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The Virgins of Venice
The Virgins of Venice: A Novel | Gina Buonaguro
1 post | 1 read | 1 to read
In sixteenth-century Venice, one young noblewoman dares to resist the choices made for her Venice in 1509 is on the brink of war. The displeasure of Pope Julius II is a continuing threat to the republic, as is the barely contained fighting in the countryside. Amid this turmoil, noblewoman Justina Soranzo, just sixteen, hopes to make a rare love marriage with her sweetheart, Luca Cicogna. Her hopes are dashed when her father decides her younger sister, Rosa, will marry in a strategic alliance and Justina will be sent to the San Zaccaria convent, in the tradition of aristocratic daughters. Lord Soranzo is not acting only to protect his family. It’s well known that he is in debt to both his trading partners and the most infamous courtesan in the city, La Diamante, and the pressure is closing in. After arriving at the convent, Justina takes solace in her aunt Livia, one of the nuns, and in the growing knowledge that all is not strictly devout at San Zaccaria. Justina is shocked to discover how the women of the convent find their own freedom in what seems to her like a prison. But secrets and scandals breach the convent walls, and Justina learns there may be even worse fates for her than the veil, if La Diamante makes good on her threats. Desperate to protect herself and the ones she loves, Justina turns to Luca for help. She finds she must trust her own heart to make the impossible decisions that may save or ruin them all.
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I enjoyed this glimpse into the lives of women in 1509 Venice. It is an entertaining story, with romance and intrigue, but it's real impact on me was to further sympathise with women though the centuries who have had very little control over their own lives. Told from the POV of a strong and educated (which was unusual for the time) 16-year-old girl, the lives of women in many different circumstances are illustrated. 3.75/5 stars.