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lizzird's review against another edition
3.0
Fluff, such fluff, but rather enjoyable at that. There's just enough historical accuracy to keep my interest, and just enough historical inaccuracy to make it juicy.
hollyb7's review against another edition
3.0
Good book. The story is great, but the backdrop is even more interesting. The religious context of the book is what was most interesting to me.
lauramk's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating look at Florence during the Renaissance through the eyes of a young girl. Loved it!
authorlisaard's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this historical fiction novel for many reasons, including: 1) I recently visited Florence and was introduced to the story of the monk Savonarola, so I enjoyed the mentioned sights and historical context, 2) as a writer I appreciated the structure of the novel, with the main point of view being a young well-to-do woman married off to a much older man. Through the conversations of husband and wife, and those of the wife and her slave/maid, the political, religious and societal events unfold. There's tension throughout as the rising puritanical tide overwhelms Florentine society. Really well done and a fascinating story of the Renaissance.
cooknbibi's review against another edition
3.0
As I was reading this book I had the feeling that I’d read it before. Yep! After reading the scene of Alessandra’s wedding night I remembered that I had read this book. So I decided not to finish since I have at least four books in my bedside table to read. I enjoyed the work once and remember enough not to continue.
godsgayearth's review against another edition
Damn. I may have waited too long to read it, but I definitely liked In the Company of a Courtesan better. This won’t keep me from reading Dunant’s later works though.
kyra_d's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
chloeam3103's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Cancer, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Terminal illness, Blood, and Outing
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Vomit, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic