REVIEW: The Marriage Portrait (Maggie O'Farrell)

Book: The Marriage Portrait

Author: Maggie O'Farrell

Premise: Winter, 1561. Lucrezia, Duchess of Ferrara, is taken on an unexpected visit to a country villa by her husband, Alfonso. As they sit down to dinner it occurs to Lucrezia that Alfonso has a sinister purpose in bringing her here. He intends to kill her.

This book is essentially the (fictionalised) life of Lucrezia de' Medici. As a child she is inquisitive and willful. There is a strong theme of nature as Lucrezia is an artist, seeing beauty in her natural surroundings. I found this part of the book a bit slow going if I'm honest, albeit very emersive with beautiful descriptions.

As expected of a young noblewoman, she is married to a man she barely knows. Her husband is secretive and domineering. I found this half of the book reminded me of Jane Eyre and Rebecca in terms of the dark, mysterious atmosphere. The ending was unexpected yet perfect.