Blog tour: Mary Hoffman - David

I'm very lucky to have Mary Hoffman here today, taking part in her blog tour for her new book 'David'.  I'm the 22nd stop on the tour.  For a full itinerary of all the blogs taking part click on the banner below.

My five favourite places in Italy (beyond Florence )

• The Campo in Siena

The fan-shaped square where the Palio is run twice each summer. When the race isn’t on, the perfect place for morning coffee or evening prosecco – and people-watching.

I go to Siena almost as often as Florence (my ideal home would be between the two) but have seen the Palio run only twice – once in 2002 when I was researching it for City of Stars, when I stood in the Campo with a million or so other people and once in 2009 when I sat in relative comfort in a stand. Neither time did “my” horse win (see below)

• The Valdimontone district in Siena

I am an honorary “montonaiola”! The first time we ever set foot in Siena (?1996) by great good fortune we found a place to park just inside the Porta Romana. Little did we know how significant it would become for us, especially me. As you walk into the centre from that gate, you pass many signs of the Ram, because the Contrada of Valdimontone (Valley of the Ram, called “Montone” for short) is off to the left of the Via Roma there.

Now whenever we go back we stay at an olive-growing estate just outside the Porta Romana and every time I walk up the steep road to where the montonaioli hang out, I feel as if I am coming home. I have always believed in reincarnation and I am sure that in one of my former lives I was a member of this contrada. And I am an Aries so the Ram is my sign!

• Ravello

It’s on the Amafli Coast , perched high above the sea and we had a memorable lunch in a cool restaurant on a hot day there many years ago. Wagner wrote part of Parsifal in the gardens of an aristocrat high above the sea here. I’ve never been back but would love to go.

• Paestum

There are ruins of Greek temples here, especially one to Neptune – Poseidon – and it smells of wild thyme. We visited it several times when our daughters were little and there are lots of photos of them and us standing, sitting or lying on bits of ruin.. It was part of Graecia Magna, which is why there are Greek temples rather than Roman ones, even though the locals have Italianised the name.

• Old Castellabate above the Gulf of Salerno

A medieval village high up above the sea where in the square an old woman once offered us plums from her basket. It was a magical moment. Old Castellabate looks like a film set for a medieval epic or a part of Assassin’s Creed. Full of cobbled twisting streets, leaning buildings, bits of old fortifications and turrets.  Now it’s a rather expensive wedding venue for those wanting to tie the knot abroad in pretty reliable sunshine and a beautiful setting.

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Review: David - Mary Hoffman

David by Mary Hoffman, published by Bloomsbury on 4th July 2011 

Goodreads synopsis:
Michelangelo’s statue of David is famous around the world. Millions flock to Italy every year to admire the physical perfection of the young man captured within the marble. But the identity of the model has never been known...until now. In this epic tale, acclaimed author Mary Hoffman imagines the story of Gabriele, a naïve but incredibly handsome young man who is hired as Michelangelo’s model, only to find himself drawn into a world of spies, political treachery, and murder. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Florence in its most turbulent times, this is a rich, colorful and thrilling tale that gives life to one of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

Review:
This book combines beautiful imagery, vivid descriptions and sensuous detail.  'David' by Mary Hoffman vividly recreates the sense of what Italy and Florence in particular must have been like in 1501 when the city was split by two warring factions: the pro-Republicans and the pro-Medici supporters.  Hoffman uses this period in time as a backdrop for her novel which combines historical detail with fictional imaginings.  I'm a massive fan of historical fiction and Mary Hoffman is the queen of this genre.  It did take me a little while to get all the names of the characters straight in my head and to acquaint myself with this particular period but once I had, I was literally swept away.     

The book is centred around the story behind the famous statue of David.  Mary Hoffman explores the character on which the statue could have been modeled and provides an insight into why it was so significant at the time. 

Real life figures such as the great sculptor Michelangelo and the painter Leonardo da Vinci feature in the story, as well as fictional characters like Gabriele del Lauro, a stonecutter from Settignano, who arrives in the city to find work but soon becomes embroiled in romantic entanglements and political rivalries and whose life becomes full of intrigue and deceit.  I love books which visualise historical figures and breathe new life into them so this was something which really appealed to me.  Plus, for lovers of fine works of art, there's also a glimpse at the very famous portrait of the Mona Lisa with a story about who sat for the painting.  I found all these additional elements of the story absolutely fascinating and totally engrossing.   

The historical detail in the novel is informative, educational and incredibly interesting.  You can easily see how much research has gone into the book.  I kept jotting things down as I was reading, so that I could go and look them up later.  The people and the places were fascinating and I now have such a longing to go and visit Florence and see the famous statue of David for myself. 

Magical storytelling, a strong narrative pace and an intriguing plot combine to make this a really enjoyable read.  Fans of K.M Grant will love this book, as will historical fiction lovers.  No one does it as well as Mary Hoffman!

Don't forget to drop by on July 28th, when Mary Hoffman's stopping by as part of her blog tour for 'David'.  She'll be talking about some of her favourite places to visit in Italy.  I can't wait!

Find out more about Mary on her website: http://www.maryhoffman.co.uk

Or check out her blog at: http://bookmavenmary.blogspot.com

Upcoming blog tour: David - Mary Hoffman

Mary Hoffman's forthcoming book 'David' is an epic historical tale set in the city of Florence.  It features culture, romance, political intrigue and uncovers the story behind the famous statue. 

I'm going to be taking part in the blog tour for the book and will be welcoming Mary to the blog on 28th July to talk about her favourite places to visit in Italy.  I can't wait!  Click on the banner below to see all the other stops on the tour which runs from 4th July until 4th August.

I'll also be reviewing 'David' next week so be sure to stop back to see what I thought of it!

Review: Troubadour - Mary Hoffman

Troubadour by Mary Hoffman, Published by Bloomsbury in 2009

Goodreads synopsis:
A story of persecution and poetry, love and war set in 13th century Southern France. As crusaders sweep through the country, destroying all those who do not follow their religion, Bertrand risks his life to warn others of the invasion. As a troubadour, Bertrand can travel without suspicion from castle to castle, passing word about the coming danger. In the meantime Elinor, a young noblewoman, in love with Bertrand, leaves her comfortable home and family and becomes a troubadour herself. Danger encircles them both, as the rising tide of bloodshed threatens the fabric of the society in which they live.

Review:

I love historical fiction and reading about real-life events.  'Troubadour' is set in Southern France during the thirteenth century when the Cathars or 'True Christians' were persecuted by the Pope and burnt alive as heretics all across France.  Thousands of people were killed during the period from 1209 to 1229 as the Pope promised their lands to any Northern Frenchmen who would fight in the crusade against them.

Mary Hoffman has used this as a backdrop for the book and has woven a story about a troubadour called Betran, who travels across France spreading a message of warning to other Cathars, alongside a young noblewoman called Elinor who falls in love with him.  Elinor escapes her family after the threat of an unwanted marriage and seeks shelter disguised as a boy, with a group of minstrels who entertain noble families.  I thought Elinor was a great central character.  She wasn't afraid to take a risk to get what she wanted and she wasn't prepared to submit to a life of misery.  She's headstrong and brave, rebellious and fiesty and her central struggle is the one that helps to form the basis for the story.

I thought that the blurb for the book was slightly misleading because I was led to believe that there was going to be more romance between Elinor and Betran (I do love a generous dose of romance!) but it didn't really develop that way.  I think Mary Hoffman's idea was that Elinor has a childhood crush on Betran, which she eventually grows out of until she's ready to find real and everlasting love.  Also, as much as I enjoyed the really rich historical detail throughout the book, I did particularly love the scenes between all the characters and I would have liked a little more focus on the relationships between them. 

There were a lot of historical terms and character names in the book but luckily there was a handy guide at the back which I consulted a couple of times to help me keep everything straight.

Rich in music, love and war, this was a really great read which has made me want to find out more about this particular period of history.