Signora Da Vinci

Robin Maxwell's portrayal of the relationship between Caterina and Leonardo DaVinci is such a beautiful love story that will touch the hearts of any mother. Her eloquent play on words allows the reader's imagination to vividly picture Italy during the Renaissance era. Her detail to historical facts is explicit, yet written in the style of fiction, which keeps the reader turning pages. Signora DaVinci is one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read. I am anxious to read other novels by Robin Maxwell, and can't wait for her next novel "O' Juliet" to be released.

Robin Maxwell's rendition of the life of Signora DaVinci is splendid. We have numerous opportunities to read about Leonardo DaVinci's life, but time seems to have forgotten his mother. Ms. Maxwell takes us through Signora DaVinci's life from the time she is a young girl, being raised by her alchemist father, through the better half of the 1400s, through her own experience with the terrors imposed on all who dared depart from the stringent "laws" and interpretations handed down by the Catholic church, the horrendous burnings of prostitutes, homosexuals, intellectuals and researchers....much of the ugliest pieces of the Renaissance...and her own personal departure from the conventional. Alas, Signora Davinci may have been one of history's original free-thinking women! One may reasonably liken Ms. Maxwell's clever and innovative use of language - simple words - to weaving a brilliant multi-threaded tapestry. This tapestry has been formed by what Ms. Maxwell's research showed her what may have constituted the actual life of Leonardo DaVinci's mother. Not a fan of historical writings, I actually dreaded even starting the arduous task of even beginning this seemingly dismal and dreary novel. Once I turned the first page I was captivated.

I loved every aspect of this book. It gives an insider's view of the Medici and Leonardo's mother is cast as a loving mother, scholar and daring woman.

Not much is known about the woman who gave birth to one of the most brilliant men in our history, Leonardo da Vinci. Her name and the events around her famous son's birth is pretty much it. Until now. Robin Maxwell takes us back to 15th century Italy and paints us a beautiful picture of Leonardo's childhood and of his fascinating mother, Caterina. Young Caterina is raised surrounded by her father's love and the beautiful countryside of Vinci, Italy. At the age of eight Caterina's father, Ernesto, teaches her the ways of apothecary and alchemy - not a safe hobby and punishable by death. A free-spirited girl, she often roams the land without a guardian. One afternoon she meets Piero, the son of a neighboring noble family. They quickly fall in love during their clandestine meetings and Caterina becomes pregnant. Piero's family forbids them to marry and unfortunately for Caterina, Piero shows no backbone and is sent away to Florence and quickly married off. When Caterina gives birth to her son she falls in love instantly and their unbreakable bond is formed. In one of the most heart-wrenching scenes I have ever read, Piero's family swoops in and whisks little Leonardo right out of Caterina's arms. This is a usual fate of fatherless children during this time - the need to preserve the family bloodline is of the utmost importance. I was broken-hearted and grieved along with Caterina. So powerful is Caterina's maternal love in this novel...it just exudes from the page and makes you feel all warm and tingly inside. Everything she does is for her child, even going so far as securing a spot for him for as an apprentice with the famous Florentine artisian, Maestro Verrocchio, far away in Florence. Being the inventive girl that she is, Caterina finds a way to be near her son - come hell or high water. Leonardo is remarkably talented and it showed from an early age. His hunger for knowledge is completely addicting and I can't wait to read more about him. My favorite aspect of the novel is when we meet Lorenzo de Medici and enter his world of philosophers, thinkers, scientists and artists. He is one hotty intellectual and totally stole the show (IMO). The great minds of the time are also brought to life; Sandro Bottiicelli, Marsilio Ficino, Christoforo Landino and Leon Battista Albertia are just to name a few. I have one word for this novel...DIVINE and I recommend Signora da Vinci to EVERYONE! You will meet some of the most fascinating and enthralling characters and will not want to put this one down! It's the kind of novel that you carry everywhere and read whenever you can squeeze in a few minutes - in the kitchen while cooking, in the bathroom, waiting in the grocery store line...anywhere. Once I've finished a novel I'm pretty stoked and eager to move on to the next adventure awaiting me. However, with Signora Da Vinci I just kind of sat back and ran through the novel again in my mind, this time slowly savoring it. Robin Maxwell has most definitely s

I found it impossible to put this book down once I had opened it and read the first page. I was drawn into the story and the possibilities it created instantaneously! How can history (myself included) have overlooked this woman for so long? The mother of one of history's most recognized men is a complete mystery... until now! Thank you Robin Maxwell, for pointing out the obvious: Leonardo Da Vinci had a mother! And for weaving a fascinating tale of the times, the events and the characters. Do not miss reading this book!