The Marriage Portrait - Maggie O'Farrell

 In 1560 a 13 year old daughter of the Medici family is promised in marriage to the 24 year old son of another Italian family.  At 15 she is married to Alfonso Ferrara and her purpose is to produce an heir.  His two-faced personality is a shock to the girl and has disastrous effects on her life.

I bought this in LaGuardia airport for a trip home from a conference and finished it on a delayed flight out of Dallas.  O'Farrell's writing is rich without being cloying, intensely evocative without unnecessary words.  I was captivated from the first pages.  Great read for a overly long trip.

Published: 2022  Read: July 2023  Genre: Historical Fiction

Tell Them of Battles, Kngs and Elephants - Mathias Enard

A translation of a well known French author's recent book about Michelangelo's work with the Sultan of Constantinople to design a bridge across the Golden Horn in 1506.   Based  on historical facts, it was a different read.  Something I picked up on the "New Books" shelf at the library.  Interesting how those in power manipulated those with talent and genius.

Published:  2010  Read: April 2019  Genre: historical fiction