Title: Blood & Beauty
Author: Sarah Dunant
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: This novel, set in Rome in the late 1400s, follows the story of the Borgia family as Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia buys his way to becoming Pope Alexander VI. Rodrigo uses his papal rule to gain power for the Borgia family by making convenient marriages and appointments for his illegitimate children.
My Thoughts
This is the first novel I have read involving the Borgias and it really left me wanting to know more. Something struck me as different right away when I started reading this novel. It took me a moment to figure it out but then I realized it was that the book is written from a third person perspective but in present tense. I don't think I have come across a historical fiction novel written in this manner (and I read a lot of historical fiction!). It gives the reader a sense of being right there as everything is happening.
For the most part, this was a really enjoyable read that gave insight into a really corrupt time in the church. It has history, war, family drama, weddings, murder, and romance, so something for everyone. There was one point early on when I was worried that I had accidentally picked up a romance novel where the author gets a little graphic during a love scene, but later Dunant only used it to give the reader insight into the character of a key player in the story.
The novel ends with a very open-ended scene, leaving the reader wanting to know how all the members of the Borgia family end up. Be prepared to do a little google search to learn more, I know I did!
I am really interested in reading more fiction about the Borgias if you have any suggestions feel free to comment below!
To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Sarah Dunant, visit her website linked above.
This is the first novel I have read involving the Borgias and it really left me wanting to know more. Something struck me as different right away when I started reading this novel. It took me a moment to figure it out but then I realized it was that the book is written from a third person perspective but in present tense. I don't think I have come across a historical fiction novel written in this manner (and I read a lot of historical fiction!). It gives the reader a sense of being right there as everything is happening.
For the most part, this was a really enjoyable read that gave insight into a really corrupt time in the church. It has history, war, family drama, weddings, murder, and romance, so something for everyone. There was one point early on when I was worried that I had accidentally picked up a romance novel where the author gets a little graphic during a love scene, but later Dunant only used it to give the reader insight into the character of a key player in the story.
The novel ends with a very open-ended scene, leaving the reader wanting to know how all the members of the Borgia family end up. Be prepared to do a little google search to learn more, I know I did!
I am really interested in reading more fiction about the Borgias if you have any suggestions feel free to comment below!
To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Sarah Dunant, visit her website linked above.
