THE BOOK FAIR
READ AND FULFILL YOUR LIFE
Jeanne Kalogridis
The
Borgia Bride
Author: Jeanne Kalogridis
Published: 2005
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover: Paperback
Pages: 509
Review:
Prologue: The Year 1500:
Sancha of Aragon, held prisoner in the Castle of Sant’ Angelo by Cesare Borgia and his father, Pope Alexander plots her way to freedom, contemplating the vial of canterella poison she holds.
Year of 1492: The Princess of Naples, Sancha of Aragon, loved by her grandfather, King Ferrante, is promised in marriage to Count Onorato, who is more than twice her age, tells her she is beautiful, and with whom she falls in love. Upon her grandfather’s death, the betrothal is annulled and Sancha learns from her father, Duke of Calabria, who has never loved her, that she will marry the son of Alexander Borgia, Jofre, fourteen years old, two years her junior. She is informed she will leave Alfonso, her beloved brother, and Naples as she and her new husband will reside in Squillace. France wars with the Papal States; Naples falls to the French; Sancha’s brother, Ferrandino, becomes king.
1496: Jofre and Sancha travel to Rome. Sancha soon discovers Jofre’s sister, Lucrezia, is jealous of her, his father, King Borgia is lecherous towards her, and her husband is too insecure to defend her. When she meets the Cardinal Cesare, Sancha feels a tremor of passion shake her. A feast is thrown in Sancha’s and Jofre’s honor where again her father-in-law pays her lewd attention. Sancha ventures alone for a breath of fresh air when Alexander Borgia appears at her side and abruptly lays hands on her.
Cesare steps in and begs pardon for his father. Cesare later visits Sancha’s rooms. She reminds Cesare that she married his father’s son, to which Cesare replies, it a shame that she met the younger brother, before the elder, and to which Sancha agrees.
Sancha, overcome with passion, falls in love with Cesare. Borgia, omnipresent, knows how to control his son. Lucrezia confides in Sancha divulging terrible secrets in the Borgia family. Alfonso, Sancha’s beloved brother marries Lucrezia. Cesare, never to be outdone, plots revenge.
In the historical novel, with the cast of well drawn characters and intriguing plot, the author presents a particularly seamy, underside of history.
THE
INQUISITOR'S
WIFE
Author: Jeanne Kalogridis
Published: 2013
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover: Paperback
Pages: 366
Review:
Marisol Diego comes of age during the Inquisition; she lives with her father, and her mother, a Conversa in Seville Spain. Marisol is in love with Antonio Vargas, a neighbor she has known since childhood. In love with Marisol, is Gabriel Hodeja, a hulking boy of slow wit, who lives close by. Gabriel’s brother, a Dominican monk, dislikes the Diego’s. He devotes himself to his Order and eagerly joins the quest to seek out the Conversos, the Jews converted to Christianity.
Marisol’s mother, Magdalena (Lena), teaches her daughter secret prayers every Friday evening. Magdalena is a kind and gentle woman devoted to her family, and her love of ceramic art. When Marisol grows older, she tires of her mother’s hidden ways, and the Jewish insults she hears thrown at her mother; she desires to be Christian. Antonio leaves for the university with the promise that he will return and marry Marisol.
Word of the Inquisition spreads to Seville. Several years pass with no word from Antonio. Marisol decides he found another.
Lena, terrified of the Inquisition begs her husband to leave Seville but don Diego, a devout Christian, refuses, believing his status and money will protect them from accusations. One evening when she can no longer bear the fear of being denounced, she tells Marisol they must escape; Marisol refuses. Late in the night, Magdalena escapes. Marisol follows to watch her mother plunge into the river. Gabriel is close by and holds Marisol back from the water. Shortly after, against her protest, Marisol’s father informs her that she is to be married to Gabriel.
In 1481 the Inquisitors arrive in Seville. The edict read to the waiting crowd proclaims that the Jews of Seville are thus exiled and all their property confiscated. Among the Dominicans, Marisol spots her lost love, Antonio.
Gabriel accompanies Marisol to church for music lessons where Marisol learns Antonio will be her lute instructor. When Antonio offers condolences on her mother’s death, she rejects his sympathy. When Antonio reminds her she married another, she scoffs. As the lute lesson progresses, they find themselves surrounded by an audience, of none other than Queen Isabelle who invites them to entertain her at dinner. Fray Hodeja, her brother-in-law, not invited, seethes with jealousy. He devises a plan and warns Marisol she can stop Torquemada by putting in a good word for him, and further informs her that her father is now under investigation.
The historical novel features an interesting plot, an intriguing love story, well formed characters, and entertaining dialogue.