Title: His Last Duchess
Author: Gabrielle Kimm
First published August 5, 2010
406 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780751544503 (ISBN10: 0751544507)
Rating: 3.74
Overview
In Gabrielle Kimm’s His Last Duchess, Lucrezia de’ Medici weds the fifth Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso d’Este, with hopes of a happy life. However, her dreams are quickly shattered as she realizes the complexity of her husband’s character.
Their marriage is strained from the beginning, and the pressure to produce an heir only adds to the tension. As Alfonso’s fury grows, only his lover Francesca seems to calm him.
But when Alfonso’s resentment towards Lucrezia reaches a boiling point, he devises a shocking plan to escape his troubles. Inspired by Robert Browning’s poem, His Last Duchess transports readers to sixteenth-century Tuscany and Ferrara, where passion and politics collide in a stunning tale that will stay with you long after the final page.
About the Author
I’ve written three historical novels, all published by Sphere: ‘His Last Duchess’, ‘The Courtesan’s Lover’, and ‘The Girl with the Painted Face’. I currently reside and work in West Sussex, where I teach English to budding artists in a small performing arts school while continuing to write.
Editoral Review
His Last Duchess by Gabrielle Kimm is a captivating historical fiction novel first published on August 5, 2010. Kimm is an English author who has written several historical romance novels.
Set in sixteenth-century Italy, the novel is a beautifully written tale of love, betrayal, and power. The book is an excellent example of historical fiction, skillful storytelling, and strong character development.
The themes of the novel revolve around the complexities of relationships, power dynamics, gender roles, and the impact of reputation. The novel follows the story of Lucrezia de Medici, a young woman who is married off to the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso d’Este.
At first, Lucrezia is enchanted by the glamorous life of being a duchess, but soon realizes her husband is a cruel and ruthless man who is focused on maintaining his power at all costs. As she navigates life in a strange new world, she faces betrayal, intrigue, and a difficult decision that will shape the rest of her life.
Kimms writing style is descriptive and evocative. She transports the reader back in time by painting the picture of sixteenth-century Italy, and the complexity of the society is effectively portrayed through the interweaving plot lines.
The novel is well-researched, and the historical details are both informative and engaging. As a reader, you can easily visualize the lavish palaces, expensive clothing, and the cutthroat politics prevalent at the time.
The characters in the novel are skillfully crafted, with Lucrezia being the most prominent. She is multidimensional and relatable, and you get a sense of her resilience, strength, and ambition as she strives to assert herself in a male-dominated society.
While the plot is compelling and engaging, at times, the book does feel a bit slow-paced. Some of the plot twists feel predictable, and there could have been more depth to some of the secondary characters.
However, these are minor issues, and they do not detract from the overall quality of the novel. His Last Duchess is an excellent choice for lovers of historical fiction, especially those interested in Renaissance Italy.
It offers a fascinating insight into the culture and society of the time, and the themes it explores are still relevant today. The novel is a perfect blend of romance, drama, and suspense, and Kimm’s writing leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
I give the book 4 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
