The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli260 pages
So far, I have loved every Napoli book I have read so far, so I was anxious to pick up another after The Wager. But, to be completely honest, I did not much care for this one. I felt at times the story moved so slowly, it was barely creeping. And the politics drove me insane. I am not a political person by any means, so I am sure this is only a valid opinion if you are the same. Was actually glad to see this one done.
(from jacket cover)
Hers is the most famous portrait in the world.
Who was she?
Who was the person behind the smile?
She is called Lisa, short for Elisabetta. When Elisabetta is fifteen, she will be betrothed to one of the nobles of Florence. Hopefully he will not be too old, or too mean, or too ugly. She longs for romance, to marry for love, but she knows that this is not the fate of most girls like her.
Even though she does not think she is beautiful, Elisabetta catches the eye of her father's famous friend, the great Leonardo da Vinci, who insists he will one day paint her portrait. It is Leonardo who introduces Monna Elisabetta to Giuliano de' Medici. He is the heir to the most powerful and wealthy family in Florence. He is young and fair and swears his love to the girl he calls Monna Lisa. But Florence is changing, and as Elisabetta soon finds, it is a dangerous time to love a Medici. Again, her fate is not within her control.
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