Books: Historical Fiction

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. It both entertains and educates. Reading a well- researched, well-written work of historical fiction is a wonderfully painless way to learn about the culture, politics and history of a par- ticular place and time. While homeschooling my two old- est children (now 17 and 20), we relied heavily on histori- cal fiction to make history come alive and "stick". I've read and enjoyed scores o f ex- cellent young adult a nd adult historical fic- tion but most have focused on the United States.

Books set in other coun- tries present a unique challenge and opportunity to expand my knowledge of history far beyond what I ever learned in school. The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon whisked me away to Scotland in the 18th century before and after the Stuart Rising, of which I knew nothing about. Phil- lipa Gregory's books make the England's Tudor period come alive. Renaissance Ita- ly is the setting of choice for author Sarah Dunant whose latest work of historical fic- tion, Blood & Beauty reveals the vices and triumphs of the Borgia family in Rome. It is meticulously researched and beautifully written.

The book starts out with the election of Rodrigo Bor- gia to Pope Alexander VI in 1492 - the same year that Columbus sailed the ocean blue- and ends just before his death in 1503. Rodrigo's lust for women and power and his prowess as a politician are well known to historians, but I had never heard of him. A papacy defined by nepotism, libertinism and corruption is the perfect backdrop for a best-seller. Dunant expertly weaves fiction and historical fact together to craft a fascinat- ing and intelligent novel that kept me turning pages even while I struggled to keep the names and political alliances straight in my mind.

Borgia's illegitimate chil- dren by his longtime mistress, Vannozza dei Cattani, are key players in his quest to secure the family fortunes and power through marriage (and annulment), war and political maneuvering. He does not try to hide his utter devotion to his children and does everything in his power to promote them much to the alarm and dismay of church leaders.

I found myself referring to the map in the front of the book many times because 15th century Italy was carved up into city-states both large and small, each ruled by a different family with var- ied interests and shifting political alliance. I learned a great deal of history by reading Blood & Beauty, but the equally triumphant and tragic story of a larger- than-life character like Borgia will rem a i n with me for a long time.

If you enjoy reading Blood & Beauty, I highly recommend two other nov- els by Dunant. The Birth of Venus is set in 15th century Florence and written in first person as a memoir by Ales- sandra Cecchi. Alessandra is just 15 years old when her wealthy merchant father brings home a painter from northern Europe to paint the family chapel's wall. Ales- sandra is intelligent, inquisitive and artistically gifted but unfortunately, the culture of the time does not allow a woman to forge an inde- pendent life of her own choosing so she is married off to a much older man. But that's only the beginning for Alessandra. She discovers more freedom as a married woman than she ever had as a maid. The reader experiences all the culture, and religious and political upheaval of the time through the eyes of Alessan- dra. Even the very detailed descriptions of "contempo- rary" Renaissance art didn't stop me from devouring this book.

In the Company of a Courtesan follows Fiam- metta Bianchini, a beautiful, talented and wealthy cour- tesan as she flees Rome in 1527 when the city is sacked by troops of the Roman Emperor. The story is told through the eyes of a dwarf named Bucino who accompanies her to Venice. Bucino is quite sharp-tongued and shrewd so Fiammetta and he form a partnership to infiltrate the elite levels of Venetian society in order to survive. Venice is at its most powerful point in history, but the rich and powerful both inside and outside the church are corrupt and often violent. Again, I was fascinated by the culture of the time and bound by the suspense of the story line. Pick up a book by Sarah Dunant soon, you won't be disappointed.