Review
If you like historical fiction, BookBrowse readers think you'll love The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
. 13 out of 14 of them rated it 4 or 5 stars. Here's what they had to say:
C.W. Gortner re-imagines the trials and tribulations of Catherine de Medici "in her own words," an interesting, successful technique that effectively presents the life and times of a complex historical figure whose life story is permeated with sadness, betrayals, exaggerations and intrigue. Gortner's well written, informative and enjoyable fictional rendition could encourage readers to compare his treatment and research of this historical figure with one of Catherine de Medici's biographers. In Gortner's words, "All stories have two sides, and Catherine's is no exception." (Marie A)
The opposing sides of Catherine's nature and actions make it difficult to decide whether...
Beyond the Book
Catherine de Medici was born on April 13, 1519 in Florence, Italy. Her mother, Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne, died a few days later either of plague or of syphilis contracted from her husband, Lorenzo II de Medici, Duke of Urbino (a sovereign state in northern Italy), who died from the disease a few weeks later. Madeline and Lorenzo had been married just a year, and Catherine was their only child. Catherine's care fell to her aunt and maternal grandmother, who raised her in the Palazzo Medici.
The House of Medici was a political dynasty that came into prominence in the 14
th century. Having acquired great wealth first in the textile trade and...
