The Birth of Venus: A Novel

Book Review by Jane
Young girls from the 1490s in Florence, Italy--regardless of the changing times and wealth of their family--had little choice of what their futures would be like, even when their parents afforded them an education, though scant ability to apply it. Alessandra’s passions seemed not to fit the norms for a girl of her times. While politics of the day kept her from using her gifts and talents as only truthfully a few privileged men could do, she grasped at every window into that world available to her; through books, tutors, and people she met. Then one such privileged man entered her life, offering her an opportunity to have some critical appraisal of her arts.

Naturally, this relationship cannot grow in the manner it would in present day. Alessandra is easily a product of her time and shines at every tumultuous, painful turn. Alessandra is portrayed as not the most beautiful doll; however, she is dynamic and leads a most interesting intellectual and spiritual life. She would offer girls of our time something to strive towards. I will recommend this book to my daughter in a few years; she is slightly too young for the sexual content now.

Make sure not to skip the prologue in this book; it is definitely part of the story. I would have liked to read the notes in the back before reading the book for a little background on these times. But, the story provides this background, as well.

Jane.