The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell is a gripping historical fiction novel set in Renaissance Italy, focusing on the life of Lucrezia de' Medici, a young woman trapped in a marriage of political convenience to the Duke of Ferrari. The story delves into the power dynamics of the era, portraying Lucrezia as a pawn in the ruthless game of politics and power, highlighting the struggles faced by aristocratic women in a male-dominated society. O'Farrell's writing style is described as exquisite, with vivid descriptions that bring the era and characters to life, creating a sense of immediacy and building tension throughout the narrative.
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Content warnings include themes of domestic abuse, misogyny, and potential violence.
From The Publisher:
REESE'S BOOK CLUB DECEMBER PICK
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER
The author of award-winning Hamnet brings the world of Renaissance Italy to jewel-bright life in this unforgettable fictional portrait of the captivating young duchess Lucrezia de' Medici as she makes her way in a troubled court.
"I could not stop reading this incredible true story." -Reese Witherspoon (Reese's Book Club December '22 Pick)
"O'Farrell pulls out little threads of historical detail to weave this story of a precocious girl sensitive to the contradictions of her station ... You may know the history, and you may think you know what's coming, but don't be so sure. " - The Washington Post
Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is comfortable with her obscure place in the palazzo: free to wonder at its treasures, observe its clandestine workings, and devote herself to her own artistic pursuits. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father just as quick to accept on her behalf.
Having barely left girlhood behind, Lucrezia must now enter an unfamiliar court whose customs are opaque and where her arrival is not universally welcomed. Perhaps most mystifying of all is her new husband himself, Alfonso. Is he the playful sophisticate he appeared to be before their wedding, the aesthete happiest in the company of artists and musicians, or the ruthless politician before whom even his formidable sisters seem to tremble?
As Lucrezia sits in constricting finery for a painting intended to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the court's eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferranese dynasty. Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, the new duchess's future hangs entirely in the balance.
Full of the beauty and emotion with which she illuminated the Shakespearean canvas of Hamnet , Maggie O'Farrell turns her talents to Renaissance Italy in an extraordinary portrait of a resilient young woman's battle for her very survival.
Ratings (27)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (9) | |
Liked It (6) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (3) |
Reader Stats (60):
Read It (26) | |
Want To Read (32) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (1) |
4 comment(s)
This was a hard one to rate because it was written well and I did get invested in the main character. However the whole pull for me was the emotional one I had for her. But nothing much seems to happen, never felt like I truly got invested in what happened. Enjoyment wise it's a 2 stars. Perhaps someday I'll reread it and feel different but for now this was a slight disappointing read
Maggie O'Farrell's writing is exquisite. She puts you right into the story.
3.5 stars
Longlisted for the Women’s Prize 2023.
Finally I finished this book. I loved Maggie O’Farrell’s Women’s Prize winning “Hamnet” and picked it up expecting the same enjoyment. But this one was not up to the mark. Though only Maggie O'Ferrell can portray the short life of " Lucrezia di Cosimo de' Medici" where she is the first wife of Alfonso d'Este, as most interesting. Lucrezia did almost nothing in her short life (as being duchess, I bet she did as interesting things as I am doing in my life) and it was up to the author to imagine and bring out her as a main character of the book.
The novel is not much about events but thoughts of Lucrezia. It is like a character study. It is the display of human nature, power and wealth. The patriarchal society where even the queen/duchess is a machine to produce heir (oh! did you guys read SPARE!? The heir thing still exists). This novel is about a neglected figure in history (like many more) and who died young. It was a long book for me as it had only inner conversations and thoughts. Lucrezia did become dear to me and a memorable character.
Happy Reading!
I found this book to be a slow burn beauty. The writing is poetic and the detail created a rich picture of the historical context but also the visuals and the landscape around the characters. The plot move slowly but the pacing worked for me (on audiobook) given how the writer carefully intertwined information on how an artist approaches painting, how a young woman came to view her surroundings and how the world, politics and landscape of the time drove the story. The pacing reminded me of The Dutch House - slow but steady plot development with gorgeous writing. I highly recommend reading/listening to the authors' note at the end - it was fascinating and made me appreciate the work even more!
What can you read after
The Marriage Portrait?
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