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stricker's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Amazing. Another story of a disfunctional Vatican in the 1600's.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
This book is about Olimpia Maidalchini, who was the sister in law and (very) likely lover of the Pope, Innocent X. In all actuality, she was the Pope. She had her hand in policy making and entertaining both the church and nobles. She lined her pockets with church funds and bought expensive art works and commissions. I love Eleanor Herman, and am looking forward to reading more of her works. She does a great job with her research and her story telling. I liked this one, in particular, because I like learning about women in history.
emmarj's review against another edition
3.0
A misleading title and jacket. There is zero evidence presented that Olimpia was engaged in a sexual relationship with her brother in law, Pope Innocent X. And the illustration on the jacket is not of Olimpia, who was actually rather homely.
Truth be told, I thought I was reading historical fiction and began to get rather annoyed 100 or so pages in. Gee, this sure is a ton of background, when does the story begin? Aaannnndd then I noticed the "biography" library label on the spine of the book. Yep.
But hey! It speaks volumes about the book that I expected fiction, got a biography, and kept reading it anyway. This book is extremely detailed and well researched. At times, the detail is almost too much but I think there is much value in the very complete picture Herman paints of the era.
Unfortunately, I felt Herman was heavy handed with the anti woman rhetoric and that is why I downgraded my rating. Discussing the societal misogyny of the 1600s is extremely relevant but Herman discusses the Church as anti woman from birth to present time and I don't find that to be fair or factual. My opinion aside, such a broad and offensive statement was not backed up by evidence.
Truth be told, I thought I was reading historical fiction and began to get rather annoyed 100 or so pages in. Gee, this sure is a ton of background, when does the story begin? Aaannnndd then I noticed the "biography" library label on the spine of the book. Yep.
But hey! It speaks volumes about the book that I expected fiction, got a biography, and kept reading it anyway. This book is extremely detailed and well researched. At times, the detail is almost too much but I think there is much value in the very complete picture Herman paints of the era.
Unfortunately, I felt Herman was heavy handed with the anti woman rhetoric and that is why I downgraded my rating. Discussing the societal misogyny of the 1600s is extremely relevant but Herman discusses the Church as anti woman from birth to present time and I don't find that to be fair or factual. My opinion aside, such a broad and offensive statement was not backed up by evidence.
viktoriya's review against another edition
4.0
Intersting stories about the Vatican and the Catholic Church. Nicely written, well researched.
szeglin's review against another edition
5.0
Eleanor Herman brings the story of nearly-forgotten Olimpia Maidalchini to life in this lively and informative biography. It's a shame that such an amazing woman has been all but forgotten. Hooray for Olimpia--she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted, even in one of the most restrictive of times and places. Herman illustrates the court of Rome in a vibrant, amusing way that makes all the papal politics easy to remember.
dreamofbookspines's review against another edition
4.0
10/10 for writing alone: Herman is _hysterical_. She made what could easily have been a boring and too long biography into something that kept me laughing about the sheer ridiculousness of history. Herman has delved deep and found some incredible facts (King of the Defecators on his toilet throne is one of my faves, though the visual of sick princes/princesses in a corpse-covered bed is also pretty fucking weird/funny).
Overall this is one of the best biographies I've ever read. The story is thorough in its details and easy to read, being as entertaining as reality tv.
Overall this is one of the best biographies I've ever read. The story is thorough in its details and easy to read, being as entertaining as reality tv.
persnip's review against another edition
5.0
OMG! This book is fantastic!! I'm sad it ended. It was non-fiction, but it read like a novel. I really felt like I knew these people; like I was there. A character does something crazy and you're like, "Ha! Classic Camillo". The information was interesting, the quips made me laugh out loud. This may have been better than her first two books, which I also loved. If I could give it more stars, I would.
groovyally's review
2.0
Olimpia was an interesting and powerful woman, but certainly not very nice. Her story definitely should be told but I thought this biography made a lot of assumptions that sort of came off as fact.