Resensi Novel Signora da Vinci karya Robin Maxwell

Signora da Vinci

I. Identity Of The Book
Book Title  : Signora da Vinci
Author  : Robin Maxwell
Publisher  : Literati
Publishing Date : January 2010
II. Review
Synopsis
In 1452, I’m fifteen years old when giving birth to an illegitimate child in the smaal village of Vinci. The boy’s name is Leonardo, and he is destined to change the world, forever.

I experienced a lot of cruelty as an unmarried mother. I can’t do much when they take my son. I have no right, no hope, no have future. Everyone believes that I have been destroyed. But, nobody knows my childhood, they also never imagined the dangerous conspiracy and the occult I had planned for protecting and keeping my marvelous son as he grew into adult man. Some people might call me a liar, because everything I painted is impossible for woman in my life. However, that is my plan that lies, and finally I’m ready to unveil it.
They call me Caterina. And this is my story.

III. The Strength Of The Book

 

I was draw to the title and the cover painting. I love historical fiction, and this book is a prime example of historical fiction done well. I especially love this time period (15th century) and location (Italy). The author has weaven an incredibly rich story around a women about whom very little is actually known. Two facts are known about Leonardo da Vinci mother: her name was Caterina.
 

Caterina is one of the most fully developed and best written characters I have read about fiction. Robin Maxwell has given Caterina an amazing mind, fortitude, capacityfor love, ingenuity, daring, loyalty, and openness. As Caterina evolves the story evolves, branching down different paths that question religion, love, faith, identity, and knowledge. We are exposed to new ideas in every chapter.

 

Signora da Vinci is not only the story of Caterina and Leonardo but a select treatise on Florence and the art , philosophi and tensions between the church and scholars of the time.

 

Signora da Vinci is a refresh and unique perspective in historical fiction that is amazingly sucsessful. Highly recommended!

 

 

 

 

 

IV. The Weakness Of The Book

 

My only suggestion for improvement would be to offer dates on the chapter heading, as it was not often clear where we were in time. Sometimes, it seemed questionable that the timing was correct, e.g. it seemed like Lorenzo de’ Medici’s children were older than they should have been at certain points, knowing that they were born after Caterina went to Florence.

 

But, this is a small issue and not enough to change my opinion of the book overall. I look forward to reading this author’s other works.