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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

'The Miracle of Prato' TLC Book Tour Stop

Author: Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz
Published: 2009, Harper Paperbacks
Pages: 372
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: TLC Book Tours
Synopsis from TLC:
Italy, 1456. The Renaissance is in glorious bloom. A Carmelite monk, the great artist Fra Filippo Lippi acts as chaplain to the nuns of the Convent Santa Margherita. It is here that he encounters the greatest temptation of his life, beautiful Lucrezia Buti, who has been driven to holy orders more by poverty than piety. In Lucrezia’s flawless face Lippi sees the inspiration for countless Madonnas and he brings the young woman to his studio to serve as his model. But as painter and muse are united in an exhilarating whirl of artistic discovery, a passionate love develops, one that threatens to destroy them both even as it fuels some of Lippi’s greatest work.



My Thoughts:
Filippo Lippi- Virgin/child/2 angels
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres of all time and little did I know when I agreed to read this book for TLC that I would also become a fan of the Renaissance period too! This collaboration between Albanese and Morowitz worked beautifully.  They captured my attention and imagination from the very beginning line. I was absolutely enthralled with this story as I felt that the characters came to life before my very eyes. My heart always aches when I read stories where the women's lives are under the control of the men in their family. Lucrezia and her sister Spinetta became very real to me and so did their pain. I became very involved in artist Filippo Lippi's life. I understood why he was willing to beg, borrow, and steal in order to paint. The best part of this whole book is that the story is based upon actual people. I love it when authors take a period of time that I know next to nothing about, and  create a story that reels me in and leaves me wanting to learn more! This one is sure to be a hit with readers of historical fiction that feature famous artists!!


Rating: 4/5 

                                                  


Thank you to TLC for asking me to be a part of this book tour.
Check out the other tour stops HERE.

Check out the Discussion Guide for The Miracles of Prato.

 

About Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz

Laurie Albanese is the author of the novel Lynelle by the Sea and the memoir Blue Suburbia, which was named a Book Sense Best Book of the Year and was an Entertainment Weekly Editor’s Choice selection.
Laura Morowitz is a professor of art history and coauthor of Consuming the Past: The Medieval Revival in Fin-de-Siècle France. They both live in New Jersey with their families.
Read the co-author Q&A here.

17 comments:

  1. This sounds wonderful Staci!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  2. Perhaps it could make me into a renaissance lover too, can't say it's one of my fav periods of time

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  3. Staci, I think this book has the most lovely cover. You've intrigued me with your review. It's not my usual fare, but I'll keep it in mind.

    Love the new look, by the way!

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  4. OMYGOSH!!! I sooooooooooooooooooo have to share this with you!! LOL!! Look what Sasha posted on her blog.... http://sassysasha.typepad.com/mygoodies/2010/08/book-slut-.html LOL LOL LOL!! LOVE IT! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  5. I can't figure out why I don't read more historical fiction - I love books that are based on real people too. This book sounds fantastic!

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  6. Looks like this lover of historical fiction is going to put this book on my TBR list.

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  7. It sounds great, and it's completely new to me.

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  8. I'm really excited about reading this one myself - it seems like it would be one I'd just love.

    Thanks for being a part of the tour.

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  9. Boy, I am really in the minority on this one! It just did not grab me.

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  10. sounds great--btw, love your new header.

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  11. I'm glad you enjoyed this one too - I really did. Have you ever read Claude & Camille - it's another focusing on the Renaissance period and I bet you'd like it. I should see if I still have my arc - I think I do. I'd send it to you.

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  12. I'd love to read something set during this time. This one sounds like a really good read.

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  13. Looks like you are having a Renaissance kind of week :)

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  14. You have some interesting historical fiction novels-I would not call it a favorite genre-however I always enjoy this genre when I read it-so maybe it is a favorite of mine.

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  15. I have this one on my shelf and need to get to it. The more I hear about it, the more I want to read it! I am glad you enjoyed it, Staci.

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  16. I haven't read any historical fiction about artists (not that I can remember anyway) so I'm intrigued. I'll keep this book in mind.

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  17. Can't think of many stories I have read set during the Renaissance. I do like these rooms of paintings at the Art Museum though, so it would be interesting to read a story about a Ren. painter. Lovely review. Thank you :)

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