Madonna of the Almonds - In a nutshell.... (The Madonna of the Almonds - Marina Fiorato)

Member Name: fizzywizzy

Product:	The Madonna of the Almonds - Marina Fiorato
Date:	05/06/09 (139 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Rich and evocative descriptions, interesting historical background

Disadvantages: The story is far too predictable

Simonetta di Saronno is devastated when, after many months with no news, she learns that her husband Lorenzo has been killed in battle. She finds solace in her faith and it is while she is praying in her local church that she meets Bernardo Luini, an artist (an apprentice to da Vinci in fact) who has come to Saronno to paint frescoes in the church. He falls in love with her at first sight and desperate to be close to her, he even says he will pay her to be a model for his paintings but the still grieving Simonetta wants nothing to do with him.

The situation changes when Simonetta learns that she is practically broke; she had no idea that Lorenzo had spent almost everything they had in the war against the Spanish. Simonetta is forced to take drastic measures, swallows her pride and tells Bernardino she will sit for him after all.

Simonetta tries to resist her feelings for Bernardino but when she finally relents the couple are unaware that they are being watched by someone who will go on to denounce them. Bernardino flees Saronno and Simonetta, penniless and alone, is forced - against the strong protestations from her two servants - to approach a Jew for help.

Set in sixteenth century Italy, this is historical fiction based on a high degree of truth but it reads very much like a fairytale or to use the more literary expression "magical realism". Bernardino Luini did exist and his work can be seen in churches in Italy and in museums all over the world. The story takes place at a time when Jews were persecuted in many parts of Europe and when the church was overseen by men of very dubious personal morals. It is quite striking that Simonetta's piety contrasts with the cruelty of the Cardinal of Milan.

While the story is predictable, the richly descriptive writing more than makes up for it. It is the depth of the description that gives the story its fairytale quality and elevates it from a rather poor historical romance to something very enjoyable. I have deliberately omitted to mention one of the key elements of the plot but readers may make a connection with the setting and easily work out how Simonetta tries to get out of her dire financial straits. While the plot relies heavily on coincidence, it was rather clever to be able to weave in those things that are based in truth.

The historical detail is interesting and relevant, helping to explain the context and the background but there are a few too many references to the stories of the saints which interrupt the story without adding any value and I must confess to having skipped the latter tales in my eagerness to get back to the story.

This is Marina Fiorata's second novel and while I think it fails to reach the heights of the excellent "Glassblower of Murano" I was pleased to see that she hasn't followed the same introduction to the story by having some contemporary person discovering a family history but relies on the straightforward telling of the tale instead.

Definitely one for fans of historical fiction but perhaps one too that would make a good holiday read for anyone travelling to Italy as it certainly captures the sights and tastes of Northern Italy.


371 pages
Published by Beautiful Books

Summary: A tale of sixteenth century Italy