বইয়ের স্থানঃ ফ্লোরেন্স, ইটালি। কালঃ ১৫০১-১৫০৫। পাত্রপাত্রীঃ রেনেসাঁ যুগের দুই মহান শিল্পী লিওনার্দো দা ভিঞ্চি ও মাইকেলেঞ্জেলো। এইটুকু তথ্যই যথেষ্ট ছিল আমার মত পাঠকের আগ্রহ উসকে দেবার জন্য। এই দুই শিল্পীরই ভক্ত আমি। তাদের ব্যাপারে যখন যা পেয়েছি, পড়েছি। তা থেকে এটা জানি যে, ভিঞ্চি ও মাইকেলেঞ্জেলো দুজনই প্রবল প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বী ছিলেন। এবং দুজন দুজনকে একেবারেই পছন্দ করতেন না। আর তারা দুজনেই জীবনের একটা সময় ফ্লোরেন্সে বাস করেছেন। ওই সময়টায় ভিঞ্চি ব্যস্ত এক বণিকের স্ত্রীর পোট্রেট আঁকায়। মহিলার নাম ...

A novel set around 1501 about the rivalry and lives of Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Was very intrigued when I found this book but my knowledge about them was very sparse. But I ended up absolutely gulping the story up, told in such a talented and vivid way that I wasn't ready for the book to end, (a rarity for me to feel on such a way).

I still think it's funny that I get to review my own books on Goodreads! I mean I HAVE read it, but I can't possibly be objective or unbiased about it. I did thoroughly enjoy reading the quotes people pulled from it, and I've been like, "Whoa! I wrote that! And someone else copied it down. Weird." So while I can't really speak to what it might be like to read this book for the first time, what I can say is that WRITING this novel was the absolute GREATEST joy of my little life... I mean, I got t...

The author reveals the great rivalry between Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo and brings to life these two magnificent artists. In age they are poles apart as well as in style. Leonardo is a fastidious man, egotistical and full of his own fame. Michelangelo on the other hand is a bit of a grub, scruffy, poorly attired and generally has bad body odour due to the lack of washing. Leonardo for the first part of the book is still to paint the Mona Lisa and is madly pursuing recognition for his mec...

3.5 starsI saw the Mona Lisa once, and to be honest I was a little disappointed that it was so small, covered in a glass box surrounded by pushing and shoving tourists in a very small room. I found the rest of the Louvre a lot more impressive.I knew very little about Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo and the strength of this book was how educational it was for me. I was absolutely fascinated by the facts that came out of the story. I googled along with my reading as at times I thought surely th...

This story begins with two artists returning to Florence. Leonardo da Vinci is returning from Milan, where he worked on designing a horse sculpture - the largest equestrian statue in the world, which was supposed to be cast in iron, but the clay model was destroyed by French soldiers invading Milan. Leonardo was forced to flee Milan. Michelangelo Buonarroti is returning from Rome, where he just finished working on Pieta. They come back to Florence at a time, when commission on Duccio Stone is an...

I chose to read this book because I had an upcoming trip to Italy. What a great choice! Who knew that Leonardo and Michelangelo had such a rivalry? It was interesting to learn that being an artist was not admirable and that sculpting was an arduous and and filthy business. Viewing Michelangelo's works in Rome was a completely different experience for me because of this book.

The year is 1501 and Stephanie Storey tells a highly-imagined tale of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarreti as they return to Florence. At fifty years of age, Leonardo is the elder statesman in the area of art and science. Michelangelo considers himself a sculptor and has been distinguishing himself in Rome.The story is about the rivalry between the two men. In Florence, the city fathers have offered a commission to Leonardo to carve the Duccio stone. A huge but damaged piece of marble, ...

I love historical fiction, and in particular stories set in this time period and place, as I find it utterly fascinating to learn about a time when so many of the great "gods" of history coexisted and created their enduring masterpieces simultaneously. I was therefore very excited to read this book.Upon starting it however, I was immediately put off by the writing style, which felt as though the narration was being "dumbed down" for the masses - overly colloquial and modernized. Then I began not...

This wonderful historical novel centers on Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti during the years 1501 – 1505 when they both lived and worked in Florence, Italy. Leonardo was in his fifties and an established artist. Michelangelo was in his twenties and had just completed “The Pieta” in Rome and had returned to Florence to make a name for himself and to support his family. When Michelangelo wins the Duccio stone commission and begins his beloved “David” sculpture, Leonardo is working on ...