Florence, 1584. Rumours are spreading about the virility of a prince marrying into the Medici family. Orphan Giulia, innocent to the part she must play, is chosen to put an end to the gossip. Years later, Giulia has found happiness and freedom. But when a threat arrives from a sinister figure from her youth, she must take control of her own life.
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Summary
Florence, 1584. Rumours are spreading about the virility of a prince marrying into the Medici family. Orphan Giulia, innocent to the part she must play, is chosen to put an end to the gossip. Years later, Giulia has found happiness and freedom. But when a threat arrives from a sinister figure from her youth, she must take control of her own life.
Description
Florence, 1584. Rumours are spreading about the virility of a prince marrying into the powerful Medici family. Orphan Giulia is chosen to put an end to the gossip. In return she will keep her life - and start a new one with a dowry and her own husband. Cloistered since childhood and an innocent in a world ruled by men, Giulia reluctantly agrees, only to be drawn under the control of the Medicis' lecherous minister.Years later, married and with a growing family, Giulia hopes she has finally escaped the legacy of her past. But when a threat arrives from a sinister figure from her youth, she must finally take control of events - and become the author of her own story.Based on true events and reminiscent of 'The Marriage Portrait' by Maggie O'Farrell, 'The Maiden of Florence' gives a charismatic voice to a woman cast aside by history.
Critic Reviews
'In 'The Maiden of Florence', Katherine Mezzacappa crafts a sensuous and raw story about beauty, sex, sacrifice, and a mother's undying love, a moving delineation of what it means to be a humble pawn of powerful men finding dignity amid the chessboard of Renaissance Italy'-Gina Buonaguro, author of 'The Virgins of Venice'; ‘Immaculately researched and imagined, rich in period detail and emotionally compelling, The Maiden of Florence is a historical fiction tour de force’ —Deborah Swift, author of 'The Poison Keeper'; ‘A delight to read... Mezzacappa has succeeded in showing the immutable workings of the human heart underlying this unforgettable story’ —Elizabeth Mac Donald, author of 'A Matter of Interpretation'
About the Author
Katherine Mezzacappa is an Irish author currently living in Carrara, northern Tuscany. She holds a BA in History of Art from UEA, an MLitt in English Literature from Durham and a Masters in Creative Writing from Canterbury Christ Church University. Her debut novel (writing as Katie Hutton), 'The Gypsy Bride', made the last fifteen in the Historical Novel Society's 2018 new novel competition. Her short fiction has been short- and longlisted in numerous competitions, and she has been awarded residencies at Cill Rialaig Artists village by the Irish Writers Centre in 2019 and at Hald Hovedgaard by the Danish Centre for Writers and Translators in 2022. Her novel 'The Maiden of Florence' is publishing with Fairlight Books in April 2024.
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