I, Mona Lisa

This is by far my favourite book, i couldn't put it down, i loved breathed, and everyone I have recommended it to love it as well! I loved the history, the romance, the love and pain and the history all entwinded into an extremely well written book, it was like I was there with Lisa throughout her story! Jeanne Kalogridis is by far my favourite author, as I have read three of her books and loved each and everyone of them! If you love this book, you have to read 'The Borgia Bride' and 'The Burning Times'! It is the most magical reading experience! edit | delete review

After having loved "The Borgia Bride" by Jeanne Kalogridis, I was looking forward to "I, Mona Lisa" with high expectations and was delighted to pour through this wonderful novel filled with historical fact blended with innovative fiction, and twists and turns galore. Set in Florence in the 1490s, the novel tells the story of Madonna Lisa, the woman behind Leondardo DiVinci's masterpiece. The story is a clever and romantic possibility of the reason behind that famous smile (or lack thereof?). If you enjoy historical fiction, "I, Mona Lisa" and "The Borgia Bride" are two examples of the genre at its finest: wonderful character development, rich plots, a studied knowledge of the place, times and characters (you will recognise famous historical figures throughout both novels), a careful weaving of fact and fiction, and just enough twists and turns to keep the modern reader both interested and engaged. I highly recommend both novels! P.S. DO NOT READ THE BACK OF THE BOOK PRIOR TO READING IT!!!! Whomever wrote the blurb on the back of this novel certainly didn't want the readers to be shocked about one of the interesting plot-twists more than halfway through the novel. If you want to be surprised and enjoy this book to its fullest, I highly recommend NOT reading the back of the book!

I enjoyed Kalogridis' "The Borgia Bride" and thought that I would try another of her novels. While "Borgia" is everything I love about historical fiction, "I, Mona Lisa" is everything I love about historical fiction... and then some. I was blown away by the depth of detail Kalogridis uses when describing everything from the characters' clothing to the brush strokes on da Vinci's most famous work. The author attempts to create a backstory for the painting of the Mona Lisa surrounding the oft-debated subject of the painting, Lisa di Antonio Gherardini, in the midst of the Pazzi conspiracy and the terror inspired by Savonarola. I often find that historical fiction enhances what I already know about history-- this novel taught me a great deal about Renaissance Florence. The political and religious intrigue were fascinating and the circular nature of the narrative was pleasing to read. Some readers may be disappointed that the book is not more about the paintings of da Vinci (like "Girl With a Pearl Earring" was about Vermeer's). However, if you read this with an open mind-- I believe you will discover that it encompasses the very best of historical fiction. The setting could not be more intriguing, the characters more vivd and controversial, and the story more compelling. If you enjoy reading authors like Philippa Gregory or Tracy Chevalier, you will love this book!

The real history of the Italian Renaissance needs little doctoring to make it an engrossing topic - it's full of intrigue, warring families, corrupt Papal power mongers, astonishing wealth and poverty, poisonings, artistic and scientific creativity and amazing beauty. Kalogridis has a wonderful knack for selecting delectible real stories, conducting meticulous research, and then using her pen to write in the missing (possible) personal pieces with results that are a gift to read. The story she created for "I, Mona Lisa" fills in the blanks behind the secretive smile that has captured the imaginations of millions. The outrageous real events of the time (the Pazzi conspiracy & murders; Savonarola and his priest posse; the corrupt Borgia papacy, etc) are a no-fail back drop for this enthralling story of a love-struck wool merchant's daughter who becomes a political pawn caught up in the espianoge swirling around the Medici, Pazzi and the Church. The story of Lisa di Antonio Gherardini, the name of the woman believed to be the sitter for Leonardo da Vinci's most famous portrait, follows a familiar formula. We meet her as a young teen and with her witness several traumatic events which fuel her adolescent angst and rebellion against her father. This merchant's daughter manages to capture the eye and then the heart of a Medici prince, and her wiley slave helps her plot to follow her heart. Suddenly bad things happen, danger lurks, and the plot becomes sinister and suspenseful... Lisa takes foolish risks, and then more bad things happen... you just keep turning pages and losing sleep! I won't ruin the ending... but follow the formula. In this light, Kalogridis has not accomplished anything new, but she has certainly excelled at bringing this formula to life! The joy of this book is Kalogridis' ability to paint such an alive picture of the fear, suspense & political intrigue of Florence during the end of Lorenzo the Magnificent's reign and the subsequent oppressive rule of Savonarola (read "April Blood" by Lauro Martines or watch the "The Medici: God Fathers of the Renaissance" DVD set to compare her story with historical fact). Those who have visited Florence will appreciate the detail with which she describes the buildings and layout of the city - you will re-visit as you read. Some reviewers have categorized "I, Mona Lisa" as a historical romance. I respectfully disagree - the romantic interest of Lisa may be the force which drives her survival under the circumstances of the story, but the political intrigue of the time is the theme which dominates. Regardless, both history buffs & romantics will be satisfied by the plentiful supply of accurate facts AND unrequitted love that remains alive in the most hopeless of circumstances. Keep writing, Ms. Kalogridis - I will keep reading! (I highly recommend "The Borgia Bride" by Jeanne Kalogridis as well - I believe I enjoyed that even more than this one!)

This tale is set against the turbulent backdrop of late 15th century Florence. Through the eyes of Lisa di Antonio Gherardini Giocondo, we meet the Medici, Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, feast on the Florentine Renaissance and then experience the puritanical turbulence of Girolamo Savanarola (including the Bonfire of the Vanities). The story itself, though, is an intricate tale of Lisa's life complete with elements of love, high drama, betrayal and loss. 'People kill and die because they cannot control their emotions' Whether you read this novel as pure fiction or would like it to be plausible explanation, enjoy the story. While I read it as escapist fiction, I enjoyed the writing and became caught up in the possibilities explored. Recommended. Jennifer Cameron-Smith