The Birth of Venus: a Novel written by Sarah Dunant. New York: Random House, 2004. ISBN: 1400060737, 397 pages, $21.95
Reviewed by Emily Classon, Director, Tyngsborough Public Library
The Birth of Venus unveils the life of Alessandra Cecchi, a passionate young girl in Renaissance Florence. Alessandra, intrigued by art and literature, becomes captivated by the mysterious painter hired to decorate the family's palazzo. She is drawn to him for his artistic skills but also for his hidden secrets.
While Alessandra never imagined the life of wife and mother to fulfill her, she seeks the freedom marriage offers and the opportunity to create her own art. Her family arranges what seems to be a suitable marriage with an older man. This marriage is intended to guarantee her safety during a tumultuous time in the city when religion, politics, and various sins plague the area. Her husband's secrets and frequent absences allow the painter to reappear into Alessandra's life.
The French Army invades, the reign of the Medicis is overthrown, and Friar Savonarola drastically transforms the entire community's way of life. The once beautiful Florence becomes a land of paranoia and betrayal amidst a string of gruesome murders. Sinners are brutally punished, and the plague adds to the chaos.
The town's turmoil is matched by that of Alessandra and her family. Riddled with passion and secrets, all of the main characters seek to protect the people, art, and home that they love.
The Birth of Venus is a tempting and sensual novel filled with mysteries and inner secrets. Dunant beautifully expresses the extreme nature of Alessandra's world while exploring the ideas of family, gender, duty, religion, and sin.
Next month's review: A Long Way Down: a Novel by Nick Hornby.
