The Marriage Portrait: Reese’s Book Club: A novel
WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION FINALIST • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • The author of award-winning Hamnet brings the world of Renaissance Italy to jewel-bright life in this unforgettable fictional portrait of the captivating young duchess Lucrezia de’ Medici as she makes her way in a troubled court.
“I could not stop reading this incredible true story.” —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club Pick)
“O’Farrell pulls out little threads of historical detail to weave this story of a precocious girl sensitive to the contradictions of her station…You may know the history, and you may think you know what’s coming, but don’t be so sure.” —The Washington Post
Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is comfortable with her obscure place in the palazzo: free to wonder at its treasures, observe its clandestine workings, and devote herself to her own artistic pursuits. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father just as quick to accept on her behalf.
Having barely left girlhood behind, Lucrezia must now enter an unfamiliar court whose customs are opaque and where her arrival is not universally welcomed. Perhaps most mystifying of all is her new husband himself, Alfonso. Is he the playful sophisticate he appeared to be before their wedding, the aesthete happiest in the company of artists and musicians, or the ruthless politician before whom even his formidable sisters seem to tremble?
As Lucrezia sits in constricting finery for a painting intended to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the court’s eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferranese dynasty. Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, the new duchess’s future hangs entirely in the balance.
Full of the beauty and emotion with which she illuminated the Shakespearean canvas of Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell turns her talents to Renaissance Italy in an extraordinary portrait of a resilient young woman’s battle for her very survival.
From the Publisher
ASIN : B09RTYQW2S
Publisher : Vintage
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : September 6, 2022
Language : English
File size : 6.0 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 356 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0593320631
Page Flip : Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #7,353 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store) #2 in Renaissance Historical Fiction (Books) #71 in Historical Literary Fiction #95 in Women’s Literary Fiction
Customer Reviews: 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (38,777) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
$11.99
WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION FINALIST • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • The author of award-winning Hamnet brings the world of Renaissance Italy to jewel-bright life in this unforgettable fictional portrait of the captivating young duchess Lucrezia de’ Medici as she makes her way in a troubled court.
“I could not stop reading this incredible true story.” —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club Pick)
“O’Farrell pulls out little threads of historical detail to weave this story of a precocious girl sensitive to the contradictions of her station…You may know the history, and you may think you know what’s coming, but don’t be so sure.” —The Washington Post
Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is comfortable with her obscure place in the palazzo: free to wonder at its treasures, observe its clandestine workings, and devote herself to her own artistic pursuits. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father just as quick to accept on her behalf.
Having barely left girlhood behind, Lucrezia must now enter an unfamiliar court whose customs are opaque and where her arrival is not universally welcomed. Perhaps most mystifying of all is her new husband himself, Alfonso. Is he the playful sophisticate he appeared to be before their wedding, the aesthete happiest in the company of artists and musicians, or the ruthless politician before whom even his formidable sisters seem to tremble?
As Lucrezia sits in constricting finery for a painting intended to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the court’s eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferranese dynasty. Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, the new duchess’s future hangs entirely in the balance.
Full of the beauty and emotion with which she illuminated the Shakespearean canvas of Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell turns her talents to Renaissance Italy in an extraordinary portrait of a resilient young woman’s battle for her very survival.
From the Publisher
ASIN : B09RTYQW2S
Publisher : Vintage
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : September 6, 2022
Language : English
File size : 6.0 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 356 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0593320631
Page Flip : Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #7,353 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store) #2 in Renaissance Historical Fiction (Books) #71 in Historical Literary Fiction #95 in Women’s Literary Fiction
Customer Reviews: 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (38,777) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
MommaLayne –
A Gripping Tale of Power, Artistry, and Survival in Renaissance Italy
“The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’Farrell is a richly evocative historical novel set in 1550s Florence, focusing on the life of Lucrezia, the third daughter of the grand duke. Content with her position and devoted to her artistic pursuits, Lucrezia’s world is thrown into disarray after her older sister’s untimely death forces her into the spotlight, leading her father to hastily arrange a marriage with Alfonso, the ruler of Ferrara. This unexpected elevation thrusts Lucrezia into a treacherous court filled with obscure customs and political intrigue, where her future becomes precariously tied to her ability to produce an heir for the Ferranese dynasty.As she navigates her new life, Lucrezia is left to unravel the true nature of her husband, who oscillates between playful intellectual and ruthless politician. O’Farrell’s lyrical prose beautifully captures Lucrezia’s internal struggle as she grapples with her identity and autonomy within a constrictive society. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Renaissance Italy, “The Marriage Portrait” masterfully explores themes of resilience, power, and the expectations placed on women, painting an extraordinary portrait of a young woman fighting for her survival and sense of self in a world that often seeks to define her by her marital status. This novel is a captivating read for fans of historical fiction and those seeking stories of strong, complex female protagonists.
Martha S. –
beautifully written
A book about power, resilience, and determination. A 13 year old bride who will not bend to the cruelty of her husband in a time when women had no power. Read this book!
M. Weaver –
Compelling, beautiful, and fill of suspense!
I started this book and couldn’t put it down. The details, descriptions, characters and feelings see so real! The suspense is incredible and the journey is worth it!
bookworm –
More style than substance
I am a HUGE fan of Maggie O’Farrell. I’ve read and loved all of her present-day fiction and her recent memoir. And while I didn’t share the adulation Hamnet seemed to bring out in so many, it was well-written and fascinating in its own right and a good enough read. So I hate to say that I found The Marriage Portrait a big disappointment, but it was a slog to read on many levels. While I didn’t fully agree with the mean-spirited review the book got in The New York Times, I do agree the novel is over-written with a forced kind of lyricism that O’Farrell never demonstrated in the past. The descriptions do seem over-wrought at times and even Lucrezia’s character comes off as inconsistent: tough and independent as a child, timid and almost insipid post-marriage. I suspect O’Farrell had to make some tough creative decisions to spin a tale out of such thin cloth in terms of actual history. Little is known of Lucrezia other than her birth, marriage and early death, so the split narrative — before and after her marriage — was likely the most compelling way to try to tell the story, but that made the book disorienting and somewhat repetitive. The ending did come as a surprise, even if it wasn’t entirely realistic, but nice to imagine a kinder fate for that young woman. I did read the entire novel, mostly because of my affection for the author and her work, but it took me quite a while to finish the book, not because it was long, but because it was hard to sink into the prose and story. I hope O’Farrell returns to her modern-day roots where she’s never hit a false note, at least for this reader.
Janna Wong Healy –
I Tried to Love it…
I loved Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Hamnet so when her latest book was published, I was anxious to read it. I found it not nearly as engrossing as Hamnet, which I could not put down. Conversely, this one felt like a slog…I read a few pages a day and that seemed to be enough. I can’t figure out why that was…it was beautifully written, had a dramatic storyline, and plenty of palace intrigue. Then again, on further thought, I didn’t feel any compatibility with any of the characters: the 15-year-old bride Lucrezia, her bold and controlling husband Alfonso, her jealous sister, conniving sisters-in-law, uncaring parents…none of them were the least bit sympathetic.While Lucrezia is a character to be worried about and to feel sorry for, she is also a character I could not relate to. And, without the “rooting” effect, I found myself at a loss as to why I continued to read about her journey. In addition, I loathed her parents and siblings. I know these are different times but, really, what kind of parents allow their 13-year-old daughter to be betrothed to a man in his 20s? What kind of parents silence a young child who has artistic talent and a curious mind, ignore her choices, and send her to a prison of sorts in a marriage that she doesn’t understand or want?I have no problem understanding that people from different times behaved very differently from our current society and I am an avid reader of historical fiction because I love learning about different times and cultures.But this novel, its characters, and its subject matter didn’t sit well with me.
judy –
Superb read!
I loved following the plot through the thoughts and feelings of Lucrezia. She has found a place in my heart!
Lynne D –
amazing
The story was intriguing and the language was beautiful and brilliant. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in ages.
Michael Whitcomb –
Rich, painterly portrait of Renaissance life
If you seek to be immersed in the courtly life of Renaissance Italy, you are in luck. The author, with an expansive command of language and I eye for intricate detail for the prevailing history and culture of the times, and for complex characters and emotion, will immerse you in this world to the point of drowning. That is the great strength, but arguably, also a weakness of the novel in which the plot proceeds at a glacial pace. I found myself in awe of her mastery of the subject and simultaneously frustrated by the slow progress of the story. I wanted to enjoy the book more than I actually did.
Shaljami Ayesha Ahmed –
The Marriage Portrait is a delicately handled fictional portrait of Lucrezia de Medici. The author weaves a captivating tale into the world of Renaissance Italy. From the very beginning the story plunges into scenes of picturesque descriptions. Each landscape comes alive and I found myself immediately transported to this rich era.The story is inspired by Browning’s poem “My Last Duchess’. I am in total awe of her imagination and the amount of research that she has put into it. The author emphasises the role of women, the ugly side of the royal life; urgency of an heir, the suppression of the poor. Other themes like loneliness, relationships, literature, art, music during that time.I especially enjoyed the vivid colours and descriptions of paintings, portraits and the hidden mysterious elements in it. There was so much to take back from this story. Every time I highlighted lines it left me smiling and only growing hungrier for more.The author has a unique style of storytelling that echoes of Charles Dickens style. Layered with intense complex characters the tale delivers powerful, thought provoking dialogues with as much finesse. Not once does the pace slacken or lose track of tale.I loved every bit of the imagery be it the castles, churches, garden even the animals mentioned had an aura of their own. After reading the Hamnet, I had high expectations from this tale and it never once faltered. If you love a good literary fiction, don’t miss out on this one.
Laraine –
4 1/2 – 5 star read. This book was a Reese’s Book Club selection. Based on the true story of a young woman who lived in the 1500’s, this was a fascinating historical fiction. Lucrezia was the fifth child and third daughter of the Grand Duke of Florence, Cosimo de’Medici. She has a lovely but lonely life as a child but is the odd one out of the children-arty and different from the others. But when her older sister Maria dies before marrying the son of the Duke of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, it is suggested that Lucrezia be betrothed to him instead. The wedding is delayed due to her young age but by the time they marry, he is the Duke and she becomes a Duchess. Rumours swirl that the Duke has never been able to get any of the many women he has bedded with child. And Lucrezia knows that her only duty is to give him an heir. Her husband Alfonso also seems to have a dual personality, a kind and loving man one minute and a brutal and ruthless man the next. As she resists the constraints on her life, she comes to understand the intrigues of the court and the influence of the Duke’s right hand man, who does not like her at all. Sitting for her marriage portrait, she understands finally that she likely will not survive long. I found this a fascinating study of a young woman who is born outside of her time and who finds it hard to conform to the life of duty she was born into and married into. A very interesting book about a feisty young woman.
Heidi (but books are better) –
Maggie O’Farrell has done it again – like her previous book HAMNET, THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT was a fascinating window into history, this time exploring the events surrounding the untimely death of Lucrezia de’ Medici, the third daughter of Cosimo de’ Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany during the Italian Renaissance. It only took a few paragraphs for Lucrezia to steal my heart, and I was hooked.Written with the heart and poetic beauty that characterises her work, O’Farrell has merged history and fiction so skilfully that the tale takes on a life of its own. And even if some of it has sprung from her imagination rather than truth, it has brought the fate of a young woman at the mercy of her society’s rules back into our focus so her story will not be forgotten. Written with a style so visual that it brought each character to life for me, it was impossible not to be swept away by a tide of emotions whilst reading it. The elaborate backdrop of the Italian palazzo provided both an escape as well as an almost whimsical backdrop that gave the story an otherworldly air where history could be rewritten. I challenge you not to be moved by Lucrezia’s fate!Poetic, magical and utterly captivating, THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT was one of my favourite books in 2022, and one that has stuck in my mind. Very highly recommended!
Nuria Guilayn –
Una història explicada magistralment. Un dels millors llibres que he llegit aquest any. El recomano totalment.
Amazonian Customer –
In The Marriage Portrait, Maggie O’Farrell has plucked a historical figure from relative obscurity, and woven her life into a gripping and emotionally intense story.Her subject is Lucrezia di Cosimo de Medici. Little is known about her short life – she was married in 1560 at just 15 years old to the Duke of Ferrara, and within a year she was dead.The book starts in 1561 in a “wild and lonely place”, with Lucrezia and her husband Alfonso dining at a remote fort. By the end of the first paragraph we learn that she believes he has brought her there to kill her. The second chapter, titled “The unfortunate circumstances of Lucrezia’s conception” jumps us back in time to 1544. Alternating chapters then switch between the past and her present, building a picture of a young girl brought up in a world of privilege, a gilded cage that has trapped her and led her into this terrifying situation.Lucrezia is a wonderful character. A talented artist, she is happier in a paint splattered smock than courtly finery. Headstrong, wildly imaginative and somewhat tomboyish, Maggie O’Farrell has created her as a heroine for our own age, despite her having been born nearly five hundred years ago.In her lifetime, Lucrezia can’t have ever imagined that she would have been remembered in this way. I’d like to think she would be happy with the result.