What's Next? discussion

"There is nothing more certain than perspective, nothing more essential, nothing more eternal."

"Brunelleschi's discovery of the laws of perspective was like Prometheus stealing fire and giving it to mankind."

"...Michelangelo... You alone... understand absolutely what it's all about: surpassing nature by giving spirit to a figure, and making it appear alive by making it flat."

This book has the kind of premise that will satisfy readers who are fans of murder mystery as well as art history. Set in the (late) renaissance with characters such as Michelangelo, the Duke of Florence, Catherine de Medici, Giorgio Vasari etc., the fictional whodunnit story serves as an introduction to the period of Florence with characters connected to both the art and political world, and gives the readers a sense of the social taste and mood at that time.

Written in epistolary style, the book consists of correspondences between around 10 main characters, though at times I find it hard to differentiate the tones of the writers of the letters.

This book is filled with many improbable moments, but nonetheless a fun and fast paced read. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good historical fiction.