Author: Marina Fiorato
ISBN: 978-174-237-4352
RRP: $32.99
In 1482 Sandro Botticelli painted the “Primavera”, a masterpiece which is still highly popular today and it’s meaning has long been a subject of debate amongst art connoisseurs.
The Botticelli Secret is a work of fiction by Marina Fiorato and takes you back in time starting in 15th century Florence and traveling throughout Italy. As in The Da Vinci Code, this novel expands on a theory that there is more than meets the eye, and there is a hidden message within.
Luciana plays the role of “Flora”, and for some time I found it hard to like her character. To begin with she is a brash and uneducated young prostitute who would think nothing of urinating in public and grabbing the crotch of a monk. But her beauty is astounding to all those around her and as the story progressed and her life was on the line, Luciana matured.
Luciana’s unlikely companion is Brother Guido, a man of god who is dedicated to the church that eventually becomes disillusioned with his career choice and gets caught up in the mystery of La Primavera.
As you can imagine, a prostitute and a monk make a curious pair, but their characters hold the story together and their friendship has no boundaries.
This is full of historical tidbits, the different locations are described in detail and you almost feel as if you are there exploring the cities with them. The characters are both real and fictional, Botticelli is there along with Lorenzo de’ Medici who is believed to have received the painting as a wedding gift.
Marina Fiorato vividly dissects every aspect of the painting, and even if you have never laid eyes on it you will feel like it is right there with you.
This is not an easy read, at times I felt confused and overwhelmed with information as every name and every aspect of the painting is an important clue. However, the book is well written and every time I thought I might give up Luciana and Brother Guido drew me back in.
A beautifully constructed story which has been thoroughly researched, this will change your perception of Botticelli’s spring celebration to one of power and war.
A book to challenge yourself with, at 548 pages you definitely get your money’s worth!
Marina Fiorato also wrote bestselling novel “The Glassblower of Murano”.
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This sounds like a very interesting read if you have the time to sit and mull it over, a story to enjoy slowly.
Your description certainly has me intrigued.