Leonardo's Swans: A Novel
by Karen Essex
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Book Summary Information
Author: Karen EssexEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-01-09
ISBN: 0767923065
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Anchor
Book Reviews of Leonardo's Swans: A Novel
Book Review: Allie's Review - Hist-Fic Chick
Summary: 5 Stars
Steeped in the excitement and dangers of 15th Century Renaissance Italy, Leonardo's Swans was a fascinating book. It covered a vast array of historical events, from the rising tensions amongst the unstable Italian city-states, to the French invasion of Italy by Charles VIII, to the election of the corrupt Borgia Pope to the Vatican. The book had its occasional anachronism, but as a whole, I think fans of historical fiction who like a well researched book will really appreciate this intricate novel.
Leonardo da Vinci, the quintessential "Renaissance man," is a side character in this book, and I enjoyed learning the secrets and stories behind some of his most famous works, especially The Lady with an Ermine. His "swans" refers to the noble d'Este sisters: Isabella, who marries the future Duke of Mantua, and Beatrice, who marries "Il Moro," the legendary Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. Ludovico is also one of Leonardo's greatest patrons, and his wife and her sister engage in a rivalry to be immortalized in oils by the great Maestro.
The only problem is that the fickle Leonardo begins many projects, yet finishes very few of them, as he is easily distracted by ideas of grandeur. Every time he begins one commission, another, more intriguing project manifests itself in his mind. One can see why Leonardo was so easily distracted, for he was not only a painter, but also Ludovico's weapons mastermind, a scientist, an engineer, an inventor, a mathematician, an anatomist, a botanist...the list goes on. I really liked reading the excerpts from Leonardo's notebooks on the first page of every chapter; little touches like these make this book special.
The d'Este sisters were both strong, opinionated females living in times when women were meant to be meek and appeasing. I could respect Isabella for her knowledge and love of the arts, but I felt like I kept waiting for one of these two women to emerge as my protagonist, and neither one of the d'Este sisters was truly likeable as a person. There was also a certain point through the book when I sensed a major disconnect in the relationship between Isabella and Beatrice that seemed inconsistent to me. Isabella goes from being Beatrice's arch nemesis to her champion all too quickly; we don't really see a strong impetus for this change of heart. I loved this book in the beginning, the storyline in the middle section got monotonous at points, but overall it is a very good read, and the book's many strengths more than make up for the slower middle bits. If you like your hist-fic books heavy on the "hist," (I do!) then this book is for you!
Summary of Leonardo's Swans: A Novel
Isabelle d?Este, daughter of the Duke of Ferrara, born into privilege and the political and artistic turbulence of Renaissance Italy, is a stunning black-eyed blond and an art lover and collector. Worldly and ambitious, she has never envied her less attractive sister, the spirited but naïve Beatrice, until, by a quirk of fate, Beatrice is betrothed to the future Duke of Milan. Although he is more than twice their age, openly lives with his mistress, and is reputedly trying to eliminate the current duke by nefarious means, Ludovico Sforza is Isabella?s match in intellect and passion for all things of beauty. Only he would allow her to fulfill her destiny: to reign over one of the world?s most powerful and enlightened realms and be immortalized in oil by the genius Leonardo da Vinci. Isabella vows that she will not rest until she wins her true fate, and the two sisters compete for supremacy in the illustrious courts of Europe.A haunting novel of rivalry, love, and betrayal that transports you back to Renaissance Italy, Leonardo?s Swans will have you dashing to the works of the great master?not for clues to a mystery but to contemplate the secrets of the human heart.
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