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Narrated by Virginia Leishman
Lynn CullenUnabridged — 14 hours, 26 minutes
Narrated by Virginia Leishman
Lynn CullenUnabridged — 14 hours, 26 minutes
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…an intoxicating tale of love, betrayal and redemption…Cullen tackles the contradictions of the Renaissance and captures the dangerous spirit of the Inquisition while handling these vivid characters with prodigious control. The Creation of Eve is a historical romance that teaches as it touches.
—The Washington Post
Cullen's previous books include "I Am Rembrandt's Daughter" and "Moi and Marie Antoinette." With this suspenseful, evocative tapestry of Renaissance life, art and royal skullduggery, the author has made a skillful --- and, with any luck, permanent --- jump into adult fiction.
Lynn Cullen weaves a glittering tapestry in The Creation of Eve, blending themes of art, gender and politics into a provocative novel that feels surprisingly timely.
The year is 1560; Elizabeth of Valois (1544–68) has just become the third wife of King Felipe of Spain, and the talented female painter Sofonisba Anguissola (1532–1625) has been appointed art instructor to the young queen. In a court filled with all manner of politics, from religious debate to petty jealousies and forbidden love affairs, these two conflicted and often unhappy young women find in each other a much-needed friend and companion. Through the eyes of Sofi, Cullen captivates her readers with the thrill and drama of 16th-century Spain. Hewing closely to historical record, the author fills in enough spaces to make a satisfying story but strategically leaves certain details to the imagination, a trick that has the reader deliciously wishing for just a little bit more. VERDICT Marking a strong adult historical fiction debut for YA author Cullen (I Am Rembrandt's Daughter), this is a good choice for fans of Tracy Chevalier, Sarah Dunant, or Elizabeth Kostova's The Swan Thieves. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/09; highlighted in AAP's Librarians' Spring 2010 Sneak Preview.]—Leigh Wright, Bridgewater, NJ
"Cullen richly draws her principal characters and their milieu, effectively transporting the reader back to 16th-century Italy and Spain.... Believable storytelling and wonderfully descriptive writing make The Creation of Eve a must-read for those who love historical fiction, especially if they also love art."
Newark Star-Ledger
"An intoxicating tale of love, betrayal and redemption. Cullen tackles the contradictions of the Renaissance and captures the dangerous spirit of the Inquisition while handling these vivid characters with prodigious control. The Creation of Eve is a historical romance that teaches as it touches."
Washington Post
"The Creation of Eve [is a] lavishly detailed, sparkling re-creation. With this suspenseful, evocative tapestry of Renaissance life, art, and royal skullduggery, Lynn Cullen has made a skillful-and, with any luck, permanent-jump into adult fiction."
Atlanta Journal Constitution
"Endlessly readable, deeply fascinating, and often stunning."
Open Letters Monthly
"Lynn Cullen weaves a glittering tapestry in The Creation of Eve, blending themes of art, gender and politics into a provocative novel that feels surprisingly timely."
Bookpage
"Stunning...Cullen obviously immersed herself in the history of Spain's Golden Age, but she never allows her research to outmuscle the story told by her graceful and intelligent narrator. A swoon-worthy blend of mystery, romance, and history."
Atlanta Magazine
"The year is 1560; Elizabeth of Valois (1544-68) has just become the third wife of King Felipe of Spain, and the talented female painter Sofonisba Anguissola (1532-1625) has been appointed art instructor to the young queen. In a court filled with all manner of politics, from religious debate to petty jealousies and forbidden love affairs, these two conflicted and often unhappy young women find in each other a much-needed friend and companion. Through the eyes of Sofi, Cullen captivates her readers with the thrill and drama of 16th-century Spain. Hewing closely to historical record, the author fills in enough spaces to make a satisfying story but strategically leaves certain details to the imagination, a trick that has the reader deliciously wishing for just a little bit more.
VERDICT Marking a strong adult historical fiction debut for YA author Cullen (I Am Rembrandt's Daughter), this is a good choice for fans of Tracy Chevalier, Sarah Dunant, or Elizabeth Kostova's The Swan Thieves. Highly recommended."
Library Journal
"The Creation of Eve is above all the gorgeously written, beautifully structured story of Sofonisba Anguissola, an Italian Renaissance painter who happened to be both great and female. She is the staunchly intelligent narrator of Lynn Cullen's complex, meticulously researched portrayal of the Court of Spain in the 1560's, and a true heroine in her own right. This novel is a juicy plum from start to finish."
Kate Christensen, author of The Great man and The Epicure's Lament
"To read The Creation of Eve is to experience that wholly delicious bookish pleasure of total immersion. Sofonisba Anguissola, an Italian painter, is sent to Spain as portraitist to Elisabeth de Valois and there, amid the baroque intricacy of court politics, rivalry, and romantic intrigue, she struggles to carve out her role-and her legacy-as one of the most admired painters of her day. I found this novel about the quest for fulfillment in art and love enormously satisfying and I'm grateful to Cullen for the pleasures of such a splendid read."
Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants
"What a marvelous, rich and compelling novel! Lynn Cullen draws an astonishingly vivid world of a gifted woman artist who has studied with Michelangelo and the young unhappy Queen of Spain whom she serves in that turbulent 16th century court. Each woman suffers for a love she cannot have in a time when women were powerless; drawn further into the young Queen's secrets, the artist will risk everything to help her. Turn and find yourself in the 16th century. I was unable to put the novel down and lived in its world."
Stephanie Cowell, author Marrying Mozart
"Through the keen eye of a painter trained in observation, we are drawn into the rarefied and restricted life of a queen and a court bristling with intrigue, jealousy, misplaced love, escape and escapade--what could be more tantalizing? With rich visual description, Lynn Cullen secures her place in the tradition of regal historical fiction."
Susan Vreeland, author of Luncheon of the Boating Party and Girl in Hyacinth Blue
"The Creation of Eve takes readers to a fascinating time-the Renaissance-and introduces us to a remarkable woman, a talented artist neglected by history. Thanks to Lynn Cullen, Sofonisba Anguissola is now unforgettable."
Sharon Kay Penman, author of Devil's Brood
Virginia Leishman masterfully brings to life the story of Sofonisba Anguissola, a largely unknown Italian Renaissance painter who studied under Michelangelo. Leishman’s modulated voice—cultured yet not overly aristocratic—perfectly matches Sofonisba’s character. Further, she breathes a vitality into the other characters that is not evident from the author’s words alone. Leishman’s interpretation is spot-on as she portrays Sofonisba’s personal heartaches, as well as the drama of the Spanish court, where she is brought to serve. Especially interesting is Leishman’s depiction of a young Queen Elizabeth and her flirtations with the men of the court, including her husband’s son and half-brother. Leishman’s skillful narration keeps the listener engrossed in Sofonisba and Elizabeth’s stories. J.L.K. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
| BN ID: | 2940171022365 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Recorded Books, LLC |
| Publication date: | 05/14/2010 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
