All reviews for La regina maledetta (2008)
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A novelization of Catherine Medici's life, this was a fun read. I forget how much I enjoy historical fiction until I read one of them. The narrative, which starts in Florence at Medici ground zero takes the reader through papal intrigue and rebellion in Italy to Catherine's marriage to the eventual dauphin of the French crown and into her rein as both Queen and mother to future kings. She's a modern-day feminist with some occult thrown in for good measure. It's been a while since I read a book that I had a hard time putting down. This is definitely one of those.
This is a fascinating, easy to read, fictionalized account of one of the most powerful women in history. The evil seems to swirl around this woman who at times could be humble and self effacing. The book is a good look at the intrigue and duplicity involved in the court of France as well as the wars that ravaged the papacy and France. It also provides a good look at the intelligence of Catherine, her belief in horoscopes, and her tainted offspring.
Enjoyable read: racey moments, inhumane characters, history of French rulers.