Perspective(s)

A Novel

De: Laurent Binet, Sam Taylor - translator

Narrado por: Eve Passeltiner, Robert Fass

As dawn breaks over the city of Florence on New Year's Day 1557, Jacopo da Pontormo is discovered lying on the floor of a church, stabbed through the heart. Above him are the frescoes he labored over for more than a decade―masterpieces all, rivaling the works of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel. When guards search his quarters, they find an obscene painting of Venus and Cupid―with the face of Venus replaced by that of Maria de' Medici, the Duke of Florence's oldest daughter. The city erupts in chaos.

Who could have committed these crimes: murder and lèse-majesté? Giorgio Vasari, the great art historian, is picked to lead the investigation. Letters start to fly back and forth―between Maria and her aunt Catherine de' Medici, the queen of France; between Catherine and the scheming Piero Strozzi; and between Vasari and Michelangelo―carrying news of political plots and speculations about the identity of Pontormo's killer. The truth, when it comes to light, is as shocking as the bold new artworks that have made Florence the red-hot center of European art and intrigue.

Bursting with characters and historical color, Laurent Binet's Perspective(s) is a whodunit like no other―a labyrinthine murder mystery that shows us Renaissance Florence as we've never seen it before. This is a dark, dazzling, unforgettable book.

©2023 Editions Grasset & Fasquelle; English translation copyright 2025 by Sam Taylor (P)2025 Tantor Media

Deep dive into history of that time

Great details associated with that time in history. Highly recommended this book to all. Hope to read more in the future.

Renaissance Murder Mystery

An artist is bludgeoned to death as he’s about to finish a fresco in a style which ignores Papal definitions of decency. Sets of letters between the world’s first art historian and Michelangelo, between the Duke and Duchess of Florence, between various Medici, added to Star-crossed lovers! Deliciously fun while raising universal themes of art and power, good and evil, appearance and actuality. No wonder it won France’s highest fiction award.

Interesting concept but difficult to follow.

The novel is constructed as a series of letters depicting the corrupt society of Florence and it's culture of religiosity and art. It held my interest and was very well done. But at times it was difficult to follow as there are many characters, each seeking their own advantage.There are many well known public figures portrayed as well as many others who are not so well known. It shows us the tragicomedy of the human condition.

The audible version is unsuccessful

Unless you are versed in the arts and the history of 15th century Italy, it is very difficult to track all the names. Probably better when reading and not listening.
The narrator’s all had dreary voices. Expressionless. Very disappointed!