Leonardos Swans, Karen Essex
Leonardos Swans, Karen Essex
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Leonardo's Swans

Author: Karen Essex

Narrator: Elizabeth Sastre

Abridged: 5 hr 53 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/10/2006

Synopsis

LEONARDO'S SWANS is the story of the powerful Este sisters, Beatrice, Duchess of Milan, and Isabella, Marchesa of Mantua, as they compete for the affections of Italy's most influential prince, the Duke of Milan, and for the larger prize, to be immortalized in oil by his court painter and engineer, Leonardo da Vinci. Sexy, inspiring, and intelligent, her story of love, intrigue, and art is truly unforgettable.

About The Author

KAREN ESSEX is the author of Kleopatra (Warner, 2001) and its sequel Pharoah (Warner, 2002), two biographical novels about the queen of Egypt which she has adapted into a screenplay for Warner Bros. She has also adapted Anne Rice's novel The Mummy of Ramses the Damned into a screenplay for Titanic director James Cameron and 20th Century Fox, and has written a screenplay about Kamehameha, the first king of Hawaii, for Columbia/Tristar.Essex's articles, essays and profiles have been published in Vogue, Playboy, The L.A. Weekly, L.A. Style, and many other periodicals. After being awarded highest honors from the Los Angeles Press Club for her thought-provoking cover story about the missing 1950s pinup icon Bettie Page, Essex co-authored the biography Bettie Page: Life of a Pinup Legend (Stoddart, 1996). Essex is the first and only journalist with whom the reclusive Ms. Page has ever agreed to meet and cooperate.Essex was born and raised in New Orleans. She graduated from Tulane University, attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University, and received an MFA in Writing from Goddard College in Vermont.

Reviews

Goodreads review by C.W. on October 15, 2008

This review first appeared in the May 2006 issue of The Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice) Leonardo da Vinci has become quite popular these days, as has the historical novel featuring an intrepid woman ahead of her time, with an abiding interest in Art. Doubleday is clearly capitalizing on t......more

Goodreads review by Claudia on May 27, 2015

"Il cigno sa quando è la sua ora, sa che tutte le cose di questo mondo non sono che un dono effimero. Questo fatto ineluttabile sfugge solo agli esseri umani. Non appena il povero mortale è sicuro del suo potere e del suo successo, viene distrutto da forze più grandi di lui." Un bellissimo libro, che......more

Goodreads review by Daniel on March 17, 2019

One of the more popular periods during the Italian Renaissance is the reign of Ludovico Sforza over the duchy of Milan. During Ludovico’s lifetime he saw his father, Francesco Sforza, transform Milan into a regional power, lived through his older brother’s assassination, and served as regent to his......more

Goodreads review by Andrea on July 18, 2015

I loved the history and the insight into the life of Leonardo DaVinci when he was living in Milan under Il Moro, and getting a glimpse into the Italian Renaissance was a treat. I would have given this book higher than 3 stars because I love historical novels. However, I had a problem with the POV. I......more

Goodreads review by Natalia on July 23, 2015

Estos últimos días me encontraba en pleno Renacimiento al leer Matar a Leonardo Da Vinci, pero en vez de salir e ingresar a un nuevo lugar, decidí quedarme en esa época llena de cambios, con este libro, Los Cisnes de Leonardo (Leonardo's Swans) de Karen Essex, un libro que tenía pendiente desde hace......more

Quotes

“Privileged sisters compete over men, attention—and the chance to be immortalized on canvas by Leonardo da Vinci in this instantly absorbing tale.” —Redbook magazine

“Two very different sisters, two very different husbands, and one of the greatest geniuses of all times, Leonardo da Vinci. In this sizzling historical novel set in fifteenth-century Italy, Essex combines art, political intrigue, family feuds and sex to create a page-turner that also probes the experience of being painted and whether it can offer immortality.” —USA Today

“Acclaimed author Karen Essex spins a wild yarn about sexual politics and the struggle for immortality.” —Harper’s Bazaar (“Hot Reads” pick)

“Meticulously researched. Exquisite detail . . .” —Chicago Tribune

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