I, Mona Lisa

by Jeanne Kalogridis

From Publishers Weekly:
“Set against a backdrop of political and religious conflicts in 15th-century Medici-ruled Florence, Kalogridis's bloody historical (after The Borgia Bride) identifies the subject of Leonardo da Vinci's painting as Lisa di Antonio Gherardini. Lisa was the daughter of Madonna Lucrezia, wife of a wealthy wool merchant who also enchanted both da Vinci and Lorenzo de' Medici's brother Giuliano, murdered by conspirators in 1478. Giuliano's assassination—and the later murder of Lucrezia—presage a reign of religious terror led by a monk known as Savonarola and the retreat of the Medicis in the face of invasion from France's King Charles. An adult Lisa attracts the romantic attentions of a young Medici scion, whom she marries for love. (His father, Lorenzo, commissions her portrait from da Vinci.) But violent events soon separate the couple and a brutal Savonarola follower tells Lisa that her husband is dead—and her father's life in danger—unless she marries him instead. Lisa survives, an avenging angel, proving herself worthy of da Vinci's immortal artistry. Kalogridis's fevered bodice ripper invents a passionate woman behind La Gioconda's enigmatic smile.”
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I finished this historical fiction this past weekend, and this is the first book I’ve read on Mona Lisa. I love the history of this time period in Florence – there is just so much going on! And the Medici’s are fascinating. Politics, religion, love, betrayal, loyalty, passion, beauty, art, power - how can it be a bad read? Lisa is Leonardo da Vinci’s daughter? Am going to have to research more about that.

This is not a bodice-ripper (if that’s what you are looking for), but a really good read. I have not read any work by this author before, and will certainly look at her other work.