- Paperback: 264 pages
- Publisher: Walker Books Ltd; New edition edition (7 Jun 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0744590809
- ISBN-13: 978-0744590807
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 13 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 380,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
"So rich with historical detail and intrigue that readers will quickly feel the desperation and exhilaration of Donata's daring escape... an authentic taste of this complex society on the brink of change and the ancient rules that still bound its women both physically and mentally." Amazon "A strong and enjoyable novel." The Glasgow Herald "An absorbing tale of courage." The Bookseller"
Product Description
Venice, Italy, 1592. Donata Mocenigo, younger daughter to one of the city's great noble families, leads a life full of wealth and privileges. But she feels constricted by the many rules of etiquette she must observe. So Donata and her sisters come up with a daring plan for her to escape the palazzo and explore. But little does she realize that in doing so, she will change her own and her family's lives for ever.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Firstly, I'll state the good points. It was highly readable; I could hardly put it down and finished it in a matter of hours. Through the vivid descriptions and rich vocabulary, I could almost sense the suffocating life that was Donata's world; I was also able to get a feel of the inequality between men and women during those times. Evidently, Napoli had done her research.
But there wasn't much more to it - I found the characterisation to be a little on the flat side, which is perhaps expected of a book that is relatively short and aimed for a younger audience. I also thought the whole incident with Noé went a little unresolved, and I was a little irritated by the "happy for all" kind of ending. The pace was rather slow at times, too.
Still, it was a good read on a hot summer's day, and if you're looking for some light historical fiction, this book is worth reading.
But there wasn't much more to it - I found the characterisation to be a little on the flat side, which is perhaps expected of a book that is relatively short and aimed for a younger audience. I also thought the whole incident with Noé went a little unresolved, and I was a little irritated by the "happy for all" kind of ending. The pace was rather slow at times, too.
Still, it was a good read on a hot summer's day, and if you're looking for some light historical fiction, this book is worth reading.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I couldn't put it down! Was so engrossed in the world of ancient Venice... I love the city, that's why I decided to read this book, but Donata's world is so different and interesting.
I read the book in one go in one day, and pity now that there are no more books about Donata and her Venice.
If you liked that book, I'd recommend Mary Hoffman's trilogy of "Stravaganza" books, it has a bit of fantasy, but mostly is about similar time in ancient Italy: Venice, Florence and Rome. And it involves mostly teens too.
I read the book in one go in one day, and pity now that there are no more books about Donata and her Venice.
If you liked that book, I'd recommend Mary Hoffman's trilogy of "Stravaganza" books, it has a bit of fantasy, but mostly is about similar time in ancient Italy: Venice, Florence and Rome. And it involves mostly teens too.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Exciting, engrossing tense and delicious
This rich tapestry of words will intrigue and delight - drawing one into the cleverly concocted world of Venice in it's heyday.
Intense Donata lives a circumscribed life, hung about with conventions and prohibitions until she begins to wrest a little more from life by seeking adventures and conspiring with her sisters to acheive some equality in a world which is arranged for the comfort of men, and daughters left over get sent to convents.
A gracious mother and kind father unbend enough to allow Donata and her sisters & brothers careers and paths which suit their temperaments in a most compassionate way
Having read many of Donna Jo Napoli's other novels themed upon old fairytales, I kept trying to guess which old story she might have taken her inspiration this time - it kept me guessing right up until the last half, when I concluded this is a fresh! tale.
Fascinating!
Kotori 2005
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A mesmerising story of renaissance Venice
This is the captivating tale of bold, brash noblewoman Donata, a teenager desperate to obtain some degree of freedom in 15th Century Venice before she is ultimately shipped away to... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Nicola F (Nic)
Daughter of Venice
Lovely book, giving a new insight into a city I love dearly. Enjoyed it very much.
Published on 6 May 2010 by Mrs. Jacqueline E. Franks
Go back in time to 16th Century Venice
love books based on historical incidents/eras, and not just for the costumes! I find the research which the author puts into the novel creates a rich story, teaching me a little... Read more
Published on 20 May 2009 by Jessica
Unbelievably boring - and even more unbelievable dialogue...
I did not finish this book.
At first, my Review would have started with: 'you will need to stick with this one, as the first five chapters are quite boring - merely... Read more
At first, my Review would have started with: 'you will need to stick with this one, as the first five chapters are quite boring - merely... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2009 by FAMOUS NAME
A noble girl is out to see the world before it is too late.
Donata is a young noble girl who lives in Venice during the late 1500s. She is fortunate to be rich, but she is locked away from the world outside her palazzo and is not educated. Read more
Published on 4 April 2002
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