Book Number Two! I have finally finished! Reading this took a lot longer than I had hoped and by Part Three I really just wanted it to end. SPOILERS!

Ever since Girl with a Pearl Earring was published, there have been a flood of historical fiction surrounding artists and famous paintings. I can't pretend to have read them all, but this was definitely not one of my favorites. Though it included some details of everyday life at the time in Rome, it lacked the completeness, the detail and the richness that made Girl with a Pearl Earring so enjoyable. I often felt, from the quick descriptions and sometimes cheesy dialogue, that this was more romance novel than historical fiction. The important parts of the story (Margherita's abduction and return) were glossed over. The story moved too quickly at times, and yet dragged at other times. The subplots, specifically the other love stories (Guilio and Elena, Maria and Alessandro) were poorly developed and defined.

My major issue with the plot....where was Donato during the abduction and the time that Margherita was missing? Why wasn't her family looking for her, or at least concerned? Donato was so devoted to her throughout the entire book, except the time she needed him most. Disappointing.

Overall, I would give it 3 stars, but would prefer 2.5 stars. I studied art history in college and have toured Rome and Florence....and even I'M happy to move on.