Hi Everyone,
Yes, this is an unusually early book club email, I know, but I thought I would get an early start this month as compared to the one day notice I gave everyone for our March meeting. Amazingly, seven members were present Tuesday night at Panera Bread: Becky, Barb, Cheryl, Ginnie, Jody, Lori, and me.
Our March book was The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli. Enjoyed by all, it is an intriguing history lesson in fourteenth century Italy. Set during the time of Leonardo da Vinci, the subject of da Vinci’s famous painting the Mona Lisa is the main character and narrator of the story. Elisabetta by name belongs to a family of nobility, the daughter of a struggling silk merchant. The book begins as Elisabetta is approaching her thirteenth birthday, the age of eligibility for young Italian girls. The plot revolves around a series of unexpected events that postpone then interrupt the success of her “coming out” party. A parallel plot is uncovered as Napoli weaves the tumultuous story of the political and economic troubles of that time.
In The Smile, Napoli invites the reader into the world of notable Italians. Most interesting is the infamous Medici family, especially the irresponsible eldest of the three Medici brothers, Piero, who practically brought ruin to Italy. Another character in the book just as despicable during this time was the heretic monk Savonarola. A blatant puritanical madman, he destroyed much of the priceless art of Italy. After this book, I am craving to read more on Italian history and not surprisingly, more eager than ever to travel to the land of “amore.”
While throughout the story Elisabetta gives her account of her search for the love of her life, the youngest of the Medici brothers, the reader discovers the narrator’s character flaws. She is a designing woman, no less than any other, in her quest to wed Guiliano. Leonardo da Vinci says she is mysterious, watching and waiting. Elisabetta, is exactly that. Her motive to manipulate her father into consenting to host her “coming out” party in the city reminds me of an episode in my favorite movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Like the daughter in the movie, Elisabetta knows, if she gains the support of her mother, her mother will find a way to twist her father’s head into believing it is his idea all along. However, Elisabetta’s plotting proves fatal, and her mother is killed on their journey into the city. When her father remarries, Elisabetta’s stony character rears its ugly head. Relentless where her father’s new bride Catrina is concerned, Elisabetta watches and waits like a hawk to uncover Catrina’s Achilles heal. Instead, she discovers only the purest of hearts, and later, Elisabetta’s own heart is softened by a world she would not have known if not for Catrina.
Not only will this book help you brush up on Italian historical facts, Napoli throws in to the pages a sufficient amount of vocabulary words to challenge the reader. Try adding “apoplectic” (I stare at her apoplectic -furious, angry) and “redolent” (The air is redolent of evergreen -scented, aromatic) to your vocabulary. I also like the words “phantasm” (I will have my party, that thing that has become a phantasm – ghost, spirit) and “imbroglio” (Savonarola is gladdened by this imbroglio with the French - mess, embarrassment), words I have seen before but have never used.
The Smile was, indeed, an uncomplicated getaway. Our April pick The Accidental Mother by Rowan Coleman should be just as undemanding. Similarly, we will find in this book how life does not always go according to plan. Set in London, we continue our European travel log from Italy to England. We will dock at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 23, at the same location, Panera Bread. Bon voyage!
Yours in Reading,
Tammy
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