Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Raphael, Painter in Rome by Stephanie Storey

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read.
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Raphael, Painter in Rome by Stephanie Storey
Expected publication: April 7th 2020 by Arcade

Another fabulous art history thriller by the bestselling author of Oil and Marble, featuring the master of Renaissance perfection: Raphael!

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling is one of the most iconic masterpieces of the Renaissance. Here, in Raphael, Painter in Rome, Storey tells of its creation as never before: through the eyes of Michelangelo’s fiercest rival—the young, beautiful, brilliant painter of perfection, Raphael. Orphaned at age eleven, Raphael is determined to keep the deathbed promise he made to his father: become the greatest artist in history. But to be the best, he must beat the best, the legendary sculptor of the David, Michelangelo Buonarroti. When Pope Julius II calls both artists down to Rome, they are pitted against each other: Michelangelo painting the Sistine Ceiling, while Raphael decorates the pope's private apartments. As Raphael strives toward perfection in paint, he battles internal demons: his desperate ambition, crippling fear of imperfection, and unshakable loneliness. Along the way, he conspires with cardinals, scrambles through the ruins of ancient Rome, and falls in love with a baker’s-daughter-turned-prostitute who becomes his muse.

With its gorgeous writing, rich settings, endearing characters, and riveting plot, Raphael, Painter in Rome brings to vivid life these two Renaissance masters going head to head in the deadly halls of the Vatican.

One of my weaknesses is books set in the Renaissance and this one looks and sounds simply perfect! ♥

15 comments:

  1. Oh this is interesting: i like that it is Rapahel’s POV on Michaelangelo. Great find!

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  2. An art history thriller?! This sounds like a real page-turner. I hope that you love it. :)

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  3. I think I'd love this too, what a great story idea!

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  4. oh I don/t think I have ever read an art history thriller! And I'm so much into art lately! I'm adding this one to GR! THAT COVER OMG! Hope you love it! :)

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  5. What kind of art or which artists do you like? :)

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  6. I like all kind but surrealism and magical realism are really my thing (I'm crazy about MR in both art and literature). Salvador Dali and Christian Schloe are my favorite artists right now but I follow many surrealist artists :)

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  7. I like thrillers and a history thriller sounds right up my alley!

    Thanks for stopping by earlier!!

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  8. Oh wow this does sound interesting!

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  9. Great pick! This sounds really interesting! I hope you'll enjoy it!

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  10. Renaissance is one of my favourite historical periods to read about as well. And I love that cover as well :D

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