Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Sarah dunants blood and beauty, the fourth of her italian historical. The birth of venus, author sarah dunant won britains prestigious silver dagger award for fatlands, a. The big, bad borgia dynasty undergoes modern reconsideration in sarah dunant s epic new biofiction. Sarah was raised by her father david dunant, who was a steward for the welsh airlines and later became a manager at the british airways along with his wife estelle who. With her first historical novel, the birth of venus, dunant explores another scene. The new york times bestselling author of the acclaimed italian renaissance novelsthe birth of venus, in the company of the courtesan, and sacred heartshas an.
Her eleven subsequent novels have explored two genres. At the beginning of 1502, it seems that nothing can stand in the way of the familys influence, which creeps its way across italy, subduing its rivals with a. By the end of the fifteenth century, the beauty and creativity of italy is matched by its brutality and corruption, nowhere more than in rome and in the church. Bestselling novelist sarah dunant has long been drawn to the high drama of renaissance italy. A wonderfully detailed and rich account of the life of the borgias, however this is not the full story and a sequel is to follow. Sarah dunant made the right choice to take a step back from a first person pov in this book and use a more distant, almost impartial narration. Dunant pays these debts with a passion that makes me want to go straight out and read all her other books.
The machiavellian atmospherehedonism, lust, political intrigueis magnetic. Now sarah dunant turns her discerning eye to one of the worlds. The borgias are arguably the most intriguing and ruthless family in all of history, and dunant brings them ravishingly, bristlingly to life. Sarah dunant is a renowned english writer along with being a broadcaster and critic. Her earlier novels include three hannah wolfe crime thrillers, as well as snowstorms in a hot climate, transgressions and mapping the. Sarah dunants blood and beauty, the fourth of her italian historical novels and the initial instalment in what is planned to be a twopart saga, is her first since mantels colossal success. Blood and beauty by sarah dunant overdrive rakuten. This intellectually satisfying historical saga, which offers blood and beauty certainly, but brains too, is surely the best thing she has done to date. As an acclaimed author of italian historical novels, it was only a matter of time until sarah dunant turned her attention to the notorious borgia.
Sarah dunant books list of books by author sarah dunant. After watching both of the popular tv shows, i knew i wanted to know more of this family without the soap opera drama. Sarah dunant prides herself in doing extensive research for her writings. By taking on the brutal and notorious borgia dynasty, which even 50 years before henry viiis birth had italy by. Get it today with same day delivery, order pickup or drive up. By the end of the fifteenth century, the beauty and creativity of italy is matched by its brutality and corruption, nowhere more than in rome and inside the church. Sarah dunant is also author of the novels the birth of venus and. It does make the story less engaging and a bit harder to follow or immerse oneself in, but it allows the reader to have a bit more sympathy for this infamous family and their intrigues.
She brings fifteenthcentury italian cities vividly alive. The commercial success of these books in america and elsewhere. Sarah s monthly history program and podcast on history can be found via the bbc website. Sarah dunants new novel, blood and beauty, her fourth set in the italian renaissance, tells the story of cardinal rodrigo. Sarah dunant paints a fascinating picture of renaissance italy and the human dramas of the scheming borgias stephanie merritt sat 25 may 20 10. Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. Now sarah dunant turns her discerning eye to one of the worlds most intriguing. British novelist, broadcaster, and critic sarah dunant is well known on both sides of the pond for her bestselling series of mysteries featuring sleuth hannah wolfe. Blood and beauty by sarah dunant, 9780812981612, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Sarah dunant s most popular book is the birth of venus. A brilliant portrait of a family whose blood runs thick with ambition and determination. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read blood and beauty. In blood and beauty, dunant follows the path set by hilary mantel with wolf hall and bring up the bodies. Now sarah dunant turns her discerning eye to one of the worlds most intriguing and infamous families the borgias in an engrossing work of literary fiction.
When cardinal rodrigo borgia buys his way into the papacy as alexander. Diana gabaldon, the washington post bestselling novelist sarah dunant has long been drawn to the high drama of renaissance italy. A novel about the borgias ebook written by sarah dunant. By the end of the fifteenth century, the beauty and creativity of italy is matched only by its brutality and corruption.
An epic tale of dynasty, this novel also manages to be an intimate exploration of familial ties and relationships. This book, and blood and beauty, also by sarah dunant, are the first ive read anything about the borgias. When cardinal rodrigo borgia buys his way into the papacy, he is defined not just by his wealth, charisma and power, but by his blood. Sarah dunant has visited the turbulent beauty of the italian renaissance before, in rich historical novels like the birth of venus. The new york times bestselling author of the acclaimed italian renaissance novelsthe birth of venus, in the company of the courtesan. Sarah dunant is a cultural commentator, awardwinning thriller writer and author of five novels set in renaissance italy exploring womens lives through art, sex and religion. Sarah dunant is the author of the international bestsellers the birth of venus, in the company of the courtesan, sacred hearts, and blood and beauty, which have received major acclaim on both sides of the atlantic. Acclaimed novelist of the italian renaissance sarah dunant now takes on the eras most infamous family. Sarah dunant born 8 august 1950 is a british novelist, journalist, broadcaster, and critic.