Before the Corleones, before the Lannisters, there were the Borgias. One of history’s notorious families comes to life in a captivating novel from the author of The Birth of Venus.NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY COSMOPOLITAN (UK) AND THE TIMES (UK) “In the end, what’s a historical novelist’s obligation to the dead? Accuracy? Empathy? Justice? Or is it only to make them live again? … Empathy? Justice? Or is it only to make them live again? Dunant pays these debts with a passion that makes me want to go straight out and read all her other books.”—Diana Gabaldon, The Washington Post
Bestselling novelist Sarah Dunant has long been drawn to the high drama of Renaissance Italy: power, passion, beauty, brutality, and the ties of blood. With In the Name of the Family, she offers a thrilling exploration of the House of Borgia’s final years, in the company of a young diplomat named Niccolò Machiavelli.
It is 1502 and Rodrigo Borgia, a self-confessed womanizer and master of political corruption, is now on the papal throne as Alexander VI. His daughter Lucrezia, aged twenty-two—already three times married and a pawn in her father’s plans—is discovering her own power. And then there is his son Cesare Borgia, brilliant, ruthless, and increasingly unstable; it is his relationship with Machiavelli that gives the Florentine diplomat a master class in the dark arts of power and politics. What Machiavelli learns will go on to inform his great work of modern politics, The Prince. But while the pope rails against old age and his son’s increasingly erratic behavior, it is Lucrezia who must navigate the treacherous court of Urbino, her new home, and another challenging marriage to create her own place in history.
Sarah Dunant again employs her remarkable gifts as a storyteller to bring to life the passionate men and women of the Borgia family, as well as the ever-compelling figure of Machiavelli, through whom the reader will experience one of the most fascinating—and doomed—dynasties of all time.
“Enthralling . . . combines flawless historical scholarship with beguiling storytelling.”—The Guardian
“Renaissance-rich details fill out the humanity of the Borgias, rendering them into the kind of relatable figures whom we would hope to discover behind the cold brilliance of The Prince.”—NPR
“[Dunant] has an enviable command of this complex political scene, with its shifting alliances and subtle betrayals. . . . [She] has a special gift for attending to her female characters.”—The New York Times
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In the Name of the Family is the sequel to Blood and Beauty; both books are about the infamous Borgias who rose to power during the Italian Renaissance. This book stands on its own, but both books should be read in sequence to truly feel the import and power of the Borgia family. In this book, the story centers on Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) and his children – Cesare, the handsome, charismatic, and calculating leader of his father’s papal army, and the beautiful, poised, and cunning Lucretia who through marriages forges papal alliances and increases papal holdings.
There is a great deal of historical conjecture about the Borgias and their unbridled surge for power. However, through Dunant’s talented pen and impeccable research, the reader is offered a more intimate view of these historical figures. The mixing of church and state for personal gain, the ravages of the French pox and the summer Fever, the excesses of court life, and revenge all make for a book that is difficult to put down. Of particular note is Dunant’s inclusion of Niccolo Machiavelli and her assertion that Cesare Borgia may in fact have served as the inspiration for Machiavelli’s the Prince.
If you are a historical fiction buff and interested in the 16th century, don’t skip this book. A period piece that comes alive in one’s imagination. It is so well written that you can visualize Lucretia’s dancing, lurch at the slimy fingers of the Pope as he eats his greasy sardines, and feel the wild excitement of Cesar, a man not quite right of mind, yet brilliant in his strategic war plans. Most of all you can feel the excitement of life during the Italian Renaissance, as art, poetry, and the finer aspects of culture blossom.
This book is the sequel to “Blood and Beauty” about the fascinating and unscrupulous Borgia clan. Actually, as depicted, only the men were unscrupulous. The star daughter—the precocious, clever and beautiful Lucretia—is more of a tool in her father and brother’s hands. They make and break marriages for her to suit their political ends, regardless of her feelings. After marriage number two, despite the fact that she loved her husband, she was forced to swallow his lamentable murder and prepare herself for a third husband—all for the sake of the family. This is where “In the Name of the Family” starts. She is saddled with the ugly, humorless, Alfonso, heir to the throne of Ferrara, although both father and son despise her family. And still she strives to make the best of a bad situation. I couldn’t help but admire her pluck. By then, she has sort of forgiven her brother for murdering her husband; she still adores her father who has become fat, feeble, and inconsequential for the most part. Cesare runs the show now, though the pox has ravaged his face and his health; everyone sees that the infamous Duke of Valentinois is losing his edge. But they are far away and she is on her own; she has to fend for herself. What does Lucretia have to live for? She briefly finds herself infatuated with the court poet but soon comes to her senses:
“He winces. ‘You are laughing at me.’
‘Oh no, Pietro. On the contrary, I am very serious. I am a woman who has the capacity to destroy any man I love.’
And though she is looking at him, she is seeing someone else; equally handsome, full of life and laughter. But the image turns and now she is looking at a body dragged from its bed, the face swollen and purple from the garrote of Michelotto’s hands. Not even marriage had saved Alfonso (the second husband) from her brother’s wrath.
She pulls herself out of his grip. ‘You will find it hard to change the course of Italian poetry with your neck wrung like a chicken’s.’”
And this is the story of Lucretia’s life; like a black widow spider, she is fatal to her mates—up to this point. Although it seems she never found real happiness, at least she hasn’t lost any of her appeal and manages to hold her own despite overwhelming odds. I’m sorry to say that this novel doesn’t move along as sensationally as the first, but that’s the fault of the history, not the storytelling. The glory days of the Borgia are coming to an end, and Lucretia is the family’s only hope. It’s a bittersweet situation she finds herself in, but perhaps she’s better off than otherwise.
I love Italy and everything Italian but I know little about the Borgias and even less about the real Lucrezia Borgia. Dunant attempts to set the record straight, showing Lucrezia to be simply a marriage pawn for her father and brother, rather than the evil temptress of the stereotype. Warmingly, Lucrezia frees herself from their grasp, growing into a woman who has power over herself and others, and learns to use it wisely. A great historical novel.
A fascinating book. History comes alive and the Borgia’s just capture your interest and imagination. Definitely “a must read”.
Dunant’s work is always a top-notch read.
I love Sarah Dunant but this book was not as good as her others. Too many characters to keep track of but the story line was good. I like this type of historical novel so if you do too, it is worth t the read.
If you like the Renaissance era, you will enjoy this book.
Very well written. Presents unknown (to me) facts and speculation about the Borga’s.
I read this on the heels of Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson to good effect. The accepted characterizations of both Lucretia Borgia and Niccolo Machiavelli were both challenged in a helpful way. The book helped put into perspective the time and the players in a very readable way.
This book could have benefited from a good editor. Very repetitive and boring
I really like historical fiction and this was very colorful.
The author does not disappoint, although The Birth of Venus is still my favorite. I reread that one as soon as I finished it, needing to stay in the story.
A great read and very historically interesting. Characters are haunting and involved. Plot good.
Slow going but fascinating.
It is a pleasure to read this authors work. Her writing flows and describes situations, characters and their feelings so well. The Borgias are an interest of mine and this book brings them alive as no other book on them, I have read.
Good read.
An interesting and fairly accurate depiction of the Borgia clan’s take over of central Italy.
I love this author and will be reading some other related books because she has completely captured my interest in the subject matter.