How historical fiction should be done--solid basis in existing story with only a little bit of frill and interpretation. May be a little kinder to the Borgias than deserved--or maybe not. Who knows.

Renaissance Italy gifted history with the works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Botticelli, Machiavelli and many, many others. But it would not be complete without the inclusion of the wealthy city states and families who were the patrons of many of these celebrated artists and writers. And especially the families who controlled the Papacy. No family was more notorious or infamous than the Borgias with their time at the Vatican. Of Spanish origin, under the control of firstly Pope Calixtus III, and then his nephew Pope Alexander VI, the Borgia family was not going to let anything stand in its way of controlling the whole of Italy, creating alliances and subsequently destroying them as it suited. Rodrigo Borgia became Pope Alexander VI when he was 61 having served under a number of popes for years prior to his 'election'. He fathered at least four illegitimate children who were instrumental in his grand plans for domination. These four - Giovanni, Cesare, Lucrezia, and Jofre - were born to the same mother, and are the subject of this novel. History has not been kind to the Borgia family, portraying them as murderers, poisoners, incestuous, torturers, thieves, adulterers, bribers - the list goes on. Their ambition was without parallel.



It would seem there are enough diaries and letters from this period to believe that much of the history is true. The author, who has published a number of other stunning novels set in the Renaissance period, has researched her subject extensively if her bibliography and historical epilogue are anything to go by. The result is a truly fabulously rich and detailed historical novel of real people based on real events. At 500+ pages it is a lot of reading, but what a read it is. The novel begins in 1492 when Rodrigo, surprise surprise finds himself pope, his four children range in age from 17 to 10, his mistress is the very beautiful Guilia, his enemies are many and various and he immediately begins the task of immortalising the Borgia name forever.



Primarily this involves building alliances with the other powerful Italian families - the Sforza, the Medici, the d'Este, the d'Aragon, as well as the noble Spanish families, and keeping on the good side of the French. And how does he do this? By betrothing and marrying off his children, repetitively, either as a result of death, annulment, or changed mind. His 'accomplice' in all this becomes his second son, the ruthless, cruel and syphilitic mad Cesare. His main 'pawn' is the very beautiful, intelligent and accomplished Lucrezia. And the story, as narrated in this novel, is essentially her story. The author appears to have taken a much more compassionate view of Lucrezia than her portrayal by historians, casting her as a means to an end by her father, and with very little, if any control of her own destiny. Hardly unusual for a young lady of her standing at this time.



The author is apparently working on a sequel to this novel, which continues the saga and fates of the Borgia, again with considerable emphasis on Lucrezia Borgia who becomes more determined to be in charge of her own destiny. I can't wait. This is marvellous reading, never boring, sumptuous in its detail, strangely narrated entirely in the present tense making it more real and life like. The conversations and dialogue are like real conversations, the passions are intense, the power, ambition and violence fair drips off the page. It is stunning reading.

3.6/5 stars, full review to come! Honestly this book made me not like Cesare very much and dare I say.... that’s a good thing?

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 3/5

What I like about Sarah Dunant is that she never gets caught up in the melodramatic as a storyteller. She observes the historical character from afar and within, and it ends up coming across as a fair portrayal. This could prove especially difficult when talking about the Borgia family, but she handles it well. Filled with intrigue, historical moments beautifully captured, and a far more human view of this notorious family, I truly enjoyed this book. A great read for anyone interested in historical fiction who would like a "grey area" view of this famous family.

Wasn't able to get past the first ~100 pages. Wanted to like it, but it put me to sleep.

With the TV series being scrapped after three excellent seasons I needed to know more. Dunant's book provides a cracking good tale with clearly more accuracy than the Jeremy Iron's extravaganza.
The slow slipping of Lucrezia from a romantic and talented girl into a cold hearted killer, is hinted at in what is I hope the first of a series. Cesare emerges larger than life, lustful and extremely dangerous. A renaissance man indeed, red in sword, insatiable in bed and lethal in intent. Rome is evoked with all its smells and intrigues.
Highly recommended.

Dunant's work is always so lyrical in prose and rich in historical detail. This book focuses on the family relationship of Pope Alexander - the former Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia - and his children. The Borgia men are cruel and calculating in a cruel and calculating time, and Lucrezia is one more pawn in their political game. Though she is smart and capable, she cannot be independent, and her attempts to find and preserve love are troubled. The Borgias story, while tumultuous and eventful, is not fully explored in this book. I hope there is another to come. The detail invite further exploration - I had to digress into the historical record to find out more about 15th century siege guns and warfare (interesting), historical treatments for syphilis (eww), and to explore histories of leading families in Italy, Spain and France.

Loved it! Like a 15th century Godfather saga!

I am a sucker for The Borgias. As in them as a family and them as protagonists in fiction and media. Watching Showtime's "The Borgias" rewired my brain and inspired so much of my own creativity. It is one of my favourite shows of all time.

That being said, I just couldn't have passed this book. Historical fiction about this family? I was so ready.

But while I enjoyed reading it, I also have to say that there was not enough "fiction" in this book. It is certainly historical, and you can see how much research the author has done - but at some point, it is to the detriment of the story itself. Some chapters feel like reading a history book or a Wiki page instead of a novel.

Switching POVs from paragraph to paragraph was also jarring, but that's a personal pet peeve of mine and not an objective criticism.

Overall, I liked this book - it was not a waste of time. However, it's not a great book, and my experience was mostly salvaged by picturing Jeremy Irons, Holliday Grainger and François Arnaud in my head while reading this.