In the Name of the Family

In the Name of the Family continues Sarah Dunant's exploration of Renaissance Italy, focusing on the powerful Borgia dynasty in 1502. The story follows Pope Alexander VI, his son Cesare, and daughter Lucrezia during a pivotal year for their family's ambitions. The narrative shifts between the perspective of Niccolò Machiavelli, who observes Cesare's military campaigns through Tuscany, and Lucrezia's journey to her third marriage in Ferrara. Through these parallel threads, the novel examines the mechanics of power, diplomacy, and survival in Renaissance Italy. The characters move through a world of political intrigue, where family loyalty clashes with state interests and personal desires. The Borgias navigate threats from rival families, foreign powers, and within their own circle while maintaining their grip on the papacy. This historical novel explores timeless themes of power corruption, family bonds, and the tension between public duty and private life. The Borgia family's story serves as a lens through which to examine how people adapt and transform when wielding absolute authority.

Readers note strong historical detail and rich character development, especially in portraying Lucrezia Borgia and Niccolò Machiavelli. Many appreciate Dunant's research and ability to humanize the Borgia family beyond their infamous reputation. Readers liked: - Vivid Renaissance atmosphere and political intrigue - Complex portrayal of Lucrezia's character growth - Balance between historical accuracy and narrative flow Readers disliked: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Frequent timeline jumps between characters - Present-tense writing style, which some found distracting Multiple readers mentioned difficulty keeping track of the large cast of characters and Italian names. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) One reader on Goodreads wrote: "Dunant excels at showing the human side of these historical figures without whitewashing their actions." Several Amazon reviewers noted it works better for readers already familiar with Borgia history.

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel The political machinations and personal drama of Henry VIII's court unfold through the perspective of Thomas Cromwell with the same attention to Renaissance power dynamics found in Dunant's work.

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant Set in Renaissance Florence, this tale of art, politics, and forbidden love captures the same world of the Medicis and Borgias from a female perspective.

The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman This historical account of painter Camille Pissarro's mother in 19th-century St. Thomas explores themes of family obligation and societal constraints that echo Lucrezia Borgia's story.

The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland The life story of Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi illuminates the same Italian cultural landscape and patriarchal structures that Dunant examines.

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner This portrayal of the powerful Medici queen presents the same blend of Renaissance politics, family loyalty, and female power that characterizes Dunant's Borgia chronicles.

🎨 Like her protagonist Lucrezia Borgia, author Sarah Dunant lived in Italy while researching and writing the novel, immersing herself in Renaissance culture and architecture 🗡️ The book's depiction of Niccolò Machiavelli draws from his actual letters and dispatches written while serving as a diplomat in Florence during the Borgia reign 👗 Despite her infamous reputation, the real Lucrezia Borgia was known as a skilled administrator and patron of the arts, serving as governor of Spoleto at just 21 years old 🏰 The novel's setting of 1502 marks the peak of Borgia power in Italy, when the family controlled much of central Italy through military conquest and political alliances 💌 Many of the letters referenced in the book between characters are based on actual historical correspondence preserved in Italian archives, including those between Lucrezia and her family members