her. She had no interest in doing household chores, which exasperated her mother who seemed to be always pregnant and nursing. There are interesting excerpts about people she met as artists and mentors and different obstacles as she progressed in her progress as a painter but I read this on my kindle and although I thoroughly enjoyed it, I may just have to read the written version to truly grasp her full journey.
June 11, 2020
I received a copy of this novel from a Goodreads giveaway. It was a great read. I didn’t realize this was a historical fiction.
Born to an artist father, Artemisia Gentileschi was taught to paint at an early age. Her struggles through life as a woman and an artist were inspiring. After losing her mother at an early age she’s forced to get through her teenage years with little to no guidance or protection from her family - except to be an apprentice painter for her father.
When a tutor/friend of her father takes his intentions too far, things get even harder for Artemisia and navigating Rome in the early 1600s. Some of her best paintings were being formed.
An amazing story of pain, survival and triumph. Would definitely recommend it.
Born to an artist father, Artemisia Gentileschi was taught to paint at an early age. Her struggles through life as a woman and an artist were inspiring. After losing her mother at an early age she’s forced to get through her teenage years with little to no guidance or protection from her family - except to be an apprentice painter for her father.
When a tutor/friend of her father takes his intentions too far, things get even harder for Artemisia and navigating Rome in the early 1600s. Some of her best paintings were being formed.
An amazing story of pain, survival and triumph. Would definitely recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2021
Based on real people and events, this novel tells the story of the early life of Artemisia Gentileschi’s early life in Rome. The story focuses heavily on her relationship with her father, and her learning to be an artist from him, but in my opinion, it feels like a survey. We learn little of Artemisia’s thoughts or motivations. And, the most interesting and truly outstanding part of the story - the accusation and trial of her accused rapists, is wrapped into just a few pages. To me, more of the story comes in how she rose from that to become the groundbreaking artist she was, but this representation ends with her marriage and leaving Rome. Well written and a fun read, but it left me wanting more.
February 3, 2020
Passionate, talented, and utterly a woman beyond her time, Artemisia Gentileschi is an amazing 17th century painter. Learning to draw and paint at the side of her father Orazio Gentileschi, a talented painter in his own right, Artemisia also learns from the likes of Caravaggio and and others. But while Artemisia's talent outstrips that of her father, women simply aren't painters in this time, and she is relegated to working on paintings for her father and his clients without a hope of showing her own. But Artemisia is a victim of her times; she's rarely able to leave the house, she can't paint her own paintings under own name; her father's patron may have molested and another artist, Agostino Tassi, raped her. After a stunning trial (especially stunning in the 17th century, when anything that a man did to a woman was the woman's fault) Artemisia gets revenge through her paintings.
Linda Lafferty has brought to life this beautiful, talented, passionate, vibrant amazing woman. This book is an absolute must read!
Linda Lafferty has brought to life this beautiful, talented, passionate, vibrant amazing woman. This book is an absolute must read!
April 13, 2020
This was absolutely fascinating and fantastic!
I felt everything reading Artemisia's story. Rage, sorrow, despair and hope. I teared up when Artemisia heard other Roman women yell brava.
It's a story about a wronged artist, who lived before her time. Torn between loving and hating her father and wishing for freedom. After events unfold Artemisia takes revenge on men through her courage and her paintings.
Content warning for rape and slut-shaming.
I cannot recommend this highly enough! This is another gem from Netgalley.
I'd also highly recommend having a look at Artemisia's and Caravaggio's paintings while reading.
I felt everything reading Artemisia's story. Rage, sorrow, despair and hope. I teared up when Artemisia heard other Roman women yell brava.
It's a story about a wronged artist, who lived before her time. Torn between loving and hating her father and wishing for freedom. After events unfold Artemisia takes revenge on men through her courage and her paintings.
Content warning for rape and slut-shaming.
I cannot recommend this highly enough! This is another gem from Netgalley.
I'd also highly recommend having a look at Artemisia's and Caravaggio's paintings while reading.
August 9, 2020
I read this in one day. Literally couldn't put it down. I've read several books about Artemisia Gentileschi, both fiction and non fiction, and this is by far my favorite. Many times I've seen her painting of Judith (that is mentioned many times in this novel) at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and it's powerful image is seared into my mind and heart. As someone who loves art, and has survived brutality and debasement, Artemisia is a hero of mine...she didn't let what happened to her define her or her art. She rose far above all those who tried to keep her from succeeding in art and in life. Long may she be remembered for her genius, her bravery, her passion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
as a feminist and a woman i was so desperate to find a great ending for artemisia. her story is one of pain and power gained by will, strength of character and a passion for art. it was brutal to read the scenes where she suffered at the hands of men and the oppressive proceedings of trails on a women’s virtue.
it really shocks me the things women over the centuries have had to withstand. in the end, i am amazed at all she accomplished and managed to do over her lifetime.
i don’t know how else to explain it but i just couldn’t stop reading because of a morbid fascination with her story.
i love her anger and her passionate will to not be silenced.
carpe diem, bitches.
it really shocks me the things women over the centuries have had to withstand. in the end, i am amazed at all she accomplished and managed to do over her lifetime.
i don’t know how else to explain it but i just couldn’t stop reading because of a morbid fascination with her story.
i love her anger and her passionate will to not be silenced.
carpe diem, bitches.
January 18, 2022
This is an interesting view into the early life of the artist Artemesia Gentileschi. The author made you feel Artemesia's passion, strength and frustrations. At times it seemed a bit like a romance novel, but apparently there is truth to her rape accusation and subsequent trial. Unfortunately, the book ends when she leaves Rome and her father's home to go to Florence where she was married and really flourished as an artist. I had read Susan Vreeland's The Passion of Artemesia a number of years ago and this was a different perspective. I appreciate well-researched historical fiction to give insight into the lives of interesting women of the past.
August 27, 2022
Another enjoyable interesting book by this author. Based on the fascinating true story about a young Roman girl born into an artistic family. She has talent herself and yearns to be taken seriously as a female artist. Unfortunately she is raped by a fellow artist and together with her father decides to take him to court at a time when women are expected to defer to men at all times. She winds her case but in order to get away from her fathers dominance she marries an unknown man (also an artist) and does go on to become a famous painter in her own right.
Slow to begin and harrowing at times but the later third was riveting reading and I couldn’t put it down.
Slow to begin and harrowing at times but the later third was riveting reading and I couldn’t put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2020
An interesting biography of Artemisia. It read like a novel, and would interest people who have no knowledge of at, as well as those who do- although there was not much technical detail about the paintings, and I would have appreciated copies of the paintings to look at. Artemisia had a fascinating life, and this book really conveyed the lack of options available to a female artist at the time, and explained why she had to make the choices she did. It worked as a biography but also as a historical fiction novel, and felt well researched and well paced.
May 15, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you to the publisher, author and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I discovered Linda Lafferty's books a few years ago and really enjoyed her other books. When I saw this book was out and available, I was excited to read it. This book is set in Italy in the 17th century, involving an artist and his family. The rich character description and historical information was a very captivating read.
I discovered Linda Lafferty's books a few years ago and really enjoyed her other books. When I saw this book was out and available, I was excited to read it. This book is set in Italy in the 17th century, involving an artist and his family. The rich character description and historical information was a very captivating read.
May 7, 2020
I received a Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway- and I'm so glad I did. I wasn't too far into this book before I hit the internet looking for more information and was pleasantly surprised to realize that I had not only heard of the artist but also recognized some of her paintings. How did my college art classes not cover her story? Fast and enjoyable read, well researched, and I enjoyed the author's note.
May 8, 2020
Artemisia for Art's Sake
Having read all of Lafferty's novels, I eagerly anticipated the release of Fierce Dreamer, a novel about one of my favorite artists. Lafferty brings Artemisia to life through careful development of her character, depicting her growth as a young woman and as an artist. The ordeal of Tassi's trial is excruciatingly rendered. Artemisia's story reminds the reader of the struggles of women throughout history for dignity and respect.
Having read all of Lafferty's novels, I eagerly anticipated the release of Fierce Dreamer, a novel about one of my favorite artists. Lafferty brings Artemisia to life through careful development of her character, depicting her growth as a young woman and as an artist. The ordeal of Tassi's trial is excruciatingly rendered. Artemisia's story reminds the reader of the struggles of women throughout history for dignity and respect.
May 16, 2020
It's hard to be a women
I don't like to read of anyone being exploited and abused. Yet, the plight of women in history is often that of a victim. Artemesia was born with an artist, like her father. Although her father encouraged her talent, she was cursed by her gender to remain a second-class citizen. She was ill-used, to say the least, but she was determined not to be a victim. The story is a good one, all the better because it is based on a real person.
I don't like to read of anyone being exploited and abused. Yet, the plight of women in history is often that of a victim. Artemesia was born with an artist, like her father. Although her father encouraged her talent, she was cursed by her gender to remain a second-class citizen. She was ill-used, to say the least, but she was determined not to be a victim. The story is a good one, all the better because it is based on a real person.
November 5, 2021
Very much enjoyed this story of Artemisia Gentileschi, a woman artist in the early 1600s. She is one of the most accomplished 17th century artists. This outlines her growing up and emerging into her own including how she was influenced by her father and Caravaggio as well as her abuse and rape. Quite unusual for the time her rapist was convicted but the trial may have been harder on her than him. Very interesting.
May 5, 2020
An absolutely wonderful story of a woman who stood her ground and fought back from the men who wanted to oppress her. It's fascinating and sad at the same time to read about something that's still happening today This is a must read because these women paved the way for the rest of us. Happy reading! #FierecDreamer #NetGalley
May 20, 2020
Just finished this book and it was BEYOND GOOD! I love reading anything on Artemisia and Fierce Dreamer did not disappoint! Anyone who loves history and Artemisia Gentileschi will LOVE this book! I will definitely be reading other books by this author! I love her writing style and the way she brought Artemisia to life!
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