Alessandra is desperate to escape.
Desperate to escape her stepmother, who's locked her away for a year; to escape the cloister that awaits... read full description
reviews
Apr 06, 2010
Briana
rated it: 
Original/ full review here: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2010/01...
A Golden Web is the imaginative, captivating, and unforgettable debut novel for young adults from established historical fiction author, Barbara Quick.
Alessandra is a girl full of intelligence, curiosity, and determination, characteristics unheard of in a girl of her era. She dreads being married and yearns to study medicine at the University, but to do so would provoke the accusations of being a witch. More...
A Golden Web is the imaginative, captivating, and unforgettable debut novel for young adults from established historical fiction author, Barbara Quick.
Alessandra is a girl full of intelligence, curiosity, and determination, characteristics unheard of in a girl of her era. She dreads being married and yearns to study medicine at the University, but to do so would provoke the accusations of being a witch. More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 11, 2011
Heidi
rated it: 
A Golden Web is about a girl, named Alessandra Gilliana growing up in the 14th century in Italy. Her mother died when her youngest brother was born and she is now living as her stepmother's least favorite child. For some reson "Zan" as she is dubbed by her siblings is unusually knoweledgeable and has a unique capacity to learn. She does not like her stepmother very much but is at least allowed to run outside and play with her other siblings or spend her time learning and reading. That
More...
Nov 06, 2011
Mara
rated it:
After reading The False Princess, Alessandra was quite refreshing. Resourceful, intelligent, and willing to deal with situations as they come, she's an entirely likable heroine. And her brother, Nicco, is every bit as likable. The romance between her and Otto got a little bit on my nerves, but overall I did not mind it too much. It was more Alessandra's "young love" that I didn't particularly care for than anything else, but I would not change it if only because it was accurate. Otto's
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 06, 2011
Alvi
rated it:
If you are a fan of historical fiction, you should check this one out. It was quick, interesting, inspiring tale of Alessandra Giliani, Italy's first anatomist (who may or may not have actually existed). Part biography, part fiction and part cinderella story, A Golden Web is a book you want to check out.
This book had me from the start. The writing style of A Golden Web had me feeling like a was reading an old fairy tale, mixed with a piece of history. It was quickly paced, easily read More...
This book had me from the start. The writing style of A Golden Web had me feeling like a was reading an old fairy tale, mixed with a piece of history. It was quickly paced, easily read More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 22, 2011
Jamie
rated it:
Hmmm...this book is a little confusing for me to decide whether or not to like it. Overall, it was an entertaining read, with decent descriptions, and a good historical feel.
On the other hand, the plot seemed a little un-original and contrived. Willful girl fears boring life as a typical wife, disquises herself as a boy, runs away, it totally awesome at whatever she asprires to do, is even better than ALL of the men, is eventually found out by a man that she falls in love with, but l More...
On the other hand, the plot seemed a little un-original and contrived. Willful girl fears boring life as a typical wife, disquises herself as a boy, runs away, it totally awesome at whatever she asprires to do, is even better than ALL of the men, is eventually found out by a man that she falls in love with, but l More...
Apr 01, 2011
Truly
rated it:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created...
Sumpah Hippokrates masih dijunjung hingga saat ini. Isinya adalah :
I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I fulfil according to my ability and judgement this oath and this covenant.
To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a shar More...
Sumpah Hippokrates masih dijunjung hingga saat ini. Isinya adalah :
I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I fulfil according to my ability and judgement this oath and this covenant.
To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a shar More...
Sep 04, 2010
Michelle
rated it: 
The fictional retelling of actual events, A Golden Web has me a bit ambivalent. Eloquently written by Quick I found myself going back and forth between really liking the story and not caring either way.
What worked for me most with this book was the historical aspect. When I picked it up I had no idea that it was based on actual events. It wasn’t until I completed it and read the Author’s Note at the end that I realized that Alessandra was real and true. Having that knowledge gave me More...
What worked for me most with this book was the historical aspect. When I picked it up I had no idea that it was based on actual events. It wasn’t until I completed it and read the Author’s Note at the end that I realized that Alessandra was real and true. Having that knowledge gave me More...
May 07, 2010
A Golden Web is Barbara Quick's imagining of the life of Alessandra Giliani, the first female anatomist, in 14th Century Italy. The protagonist is intellectual and strong. The novel has a great sense of adventure, complete with a cross dressing heroine, and a compelling, if improbable, romance. The secondary characters, both her siblings and the family she boards with while studying at the university, are memorable.
I think this would be great for fans of Tamora Pierce's Alanna books, More...
I think this would be great for fans of Tamora Pierce's Alanna books, More...
Feb 16, 2010
Arya
rated it:
A Golden Web by Barbara Quick 5 of 5 stars.
To be released April 2010.
Alessandra is desperate to escape from her stepmother, who's locked her away for a year; from the cloister that awaits her if she refuses the marriage plans that have been made for her; from the expectations that limit her and every other girl in fourteenth-century Italy.
In defiant pursuit of her dreams, Alessandra undertakes an audacious quest, her bravery equaled only by the dangers she faces. Disguise More...
To be released April 2010.
Alessandra is desperate to escape from her stepmother, who's locked her away for a year; from the cloister that awaits her if she refuses the marriage plans that have been made for her; from the expectations that limit her and every other girl in fourteenth-century Italy.
In defiant pursuit of her dreams, Alessandra undertakes an audacious quest, her bravery equaled only by the dangers she faces. Disguise More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 14, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
Alessandra Giliani is intelligent and inquisitive, and in fourteenth century Italy, those are not welcome traits in a young woman who is expected to settle down, marry, and raise a household. Alessandra longs for more than being cloistered away until her wedding. She longs to discover new things and new ideas. When being cooped up in the cloister becomes too much for Alessandra, she concocts a daring plan and will risk everything to learn more and become the world's first female anatomist.
More...
Nov 20, 2011
Althesia
rated it: 
Aristoteles menyuarakan pemikirannya bahwa seorang wanita secara fisik lebih rendah dari pria, tempat wanita harusnya hanya dirumah, dan wanita tidak perlu mendapatkan pendidikan yang sama dengan seorang pria. Hei para wanita…apakah anda senang mendengar pendapat seperti itu?
Wanita di masa sekarang tentu tidak akan senang. Namun sekitar abad ke-13 atau abad ke-14, pemikiran ini begitu mengakar di masyarakat. Seorang wanita hanya mendapatkan pendidikan secara informal, seperti dalam bi More...
Wanita di masa sekarang tentu tidak akan senang. Namun sekitar abad ke-13 atau abad ke-14, pemikiran ini begitu mengakar di masyarakat. Seorang wanita hanya mendapatkan pendidikan secara informal, seperti dalam bi More...
May 29, 2011
Britta
rated it:
If you are a fan of historical fiction, you should check this one out. It was quick, interesting, inspiring tale of Alessandra Giliani, Italy's first anatomist (who may or may not have actually existed). Part biography, part fiction and part cinderella story, A Golden Web is a book you want to check out.
Alessandra was lucky enough to grow up in the country where she was allowed to ride, play games, study and read like a boy. That is until her stepmother deems her actions unacceptable More...
Alessandra was lucky enough to grow up in the country where she was allowed to ride, play games, study and read like a boy. That is until her stepmother deems her actions unacceptable More...
May 10, 2010
Laurie
rated it:
The wonderful thing about reading is discovery: being taken to other worlds, meeting different types of people or beings, learning about various situations. What I really love about reading is being surprised and I find that this special element doesn't happen as often as I would hope it would. A GOLDEN WEB is a novel which not only surprised me, it took me to another time and place and totally engrossed me in the story.
Alessandra Giliani is no ordinary young girl. She is intelligent More...
Alessandra Giliani is no ordinary young girl. She is intelligent More...
Mar 29, 2010
Crystal
rated it:
From the start A Golden Web is a very enchanting book. I found myself liking Alessandra from the very beginning. She is a smart girl in a culture where women are mainly there to marry and to tend house and have babies. On top of all of these usual expectations, Alessandra is the oldest daughter and has a stepmother who is not overly fond of her.
Alessandra does the smart thing, she gets her brother to help teach her the ways of survival and how to be a boy. With this knowled More...
Alessandra does the smart thing, she gets her brother to help teach her the ways of survival and how to be a boy. With this knowled More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 15, 2011
Rex Robot Reviews
rated it:
A Golden Web by Barbara Quick is an incredibly inspiring retelling of the life of Alessandra Giliani. Though the tale of a young girl that refuses to give up her dreams IS touching- I found myself skimming the pages as the first 130 pages are relatively dull. Though I'm a fan of historical fiction, there was something that kept me from completely throwing myself into this story. I think it is just because it took so long to get to the adventure- where Alessandra disguises herself and flees.
More...
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 31, 2010
Alana
rated it:
Alessandra Giliani is a fascinating figure - a brilliant young woman from the small town of Persiceto who is said to have studied medicine and anatomy at the famous University of Bologna. Alessandra risks all, disguised as a boy, to learn as much as possible - and to discover the secrets of human anatomy that might have saved her beloved mother. And all of this during the 14th century when women were not only not allowed to study, but where a knowledgeable woman lived under constant threat of be
More...
Apr 20, 2011
sulis
rated it:
Alhamdulillah dapet ni buku dari atria :D
Selesai jam 3.30 waktu setempat, rekor karena jam bacaku itu mentok sampe jam 3 saja.
Agak diluar bayangan dan harapanku sih sebenarnya ini cerita. Tentang Alessandra Gilliani seorang remaja yang berotak cemerlang yang sayangnya pada masa itu tradisi tidak memperbolehkan seorang wanita menjadi pandai, hanya boleh menjadi seorang ibu rumah tangga dan seorang biarawati. Bakatnya mulai terlihat ketika Fra Giuseppe seorang pendeta mesum sekaligus g More...
Selesai jam 3.30 waktu setempat, rekor karena jam bacaku itu mentok sampe jam 3 saja.
Agak diluar bayangan dan harapanku sih sebenarnya ini cerita. Tentang Alessandra Gilliani seorang remaja yang berotak cemerlang yang sayangnya pada masa itu tradisi tidak memperbolehkan seorang wanita menjadi pandai, hanya boleh menjadi seorang ibu rumah tangga dan seorang biarawati. Bakatnya mulai terlihat ketika Fra Giuseppe seorang pendeta mesum sekaligus g More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 05, 2011
Janine
rated it:
I am partial to historicals, so I was drawn to this one. I thought Quick did an excellent job immersing the reader in 14th century Italy. Alessandra feels very real, and I thought Quick's imagining of how she might've gotten to be the first female anatomist was plausible.
It wasn't my favorite book ever, but I read it fast and didn't want to put it down. Alessandra and her brother were both loveable characters. The plot felt like it needed a bit of juice, a bit more drama, but it get More...
It wasn't my favorite book ever, but I read it fast and didn't want to put it down. Alessandra and her brother were both loveable characters. The plot felt like it needed a bit of juice, a bit more drama, but it get More...
Jun 15, 2010
Bella
rated it:
This is the story of young Alessandra Giliani - a female anatomist who overcame obstacles at a young age in order to pursue her dream -- to study Medicine. A good story, and an easy read, and definitely a Young Adult book.
Reason that I gave 3 stars - Given that it is a YA's novel and that I don't read much of this genre, I felt that it skipped some things in Alessandra's life. I can't really say what it was. Maybe I'm just used to more complicated characters. I did love how the author More...
Reason that I gave 3 stars - Given that it is a YA's novel and that I don't read much of this genre, I felt that it skipped some things in Alessandra's life. I can't really say what it was. Maybe I'm just used to more complicated characters. I did love how the author More...
Oct 08, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com
Alessandra has always been the odd one out in her family, more interested in reading scientific texts and exploring the forest with her older brother than proper feminine pursuits. She dreams of studying medicine and becoming a doctor - an unheard of ambition for a girl.
Her oddness draws the ire of her stepmother, who turns on Alessandra when her father's away. When her father agrees to arrange a marriage for her at her stepmother More...
Alessandra has always been the odd one out in her family, more interested in reading scientific texts and exploring the forest with her older brother than proper feminine pursuits. She dreams of studying medicine and becoming a doctor - an unheard of ambition for a girl.
Her oddness draws the ire of her stepmother, who turns on Alessandra when her father's away. When her father agrees to arrange a marriage for her at her stepmother More...
Jun 02, 2010
melissa1lbr
rated it:
An interesting look at a woman in the middle ages who wanted to study medicine. I became very intrigued by the real-life person behind the story. It was a quick, fast read and I enjoyed seeing life through Alessandra's eyes. However, it was very neatly wrapped up - things worked out so easily I had a hard time believing it. Also, I never became drawn into the historical feel - I could have done with a few more details. However, an enjoyable read nonetheless. Full review at One Librarian's
More...
Jun 01, 2011
Kayla
rated it:
This book had me from the start. The writing style of A Golden Web had me feeling like a was reading an old fairy tale, mixed with a piece of history. It was quickly paced, easily read, and enjoyable from beginning to end. It certainly makes me appreciate how many opportunities I have in life in this time period, as opposed to a girl my age in Alessandra’s time. I’d hate to be married off, or forced to forget my own wishes for the future. These are exactly the sort of things that she faces, and
More...
Oct 12, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
Originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.
A Golden Web by Barbara Quick is the story of Alessandra, a bright and inquisitive young girl living in a time period when intelligent women were frowned upon, feared and stifled. Her father is a stationer, which gives her access to books and she studies and reads all that she can get her hands on. After her step-mother (who hates her) forces her to remain in seclusion for a year, Alessandra knows it is time to make More...
A Golden Web by Barbara Quick is the story of Alessandra, a bright and inquisitive young girl living in a time period when intelligent women were frowned upon, feared and stifled. Her father is a stationer, which gives her access to books and she studies and reads all that she can get her hands on. After her step-mother (who hates her) forces her to remain in seclusion for a year, Alessandra knows it is time to make More...
Jun 30, 2011
Melisa
rated it:
Dari awal tau tentang buku ini aku udah tertarik, aku suka historical fiction soalnya ;) seneng banget pas dapat swap dari Sulis, pas selesai membaca jg nggak kecewa :))
-update 12 Jun 2011-
Malang benar nasib para perempuan yang hidup di Italia pada awal abad keempat belas. Hanya ada dua pilihan hidup bagi mereka: kalau tidak menjadi seorang istri, berarti menjadi biarawati. Kalaupun bekerja, paling-paling sebagai pelayan. Setiap perempuan yang menunjukkan kemampuan di bid More...
-update 12 Jun 2011-
Malang benar nasib para perempuan yang hidup di Italia pada awal abad keempat belas. Hanya ada dua pilihan hidup bagi mereka: kalau tidak menjadi seorang istri, berarti menjadi biarawati. Kalaupun bekerja, paling-paling sebagai pelayan. Setiap perempuan yang menunjukkan kemampuan di bid More...
Jun 24, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
I'm usually not a big fan of historical fiction, but Alessandra's story drew me in right from the beginning. Her story is one that fills story books. The girl who is trapped, and longs to be free. Who knows that she is destined for something better. However where Alessandra's story strays from the norm, is that she actually does it! She doesn't just dream about leaving, she doesn't just wish to be better, she does it.
As a character, I fell in love with Alessandra instantly. Her fiest More...
As a character, I fell in love with Alessandra instantly. Her fiest More...
Oct 30, 2011
Roshini
rated it:
This is a lovely little book. A Golden Web is a fictional account of the life of Alessandra Gilliani, who is considered to be the world's first female anatomist. In a time when the knowledge of medicine among women was deemed equivalent to witchcraft, this young lady braved the greatest disease of all - ignorance - to pursue her greatest desire, an education. As a teenager, she became a prosector to one of the greatest medical minds at the time, a feat in itself nothing short of a miracle, if yo
More...
Apr 30, 2010
Tara
rated it:
This was a quick, easy read, classified as a Young Adult novel for ages 12 and up but I honestly think the writing style is more for pre teens, not that older people won't enjoy it tho.
Based on the real life Alessandra Giliani, the first female anatomist (Be sure to read the Author's Note at the end!), this novel starts with Alessandra as a teenager under her jealous step mother's thumb. When she turns fourteen, her step mother sees fit to literally confine her the house. Alessan More...
Based on the real life Alessandra Giliani, the first female anatomist (Be sure to read the Author's Note at the end!), this novel starts with Alessandra as a teenager under her jealous step mother's thumb. When she turns fourteen, her step mother sees fit to literally confine her the house. Alessan More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
May 08, 2010
Kristen
rated it:
Why I read this: I'm a big fan of historical fiction - especially the adventure of a girl having to disguise herself as a boy to be apart of what they want in life. This is also Barbara's first young adult novel - she's written for adults only before - and you know much I love reading debut novels!
Plot: Alessandra decides that she will try her best to get out of her marriage and plots a way to get to the city so she can study the human body and become a scholar. To do so, she must di More...
Plot: Alessandra decides that she will try her best to get out of her marriage and plots a way to get to the city so she can study the human body and become a scholar. To do so, she must di More...
Apr 01, 2010
Rebecca
rated it:
Alessandra Giliani is not like most girls in fourteenth century Italy. She is very intelligent and loves to read, even dreaming of someday being a scholar. But because she doesn’t behave as a proper lady should, her stepmother dislikes her, and is unkind to her. Alessandra would like to study medicine, but that is not proper for a young girl of her place and time. The only proper choices for a young woman are an arranged marriage or life in a convent.
When Alessandra learns that her s More...
When Alessandra learns that her s More...
Sep 04, 2011
Fanda
rated it:
Kisah fiksi berdasarkan sejarah: seorang wanita muda yang menjadi ahli anatomi wanita pertama di dunia. Alessandra Giliani hidup saat wanita tak bisa sekolah sampai tinggi. Dia mendobrak kultur itu dan menghindar dari perjodohan yang disiapkan orang tuanya. Ketika dikirim ke biara untuk dipingit sebelum menikah, Alessandra menyiapkan rencana kabur dan menyamar menjadi pemuda. Akhirnya ia tiba di Bologna dan menjelma menjadi mahasiswa bernama Sandro yang terkenal pandai, dan menjadi asisten Mondi
More...
