Reviews
Advance praise for Blood & Beauty "What a marvelous feast of vices and desires Sarah Dunant gives us-lust and ambition, passion and power, destiny born and bought. The Borgias are arguably the most intriguing and ruthless family in all of history, and Dunant brings them ravishingly, bristlingly to life. Blood & Beauty is absolutely convincing on every page. I was enthralled."- Paula McLain , author of The Paris Wife "Sarah Dunant's Blood & Beauty is an astounding achievement, extensively researched and exquisitely written. An epic tale of dynasty, this novel also manages to be an intimate exploration of familial ties and relationships. The Borgias have never been so human, and so humanely portrayed."- Melanie Benjamin , author of The Aviator's Wife " Blood & Beauty is a fascinating read full of vivid detail and human pathos. Dunant opens a window into the extraordinary machinations and skullduggery of the Borgias and provides us with a richness of description that beautifully locates them in their own time."- Amanda Foreman , author of A World on Fire "An engrossing tale of beauty and corruption, Blood & Beauty is meticulously crafted, and utterly convincing: a work of a skilled historian and a masterful storyteller who makes the Borgias live and breathe their ambition and lust for life on every page. This is a literary feast!"- Eva Stachniak , author of The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great "Brilliant and utterly bone-chilling, Blood & Beauty held me spellbound from beginning to end. Without a doubt, this exquisite, seductive portrait of one of the most infamous families of the Italian Renaissance is destined to become a classic. Sarah Dunant has managed to bring the Borgias back to life in all their stunning complexity, from loving fathers to ruthless killers, and the result is truly unique and absolutely irresistible."- Anne Fortier , author of Juliet "Sarah Dunant's Blood & Beauty is a masterpiece of biographical fiction, and likely her best novel yet. Her portrait of the fifeenth-century Borgia family is bloody-yet surprisingly tender and entirely convincing. With brilliant detail and flawless prose, she opens the doors to the Vatican of Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), his vibrant feuding children, and his sultry mistress. Never have religion, politics, and power been so personal, so passionate. It's a work I'm not likely to ever forget."- Sandra Gulland , author of The Josephine Bonaparte Trilogy " Blood & Beauty is a wonderful novel, taking you deep into the world of Renaissance passion and the Renaissance papacy. Part of me was happily lost in the time travel, and part of me was repeatedly struck by how vividly ancient Rome met modern Rome, and how the city of history came to life."- Mary Beard , historian and author of The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found " Blood & Beauty is a compelling, accurate history told as a sweeping story full of vivid characters caught up in the brutality, beauty, and brilliance of Renaissance Italy."- William E. Wallace , Distinguished Professor of Art History, Washington University in St. Louis From the Hardcover edition., PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF SARAH DUNANT The Birth of Venus "A broad mural bursting with color, passion, and intrigue."- People "A witty, ingenious historical novel." -The New York Times Book Review In the Company of the Courtesan "Delicious . . . [a] compelling story of love, betrayal, loyalty, debauchery, jealousy and redemption." -USA Today "Remarkable . . . [Dunant's] memorable characters captivate. . . . This tale grows in depth and suspense. . . . The reader will encounter unexpected and unforgettable wonders."-Baltimore Sun Sacred Hearts "Compelling . . . a gripping tale of love, lust [and] jealousy."- The Times (London) "Captivating . . . Dunant's brilliant imagination is at its powerful best." -The Washington Post, "The big, bad Borgia dynasty undergoes modern reconsideration in [Sarah Dunant's] epic new biofiction. . . . Dunant's biggest and best work to date, this intelligently readable account of formative events and monster players has Hilary Mantel-era quality best-seller stamped all over it ." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Hugely enjoyable . . . an old-fashioned rollercoaster of a story . . . [Sarah Dunant] triumphs, like all good novelists . . . in a deft, shrewd, precise use of killer detail." -- The Guardian (UK) "[Dunant] is in her element. . . . She brings 15th-century Italian cities vividly alive. . . . [ Blood & Beauty ] is an intelligent and passionate book that will no doubt thrill Borgia-lovers." -- The Sunday Times (UK) "What a marvelous feast of vices and desires Sarah Dunant gives us--lust and ambition, passion and power, destiny born and bought. The Borgias are arguably the most intriguing and ruthless family in all of history, and Dunant brings them ravishingly, bristlingly to life." --Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife "An astounding achievement, extensively researched and exquisitely written . . . The Borgias have never been so human, and so humanely portrayed." --Melanie Benjamin, author of The Aviator's Wife "A fascinating read full of vivid detail and human pathos . . . Dunant opens a window into the extraordinary machinations and skullduggery of the Borgias and provides us with a richness of description that beautifully locates them in their own time." --Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "An engrossing tale of beauty and corruption, Blood & Beauty is meticulously crafted, and utterly convincing: a work of a skilled historian and a masterful storyteller who makes the Borgias live and breathe." --Eva Stachniak, author of The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great "Brilliant and utterly bone-chilling, Blood & Beauty held me spellbound from beginning to end. This exquisite, seductive portrait is destined to become a classic." --Anne Fortier, author of Juliet "A masterpiece of biographical fiction, and likely her best novel yet . . . With brilliant detail and flawless prose, she opens the doors to the Vatican of Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), his vibrant feuding children, and his sultry mistress. It's a work I'm not likely to ever forget." --Sandra Gulland, author of The Josephine Bonaparte Trilogy " Blood & Beauty is a wonderful novel, taking you deep into the world of Renaissance passion and the Renaissance papacy. Part of me was happily lost in the time travel, and part of me was repeatedly struck by how vividly ancient Rome met modern Rome, and how the city of history came to life." --Mary Beard, historian and author of The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found From the Hardcover edition., "Hugely enjoyable . . . an old-fashioned rollercoaster of a story . . . [Sarah Dunant] triumphs, like all good novelists . . . in a deft, shrewd, precise use of killer detail." - The Guardian (UK) "[Dunant] is in her element. . . . She brings 15th-century Italian cities vividly alive. . . . [ Blood & Beauty ] is an intelligent and passionate book that will no doubt thrill Borgia-lovers." - The Sunday Times (UK) "What a marvelous feast of vices and desires Sarah Dunant gives us-lust and ambition, passion and power, destiny born and bought. The Borgias are arguably the most intriguing and ruthless family in all of history, and Dunant brings them ravishingly, bristlingly to life." -Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife "An astounding achievement, extensively researched and exquisitely written . . . The Borgias have never been so human, and so humanely portrayed." -Melanie Benjamin, author of The Aviator's Wife "A fascinating read full of vivid detail and human pathos . . . Dunant opens a window into the extraordinary machinations and skullduggery of the Borgias and provides us with a richness of description that beautifully locates them in their own time." -Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "An engrossing tale of beauty and corruption, Blood & Beauty is meticulously crafted, and utterly convincing: a work of a skilled historian and a masterful storyteller who makes the Borgias live and breathe." -Eva Stachniak, author of The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great "Brilliant and utterly bone-chilling, Blood & Beauty held me spellbound from beginning to end. This exquisite, seductive portrait is destined to become a classic." -Anne Fortier, author of Juliet "A masterpiece of biographical fiction, and likely her best novel yet . . . With brilliant detail and flawless prose, she opens the doors to the Vatican of Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), his vibrant feuding children, and his sultry mistress. It's a work I'm not likely to ever forget." -Sandra Gulland, author of The Josephine Bonaparte Trilogy " Blood & Beauty is a wonderful novel, taking you deep into the world of Renaissance passion and the Renaissance papacy. Part of me was happily lost in the time travel, and part of me was repeatedly struck by how vividly ancient Rome met modern Rome, and how the city of history came to life." -Mary Beard, historian and author of The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found From the Hardcover edition., "The big, bad Borgia dynasty undergoes modern reconsideration in [Sarah Dunant's] epic new biofiction. . . . Dunant's biggest and best work to date, this intelligently readable account of formative events and monster players has Hilary Mantelera quality best-seller stamped all over it ." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Hugely enjoyable . . . an old-fashioned rollercoaster of a story . . . [Sarah Dunant] triumphs, like all good novelists . . . in a deft, shrewd, precise use of killer detail." - The Guardian (UK) "[Dunant] is in her element. . . . She brings 15th-century Italian cities vividly alive. . . . [ Blood & Beauty ] is an intelligent and passionate book that will no doubt thrill Borgia-lovers." - The Sunday Times (UK) "What a marvelous feast of vices and desires Sarah Dunant gives us-lust and ambition, passion and power, destiny born and bought. The Borgias are arguably the most intriguing and ruthless family in all of history, and Dunant brings them ravishingly, bristlingly to life." -Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife "An astounding achievement, extensively researched and exquisitely written . . . The Borgias have never been so human, and so humanely portrayed." -Melanie Benjamin, author of The Aviator's Wife "A fascinating read full of vivid detail and human pathos . . . Dunant opens a window into the extraordinary machinations and skullduggery of the Borgias and provides us with a richness of description that beautifully locates them in their own time." -Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "An engrossing tale of beauty and corruption, Blood & Beauty is meticulously crafted, and utterly convincing: a work of a skilled historian and a masterful storyteller who makes the Borgias live and breathe." -Eva Stachniak, author of The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great "Brilliant and utterly bone-chilling, Blood & Beauty held me spellbound from beginning to end. This exquisite, seductive portrait is destined to become a classic." -Anne Fortier, author of Juliet "A masterpiece of biographical fiction, and likely her best novel yet . . . With brilliant detail and flawless prose, she opens the doors to the Vatican of Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), his vibrant feuding children, and his sultry mistress. It's a work I'm not likely to ever forget." -Sandra Gulland, author of The Josephine Bonaparte Trilogy " Blood & Beauty is a wonderful novel, taking you deep into the world of Renaissance passion and the Renaissance papacy. Part of me was happily lost in the time travel, and part of me was repeatedly struck by how vividly ancient Rome met modern Rome, and how the city of history came to life." -Mary Beard, historian and author of The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found From the Hardcover edition.
