The Borgia Bride : A Novel
by Jeanne Kalogridis
List Price:
Our Price: $7.99
You Save: $6.96 (47%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.55 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Jeanne KalogridisEdition: Paperback
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2005-05-01
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 528
Book Reviews of The Borgia Bride : A Novel
Book Review: Loved this fascinating look at the Borgia family!
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the second Jeanne Kalogridis book I read. I picked this one up after I, Mona Lisa. This book was better, in my opinion, partly because I didn't have this nagging discomfort about character assassination that I had when I read I, Mona Lisa - the Borgia's really were dysfunctional.
This is a must read for any reader of rennaissance historical fiction. While I, Mona Lisa does a great job of discussing Savonarola and the criticisms of Pope Alexander VI and the Borgia family, the Borgia Bride puts these criticisms into context. After reading about the Borgia's exploits - based on fact as well as sixteenth century gossip - it is no wonder that the Reformation occurred shortly after Pope Alexander VI's papacy!
The book focuses on Sancha of Aragon, a princess of the royal house of Naples. I knew little about her family or Naples, so it was refreshing to read a peice of historical fiction about a person and family about whom I know little. The advantage for Kalogridis, compared to authors of historical fiction about better known historical figures, is that for Sancha of Aragon, Kalogridis had virtually a clean slate. Little is known about her. I tried some internet searches and beyond the fact that she married Jofre Borgia, was Cesare Borgia's lover, and the facts of her parentage, Kalogridis had room to develop her character. She was not constrained by a vast historical record. In the Borgia Bride, Kalogridis creates a strong, intelligent woman and meshes her character into one of the most shocking families of the Rennaissance.
The basic plot summary is as follows. Sancha married Jofre Brogia, a boy several years her junior, largely because her family wanted to secure the pope's support in the event of the rumored invasion by the French king. In return, the Napolese make Jofre and Sancha the Prince and Princess of Squillace. The rumored invasion occurs without the Pope's sending troops to support Naples, however, because the French kidnapped the Pope's teenaged lover. Disappointed, the Napolese are forced to confront the invasion on their own. As this time, Sancha exhibits her bravery and earns the respect of her countrymen. Eventually, Sancha and her husband are summoned to Rome where Sancha is confronted with the licentious and shocking behavior of the Borgias. At first, she is witness to the Pope's open sexual behavior with his mistress and prostitutes. She also meets Cesare Borgia and embarks on a passionate affair. Eventually, Sancha realizes that she has gotten herself in over her head, learning of the Pope's illicit relationship with his daughter Lucrezia. I don't want to spoil the rest of the plot, but the story that ensues is fascinating as Sancha uses her wiles to protect herself from the Borgia family.
Summary of The Borgia Bride : A Novel
A sumptuous historical novel of passion, betrayal, scheming and incest, set in the Vatican during the 15th century. Incest. Poison. Betrayal. Three wedding presents for the Borgia bride! Italy 1492 Pope Alexander VI is elected. And so begins the Borgia reign of terror. Alexander murders, bribes and betrays to establish his dynasty. No one is immune. Rome is a hotbed of accusation and conspiracy. Every day, the River Tiber is full of new bodies. Sancha de Aragon, daughter of King Alfonso II of Naples, arrives in Rome newly wed to Alexander's youngest son, Jofre. Their marriage protects Naples against the ambitions of the French King Louis and gains Spanish support for the Borgias. But Rome is very different to her beloved Naples. The debauchery of the Borgia inner-circle is notorious: every lust is indulged and every indiscretion overlooked. Sancha is no innocent: she possesses an indomitable spirit which allows her to survive in the snake-pit, but her ancestors once rivalled the Borgias in cruelty and Sancha's greatest fear is that blood will out. Lucrezia Borgia's vicious jealously stings Sancha at first, but gradually the two young women develop a cautious friendship. Lucrezia, adored by her father but used ruthlessly as a political tool, seems deceptively innocent and sympathetic, and their bond strengthens when Lucrezia is married to Sancha's treasured brother, Alfonso. But when Sancha falls in love with Cesare Borgia, her husband's enigmatic older brother, she has no idea of how bizarre and internecine are the family's true ties. Alexander is rather more than an indulgent father; Lucrezia not the innocent she appears; and Cesare's ambition burns wildly. The only safe relationship with the Borgias is none at all: as Sancha, her brother and Naples are soon to discover!Historical Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Historical Books
Anna Kareninaby Leo Tolstoy
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 1997-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.50
Cross Stitch (Outlander 1)by Diana Gabaldon
Rowan; Published: 1994-03-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.36
Grass Crownby Colleen McCullough
William Morrow Paperbacks; Published: 2008-11-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.94
Price in other shops:
The Wicked Ways of a Dukeby Laura Lee Guhrke
Avon; Published: 2007-12-26; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.75
Price in other shops:
Pride and Prejudiceby Jane Austen
HarperTeen; Published: 2009-10-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
The Thorn Birdsby Colleen McCullough
William Morrow Paperbacks; Published: 2005-09-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.95
Price in other shops:
Confessions of a Viscountby Shirley Karr
Avon; Published: 2006-11-28; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
Night of Fireby Barbara Samuel
Avon Books; Published: 2000-12; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.00
The Reluctant Suitorby Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
William Morrow; Published: 2003-03-18; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops:
Lady Whistledown Strikes Backby Julia Quinn, Karen Hawkins, Suzanne Enoch, Mia Ryan, Suzanne Enoch, Mia Ryan
Avon; Published: 2004-04-27; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
The Burning Times: A Novelby Jeanne Kalogridis
Scribner; Published: 2002-02-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.94
Price in other shops:
Sins of the House of Borgiaby Sarah Bower
Sourcebooks Landmark; Published: 2011-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.09
Price in other shops:
Mistress of Romeby Kate Quinn
Berkley Trade; Published: 2010-04-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.98
Price in other shops:
Light on Lucrezia: A Novel of the Borgiasby Jean Plaidy
Broadway; Published: 2011-01-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.04
Price in other shops:
The Scarlet Contessa: A Novel of the Italian Renaissanceby Jeanne Kalogridis
St. Martin's Press; Published: 2010-07-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $6.49
Price in other shops:
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici: A Novelby C. W. Gortner
Ballantine Books; Published: 2011-05-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.06
Price in other shops:
The Devil's Queen: A Novel of Catherine de Mediciby Jeanne Kalogridis
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 2010-05-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.08
Price in other shops:
I, Mona Lisaby Jeanne Kalogridis
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 2006-10-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.74
Price in other shops:
Poison: A Novel of the Renaissanceby Sara Poole
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 2010-08-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.88
Price in other shops:
Madonna of the Seven Hills: A Novel of the Borgiasby Jean Plaidy
Broadway; Published: 2011-01-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.02
Price in other shops: