The Marriage Portrait

A deeply troubling tale about marriage and the continuous horrific threat women still do face throughout history. This story shows the tragic powerlessness Lucrezia faces against her husband's force but also her silent resistance. O'Farrel masterfully crafts the thoughts of her duchess to battle the constraints around her. Her painterly writing will immerse you directly into marvelous art, dark apprehension, and questionable morals. Maggie O'Farrell does not disappoint!

A moving story about the tragic life of a young noblewoman, Lucrezia di Cosimo de Medici, Duchess of Ferrara, during the Renaissance. A time during which influence, power and wealth had the upper hand in society and the act of marriage was not steered by love in the slightest. The author Maggie O'Farrell captivated me with her carefully chosen words and beautifully written scenes. This was a book that I couldn’t put down! For everyone who loves well-written and researched historical novels!

The short description of this book had always intrigued me. It sounded mysterious and dangerous. And the book definitely fulfills all of those expectations! What was such a pleasant surprise was Maggie O'Farrel's writing style. It is constant poetry, constant metaphor and still so emotionally raw and real. Style and substance strike such an amazing balance in this book, it really sucks you in and is a joy to read from start to finish. The story is one of female oppression, contains descriptions of (child) sexual assault and ends in a dark place, but still manages to be about resilience and women wielding the little power they have to its greatest possible effect. A truly magnificent read.

Italien im 16. Jahrhundert. Die 15 jährige Lucrezia wird mit Alfonso, Herzog von Ferrera verheiratet und zieht an seinen Hof. Wundervoll wird vom Leben der Lucrezia erzählt und wie sie letztendlich Opfer von Alfonsos Willkür wird.