Elisabetta, sometimes called Lisa or Betta, is not like
other noble girls. She knows her family's silk business
well, and chafes at rules that require her to keep her arms
covered so she doesn't turn brown as nutmeg.
But no matter what her preference, she also knows that she
will marry when she's 15. Lisa is adamant, however, that
she won't marry an old man, a widower, as many of the girls
are forced to do.
As she and her parents plan a huge party to introduce her
to the city nobles, Lisa sketches a design for her gown and
then returns to playing with her local friends. But a
terrible tragedy turns her life into an unrecognizable mess
and the party never happens. Lisa begins to take on
tremendous responsibility on the estate, helping her father
manage the silk business, cooking and cleaning. Her own
dreams are put on hold. As she struggles to grow into a
woman and accept changes in the household, Lisa remains
intrigued by a boy she's met very few times.
And not just any boy, but Giuliano d'Medici, the youngest
brother of Florence's renowned Medici family. As time
passes and they meet each other at two funerals and then
two weddings, she knows that Giuliano cares for her too.
But can they build a life amongst a city in political flux --
especially when the chaos is blamed largely on Giuliano's
older brother?
A gem of a book! The building and layering of Elisabetta's
character is heartwarming and feels so real. Napoli blends
the challenges of the times with situations and
frustrations that girls and women from every time will
recognize. A beautiful fictional account of the woman
behind the famous smile.
Hers is the most famous portrait in the world. Here, in
prose as rich as the high Renaissance, is Mona Lisa’s tale—
a story of passion, intrigue, loss, and, most of all,
love. Elisabetta longs for romance, though she thinks she
is too plain. Then, on a fateful visit to glittering
Florence, she catches the eye of the great Leonardo da
Vinci, and falls for a boy named Giuliano de’ Medici. It
is a dangerous time to be—or be involved with—a Medici. As
tragedy and chaos threaten their happiness, Elisabetta
faces the bittersweet truth of love.
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