I, MONA LISA by Jeanne Kalogridis

cw gortner · Post by **cw gortner** » Sat October 25th, 2008, 2:50 am

In her follow-up to 2005's The Borgia Bride, Ms Kalogridis brings to life the woman behind the enigmatic smile of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous painting.

Lisa di Antonio Gheradini is born the daughter of a successful cloth merchant in 15th century Florence, a city dominated by the Medici and rife with dangerous intrigue and treachery since the assassination attempt known as the Pazzi Conspiracy, during which the Medici overlord, Lorenzo Il Magnifico, lost his brother and nearly his own life. Lisa grows into womanhood overshadowed by these traumatic events, which lead to the popular rise of the fanatic monk, Salvonarola, whose rabid crusade against the Medici resulted in a dark period of fear and persecution. Unbeknownst to her, Lisa also carries a secret--one which binds her to the Medici cause and brings her to the attention of Leonardo.

Ms Kalogridis vividly recreates the Pazzi Conspiracy through the eyes of one of its conspirators, and details of life in Renaissance Florence pepper the narrative with realism. Likewise, the Medici's magnetic appeal and passion for power and the arts offer a fascinating contrast to Salvonarola's brimstone condemnation, and the inclusion of a slave in Lisa's household underscores the deep division between social classes, while Lisa's personal trials drive a mystery-laden relationship with the exceptional artist who will eventually paint her into immortality.

I, MONA LISA offers readers a well-researched, captivating foray into a turbulent episode in Italian history.

LCW · Post by **LCW** » Sat October 25th, 2008, 3:36 am

I read The Borgia Bride and really liked it. I also have this on Mt. TBR. I'll have to bump it up the mountain now!

diamondlil · Post by **diamondlil** » Sat October 25th, 2008, 9:59 am

I loved The Borgia Bride when I read it a while ago, but for some reason I haven't really been all that inspired to read this one. I should really add it to my list. I am looking forward to her new one though.

diamondlil · Post by **diamondlil** » Sat October 25th, 2008, 10:09 am

It's probably worth noting that the book has a slightly different title in some countries. Here it is published under the title Painting Mona Lisa.

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat October 25th, 2008, 10:09 am

I have both these books on Mt TBR. Good to know that The Borgia Bride has been enjoyed so much.

Rowan · Post by **Rowan** » Mon December 23rd, 2013, 5:29 pm

I have been reading this book lately and I have to say I'm ready to toss it aside. It just lost it's flare for me and the sad thing is, I'm mostly done with it.