Through vivid depictions of the paintings in the story, and the art of her own writing, Liz has bared her soul and produced this stunning portrait of a courageous genius who refuses to accept the abuse or petty jealousies of men who would oppress her. It transports to reader to early seventeenth century Rome and nothing in the writing distracts from that world. Disobedient” proves the perfect title for the book, which rings the motif repeatedly, layering meaning onto the word like oils on canvas until it takes a dynamic shape and an entirely new image emerges. I haven’t experienced an artist’s studio but feel as if I have now – the smells, the assistant, the sitter. The descriptive power of the novel transported me straight to the heart of Renaissance Rome with some passages so beautiful I had to read them twice.

I was wholly transported to 1611 Rome and delivered in the midst of a family of painters, none more talented than the young female of the family, Artemisia Gentileschi. My only real quibble is that I would have liked to read more about Artemisia's subsequent life and her later achievements which were significant. Not because you’ve finished the book, but because Artemesia has stayed true to herself, and not been cowed, or capitulated to other people.I had to keep reminding myself of the time this family was alive and the boundaries they had to live within. Just finished reading this gem - an unputdownable story of revenge, ambition , and how women overcome adversity. Artemisia Gentileschi is a talented painter - more so than her drunkard father, but is restricted by the fact of being a female (obedience, marriage, baby, try not to die in childbirth) in Rome in the early 1600s. Tassi is a dashing figure, handsome and worldly, and for a moment he represents everything that a life of freedom might offer.

It is readily apparent in the male-dominated world of art that she wants to draw her own path on like her art. I really wanted to finish this novel, but I became way too sickened by it at the 50% point, which is where the famous rape takes place. Zita and Orazio are more vividly drawn: both irredeemably flawed and yet there is something sympathetic about their complexity. Firstly I would like to thank netgalley, and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House, and the wonderful author E. I think the author has done a terrific job portraying a convincing version of events with fleshed out characters who you can really love and loathe.It does all this to further the idea that Artemisia was ahead of her time, that the establishment (men) couldn't understand her, and that she had feminism all figured out before it had ever been invented. This is an exquisitely written novel, set in 17th century Rome about the extraordinary painter, Artemisia Gentileschi. I have been interested in the paintings of Artemisia Gentileschi for a long time and knew her story so I was little doubtful about a fiction version of her life. The author's frustration bleeds through, and it is like in the quote above, one piece of art in conversation with another.

Artemisia Gentileschi is a passionate artist and hopes to become famous for her work, but she lives in a world where women are expected to be seen and not heard. In 1611, the painter Agostino Tassi enters Artemisia’s life, first as her tutor and then as her intended husband.Breaking the gender binary is fine when she's in control of it, but the bodies of nonbinary / trans / gnc people are also useful as a medium of disgust and horror. I love Elizabeth Fremantle’s books so much I was prepared to read it digitally rather than wait for my physical copy. Shocking, gripping, Fremantle has crafted a tale that vividly evokes Baroque Italy by portraying a strong, assertive women. Not because of the rape itself-- I know about Artemisia Gentileschi's life and I knew what I was getting into. A huge amount of fretting is spent depicting how Artemisia isn't free, how she can't go wherever she wants, how she is constantly chaperoned, yet her rapist attempts to assault her when she is without a chaperone.

That was what Artemisia's father wanted to happen, but lucky for Artemisia her rapist was already married. He is keen for Artemisia to marry well and when she puts off one suitor he fixes on a fellow painter, one with patronage that will help pull the family from poverty. The festive holidays are the perfect time to escape the cold, cosy up with a hot drink and lose yourself in a new book. Talent is something Artemisia has in infinite supply versus even her father and surely to anyone with sense, she should choose her own destiny, but that simply is not possible.

Perfecting her craft takes time, and one day a mysterious and handsome painting tutor decides to help her hone her skills. And of course the recent Me Too movement indicates the harassment from men seems to be a historical constant. As Artemisia patiently goes from lesson to lesson, perfecting her craft, she also paints in private, recreating the women who inspire her, away from her father's eyes.