(Larger Image)
|
Bella Donna: A Renaissance Mystery Novel (Renaissance Mysteries)
by Barbara Cherne
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Fithian Press (2001-06)
ISBN: 1564743624
EAN: 9781564743626
Dewey Decimal #: 813.54
Paperback: 153 pages
SKU: 01CB-044-7-0208
Condition: G
Comments: EX-LIBRARY with typical stickers and markings; Adhesive plastic protector affixed to cover; Clean body of text; Covers show minimal shelfwear; Pages bright and tight. *International Buyers Welcome!* (except for prohibitively heavy items, as noted) - Satisfied customers in over 40 countries! We ship quickly and guarantee satisfaction. Your purchase helps support a U. Chicago student
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
On a summer morning in 1494, the wealthy Florentine Novella family is rocked by the murder of the wife of the family scion. There are enough rivalries within the family to make anyone suspect. Only Giudetta, the household cook, dares unravel the tangled web of jealousy, intrigue, and infidelity to expose the unlikely killer.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Amateurish
Rating  (1)
Date: 2008-02-25
It's difficult to believe that the author of this stiff, amateurishly written novel is a journalist who has written three other novels, After plodding through this one, I certainly wouldn't seek out her other works!
Although the emphasis on food was fun and Giuditta the Cook an unusual heroine, the plot is lame; the descriptions and dialogue are awkward, the writing style just about non-existent, and the ending totally flat.
After reading some marvelous novels set in the Renaissance, such as Michael Ennis's "Duchess of Milan," or Diane Haeger's "Courtesan," this book in comparison reads more like an effort produced for a college writing class.
Don't waste your money on it.
|
|
Who did it the Renassaince way?
Rating  (5)
Date: 2002-04-08
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book is so thrilling that you will never want to put it down! If you have it for school reading, you won't want to stop a the appointed boundaries! Just when you think that you know who killed Emilia Novella, you are dead wrong. This book takes so many interesting turns that it will boggle your mind for days. This book stays with you as a great novel and great history book as you peak into the lives of a Renassaince family!
|
|
Bella Donna Review
Rating  (4)
Date: 2002-03-21
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book is a great murder mystery novel that leaves you guessing until the end, and provides plenty of clues for you to have several suspects at once. It also provides alot of interesting and even shocking information on life in the rennaissance, and the class and gender differences of the time. It is a really fun read and doesn't have a lot of blood or gore, but is still extremely suspenceful.
|
|
Bella Donna
Rating (5)
Date: 2002-03-12
0 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Who killed Emilia? This book is a great mystery because it keeps you in suspense. There are many hidden clues in the book which makes is thrilling to read. Not only is the book Bella Donna exciting but as you read it you learned a little about the Renaissance. For instance did you no that servants have curfews, have leftovers and are rarely ever asked for opinions? According to Guiditta, the Novella's servant, "No one wanted to know what she thought," questions are asked to well educated men instead.
Men in the Renaissance also did the dirty work. Women were used for producing heirs. Women also moved in with the men. During their free time men would also go visit their market. For engagement dinners, "There will be dancing between the courses," said Caterina, the head of the Novella family. For meals there are three to four courses. As you can see, by reading Bella Donna, you will not only get a thrilling mystery novel, you will also get a sense of what the Renaissance life was like.
|
|
awkward writing, slow plot, poor characters
Rating (1)
Date: 2001-08-14
5 out of 6 customers found this reveiw helpful
If you enjoy mysteries, you'll be disappointed. The reader is not given any chance to solve the puzzle... the author simply trots out a series of (uninteresting) revelations.Like character development? You won't find it here. The characters are one-dimensional. The writing is awkward, filled with disconnected, jarring observations, and laughable lines like, "A fortissimo cry erupter from Bella's mouth." The author also seems to believe that by sprinkling Italian words through the book, she makes it more authentic. (The words are printed in italics, just to be sure the reader doesn't miss them.) Don't waste your time on this book!
|
|
Questions about any of our books? Would you like us to send you additional photographs? You are invited to contact us!
rwnye@masstraderbooks.com
(231) 670-6424
|
|