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The Marriage Portrait
The Marriage Portrait: A novel | Maggie O'Farrell
153 posts | 131 read | 2 reading | 60 to read
From the author of the breakout New York Times best seller Hamnetwinner of the National Book Critics Circle Awardan electrifying new novel set in Renaissance Italy, and centering on the captivating young duchess Lucrezia de Medici. Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is comfortable with her obscure place in the palazzo: free to wonder at its treasures, observe its clandestine workings, and to devote herself to her own artistic pursuits. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Moderna and Regio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father just as quick to accept on her behalf. Having barely left girlhood behind, Lucrezia must now make her way in a troubled court whose customs are opaque and where her arrival is not universally welcomed. Perhaps most mystifying of all is her new husband himself, Alfonso. Is he the playful sophisticate he appeared to be before their wedding, the aesthete happiest in the company of artists and musicians, or the ruthless politician before whom even his formidable sisters seem to tremble? As Lucrezia sits in constricting finery for a painting intended to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the courts eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferranese dynasty. Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, the new duchesss future hangs entirely in the balance. Full of the drama and verve with which she illuminated the Shakespearean canvas of Hamnet, Maggie OFarrell brings the world of Renaissance Italy to jewel-bright life, and offers an unforgettable portrait of a resilient young womans battle for her very survival.
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emmasm08
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A historical thriller set in Italy - a young girls marriage to a Duke desperate for a heir It‘s incredibly well written , convincing characters, tragic , moving and has stayed with me probably for sometime !

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SanjanaGhosh
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An emotional and beautiful story about the life of an obscure character of history ✅

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Erin.Elizabeth10
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Pickpick

So good! This book is written from the perspective of an Italian girl in the 1500s who is married off from her family to a Duke… and the hardships big and small that she endured. This book is engaging to the last page, and although it has a lot of sad moments, it‘s not a downer. It feels true, insightful, and meaningful.

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Maggie_Reads
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Barnes & Noble opened up a new location about 1.5 miles away from my subdivision. I don‘t think this is going to be good for my bank account. Sometimes you just gotta bypass the used bookstore and treat yourself to some brand new books (and a coffee in the cafe). My bank account took a small hit, but the rest of my summer is planned. 📚💸😜 Starting off with the tagged book. 👍🏻 (Yes, the books passed the required dog sniff test. LOL)

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DaniJ
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Pickpick

Gorgeous lyrical prose depicting a small part of history in Italy.

I had never read this author before this book, and I greatly enjoyed it. I like books where I acquire new words! This is a story of a seldom heard of Duchess in Italy and her Jekyll and Hyde husband, as well as trying to find a place in society as a young teenager with a massive role to play.

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Megbert
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Pickpick

Deep, dark, descriptive alleyways of 16th C Italian conniving and court. Sad, magical and mesmerising as we observe the life of the Duchess of Ferrara, trapped inside her husband‘s court while he waits for her to conceive. I loved O‘Farrells metaphor for the back of an embroidery, the messy underneath that those in power do not want us to see. Beautifully researched and wonderfully transporting, #historicalfiction at its best 🖤

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Scochrane26
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Pickpick

I really liked this story & felt some tension as it went on due to Alfonso‘s behavior & Lucrezia‘s situation. But—I am left frustrated by the ending! Anyone else? #doublespin for May

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GinaKButler
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Up next! It‘s one of my #unreadbookshelf picks and it‘ll give me 2 bingos!

#bookspinbingo

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Eggs
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@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks made a 2024 open-a-book-a-month box for me at start of new year. Today I opened the May box to find a bee card, stickers, a bee pin, and this beautiful book❣️ So lovely🥰🥰🥰
You know, I heard once that bees are not aerodynamically designed to fly ~ but the bees don‘t know it and fly anyway 🐝 💛 ✈️! A good-luck charm💞 Thank you Misty for delighting me each month this year with your love and thoughtfulness 😘

#LitsyLove

julieclair Love this! 💗💗💗 7mo
BiblioLitten I love everything about this picture! 7mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love you 🤗💛 🐝 7mo
See All 6 Comments
Eggs @julieclair 🤗🩷😘 7mo
Eggs @BiblioLitten 💛🐝🧡 7mo
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Amiable
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I made my #2024ReadingBrackets for February and then forgot to post them. Sheesh. 🙄 For FICTION, my pick was “The Marriage Portrait.” O‘Farrell does a masterful job of creating tension throughout a book whose end we already know from the very beginning. That‘s a talent, for sure. But in the matchup I had to lean towards “Wellness” to move on.

youneverarrived I thought that was such a great element of The Marriage Portrait. Wellness is high on my tbr 👍 8mo
Amiable @youneverarrived Wellness“ is weird and witty and snarky -- I loved it! 8mo
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youneverarrived
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I always get stumped trying to review books I like the most 🤷‍♀️ but I loved this one - the imagery, the writing, the plot, the way it unfolds, Lucrezia ♥️ and the ending is one I won‘t forget (it was perfect for the book).

Amiable I just finished this one over the weekend -- I also loved it! 9mo
Crazeedi I've read a different book on this woman, definitely want to read!! 9mo
julesG It's weird, isn't it? I can rant about bad books, but don't know what to say about the ones I love. 9mo
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andrew61 It's our reading group book for March so I'll be starting it this week. Glad you gave it a good review. 9mo
youneverarrived @Amiable she‘s such a good writer! 9mo
youneverarrived @Crazeedi I‘d recommend it 😁 9mo
youneverarrived @julesG exactly! I don‘t know why that is 🤷‍♀️ 9mo
youneverarrived @andrew61 let me know what you think! It should make a great discussion 👍 9mo
Cathythoughts I loved this book too ❤️ 9mo
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MamaGina
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Pickpick

“How will he do it? Part of her would like to ask him this. The knife in a dark corridor? His hands about her throat? A tumble from a horse made to look like an accident? She has no doubt that all of these would fall within his repertoire. It had better be done well….her father is not someone who will take a lenient view of his daughter‘s murder.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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youneverarrived
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Although #auldlangspine was one sided for me I‘m still glad I signed up as this was on my tbr and my match‘s list so it‘s given me the push to read it, and I‘m loving it! Flying through it.

rockpools I‘ve heard such wonderful things about Maggie O‘Farrell (and of course never read her!). Glad you‘re enjoying it. 9mo
monalyisha What a lovely photo! I need to get to this one. I absolutely loved Hamnet. 9mo
squirrelbrain I loved this too. ❤️ 9mo
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Chelsea.Poole I love this book!! 9mo
youneverarrived @rockpools she is a brilliant writer 🤍 I read her memoir last year and it was one of my favourite reads. 9mo
youneverarrived @monalyisha Hamnet is on my list to read 🤍 (edited) 9mo
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain @Chelsea.Poole I finished it last night and I‘m in full agreement with you both - loved it ♥️ 9mo
rockpools @youneverarrived Sorry for being dozy - which was her memoir? 9mo
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Texreader
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From HPB and Goodwill today impulse buys because I liked other books by these authors, especially after reading the tagged book last year for #authoramonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Ooo, I loved Project Hail Mary! The other 2 were good too 😁. So glad you‘ve found new to you authors you enjoy! 11mo
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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Thank you so much Denise!! I love the bookmark and the book has been on my list forever! You are so sweet for thinking of me! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas 🎄 ❤️📚

This is the extent of our Christmas tree and I‘m pretty sure Tux will destroy it shortly! It love these bookish ornaments 📚

#LitsyLove

dabbe Yay! Glad you haven't read it yet! I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas as well! 💙❄️💙 11mo
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TheEllieMo
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Mehso-so

The first O‘Farrell novel I‘ve read, and I feel no compulsion to read anything else of hers.She can write beautiful, poetic prose, full of imagery - but doesn‘t she want us to know that?! The very lengthy descriptions detract from the story.

And that story is basically a very flowery psychological “thriller”. Whilst inspired by the life of Lucrezia de Medici, it‘s a near-complete rewriting of history.

Overall, a disappointing read.

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MysticFaerie
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4⭐️/5⭐️

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mjtwo
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26-28 Oct 23 (audiobook)
Having loved Hamnet, I expected to also love The Marriage Portrait, and I wasn‘t disappointed.
Based on the scant details known about Lucrezia de Medici, who was given to the Duke of Ferrara in marriage at a young age, it is a tale of paranoia, loneliness and the peculiar perspective of the artist. I found Lucrezia both sympathetic and frustrating, but at all times I enjoyed the glimpse of her world O‘Farrell had created.

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Julsmarshall
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Exquisite, ethereal, mysterious, and compelling. This was a fascinating story told beautifully. O‘Farrell is quickly becoming a favorite! Finished on the plane :) #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 13mo
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Messiejessie
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I do love the way Maggie O‘Farrell writes. I couldn‘t put this down.

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ncsufoxes
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My first BA is in History with a minor in Art History. My favorite classes were Italian Renaissance History & Italian Renaissance art. Alas I did not pursue a career in history or art but I still love to read historical fiction (& nonfiction books). I remember that we discussed the Medici family at length & was fascinated by the family. I liked the book, some parts dragged a little for me. Overall I liked the glimpse into what Lucrezia‘s

ncsufoxes marriage might have been. Also as I was doing some reading about her marriage portrait there is one in the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh. I went to college & NC & lived in Raleigh for many years. I would recommend the art museum to anyone. They really do have some magnificent pieces of art (Monet, Carrivagio, Stella). #bookspin book (edited) 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
JuniperWilde I loved this story. The author knows her craft. 1y
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kellock
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Loved it. Maggie can do no wrong. She can make ot much happening so interesting.

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readswellwithothers
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I‘m just gonna zip out real quick to get my hands on every book Maggie O‘Farrell has ever written, brb.

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AlizaApp
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Historical fiction based on a true story about the short life and marriage of Lucrezia de Medici. The novel takes place in two timelines: in the present after she‘s been married young to a handsome duke she does not trust, and her past growing up in Florence. Gorgeous writing and a story that kept me engrossed the whole time.

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Gissy
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Mehso-so

Last book completed during this month, last book read by this author #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville A HF based of Lucrecia De‘ Medici who apparently was killed by her husband. This Lucrecia is so different to the real one and the facts are totally fictionalized. The idea comes of this rumor that she was murdered.
I didn‘t like this book as I expected. I felt it forced in term of the history. ⬇️

Gissy (Cont) I didn‘t see that character development I saw in novels read. it was more about the plot. Maybe my expectations were too high. I was waiting for something like Hamnet.

#BookSpinBingo (#20) @TheAromaOfBooks
1y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 1y
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JuniperWilde
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I have 100 pages left in this spectacular reimagining based on the life of Lucrezia de Medici. The prose is outstanding and I was instantly carried away into the MC‘s story. The author is in a league of her own and this is a favourite from her body of work.

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JacqMac
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Pickpick

I loved it. What a great ending, too.
#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Agreed! 🙂 1y
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

Whew. What a ride! I loved it. Great ending. #AuthorAMonth

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Susanita
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Pickpick

Evocative writing that draws you in and immerses you in its world, yet also leaves you wanting more. Lucrezia is a fascinating character, in some ways very specific to her time and place while at the same time accessible and relatable. I can tell we‘ll have a lot to discuss at book club in September.

So far that‘s three readathon books completed along with progress in others.

#authoramonth #jubilantjuly

Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 1y
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JacqMac
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It‘s an uncomfortably hot day here today. The only thing I have the energy for is reading. I am hoping to get through this one during #jubilantJuly I loved Hamnet, so I have high hopes. #authoramonth
@Andrew65 @Soubhiville

Andrew65 Hope you enjoy it. Quite cool here the past few days, and very wet. 1y
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DHill
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I enjoyed this enough to want to read more by Maggie O‘Farrell. The shifting timeline confused me for a beat and given the very short timespan of the novel I was left wanting more. I did really enjoy the writing though and the narrator was perfectly suited for the story.

Forgot to tag @Soubhiville for #AuthorAMonth #July

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ICantImReading
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wasn‘t sure if a story set in Renaissance Italy would hold my attention, but I‘m pleased that I was very wrong! Dripping in rich atmosphere and intrigue, this is a book where you‘ll want to linger on the beautiful writing while simultaneously hurtling toward the riveting ending. 🎧 #reesesbookclub

GinaKButler I just picked this one up on Prime Day and can‘t wait to read it! 1y
TiredLibrarian I just checked this out from the library - looking forward to reading it! 1y
ICantImReading @GinaKButler @TiredLibrarian how fun, I‘m excited to see what you think! I hope you love it! 🐅🧡 1y
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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

What a great book! Wishing I had read this before going to Italy so I could have appreciated this older version of Florence. I did see one of the palaces the real Lucrezia lived in, which is pretty cool!

I‘m so glad Maggie O‘Farrell was voted #authoramonth, I‘ve enjoyed reading some of her books and will read more.

AmyG I am so happy you enjoyed it! 😘 If you haven‘t read ‘I Am I Am I Am‘ by her, and you‘d like my copy (this was my book for author-a-month) I‘d be happy to send it to you. I am almost done and it‘s so beautifully written. (edited) 1y
Jess I finished this one yesterday and really liked it. It sent me down so many rabbit holes on the internet. This is definitely my favorite #authoramonth so far this year. 1y
Soubhiville @AmyG I would love it, thank you! I look forward to more books by her. 1y
Hooked_on_books I loved this one, too! 1y
Megabooks Maggie O is simply wonderful! 1y
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Ericalambbrown
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Pickpick

I couldn‘t decide between pick and so-so until I realized my dilemma stemmed from how much time I spent reading this book whilst being infuriated by it. At times I‘d set it down and feel almost incandescent with rage. The depiction of how women were treated and given no option for control over their own lives will make your blood boil. It‘s a very well written and worthwhile read, but I can‘t really say I enjoyed it.

ShelleyBooksie Beautiful photo 1y
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BittersweetBooks
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…so I should always remember that I must never let sentiment get in the way of necessary action ♟️

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vlwelser
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Pickpick

This book felt really long because there's a lot of detail. But I was really only reading it for a couple of weeks in between other things. My favorite part is what she did there with the ending. Our book club troll hated this and wanted us to swap it so I was determined to like it. Glad I actually did.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Chelsea.Poole Book club troll 😂 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1y
Bookwormjillk Lol book club troll 1y
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vlwelser
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Today's train book. This is a slow burn. But book club is in a week. Maybe if I carry it everywhere we'll get some osmosis going.

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Ellen_C
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Pickpick

Historical fiction about Lucrezia de‘Medici, Duchess of Ferrara, dead at 16, perhaps by her husband‘s hand? O‘Farrell imagines the life of this real young woman and maintains a high level of suspense in the narrative. https://cannonballread.com/2023/05/the-marriage-portrait-a-novel-elcicco/

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vlwelser
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Beach day! It's so cold. Came anyway.

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Writeme
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Amazing historical fiction set in Italy in the 1500s. Lovely writing and a surprisingly thrilling page-turner. I recommend everything Maggie O‘Farrell has written. ❤️❤️

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vlwelser
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My mum just brought me this book I bought her. 💚

Tamra Enjoy! I liked it. 1y
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JackieGreco
Pickpick

I loved this book. It is an interesting story of a young girl who was promised to a Duke and married at 15. The novel flashes between her time in her family home, her early marriage, and about a year into her marriage where she was concerned about her safety from her husband.

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Leniverse
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Mehso-so

The writing was compelling, the story wasn't. There were individual scenes where I was breathless, pulse racing, pages turning themselves. But the whole didn't excite me, and I was reluctant to pick the book back up after putting it down. I also disliked the ending.
This was my first O'Farrell, and I definitely want to read more of her work, but this particular book is not making it onto my personal #WomensPrize 2023 shortlist.

LeeRHarry I didn‘t really enjoy Hamnet so am reluctant to pick this one up. Some of her earlier novels I really liked though.😊 2y
Leniverse @LeeRHarry I'll read Hamnet and get back to you. If I really like it we might just be opposites and The Marriage Portrait will work for you. 😆 2y
LeeRHarry @Leniverse love your logic - let‘s see how it pans out 😆 2y
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Leniverse
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I'm halfway through and I hate to say it but I'm kinda bored. The writing is beautiful, but I'm not feeling invested. We know from the start that the poor girl is going to die, and while I'm curious whether it is her husband (and for what reason?) or something else, I'm not feeling 200+ more pages worth of curiosity. I swear if this book has an ambiguous ending, I'm gonna get mad.

rockpools Well now, that‘s interesting. I think I‘ve only seen positives so far. Hope it picks up for you! 2y
Leniverse @rockpools I hope so! I really liked the beginning, so hopefully this is just a mid-book bump to get over. 2y
AmyG I bailed for the reason that I was bored and not invested either. And I loved Hamnet. Some books grab you and some don‘t. 2y
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ImperfectCJ
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O'Farrell's portrayal of Lucrezia is enjoyable and her isolation palpable, and Alfonso is realistically terrifying, but this novel didn't strike me like Hamnet did. The timeline is a little confusing in places, possibly because I was listening to the audiobook and couldn't turn back when I got disoriented, or maybe just because the flashbacks were so close together in time with the present moment.

Gissy I know this one is in the Women‘s Prize Short Lust but I will read it next July for #AuthorAMonth Hamnet was one of my favorite last year❤️ 2y
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ImperfectCJ
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Lots going on today (including a trip to the rose garden, where the roses were putting on quite a show), but I managed to sneak in some audiobook time with the tagged book. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. Good tension, but as with Hamnet, knowing the ending is making the whole endeavor kind of depressing.

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thewallflower0707
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They JUST announced the Shortlist for the #WomensPrize! I haven‘t been keeping up this year, so I hope I will do better with the Shortlist. So far, I‘ve only read The Marriage Portrait and I absolutely loved it. Demon Copperhead and Trespasses both sound great as well!

#WomensPrize #BookAward #shortlist

Ruthiella I‘m definitely going to read Trespasses…just don‘t know when! 2y
thewallflower0707 @Ruthiella my problem is, I really want to travel to Ireland soon-ish, and I love buying books that are set in the country I‘m visiting 😅. That‘s why I haven‘t read Claire Keegan. 2y
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Amie
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Pickpick

Really good