The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

The Birth of Venus

Sarah Dunant

A fascinating insight into early Renaissance Florence, this is an intensely imaginative novel, with a strong and captivating heroine.

Extract
Whatever the reasons I was by fourteen a singular child, more suited to study and argument than duty. My sister, who was sixteen months older than me and had begun to bleed the year before, was promised to a man of good family and there had been talk of a similar illustrious liaison for me .... In the weeks following the painter's arrival my mother was eagle-eyed on my behalf, keeping me closeted in study or helping with Plautilla's wedding wardrobe. But then she was called to away to Fiesole .... She went leaving strict instructions that I should go about my studies and do exactly what my tutors and my elder sister told me. And I agreed that I would, while having no intention of doing so.
Parallels
  • Rembrandt's Whore by Sylvie Matton
  • Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King
  • Virgins of Venice by Mary Laven
Borrow this book
Explicit sexual content

Our suggestions if you enjoyed Dawnlands by Philippa Gregory

She Rises

Kate Worsely

The Bastard of Istanbul

Elif Shafak

A Net for Small Fishes

Lucy Jago

An Almond for a Parrot

Wray Delaney

The Warlow Experiment

Alix Nathan

The Words in my Hand

Guinevere Glasfurd

The Book of Gold Leaves

Mirza Waheed

The House at Bishopsgate

Katie Hickman

The Birth of Venus

Sarah Dunant

As Meat Loves Salt

Maria McCann