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The Birth of Venus: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 42,283 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Alessandra Cecchi is not quite fifteen when her father, a prosperous cloth merchant, brings a young painter back from northern Europe to decorate the chapel walls in the family’s Florentine palazzo. A child of the Renaissance, with a precocious mind and a talent for drawing, Alessandra is intoxicated by the painter’s abilities. But their burgeoning relationship is interrupted when Alessandra’s parents arrange her marriage to a wealthy, much older man. Meanwhile, Florence is changing, increasingly subject to the growing suppression imposed by the fundamentalist monk Savonarola, who is seizing religious and political control. Alessandra and her native city are caught between the Medici state, with its love of luxury, learning, and dazzling art, and the hellfire preaching and increasing violence of Savonarola’s reactionary followers. Played out against this turbulent backdrop, Alessandra’s married life is a misery, except for the surprising freedom it allows her to pursue her powerful attraction to the young painter and his art. The Birth of Venus is a tour de force, the first historical novel from one of Britain’s most innovative writers of literary suspense. It brings alive the history of Florence at its most dramatic period, telling a compulsively absorbing story of love, art, religion, and power through the passionate voice of Alessandra, a heroine with the same vibrancy of spirit as her beloved city.
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"I thought this book was a very good read and I would recommend it to people who enjoy historical fiction, art, and Europe. The book is about a girl named Alessandra growing up in Italy during the late 15th century. She has a passion for art, and falls in love with a painter working for her father. She is then married off to a man who she later finds is involved with her brother. This book constantly surprised me, and it was beautifully written. I can't wait to read this book again with the knowledge I have now, and I also want to do some research about the society of Italy during this time period. The Birth of Venus is an amazing book that I think any good reader will enjoy!"
— Morgan (4 out of 5 stars)
The Birth of Venus Listener Reviews
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" Loved this story, all the element I look for, history, Italy, art.... Loved it. "
— Kate, 2/11/2014 -
" Loved this book. Read it during my "Italy" phase. "
— Jenne, 2/9/2014 -
" Book about Florence around 1450 and the rule of Savonarola, a fundmentalist monk, that was finally hanged and burned by the Catholic Church. But it was mostly about a precocious girl that wanted to be a painter and her life. "
— Janis, 2/5/2014 -
" This was gripping. And I didn't even realize it until I was halfway through, staying up reading until I could no longer keep my eyelids from falling down. "
— Marin, 1/26/2014 -
" The book started out really well. I was very intrigued, but then it just got weird. The direction of the story took a turn way off the original story line. Hated it. "
— Sylvia, 1/22/2014 -
" Beautifully written coming of age story set against 15th century Florence, Italy. A little taste of everything; love, art, politics, religion and the power to provoke introspection. "
— Brittany, 1/21/2014 -
" I couldn't finish it. It was too boring. "
— Christina, 1/9/2014 -
" nice read. gives an inkling of history of florence. "
— Shilpa, 1/3/2014 -
" Such a great book on so many different levels. As soon as I finished I flipped right to the begining to start it again. I have never done that before. Put this one on your to read list. "
— Jennifer, 1/1/2014 -
" I'm a sucker for any story set in Florence, and this one, which takes place during Savonrola's four years of power in the 1400's, was a great bit of historical fiction. I cared about the characters, I enjoyed the plot, and I loved how it ended. "
— Marie, 12/18/2013 -
" Incredible novel. It has definitely found a place in my favourites. "
— Janice, 11/28/2013 -
" Gorgeous period detail - a great romp. "
— Mairi_k, 5/18/2013 -
" Read this book right after I came back from a trip to Florence, Italy. It was very cool to be able to visualize all the places they were mentioning in the book. I recommend it to anyone taking a trip to Florence! "
— Bridget, 1/25/2013 -
" Well-written and interesting because I like art history. But I was offended by the sexually explicit material. "
— Sarah, 1/6/2013 -
" Yes... Yes... Yes... This book has brought me hours of enjoyment. "
— Ray, 10/23/2012 -
" One of the most sensual books I have ever read- amazing story and great plot. This is one of my favorite books! "
— Wendy, 10/13/2012 -
" A wonderfully complex piece of historical fiction that draws you into the world of 15th-century Florence; a city alive with the passions of art, religion, and politics. "
— Jeffrey, 5/7/2012 -
" This book is amazing. Very well written, intriguing, the main character is dynamic and very likable. It's pretty much right up my alley, because it takes place in Florence during the Renaissance and I love historical fiction. Lots of descriptions of painting and drawing, too, which I love. "
— Sheena, 11/9/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book. I enjoy historical fiction, and particularly a female perspective on history, but it's also just a page turner. Seriously - we'd go for a drive and I'd just stay in the driveway finishing the chapter upon our return. Good story! "
— Kris, 10/21/2011 -
" Interesting - and feels well researched "
— Tricia, 6/27/2011 -
" One of my all-time favorites "
— Lynn, 6/24/2011 -
" Interesting but not as good as other two in the trilogy "
— Elizabeth, 5/22/2011 -
" Just finished this book earlier this month..not such a fan of it. I found myself continually reading just to find a good point in the story. Will not read this book again, or recommend it. "
— Mel, 5/20/2011 -
" Amazing! I knew nothing about this period in history before delving into the story and yet I was still fascinated at how Dunant captures this moment so vividly. "
— Jenna, 5/12/2011 -
" I'd give this book 3 1/2 stars, the historical aspect of this book was interesting. "
— Ellen, 5/10/2011 -
" Pretty good,not the best, but entertaining enough to justify reading. Ugh,,,that's a pretty weak recommendation ain't it??? "
— Katie, 5/3/2011 -
" This is a fictional story of a young woman in Florence Italy, of love, life and art in the late 1400's. <br/>I would have given it a higher rating if it weren't so graphic. "
— Cindy, 4/30/2011 -
" Way too cheesy for me. Discussions of art marred by silly descriptions of wet folds. "
— Jess, 4/25/2011 -
" just get through the first chapter (it's a little weird and you'll be like "what the hell am i reading!) and the rest will fall in place...........promise! "
— Beth, 4/20/2011
About Sarah Dunant
Sarah Dunant is the author of the international bestsellers The Birth of Venus and In the Company of the Courtesan, Sacred Hearts, and Blood and Beauty, which have received major acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Her earlier novels include three Hannah Wolfe crime thrillers, as well as Snowstorms in a Hot Climate, Transgressions, and Mapping the Edge.
About Kathe Mazur
Kathe Mazur has narrated many audiobooks, winning the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2014, being named a finalist for the Audie Award in 2013 and 2015, and winning several AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she can be seen as DDA Hobbs on The Closer and in the upcoming Major Crimes. She has worked extensively in film, theater, and television, including appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, House, Brothers and Sisters, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, ER, Monk, and many others.