In Case You Missed It: Backlist Book Love (May 15)
A visit to the Italian Renaissance
I was reminded that I hadn’t done one of these in a while, as a result of these posts on Bluesky:
So, yes, writers, promo your own stuff long after it’s out! (And hey, did you know you can get the Aven Cycle in ebooks, paperbacks, and audio?) But also, it’s excellent to keep yelling about books you’ve read and enjoyed long after their debuts! There’s no love quite like backlist book love.
In this edition, because I’m looking forward to Alyssa Palombo’s upcoming The Assassin of Venice, I decided to share a few of my other favorite books set in the Italian Renaissance.
Links in this post are affiliate links to Bookshop; if you buy a book using them (and please do!), then I get a small commission from Bookshop, which I will then use to… buy more books.
The Second Duchess, Elizabeth Loupas
Published March 2011
The Second Duchess tells the story of Barbara of Austria, second wife of Alfonso d’Este of Ferrara, and is somewhat inspired by the Robert Browning poem “My Last Duchess.” Despite being set in Renaissance Italy, this book has a very gothic feel to it — probably because of the whole “probably murdered dead wife” plot premise! The narrative moves between the POV of the living Barbara and the ghostly Lucrezia, and what each uncovers and reveals gives the reader a really interesting view of both women.
The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, Alyssa Palombo
Published April 2017
Palombo has several great books set in the Italian Renaissance, and they’re all worth reading. What I really love about this one is how it showcases the weaponization of art among powerful families in this era. The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence tells the story of Simonetta Cattaneo, reputedly one of Botticelli’s models. Love and desire get all mucked up with politics, and it’s all quite deliciously tragic.
The Borgia Bride, Jeanne Kalogridis
Published May 2005
As though I could possibly get through this list without a book focusing on the Borgias! Admittedly, it’s been a while since I read this one, but I remember quite enjoying it. The central character is Sancha of Aragon, who marries into the Borgia dynasty, and the book thoroughly indulges all the salacious version of history. Whether that’s true to reality or not, it makes for exciting fiction!
Go forth and read!
