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David [Kindle Edition]

Mary Hoffman (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews) |
Digital List Price: £9.43 What's this?
Print List Price: £10.99
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Review

'An engrossing political murder-mystery for budding art historians' Amanda Craig, The Times 'David brings a sexy immediacy to the creation of a sculptural marvel' Financial Times 'A rich tapestry of a novel, full of romance, spies, politics and murder' The Bookseller 'Mary Hoffman captures all the energy and excitement of the Italian Renaissance as she brings Michelangelo's David down from his pedestal to walk the streets of Florence as a flesh-and-blood stonemason. A thrilling story of dangerous rivalries in art, love and politics, with one of the world's greatest masterpieces at its heart' Ross King

Product Description

Michelangelo's statue of David is renowned all over the world. Thousands flock to Florence to admire the artistry behind this Renaissance masterpiece, and to admire the beauty of the human form captured in the marble. But the identity of the model for this statue that has been so revered for over five hundred years has been lost . . .

In this epic story Mary Hoffman uses her persuasive narrative skills to imagine the story of Gabriele, an eighteen-year-old who, by becoming Michelangelo's model, finds himself drawn into a world of spies, politicking, sabotage and murder. Set against the backdrop of Florence, a city in a state of constant siege, this is a rich, colourful and thrilling tale.
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Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 484 KB
  • Print Length: 289 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1408800527
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury (4 July 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B0058CMSE6
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #36,224 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A. L. Rutter TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I really like historical fiction. I mean, love it. Especially when fictional characters are used to bring actual historical events to life. So I was enormously happy to realise that Mary Hoffman employs her fictional narrator Gabriele to showcase this volatile period in Florence's history. For me, this enables real empathy with the situation, and I can identify with the motives of the actual personages who peopled the time.

Here we have a Florence that is being overcome by the rifts between the Republicans and the De Medici supporters, who want the city to remain in the hands of one particular family. Hoffman writes elegantly about the historical reasons why Florence is suffering so, and manages - with great talent - to people both sides of the conflict with likeable characters, so that the reader is conflicted as to which is the "right" side. Which, inevitably, is how the people of Florence must have felt at the time.

I would say that this is most definitely YA fiction - in that there are a few scenes unsuitable for younger readers, involving sex and/or violence. But it easily transcends being a book for a particular sex of reader - boys and girls would both find much to enjoy within its pages.

One aspect that I felt was missing was humour. This feels like quite a serious book and, although it presents a serious period in history, Gabriele and Michaelangelo are both young man, and yet come across as far too po-faced. I would have expected more light-heartedness from men like this and it was absent.

This lack of humour is replaced with a genuine love and appreciation for art, which suffuses every page. Hoffman has quite clearly researched her topic but, beyond that, she shows real warmth and affections for the pieces she describes - not least the eponymous David.

Honestly, for anyone who enjoys art, it is rather a thrill to read about the behemoths of the art world Michaelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci - their slight enmity, but respect, for each other; their rather casual attitudes to commissions received; the element of competition between them. It was awesome seeing them brought to life by Hoffman's lively prose.

This is a fairly slight novel by the standards of YA these days, but it is worth the cover price for a real glimpse into a very turbulent part of Italian history. It is thrilling and thoughtful by turn, and is peopled by charismatic characters. Very enjoyable.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
a treat 28 Jun 2011
Format:Paperback
Mary Hoffman's Gabriele breathes off the page - breathes art, life and danger. The most beautiful youth in Florence is immortalised in marble by his milk-brother Michelangelo. Gabriele's beauty is so perfect that it is androgynous: he becomes an object of desire for both men and women. Yet Gabriele is ironically without personal vanity, and has skills of his own. Some of his skills are of the heart; others are of the mind and hand. He's not just the model - he's a participant in the drama that surrounded the birth of the world's most famous sculpture.

Gabriele has weaknesses - for women, for his own child, for his friends. These don't make him weak: they make him human. He is the perfect camera to capture a vivid moment of history. Just as the statue of David impersonates the defiant new Republic, Gabriele's personal dilemmas bring to life the factionalism of post-Savonarola Florence, a city in which the ashes of the Bonfire of the Vanities are still smouldering with violence and passion.

There's also a very enjoyable portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, who prowls the studio like a fastidious cat.

I was gripped. This book is definitely the crossover breakthrough that Mary Hoffman deserves. In fact, it seems to me more adult than many 'adult' books I've read lately: it illuminates, entertains and never talks down.

There's also a wonderful treat of a trailer on you-tube - don't miss it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Wonderful! 7 Jan 2012
By Jan
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful book. Allow yourself to be transported back through time and space to Florence at the beginning of sixteenth century and you will find yourself caught up in political intrigues, feuds and scandals. You will also be a fly on the wall while Michelangelo creates one of the most beautiful works of art the world has ever seen. Of course Ms Hoffman MAY have got it all wrong and the truth was nothing like this - but it really doesn't matter at all!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Absolutely loved this book
Who knew that the 'David' statue had led such an interesting life!
Although this is a work of fiction, some of the names of well known residents of Florence and the places are... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. J. E. Hamilton
Sex, politics, and artistic inclinations!
David is a novel suitable for those unafraid of mentions of sex, politics, and artistic inclinations! Read more
Published 8 months ago by E. Flynn
Intrigue, danger and romance
An incredibly involving read that brings history and Florentine politics to vivid life. The distant, intimidating figure of Michelangelo becomes a real flesh-and-blood human, as do... Read more
Published 9 months ago by GilPhil
Historical storytelling at its best
This book combines beautiful imagery, vivid descriptions and sensuous detail. 'David' by Mary Hoffman vividly recreates the sense of what Italy and Florence in particular must... Read more
Published 9 months ago by SJH @ A Dream of Books
A Modern Story Set Against Historical Backdrop
I'm going to start this review by saying that apart from time travel books which feature a little bit of history this is the first historical novel I've read and I'm really glad I... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jesse Owen, Books 4 Teens
David by Mary Hoffman
David is set in Florence, Italy at the beginning of the 16th Century and is about a young man called Gabriele who leaves his home in the countryside to hit the city and make some... Read more
Published 10 months ago by The Slowest Bookworm
Truly fascinating YA Historical Fiction
For those who aren't sure if a Mary Hoffman book is for them there are some simple questions to answer. First of all, do you like historically placed titles? Read more
Published 11 months ago by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
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