Book Review: The Marriage Portrait

The Marriage Portrait
by Maggie O’Farrell
Review by Bryony

Maggie O’Farrell, author of Hamnet and many other gems, has written yet another captivating novel! Set in Renaissance Italy with all its fierce beauty, culture and cruelty, The Marriage Portrait plunges us into the life of the young duchess Lucrezia de’ Medici.

O’Farrell has a startling ability to take you deep into character, time and place. I got lost in Lucrezia – the intricacies and nuances of her life. The story is poignant and quiet in its writing, with clever subtleties of character, but it builds to a shocking end.

This thrilling tale based on historical events will delight fans of O’Farrell’s work. If you are yet to read her, please start today.