Da Vinci's Tiger

An excerpt from the novel:

I beg your pardon. I am a mountain tiger.

If that Flemish woman could turn outward, I could certainly dare to. And I could go one step further. I, the poet. I, the pronounced model for Tuscan maidens. I, the Platonic muse of an ambassador from one of the most powerful city-states in Europe. I, the educated protégé of a woman who changed her name to Scolastica and liberated the minds of cloistered women. I, who had the chance to make men listen—and to see—what women had in their hearts and minds…

Rather I would look out and demand a return gaze like the Caspian tiger Bernardo had described, brought to the Venetian court by a sultan. My eyes would gaze unblinking to allow people to look into them and wonder about me. I, the mountain tiger, like the one that showed no fear when hunted, whose fierce dignity prompted imaginings about her soul and her courage—a creature with her own past and own story.

REVIEWS

* Starred Review Publisher’s Weekly: “Renaissance Florence breathes through this delicately beautiful novel, bringing readers to a fuller understanding of the portrait, the era, and an indomitable young woman.”

#7 in ABA’s TOP TEN Indie NEXT GREAT READS: “This mysterious figure is the subject of one of Leonardo da Vinci’s earliest groundbreaking masterpieces. In DA VINCI’S TIGER, Elliott imagines Ginevra’s story, based on known fragments from history and the only surviving scrap of her poetry. Ginevra’s story is captivating, empowering, and beautifully told, as she navigates Florence during the Renaissance, a time women were to be seen and not heard.”

School Library Journal : “Elliott meticulously researched the 15^th century to bring alive the affluence, art, and clothing Florence was known for—fully immersing readers in the time period. In many ways this intriguing novel is a feminist piece. Ginevra lives during a time in which the only way for women to study philosophy and art was in a convent, and once married, women became the property of their husbands. Breaking this mold, Ginevra learns that her empowerment comes from within, despite the limitations put on her sex. VERDICT: add this gem to round out collections skewed toward 20^th-century history.”

The Washington Post: “In this engaging, carefully researched novel, Elliott brings to life the intelligent, curious Ginevra and a Florence vibrant with color and Renaissance ideas. Readers will applaud the keen-witted protagonist as she navigates the city-state’s intrigues and rivalries.

VOYA: “Rich in historical detail. Descriptions of well-known works of art, complex societal protocols, and political power plays allow the reader to understand both the beauty and restrictions of Ginevra’s world. Fans of historical fiction will find Italy’s Renaissance fascinating.”

Children’s Book World, Teen Readers’ Council: “The more she works with Leonardo, the more she discovers about her own identity. One of the things I appreciated most was how realistically the main character was written. Her wants and needs add dimensions to her character without overpowering the entire plot line. It was refreshingly realistic. …A wonderful read in which one learns not just about the characters, but an enormous deal about the ideologies of the time period and the art they inspired.

Readingthepast.blogspot.com and Historical Novel Society Review : “When there are gems like this to be found, it’s no wonder adults get in the habit of raiding bookstores’ YA sections. This lyrical character-driven novel is narrated by 17-year-old Ginevra de’ Benci, who was one of Leonardo da Vinci’s early subjects. His painting of her is groundbreaking for its forward-facing gaze and backdrop of the natural world. Ginevra was also a poet, although only one line remains for her writing (the book’s title derives from this).

…Despite her convent education and spirited wit, she’s used to having little say in her life. However, when Venetian ambassador Bernardo Bembo decides to make (Ginevra) his Platonic lover and commissions her portrait, it pushes her to consider delicate matters of the heart, especially when Bembo seems to want more than idolizing her from afar. Her sympathetic mentor, Abbess Scolastica, gives her wise advice on how she can retain her virtue and make her own voice heard.

Ginevra’s movements create a richly detailed tour of Florentine history and culture, from an exciting joust at the Piazza di Santa Croce to the peace of the Le Murate convent—famous for its sisters’ gold-thread embroidery—to a fancy dinner party at the Palazzo Medici, where the strange new table fork is introduced. Elliott also brings readers into the studio with Leonardo imaging the artistic decisions behind Ginevra’s portrait.

Speaking to the theme of women’s agency in restrictive times, this is a beautiful and thoughtful read for teenagers on up. Although you’ll find this novel categorized as Young Adult, it can be read and enjoyed as an adult title just as easily. Are there other YA historical novels you can think of that feature heroines who are already married as the books opens? That aspect was new for me, and I appreciated the author’s adherence to historical accuracy in that respect, and others.“