Signora Da Vinci Paperback - 2009

Summary

Media reviews

'In this exquisite gem of a novel, Robin Maxwell conjures a fascinating account of Leonardo Da Vinci's mother, a bold woman whose adventurous spirit and quest for her own truth captures the exuberance of the Italian Renaissance. Though little is known of the historical Caterina da Vinci, Maxwell's impressive research and keen storytelling skills sweep us into a very plausible account of a young alchemist's daughter whose unfortunate love affair brings her the greatest love of her life - her genius son - as well as the opportunity to escape the restrictions of her gender and enter a seductive garden of philosophy, art, learning, and danger. From the dusty streets of Vinci to the glories of Lorenzo Il Magnifico's Florence and the conspiratorial halls of Rome and Milan, Signora da Vinci is a tour de force celebration of one woman's unquenchable ardor for knowledge and of a secret world that historical fiction readers rarely see.'
C.W. Gortner, author of The Last Queen

"A glorious novel of fifteenth century Florence, utterly engrossing and glittering with color. Lorenzo the Magnificent, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and his courageous, passionate mother, Caterina walk through the pages of this book, radiating life and touching the heart. I will never see the Mona Lisa with the same eyes again. Robin Maxwell has a stunning achievement in Signora Da Vinci."
Sandra Worth, author of The King's Daughter

"Signora da Vinci is without a doubt the best historical fiction I have read all year. In her most remarkable novel yet, Robin Maxwell takes us back to the turbulent times of the Italian Renaissance to give us a beautifully rendered and captivating portrait of Leonardo da Vinci's mother, Caterina. A masterful blend of fact and fiction, Signora da Vinci mesmerizes."
Michelle Moran, Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen

'The latest offering from novelist Robin Maxwell, Signora da Vinci focuses on the unsung genius who was Leonardo da Vinci's parent---his mother. Two decades ago, while working on my non-fiction Uppity Women in history series, I pegged Caterina da Vinci as a spirited female and wrote briefly about her, longing to know more. Now, thanks to Maxwell, we get a superbly imagined portrait of a woman living in turbulent times who boldly behaved as few dared. The book does justice to Caterina's intellectual curiosity as well as her maternal instincts toward the son who was torn from her. She moved in a world that included the glittering Medicis and the villainous Savonarola, all of whom are well-limned in this sparkling epic. Set in the sunshine of 15th century Tuscany, the novel continually delights with intriguing details, from the bottega workshops of the great Italian masters to the minutiae of an alchemist's laboratory.'
Vicki Leon, Uppity Women of the Renaissance, Working IX to V

Citations

• Publishers Weekly, 11/24/2008, Page 38
• Romantic Times, 01/01/2009, Page 53