The year is 1508, the place is Rome, but not the Rome that we know today. This is a Rome where it is considered that gods walked amongst men. Raphael was one such god. Recognised as one of the most prolific High Renaissance painters along with his contemporaries: Michelangelo and Leonardo, Raphael was one of the greatest of all History painters. In her historical fiction novel, ‘The Woman in the Painting by Kerry Postle, published by Harper Collins, delves into the vibrant, over-indulgent and quite often murky world of Rome and its wayward elite. Inspired by a true story, Postle introduces the reader to Pietro, a self-indulgent (and quite exasperating) artist’s apprentice who loves his boss in more ways than one. Through his eyes, the reader sees how cruel the life of a poor, low-born woman who lived at the time could be, no matter how rich or influential your friends are, and that even a man considered to be a god could not secure everything that his heart desired.
What I thought of the eBook
If you have an interest in Renaissance Art and would like an insight into the lives of those held in such high regard, with a good splash of romance and heart-break mixed in, then this is the novel for you. Postle’s well-written novel shows an insight into the life behind the genius and you realise that it was more than spilt paint that caused problems for the great artists of the time. Pietro, whose eyes we view events through, is a young apprentice who is saved from the depths of despair (and his violent father) by Margarita Luti, otherwise known as La Fornarina. Margarita is a beautiful baker’s daughter whose heart is as pure as her beauty and yet she is vilified falsely for causing the death of Rome’s beloved Raphael. The novel provides a bright tapestry of the often privileged lives of those associated with the workshops of the great artists at the time. However, it becomes clear that, as always, with great talent, great humility does not always go hand in hand. The reader is given an interesting insight into the cruelties of some of the artists such as Michelangelo and Sebastiano, where it seems that their personalities did not imitate the beauty and inspiration of their art.
This novel contains a host of celebrities of the age and you will be intrigued by their behaviour and willingness to try and destroy each other’s reputations. Alongside that, you have a mixture of characters sculpted into the novel who range from the quite lewd but loyal apprentice, Giulio, to the despicable Cardinal Bibbiena, who is almost like a cartoon caricature of an evil villain. He is only interested in what he can take for himself, no matter what the cost is to others. You’ll experience a range of emotions as you read. You’ll feel warmth towards the prized Raphael who, unusually for such a feted artist, takes care of his workers, while (if you’re like me) feel contempt and dislike towards those who are against Margarita from the start, even her precious Pietro, who betrays her in the most terrible ways and for the most selfish of reasons. Although you want to scream at the characters throughout parts of the book due to the injustices they cause, Postle captures the spirit and the inequality of the age brilliantly in this oil painting of Renaissance life.
How much is the book and how can you buy it?
The paperback copy of the book retails for £8.99 while the Kindle version costs £0.99. You can purchase a copy from Harper Collins here.
About the Author
Kerry Postle loves art, history and literature. ‘The Woman in the Painting’ is the author’s third novel and in it she returns to the world of art. Other novels by the author include: her debut novel, ‘The Artist’s Muse’, in which she explores the artist Egon Schiele’s relationship with his model Wally Neuzil. Postle’s second novel, ‘A Forbidden Love’, is set during the Spanish Civil War and tells an uplifting story: that when war has taken everything away from us, we still have humanity.
About the Book
The book is available in Kindle or Paperback edition from Amazon
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1573 KB
Publisher: HQ Digital
Language: English
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN-10: 000833109X
ISBN-13: 978-0008331092
Review by: Row Jukes
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* Disclaimer: We were sent a copy of the EBook in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
18 comments
Thank you for an interesting book review. I am glad that it comes in an ebook format so it would be easier for me to grab a copy. This is going to keep me entertained for a while. Hope to find more new interesting books to read!
Absolutely! Hope it does Kristine
I am building up a lovely list of books to read and this is going on the list, it sounds such an interesting book, I can not wait to find out about the celebrities of the time trying to ruin each others reputations x
It is so full of drama and you are sure to love reading it
What an interesting concept for a book and I love that the ebook is so affordable too 🙂
Ebooks are really cheap at the moment and great way to keep reading especially when some publishers are not posting out paperbacks
I would love to read the book. I like the concept and hope the content would be interesting. I really can’t wait to get a copy.
Hope you do Jessica
That is such a beautiful cover! I have a love for Rome and for Renaissance Art so this definitely sounds like a book that I may enjoy.
Yes lovely cover indeed, hope you get the chance to read the book
Sounds like an interesting book. While I’m not a huge Renaissance Art fan I do love Rome as a place and am fascinated by it’s history x
Absolutely! A little bit of history added with some drama
i studied renaissance history for my A level – it was a fascinating time, so much intrigue and the incredible talent of all the artists. This sounds like a good novel to read – thank you for the review.
You are welcome Rebecca, thanks for sharing about your past, the book is a lovely read for those who love the period
This sounds like a very interesting book, quite intriguing because the author has given life to so many personalities that we only know from history and art books. Rome is one of my favorite cities in the world as well, so I’d really like to read this book.
I love the renaissance period and the story does capture the imagination
Ooo another book review and another one to add to my list. Love Italy so the fact that the book is set their is a winner x
Thank you, yes we have been reading lots lately so hope you enjoyed our review