Author Maggie O' Farrell takes us back to the 1550's to Florence Italy, where the third daughter of the Duke is suddenly betrothed to the young Duke of Modena after her older sister's untimely death. The novel goes back and forth in time - giving you the story of the young duchess's life, while jumping back to her trip with her husband to a remote hunting lodge - where she believes he plans to kill her. I may have rated the book higher if I had a chance to read it in just a few sittings, but in this busy month of December, I had to pick it up and put it down several times, and I think my enjoyment of the book suffered for this. Maggie O'Farrell excels in the details of historical fiction, and you learn about life during this period. She bases some of her storyline on facts - the menagerie of animals the Duke of Florence had in his castle, the mysterious death of the young duchess, and the storyline of the painting of the duchess takes root in a poem by Robert Browning. "My Last Duchess". A twist at the end rewards you for reading.. Thank you Netfalley for an advanced reader copy.

I did not think O'Farrell could top Hamnet, but this beautifully written novel was lovely. Tracing the real-life story of Lucrezia de’Medici, in 1500's Renaissance Italy. Lucrezia was married at 15 to the Duke of Ferrara and died under suspicious circumstances. Many suspected her husband poisoned her. I loved the backstory of Lucrezia and the fact that you know something terrible is going to happen to her makes it impossible to put down. So so good!

Maggie O'Farrell is a captivating writer. I have loved her work since the first page of her amazing novel, Hamnet. I knew I wanted to read this one right away, and it did not disappoint. She has such a talent for creating this rich, vibrant setting while also crafting the tumultuous inner-lives for her main characters. Loved this book.

Book review: 'The Marriage Portrait' is a tense, poetic Renaissance-era tale
ASHLEY RIGGLESON For The Free Lance–Star Dec 10, 2022

Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel, “Hamnet,” won the Women’s Prize for fiction that year. So, many people were waiting excitedly for the release of her newest book, “The Marriage Portrait.” Though “Hamnet” is a hard act to follow, readers will not be disappointed with O’Farrell’s latest. Her prodigious talents are on full display.

Set in the 1560s and written with two timelines, “The Marriage Portrait” tells the story of Lucrezia di Cosimo de’ Medici who, according to the short note that appears at the beginning of the text, died under suspicious circumstances soon after her marriage to the Duke of Ferrara.

O’Farrell takes this intriguing and very sad historical factoid and builds a story around it, told in Lucrezia’s perspective. Though Lucrezia had a sheltered lifestyle when she lived in her parents’ house, she is just 15 when she is married to Alfonso, the Duke of Ferrara. Lucrezia has an indomitable spirit, but readers quickly discover that she is in no way prepared for Ferrara’s court politics.

Rumors soon reach Lucrezia that all is not well here, and Alfonso must prove that he is a capable ruler. To make matters worse, Alfonso needs an heir, but many in Ferrara believe he cannot conceive a child. And while Alfonso is at first loving to his young wife, his demeanor soon changes for the worse. As the novel progresses, this union becomes increasingly claustrophobic and even violent. Sexual assault is a key aspect of the plot, and Lucrezia soon suspects she will be murdered.

I loved “The Marriage Portrait” so much that I did not want to finish it. O’Farrell’s prose is beautiful and poetic. And though this novel is literary, it is also masterfully paced. The tension in the plot builds slowly at first, but soon “The Marriage Portrait” becomes impossible to put down.

This novel is also cleverly constructed, and O’Farrell uses the dual timelines to great effect. Her sense of place and time is impeccable, and Lucrezia’s character will win people’s hearts.

Underlying all of this, though, is a story about power. Initially, O’Farrell examines the power others have over Lucrezia, and O’Farrell uses this historical setting to critique entrenched power structures that are still in place today. But this novel is also about Lucrezia’s power, and is a feminist text that is guaranteed to inspire.

One of my favorite books of 2022! This was an interesting, character driven novel with great world building. I loved the quiet cunning nature of the underlying tension in this story. Would recommend and read again!

This book was one of my favorites of 2022. I was immediately drawn in to the story, the vivid descriptions of the castle and life at the castle. Girls/women treated like a commodity with no control over their lives. The colossal waste of a talented young life. And yet the ability to see and enjoy beautiful moments when they do come. Always striving for a better life.

This novel was very hard to read due to triggers, but I stuck with it until the end and was very glad I did. The ending richly rewarded my patience and was one of those "hug your Kindle and sigh" endings. Maggie O'Farrell is an amazingly skilled writer. The research and history are solid throughout, and the book makes it clear that the events are within the context of the fate of untold numbers of women throughout history. Due to being triggered so much I do not think I can be completely objective; some part of my brain just could not fully engage with the story, but I rated it in my top ten books of the year.

This was fantastic and I really didn't expect anything less from Maggie O'Farrell. What a heartbreaking, beautiful written book. I will be recommending this book to everyone.

I didn't like it as much as Hamnet, but it was a solid story with interesting characters and fabulous descriptions of setting.

One of the best books I've read this year! Lucretzia's character is interesting and edgy in a refreshingly free way that isn't often seen in historical fiction. The mystery and horror sprinkled in throughout the story add eerie foreshadowing that made me look at my husband suspiciously as I read. Overall, a stunning novel.

Maggie O’Farrell follows her award-winning Hamnet with another touching tragedy of a young life cut short. Lucrezia de’ Medici is 15 when, upon her sister Maria’s unexpected death, she is married off to Maria’s fiancé, the Duke of Ferrara—even forced to wear her sister’s wedding dress. Her desperate pleas to remain in Tuscany fall on deaf ears. Married almost a year in 1561, and not yet pregnant, she fears for her life.

Alone with her husband in a fortress outside of Ferrara, and deprived of her own household, Lucrezia contemplates her manner of death… and her short life. She guides us through her lonely childhood, the age gap between her older and younger siblings setting her apart. An intelligent and willful child, her only consolation is her art. She tiptoes on eggshells around Alfonso and his enigmatic sisters, never sure where she stands. Alfonso rules his estates and family with an iron fist, congenial enough, but a menacing presence all the same. Witness to an act of unspeakable cruelty, Lucrezia is compelled to heed her sister-in-law’s warning that she will be blamed if there is no heir, no matter that the much older Alfonso has never fathered a child.

The Marriage Portrait is a visceral immersion in Gothic suspense: compelling, gut-wrenching, with ominously dark undertones layering the narrative. The raw chill which pervades the fortress rivals the icy fear gripping Lucrezia’s heart. Although relating the tragic life of a terrified young woman, O’Farrell grants Lucrezia an autonomy she never achieved in life and the sole surviving portrait makes one wonder what those averted eyes might tell us. O’Farrell’s innate grasp of the human condition, her stylistic word and phrase repetition, effortless tense switching, and vivid illumination of a virtually unknown historical figure make for another superb achievement, brilliantly rendered.

1550s Florence, Italy. Lucrezia was to wed Duke Alfonso, some ten years her senior. The wedding of the couple was delayed for nearly two years seeing that the the bride-to-be was a mere child. After the pair were married, Lucrezia’s life was filled with pain, suffering, and control from the man with whom needed an heir. Over time, Lucrezia sensed her life was in danger as each month passed without becoming pregnant. Could her husband be cruel enough to kill his bride? This lyrically written novel is beautifully told; reminding us that women were & still often seen as vessels. For fans of Phillippa Gregory and Alison Weir.

O’Farrell’s brilliant historical novel relates the story of Lucrezia di’Medici of Florence and her husband Alphonso of Ferrara. She is young teenager and he needs an heir. O’Farrell’s excellent research are
apparent in the lush descriptions of court life and the landscape. After only a year of marriage, Lucrezia fears her death. The author has taken a few liberties with the historical facts, however I loved this novel and couldn’t put it own.

Lovely descriptions of animals, weather, surroundings which make you feel as if you are there in the room with Lucrezia. Her tale is intriguing, yet sad as the young noblewoman is stifled by parents, husband and cultural norms. She looks inward and becomes a talented artist. The mystery of how and when her husband is going to kill her for not giving him a child kept me riveted to the story. It’s a testament to the author’s ability to be spellbinding that I somehow expected Lucrezia in this novel to escape her premature dealt on the last page.

Oh my gosh. So well written and well-paced. Memorable characters and scene descriptions that put you in the time and place. I didn't want it to end! Maggie is such a fabulous creator of scenes, with just the right number of words.

Lucrezia di Medici is a Young girl trying to break out of the confines of her rank and place in a society dominated by patriarchy. When her sister falls ill and dies before her wedding, Alfonso, to whom she was promised, decides that young Lucrezia will become his new bride. While Lucrezia chafes at the prospect of marriage, she can only delay for so long and she is forced to marry Alfonso. While initially seeming gentlemanly, Alfonso soon shows that he is a cruel and malevolent ruler who will do anything to maintain power. Lucrezia becomes convinced that Alfonso will eventually kill her and she fights emotionally and mentally to save herself.
O'Farrell has developed a fascinating story based on evidence from the available history.
Recommended for those interested in Renaissance history. The culture of the court is conveyed with precision.

I absolutely loved Hamnet by O'Farrell, so I was thrilled to see she had a new novel out! This one did not disappoint--I loved the liberties she took with the story (though I did guess some of the things she ended up doing plot-wise). It did take me a little bit to get into the story, but when I did, all I wanted to do was continue reading.
As usual, Maggie O'Farrell's writing is spectacular. Like Hamnet, she jumps back and forth between plot/timelines in order to give us a fuller view of Lucrezia's life. I did want a tiiiiny bit more at the end, as I was left with a few unanswered questions. But I still adored the book as a whole.

Another stunning historical novel from Maggie O'Farrell. While maybe a little less emotional in tone than Hamnet, this is still a great and engrossing read. O'Farrell has a way with words that will stop you in your tracks and make you wonder how anyone's brain can work so well.

I loved The Marriage Portrait and how the book takes the reader directly into the mind of a teenager who has a premonition about her husband murdering her.
The story is set in the 1500's and tells of the arranged marriage betweem 15 year old girl, Lucrezia and 27 year old Alfonso the Duke of Ferrara.
Beautifully written, the reader is transported to the 16th century complete with it's sights, smells and sounds.
As far as historical fiction goes Maggie O'Farrell does not miss a beat.
I could not put this down and I highly recommend.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for ARC received in exchange for my honest review.

Historical fiction married to a crime thriller, this story builds to a great ending. As with Hamnet, O’Farrell takes a small piece of an historical event and develops it into a riveting tale.