Elizabeth Fremantle

Artemisia is a woman painter in a world where women cannot be painters. Her talent far surpasses that of her father but he takes credit for her work. He is keen for Artemisia to marry well and when she puts off one suitor he fixes on a fellow painter, one with patronage that will help pull the family from poverty. However Artemisia is repulsed by this man and in return is raped. Whilst marriage is promised, it cannot happen and so her father instigates a legal case. In 17th century Rome, a woman is a whore until proven innocent and Artemisia must suffer torture in order to clear her name.
The story of Artemisia Gentileschi has been novelised a few times and this is one of the stronger versions. Her licence is taken with the facts to embroider personalities on the characters and Artemisia is depicted as someone who actively doesn't want to marry. What we do know is that she was tortured during the trial , a painful torture involving breaking the fingers of the person and that this could have affected her talent. The rise in feminism has brought Artemisia out of the shadows, and she was a very talented artist, so Fremantle has done her a service by representing her skills so strongly.… (més)

This book was only just OK for me. I have read other books about the Grey sisters that were so much better. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. Usually the stories I've read, they are written as if you are right there with everyone - part of the story. With the exception of Lady Jane's beheading, you aren't there at all. It's like you are just reading someone's journal about events after they take place. I was very disappointed in this book and doubt I would read anything from this author again.… (més)