A little bit of a mixed bag of a book. The descriptions of life in medieval Tuscany were absolutely excellent. I also really enjoyed the scene setting of the life of an artist in the period where so many of our now famous artists were creating. However, in characterisation and overall plotting I think this fell short.
Plot in a Nutshell
Sofia Barducci is a teenager being brought up in 14th century San Gimignano by her artist father. A young woman with great artistic skill her father trains her to paint. She marries, initially for love, but the marriage itself is ill-fated. After her father dies she flees to Siena, disguising herself as a boy in order to continue working as a painter in a world that offers women almost no opportunity or consideration for ambition.
Thoughts
Overall both the historical and geographical elements of the novel are really very strong. Cram does an exceptional job of painting a compelling version of the Tuscan cities and countryside of the period. Having visited San Gimignano which still had towers standing I felt I could perfectly envisage Sofia’s view of the city with work underway building and extending the towers as they headed towards their peak of ccc.
It was not only the landscape that seemed so well researched and perfectly painted (no pun intended!). The descriptions of producing paints and colours were incredibly detailed and vivid and also the specifics of preparing to paint and the different styles in use really did bring this important part of Renaissance European life to life.
Whilst not a political novel I also really enjoyed the implicit and occasionally explicit insight into the alliance building, vendetta ridden reality of the City states that littered Italy at this time alongside the impact and fear of illness.
In the abstract Sofia is exactly the kind of main protagonist I like. She is a strong woman not afraid to push for what she believes in, whether it be the approval to make a love match or to pursue a career where women were very rare. Her tale is one rife with conflict; from seeing the reality of her love match fade as she starts to understand the abusive nature of her husband, the challenges of her dalliance with a wealthier merchant and her drive to paint both for personal satisfaction but also for financial stability.
Unfortunately, I really did not like Sofia. I found her single minded and full of ego. I think this was a conscious decision to present her as a highly strong artistic type but this plus the fact that she was decidedly lacking in empathy for anyone just made her unlikable to me. Throughout the novel she makes a number of bad decisions with seemingly little remorse or personal growth. This meant I really was not routing for her at all.
Fascinating premise but left me wanting more.
