The Birth of Venus in The Complete Idiots Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Jan 21, 2010 Jennifer rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Birth of Venus is an historical novel that takes place in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance and specifically during the time of Savonarola.

Things I loved about this book:
1) I liked the up-close look at the Renassiance during this period. And I didn't know much about Savonarola and the Bonfire of the Vanitites. Once again, I love using historical fiction to open up a new avenue of interest.

2) Without spoiling everything, I found the book's setup--that a nun in a monastery passes away ...more

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Oct 12, 2007 Amanda rated it liked it

Shelves: own, historical-fiction, italy

The story takes place in 15th century Florence when Italy's decadent ways are starting to become a little too flamboyant for the church. Alessandra Cecchi is the 14-year old daughter of a wealthy cloth merchant who is starting to make that transition from childhood to adulthood. To make things more difficult, she also has a passion for drawing and painting during a time when women weren't particularly allowed to become artists. Into the Cecchi household comes a young painter from the North who's ...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Natalie rated it it was amazing

I loved this book! Beautiful and painful. Ms. Durant's writing style is delicious. I found myself re-reading paragraphs just to savor the feelings they evoked. I am thrilled to have stumbled across her. I will be a fan forever now! ...more

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