Review and Giveaway: Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell

About the Book: Caterina was fifteen years old in 1452 when she bore an illegitimate child in the tiny village of Vinci. His name was Leonardo, and he was destined to change the world forever.

Caterina suffered much cruelty as an unmarried mother and had no recourse when her boy was taken away from her. But no one knew the secrets of her own childhood, nor could ever have imagined the dangerous and heretical scheme she would devise to protect and watch over her remarkable son. This is her story.

My Review: The author states in the back of the book that there are two facts known about Leonardo da Vinci's mother. So a great deal of this book is artistic license and creativity..and she does a great job.

I was absolutely enthralled by this book. I loved Caterina, and I feel that the way she was written could have been the way she really was. It seems that Leonardo da Vinci must have had some influence like her in order to become the man he did. I was fascinated by each part of her life and her dedication to her son and the freedom of thought and information. She was strong willed and determined, a lover of knowledge and willing to take many risks for love.

Minor spoiler alert: Caterina ends up dressing as a man and thus attains a great deal of freedom in her society. This was interesting to me, and even without the motivation she had, I can see how this would be tempting for any woman! The complications this created in her life were interesting...for example what happens when a heterosexual man thinks he has fallen in love with another man? Additionally, this book deals heavily with the persecution the catholic church perpetrated towards those who were interested in philosophy and ancient religions. End of spoiler


This book is a true page turner and it will transport you back in time to Florence. Once again, this is primarily a work of fiction, but it's an interesting one.

Rating: 4/5
Elements: S
Read about my rating system here.

The publisher has generously given me three copies of this book to giveaway. To enter, please leave a comment with a valid email address and tell me what historical figure you'd like to read a novelization about. For two extra entries, blog about this contest with a link back to this post (be sure to come leave me a comment telling me blogged about it!). Open internationally. I'll draw three winners on January 31st. Can't wait? Buy the book here.