Set at the heart of the treacherous political world of the Italian Renaissance, this is the masterful story of a young woman’s battle for her very survival, written with all the drama and verve that made HAMNET an international bestseller.
Florence, the 1560s. Lucrezia, third daughter of Cosimo de’ Medici, is free to wander the palazzo at will, wondering at its treasures and observing its clandestine workings. But when her older sister dies on the eve of marriage to Alfonso d’Este, ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father to accept on her behalf.
Having barely left girlhood, Lucrezia must now make her way in a troubled court whose customs are opaque and where her arrival is not universally welcomed. Perhaps most mystifying of all is her husband himself, Alfonso. Is he the playful sophisticate her appears before their wedding, the aesthete happiest in the company of artists and musicians, or the ruthless politician before whom even his formidable sisters seem to tremble?
As Lucrezia sits in uncomfortable finery for the painting which is to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the court’s eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferrarese dynasty. Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, her future hangs entirely in the balance.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
This story had me transported to renaissance Italy with a birds eye view into the lives of Dukes and Duchesses. This is a coming of age story of a young girl that feels like the odd one out in her own family. Lucrezia meets many friends and enemies along the way and the marriage portrait is a love story with twists along the way to keep you guessing. Penny, QLD, 5 Stars
The Marriage Portrait is not a book I would usually pick up, but I’m so glad I gave this book a chance. Set in the renaissance period, the book follows young Lucrezia, who belongs to an aristocratic family and is betrothed to Alfonso, a member of another ruling family, after the death of her older sister. The story is beautifully written, blending fact and fiction, observing the trends of the era, while also allowing the reader to experience this time period through the eyes of Lucrezia. Lucrezia grows throughout the book from a wilful child, into an equally strong and artistic woman, trying to make sense of her marriage and the world around her. The story is at times quite heartbreaking, and this hits home with the increasingly descriptive and vivid recollections that unfold. I would definitely recommend this book. Kelly, VIC, 5 Stars
In the first chapter of The Marriage Portrait, we meet Lucrezia, wife for one year of Alfonso, duke of Ferrara, who believes he is about to murder her. In the second chapter, we witness the moment of Lucrezia’s conception, where her mother, instead of focusing on peaceful thoughts to bring about a peaceful child, focuses on the paintings of landscapes and wilderness, and eventually gives birth to a strong-willed and intelligent daughter. I loved this book, which moves back and forward through Lucrezia’s life, from her father’s court in Florence to the very different court of her husband in Ferrara. Based on a historical figure who did die after a year’s marriage, she is an interesting and feisty character who doesn’t want to fit into the life decided for her. The only fault I found was a very neat ending. Kim, VIC, 5 Stars
Evocative and spell-binding, Maggie O’Farrell’s The Marriage Portrait is an unputdownable foray into Renaissance Florence, where power and danger go hand in hand for the women forced into political marriages. With such beautiful prose and the tension climbing with every page, O’Farrell makes it almost impossible to come up for air. Like a hunting scene in a still clearing with grazing deer — you know the bullet is coming but you just can’t tear your gaze away. Lucrezia is thrust from a sheltered childhood at her father’s palazzo into marriage with the Duke of Ferrara, where she must contend with court politics while everyone waits with bated breath for her to do one job – give the Duke an heir. Until she does, she remains at the mercy of her erratic husband who she suspects wants her dead — but what can a young duchess do in the face of such danger? Leearna, VIC, 5 Stars
A compelling portrait of a young woman living beyond her times. The author has a talent for character development and scene setting as her characters are full, layered, complex beings and her descriptions of places and the fashion but the sounds, customs, manners, scents, and politics. She can immerse the reader completely into the time period and I finished this book with an improved understanding. The story revolves around the Medici family, a family well known throughout Europe and the world. Lucrezia, from Florence, daughter of a Grand Duke is our main protagonist. She is 13 when she marries Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara and her new as wife life begins. If she is to survive this marriage, or even to thrive, she must thwart the foreseen attempts to end her life. Lucrezia’s disposition comes to life on the page, and you will never quite know what she is going to do which makes this novel so exciting. She will survive! A triumphant and captivating novel. Sam, QLD, 5 Stars
Maggie O’Farrell has weaved a tale of intrigue. From the outset we know that Lucrezia di Cosimo de’ Medici died less than a year after her marriage to Alfonso II d’Este but how and why a young healthy woman would die are unknown. O’Farrell gives us insight into the men who have power, what they will do to keep it and the expendable nature of women. We learn that a life of wealth and privilege comes with obligations and infringements on your personal liberty. Set in Renaissance Italy we find the stage set for the drama to unfold as we follow Lucrezia’s transition from her childhood home to her marital home as her husband deals with the unrest in his court. For lovers of historical fiction you will find this hard to put down. Lynette, SA, 5 Stars
At the outset we are aware of history’s account of the brief life and marriage of Lucrezia de Medici who we first meet, aged 16, when she’s been brought to a secluded fort by her husband. Like her, we suspect he has brought her there to kill her. As time weaves backwards and forwards, inexorably toward 1561, we come to know and care for Lucrezia as a girl and young woman and we come to know Alfonso. Maggie O’Farrell is brilliant in painting a portrait of a fiery girl trapped like a tiger seen in childhood. For me, this is up there with Hamnet and the Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox as a Maggie O’Farrell favourite! Thanks so much for the chance to preview this beautiful book. Marlies, VIC, 5 Stars
An enchanting tale of a young aristocratic girl thrust into an arranged political marriage. The ending is clear she will die at the hand of her husband. So where will the suspense be. The author weaves a wonderful tale based on historical fact. Skillfully moving throughout her lifetime and the restrictions on women in that era, readers are plunged into the story with great descriptive writing leading them to a surprising ending. Magical! Dianne, NSW, 4 Stars
The Marriage Portrait is a beautifully written story that is set in two time periods: the ‘present’ of 1561, the year in which, the reader is warned from the beginning, Lucrezia dies, and the past that begins with Lucrezia’s conception. As the story progresses the two timelines converge. Maggie O’Farrell has such a way with words, that the details of each scene are painted so clearly you can picture yourself there. The use of present tense complements this, and the occasional use of future tense in the passages set in the past added interest. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, and as the pages took me ever closer to the conclusion, I hoped that perhaps the result would not be what I was expecting. Dalia, WA, 4 Stars
Beautifully written, Maggie O’Farrell immerses the reader into the world of Lucrezia di Cosimo di’ Medici. Her fictional recount and development of the story behind Lucrezia’s childhood and marriage are painted as lovingly as the portrait of the Duchess herself. As each layer of Lucrezia’s character is unveiled you can’t help but take sides with the Duchess as her life hangs in the balance. Erena, VIC, 4 Stars
If you were a fan of The Good Wife of Bath you will also enjoy The Marriage Portrait. Following the story of Lucrezia, married to Duke Alfonso II at the age of 15, The Marriage Portrait is thought provoking and suspenseful despite knowing the direction of the tale from the first page. O’Farrell’s writing is beautiful and the level of research invested in the plot and characters is clear. I would not usually choose historical fiction for myself but I highly recommend reading The Marriage Portrait. Amelia, VIC, 4 Stars
This book captured me from the first paragraph. I was enraptured from the first pages of exploring Lucrezia de Medici’s life (no spoilers!). The author perfectly captures the setting and tone of the era whilst describing a world so vividly that I could picture myself alongside the protagonist. This is a great historical dramatic read and I would definitely recommend this for a quick and good read on a holiday! Tess, QLD, 4 Stars
Another brilliant and evocative piece of writing by Maggie O’Farrell. She is so skilful in creating intrigue and angst with a storyline that kept me enthralled. This historical fiction is set in Italy during the mid 1500s, following the story of Lucrezia – the third daughter of Cosimo de’Medici (the grand duke). Lucrezia is rebellious, artistic and sharp, and doesn’t feel like she quite belongs anywhere in her family. Much to her dismay, after her sister’s sudden death, she is thrust into marrying the fiancé, the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso. Quite early on in the book, Lucrezia (and the reader) learns that Alfonso plots to have her murdered. What ensues is nerve-wracking and psychological torment for Lucrezia (a young teenager) as she tries to understand her new husband, who is sometimes beguiling and sometimes reticent. I was absolutely invested in this book! The writing kept me turning those pages. The descriptions were expressive and imaginative. In some parts, it did feel a little onerous and in contrast, the ending felt abrupt. There was so much more I wished was revealed or addressed once I finished. But I suppose that’s what makes for masterful writing; leaving the reader wanting more! Leigh, NSW, 4 Stars
This was a lovely, exquisitely-paced meditation on women, history, art and power. It cleverly lures you in with quiet, gentle and beautiful observations, deliberately, before revealing the scary underside. I have to admit I adore historical fiction which weaves an entirely plausible and possible story into the ‘facts’ which are known (e.g. Jackie French’s work). This does the same, and I loved it. Cath, TAS, 4 Stars
What a treat to be able to read Maggie O’Farrell’s newest story hot off the press! The Marriage Portrait is an immersive story of politics, power and money; and a young girl trying to live life as best she can, within her destiny of a politically advantageous marriage. It is a worthy follow-up to the widely admired Hamnet. Lucrezia di Medici is the fifth child of Cosimo, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and his duchess, Eleanor of Toledo. In her parents’ household, she seems to fall through the gaps: she’s not beautiful like her older sisters, and she is not a potential heir, like her brothers. Lucrezia’s low profile allows her to indulge in her passion for painting; until the sudden death of her sister Maria means that Lucrezia becomes the replacement in the marriage contract with Alfonzo d’Este, the Duke of Ferrara. This story unfolds in two timelines in alternating chapters. One is set in the present when Lucrezia is sixteen (1561), and one in flashback tells key events from Lucrezia’s past. From the first pages we are told that the marriage ends badly – Lucrezia intuits that she is about to be murdered by her husband. This adds a tinge of psychological horror and regret to the rest of the story – how did it come to this? The surprising ending, and the chilling postscript, will make you gasp out loud. Karen, VIC, 4 Stars
Thanks to @betterreadingau for providing me with an early copy of this fictionalised work of the short life of Lucrezia de’ Medici in Renaissance Italy. Lucrezia steps into the shoes of her dead sister to marry Alfonso II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara. We follow Lucrezia in the first year of her marriage. I found this book to be highly intriguing and a dark journey into the mind of a young and panicked girl. #BRPreview Nektaria, VIC, 4 Stars
This novel will be highly anticipated by many, thanks in no small part to O’Farrell’s previous novel, Hamnet, being much loved and much lauded. But this is the author’s ninth work of adult fiction, and it shames me to say that it is the first of hers that I’ve read. It won’t be the last. I was drawn to this story for a few reasons: 1) Italy 2) A voyeuristic interest in the marriage of such a young girl living in a Florentine palace, and 3) She was murdered by her husband when she was sixteen!!!!! It’s a pretty incredible premise so I thought I’d better take a look. Easy reading and enjoyable, the story flowed along at an even pace and kept me engaged throughout. There was a tension in me the whole time I was reading and I was dying to know if she actually did get murdered, and if so, when and how? The Marriage Portrait is a great work of historical fiction that is engaging and well written. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended. Tamsin, TAS, 4 Stars
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