The Vatican Princess: A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia

by C. W. Gortner Narrated by Julia Whelan

Overview

For fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, bestselling author C. W. Gortner effortlessly weaves history and drama in this captivating novel about one of the world's most notorious families. Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias fascinated and terrorized fifteenth-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty's ambitions. Slandered as a heartless seductress who lured men to their doom, was she in fact the villainess of legend, or was she trapped in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and survival?

With the ascension of the Spaniard Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander VI, a new era has dawned in Rome. Benefitting from their father's elevation are the new pope's illegitimate children-his rival sons, Cesare and Juan, and beautiful young daughter Lucrezia-each of whom assumes an exalted position in the papal court. Privileged and adored, Lucrezia yearns to escape her childhood and play a part in her family's fortunes. But Rome is seductive and dangerous: Alliances shift at a moment's notice as Italy's ruling dynasties strive to keep rivals at bay. As Lucrezia's father faces challenges from all sides, the threat of a French invasion forces him to marry her off to a powerful adversary. But when she discovers the brutal truth behind her alliance, Lucrezia is plunged into a perilous gambit that will require all her wits, cunning, and guile. Escaping her marriage offers the chance of happiness with a passionate prince of Naples, yet as scandalous accusations of murder and incest build against her, menacing those she loves, Lucrezia must risk everything to overcome the lethal fate imposed upon her by her Borgia blood.

Beautifully wrought, rich with fascinating historical detail, The Vatican Princess is the first novel to describe Lucrezia's coming-of-age in her own voice. What results is a dramatic, vivid tale set in an era of savagery and unparalleled splendor, where enemies and allies can be one and the same, and where loyalty to family can ultimately be a curse.

Praise for The Vatican Princess

“In a literary exploration riven with Shakespearean quantities of murder, lies, deceptions, and treachery, Gortner's narrative gains veracity with his atmospheric exploration of fashion, architecture, and art on the stage of `loud, filthy, and dangerous' Rome. Gortner has imagined Lucrezia Borgia's life from a feminist perspective.”-Kirkus Reviews

“[Gortner] has invested his novel with impressive historical detail that is woven neatly into the threads of the story, and his afterword and references offer excellent insight.”-Historical Novels Review

“Assiduously researched and expertly crafted, this novel takes readers inside the treacherous world of the Borgias-one of history's most dysfunctional ruling families-and brings to life the sympathetic and freshly imagined character of their leading lady, Lucrezia. This unholy plunge into Rome's darkest dynasty is wholly engrossing.”-Allison Pataki,*New York Times*bestselling author of*Sisi: Empress*on Her Own

“The world of Renaissance Italy is vividly brought to life-I'm captivated by this knowledgeable author's take on the controversial Borgias.”-Alison Weir, New York Times bestselling author of Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen

“Impressive research, a lush background, and deft characterization of these turbulent times make for a fascinating read.”-Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of Elizabeth I

Editorial Reviews

MARCH 2016 - AudioFile

C.W. Gortner returns to the women of Renaissance Europe with this fascinating novel about the life of Lucrezia Borgia. Julia Whelan does a marvelous job narrating this first-person account of Lucrezia's controversial life. Gortner paints Lucrezia as being apart from but ultimately doomed by the infamous actions of her father and brothers. Whelan's performance hits all the right emotional notes to convey Gortner's sympathetic picture of this much used and abused woman. Gortner does not skip over the more outrageous rumors about Lucrezia, which circulate to this day, but instead shows how they may have erroneously come into being. Whelan's open and honest portrayal means the listener remains firmly on Lucrezia's side, even when she makes horrendous mistakes. J.L.K. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

12/21/2015
The latest from historical novelist Gortner (after Mademoiselle Chanel) is a lurid, old-school story that revolves around Lucrezia Borgia, the doted-upon illegitimate daughter of the notoriously corrupt Rodrigo Borgia, who was Pope Alexander VI. As she grows into her teen years, Lucrezia becomes a pawn in her family’s political schemes. After being married off to a near-penniless man who seems more drawn to her vicious eldest brother, Juan, Lucrezia finds herself lusting after both her brother Cesare—a reluctant cardinal with ambitions beyond the church—and her sister-in-law’s brother, Alfonso, with whom she shares an interest in books. Family dastardliness and intrigue soon turn Lucrezia’s life upside down, as she becomes pregnant and tries to have her loveless marriage dissolved after several violent incidents. Gortner’s book features several anachronisms for the late 1400s, such as the protagonist’s sympathy for exiled Jews, but the narrative is also unapologetically pulpy and titillating. Ultimately, Lucrezia is pitted against the men of her powerful family, who expect her loyalty in the face of their ruthlessness. Cesare tries to win his father’s love as he sets about conquering land and crushing Borgia’s enemies, and everyone becomes a bit paranoid. Gortner’s story makes for an engaging tale. (Feb.)

From the Publisher

In a literary exploration riven with Shakespearean quantities of murder, lies, deceptions, and treachery, [C. W.] Gortner’s narrative gains veracity with his atmospheric exploration of fashion, architecture, and art on the stage of ‘loud, filthy, and dangerous’ Rome. Gortner has imagined Lucrezia Borgia’s life from a feminist perspective.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
“A sympathetic portrait of a woman who was treated badly both in life and by the historical record . . . [Gortner] has invested his novel with impressive historical detail that is woven neatly into the threads of the story, and his afterword and references offer excellent insight.”—Historical Novels Review

“The Vatican Princess is delicious. . . . Murder, passion, incest, betrayal: all of the elements that make for good story are here and perfectly applied for maximum impact.”—January Magazine

“Unapologetically pulpy and titillating . . . an engaging tale.”—Publishers Weekly

“C. W. Gortner’s The Vatican Princess is a tale of passion, political intrigue, and poisonous power. Assiduously researched and expertly crafted, this novel takes readers inside the treacherous world of the Borgias—one of history’s most dysfunctional ruling families—and brings to life the sympathetic and freshly imagined character of their leading lady, Lucrezia. This unholy plunge into Rome’s darkest dynasty is wholly engrossing.”—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of Sisi: Empress on Her Own

“Elegantly written and deeply researched, with a pacy style and a fine eye for contemporary detail . . . The world of Renaissance Italy is vividly brought to life—I’m captivated by this knowledgeable author’s take on the controversial Borgias.”—Alison Weir, New York Times bestselling author of Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen
 
“A spiderweb of Renaissance intrigue with a cast of legendary characters, The Vatican Princess tells Lucrezia Borgia’s story in her own words. Impressive research, a lush background, and deft characterization of these turbulent times make for a fascinating read.”—Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of Elizabeth I
 
“The Vatican Princess immerses us in the vibrant, sometimes terrifying world of Renaissance Rome. Here is a marvelously evocative portrait of a young woman caught in a bewildering web of jealousy, family rivalry, vengeance, and papal politics. This is historical fiction at its best, written by a master of the genre.”—Patricia Bracewell, author of Shadow on the Crown

MARCH 2016 - AudioFile

C.W. Gortner returns to the women of Renaissance Europe with this fascinating novel about the life of Lucrezia Borgia. Julia Whelan does a marvelous job narrating this first-person account of Lucrezia's controversial life. Gortner paints Lucrezia as being apart from but ultimately doomed by the infamous actions of her father and brothers. Whelan's performance hits all the right emotional notes to convey Gortner's sympathetic picture of this much used and abused woman. Gortner does not skip over the more outrageous rumors about Lucrezia, which circulate to this day, but instead shows how they may have erroneously come into being. Whelan's open and honest portrayal means the listener remains firmly on Lucrezia's side, even when she makes horrendous mistakes. J.L.K. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2015-12-09
As the 16th century dawns, Columbus has brought word of new lands to Queen Isabella, Savonarola leads a reign of terror in Florence, and Rodrigo Borgia is bargaining his daughter, Lucrezia, to claim the Throne of Peter in Rome. In an era when priestly vows of chastity were honored in the breach, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia had four children by a mistress. Borgia, who would become Pope Alexander VI, gains his papacy with the support of the troublesome Milanese, particularly Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, whom he names vice-chancellor. Borgia's 13-year-old daughter, Lucrezia, his farfallina—"little butterfly"—will marry Giovanni Sforza, the cardinal's cousin, in more political payoff. Rodrigo's patronage, political power, and wealth made Lucrezia a valuable consort because family alliances between the Sforzas, Gonzagas, d'Estes, and Medicis controlled Italy's city-states. Gortner's novel is one of character: Borgia pater, of course, but also Lucrezia, intelligent and poised, and her "keen and capable" brother Cesare, named Cardinal of Valencia fresh from seminary. Teenage Lucrezia is mature beyond her years, but she's only a pawn in her father's game of thrones. Soon, however, "political convenience" will lead to the annulment of Lucrezia's unconsummated marriage to Sforza. Later, Lucrezia makes a love match with Alfonso of Aragon, Prince of Naples, but Cesare disapproves of his father's indulgence, to Lucrezia's regret. Lucrezia remains a sympathetic character, conversant in literature and philosophy, with every Borgia evil laid at the feet of her father, ambitious and calculating, or Cesare, a brilliant and amoral psychopath with a lifelong near-incestuous love for his sister. In a literary exploration riven with Shakespearean quantities of murder, lies, deceptions, and treachery, Gortner's narrative gains veracity with her atmospheric exploration of fashion, architecture, and art on the stage of "loud, filthy, and dangerous" Rome. Gortner (Mademoiselle Chanel, 2015, etc.) has imagined Lucrezia Borgia's life from a feminist perspective.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172107030
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	02/09/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "The Vatican Princess"
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Copyright © 2017 C. W. Gortner.
Excerpted by permission of Random House Publishing Group.
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