Daughter Of Siena. By Marina Fiorato (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I loved this book! I bought it while in Siena, which made reading it so much more real. I was walking on the same streets, in the same contrade, and I witnessed the Palio. If you're reading this and you haven't been to Siena, I'd just like to say that she isn't making the context up. The contrade are real, the rivalries are real, and the feel of life in Siena hasn't changed all that much in 300 years! Slightly predictable plot, but a wonderful summer read. At the beginning the book was confusing but as i read along it intrigued me more and kept me turning the pages. All of Pia's troubles are introduced in the beginning, she is nineteen and has feared this day all eleven years she had know that she would soon take a husband not of her choice but of her father's from her contrada. As you read further on everything changes and an event occurs that frees Pia from her chosen destiny but to soon ties her down. Two days after the Palio she is wed to a man that she does not love and who physically abuses her. She is bullied by her maid who enjoys her mistresses suffering. We meet the horseman-Riccardo who makes the possible for her and his dad a great horse type person. We also meet the governess of Siena who has ruled ten years since her husband had died and has lived with a broken heart ever since her twins had died minutes after she gave birth to them and doze of. There are other greedy characters as well. we are also thrown in time when being a homosexual was a crime . There's death, romance, greediness and much more in this historical fiction novel. It may get confusing at first but by the time you end it i can guarantee you will love it.
What do You think about Daughter Of Siena. By Marina Fiorato (2011)?
Wonderfully written, a fun cast of characters, intriguing plot and story. Great read!
—katycat
I loved the history, but I found the story a bit urbane.
—jason
Can't wait for a new offering from this great author.
—Kunchenje
