Da Vinci's Tiger

Reviewed by: Kris Zuidema - retired school librarian, Standish, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2016

Review

This is the story of Ginevra de' Benci. Ginevra was an educated woman who as a teenager was married to a man twice her age and became the Platonic muse of the Venetian ambassador, Bernardo Bembo. Leonardo da Vinci painted her portrait which now hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. The story is told from Ginevra's point of view. Her perspective offers the reader a unique study of the time period. The descriptions of the clothing, pageantry, art, and surroundings are superb. Ginevra was a poet, but sadly only one line of her work survives. The author expertly explores the personal and political relationships of the people Ginevra encountered involved in the world of art, politics, and religious life in Florence, Italy during the 15th century. The characters are well developed and come to life as the story unfolds. This is historical fiction at its best. It is well written and well researched. An afterward and bibliography are included. I highly recommend Da Vinci's Tiger for readers 8th grade and up.

Overall Book Score: excellent