manasr's review against another edition
5.0
Literally the definition of a diamond in the rough. Unexpectedly sexy, TBoV brings serious history in combination with just enough scandal to keep you turning pages. LOVE.
awhite1554's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
lilurathia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lgiegerich's review against another edition
3.0
Still very into this whole Renaissance Italy thing, but I liked the machinations of the Borgia book better.
inthelunaseas's review against another edition
3.0
Considering I picked this up for $5 at my local second-hand book shop, it's not too bad, compared to the trashy, mindless reads they usually offer. But that doesn't mean it's a great book. It's achingly average in some points and desperately poor in others. Dunant is a fairly okay writer, and in some parts she is able to capture the imagination, but unfortunately the 21st century sentimentalities get in the way of the story.
Dunant keeps them out in some parts. For instance, Alessandra is a devout Catholic, and her opinion on homosexuality is quite well timed. However, I kept feeling she was much too close to her slave, and the two got on quite well. And then there was the whole ending with the death...
I'm not even going to touch on the Michaelangelo shenanigans here, except for this. Okay, so you want your lady character to have a hot lover who they have sex with in a convent, but she doesn't even truly know his name. Does it have to be Michaelangelo? Seriously? Um.
Look, it's okay. It's average. It's not jaw-droppingly brilliant. If you're into romantic historical novels, then this might whet your appetite. But it's all a bit convoluted.
And I'm still not sure how the title translates into the story at all.
Dunant keeps them out in some parts. For instance, Alessandra is a devout Catholic, and her opinion on homosexuality is quite well timed. However, I kept feeling she was much too close to her slave, and the two got on quite well. And then there was the whole ending with the death...
I'm not even going to touch on the Michaelangelo shenanigans here, except for this. Okay, so you want your lady character to have a hot lover who they have sex with in a convent, but she doesn't even truly know his name. Does it have to be Michaelangelo? Seriously? Um.
Look, it's okay. It's average. It's not jaw-droppingly brilliant. If you're into romantic historical novels, then this might whet your appetite. But it's all a bit convoluted.
And I'm still not sure how the title translates into the story at all.
krwriter8's review against another edition
5.0
If you're a fan of historical fiction a la Girl With the Pearl Earring, you will love Sarah Dunant's work. 15th-century Florence is vividly brought to life in Birth of Venus through the eyes of fifteen year old Alessandra Cecchi, daughter of a cloth merchant who wants to be a painter; something women were not encouraged to do in this time period. Dunant's tale is engrossing, highlighting the frustrations and limitations of being a woman in Renaissance Italy. I'll definitely be picking up Dunant's other works!
charliphillipps's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kingfan30's review against another edition
4.0
Have just finished reading this book and on the whole really enjoyed it. I was not so keen on the religulous side of the story, however I did love the setting of Florence and the descriptions of the arts. A few twists and turns throughout. I have to say that I did prefer In the Company of the Courtesan.