When traveling, it seems almost imperative to have a book with you. You know there will probably be those spare moments that must be filled while waiting on your 3-hour delayed plane to arrive or while sitting next to that extra-chatty person on the plane. As soon as I found out I would indeed be going to Italy , I did not even hesitate to name the book that I would be taking with me. The Birth of Venus. I honestly might not have even gone if I had not read this book.

Alessandra Cecchi lives in Florence during the peak of the Renaissance. There could be no better place for her. The thing she wants the most is to paint. For her, painting is her freedom in a world where freedom was not offered to women. She did not even want to think about getting married, although that is what every other girl around her knew was their eventual destiny- desired or not. Knowing this, it is no wonder that she becomes entranced with the painter that her father brings down from the north to paint the family's new chapel. The rest of her family doesn't care nearly as much about the frescoes to adorn the walls of the chapel as to what the chapel stands for. This new structure is a visible landmark to everyone of the high importance of the family- of their wealth, sophistication, and higher connections.

He would talk to no one, this painter. Having lived a life in a cold and desolate monastery, he did not know what to do in this world of frivolous people. Alessandra however is drawn to this scared figure. She wants to see what his art looks like and what she can learn from him. Eventually, he is forced to talk to her and even becomes something of an accomplice to her. But she is ripped away too fast to build a lasting relationship with him when she is forced to marry.

Alessandra only knows what she assumes about Cristoforo when she marries him. She discovers that he is a kindred art-lover that will stimulate her mind as well as her eyes. It almost seems possible to make this relationship work. They could stay up late some nights and discuss politics and religion- and there was plenty to discuss. As of late, the Medici family had fallen from their pedestal as rulers of Florence and another ruler had entered. This ruler entered in a more subtle way: through the church. His name was Savonarola and he successfully came to power over the city and split its people in half with his radical reforms and style of ‘government.' He says he wants to purify the city to become The New Jerusalem on earth. He enlists an army of ‘angels' to help him with this task. There would be a curfew set for the city and anyone out late would be interrogated. The rich should now dress down in colors that do not draw attention and cuts that show no cleavage. The night life of the city was over and when it fled so did the city's vivaciousness.

The worst thing that Savonarola was against was the city's art. Anything that showed too much skin surely was not something that God would want in His ‘ Holy City .' The friar's passion for this led to what would become an extremely popular historical event: The Bonfire of Vanities. The ‘angels' came to every house in the city where the inhabitants should have any jewels or clothing or art or decorations that violated the new laws lying in pile to be collected and burnt. If there was not enough loot in the pile, the angels would come in and take whatever they pleased. In the end countless pieces of art were destroyed by fire- some voluntary, others forced.

With all of this going on, the gossip was plentiful and Alessandra and Cristoforo could spend many nights discussing the affairs that traditionally were only discussed in the company of men. It finally seems that this marriage was not so bad, that there might be a hope for them as a couple. But then Cristoforo reveals a terrible secret, one that will scar the remainder of their marriage. This will place them both on thin ice and cause them to become distant to one another. Knowing this information, this marriage becomes one of work and force and not of desire and love.

By the end, we see the painter again. His is surrounded in a cloud of mystery to the point that he is nameless. The ending is one of my favorites and should not be missed. This read has become so satisfying for me. It is the kind of book that I just finished yet I want to read it again. I gleaned so much more information than the first time and it was truly great to revisit this city. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who have not been to Florence . Consider this your ticket and Dunant your tour guide. Her writing is fluid and picturesque. You will feel like you have visited Florence after this read, full of colorful descriptions and accounts of each and every nook.

I would give this a 5/5 and I place it as one of my favorites. My last words: Read this!

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