Declare Appertaining To Books David
| Title | : | David |
| Author | : | Mary Hoffman |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 260 pages |
| Published | : | July 4th 2011 by Bloomsbury UK (first published January 1st 2011) |
| Categories | : | Historical. Historical Fiction. Young Adult. Cultural. Italy. Romance. Art. Fiction |
Mary Hoffman
Paperback | Pages: 260 pages Rating: 3.35 | 479 Users | 113 Reviews
Chronicle To Books David
David is a vivid historical novel; it is both a coming of age story and an exploration of the Florentine politics of the sixteenth century. It is a wonder of a book and refreshingly different.David is actually the story of Gabriele, the milk-brother of the famous artist and sculptor Michelangelo. Gabriele is eighteen when he leaves his home, Settignano, a small village, and arrives in the city of Florence in search of work as a stone-cutter. Gabriele is a naive young man who lacks a practical understanding of the wider world. He is easily led and also rather fickle with his affections. He left his fifteen year old sweetheart, Rosalia, in the village and he does not remain faithful to her. In fact, on his first night in Florence after being robbed, he is taken in by an aristocratic lady, Clarice, and is seduced by her. Michelangelo is away with his work but eventually he returns to Florence and Gabriele takes residence with him and his brothers.
Angelo, as Gabriele calls him, is an intriguing character. The author gives us an interpretation of the man as being highly protective of his creative work and also involved in it to the point of obsession. Angelo is renowned for his abilities and this novel is also partly his visualisation of the statue of David. Angelo takes an abandoned piece of marble and turns it into a mighty symbol of the Florentine republic. The two years it takes to complete the statue take Gabriele on a journey. He sets out an innocent, uneducated boy, embarrassed by his own beauty and unworldly in matters of the heart. As he poses for Angelo and becomes the face of David, he learns to be comfortable in his naked form and learns the true nature of love – in many forms – love of fine art, parental love, faithful love, brotherly love and love of a cause. Gabriele learns to act with the courage of David.
Before reading David, I had heard of course of the statue. But being rather a Neanderthal where art is concerned, I actually had no idea that it represents the biblical David conquering the giant Goliath. I felt like this book educated me about the beauty of fine art and the incredible meaning behind it. Hoffman communicated the moment of connection with a piece of art so evocatively that I feel inspired to try to see the story hidden inside. I would now also love to go to Florence and see the statue. I feel as if I have already walked those streets and seen stone-cutters covered in the fine powder of their craft such is the author’s power to transport you to the very heart and place of the story.
David is a complex and challenging novel. Its themes are more in tune with older teens than younger. I think it would make an excellent adult crossover as there are so many layers here to enjoy. Those who are questioning the establishment and revelling in revolutionary ideals will find a solace and honest reflection in David. Written with an exceptional sense of setting and with an artist’s passion, David will move and enchant you.
Describe Books Concering David
| Original Title: | David |
| ISBN: | 1408800527 (ISBN13: 9781408800522) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Setting: | Florence(Italy) |
Rating Appertaining To Books David
Ratings: 3.35 From 479 Users | 113 ReviewsWrite-Up Appertaining To Books David
Mixed Times, Mixed Emotions The renaissance age was a wonderful but also hard time in the world. Art and culture started to begin to establish and grow. It was also more accepted by the public. More and more artist were getting commissions each day. The artist from this time are looked upon as being some of the most influental artist in history today. Their art is still looked at today all over the world. But in exchange, you have to take the good with the bad. As much as the renaissance was aThis well-written coming-of-age novel is not for the faint of heart, or for younger readers. As other reviewers have said, the protagonist makes poor moral choices that drive much of the plot though he later regrets them and takes responsibility for his actions. Florentine culture, society and politics are vividly portrayed though the portrayal is never explicitly or gratuitous. The highlights for me are the glimpses of Michelangelo and his work and warm friendship with the protagonist. I got
This seemed like the kind of book I would like, but I didn't like it at all. It was boring. I lost interest about a quarter of the way through this book. The best thing I can say about this book is that I finished it.
Historical fiction is very hit-and-miss with me, but David was most definitely a hit. I loved it!Ive always been a lover of art and artists so the chance to find out about the (fictionalised) person behind Michelangelos 'David', which is one of the things I have to see before I die, was a chance I couldnt pass up. The identity of Michelangelos model is one of arts mysteries that will likely never be solved and that only makes Gabrieles story all the more appealing. But this was not the only one
Taking place in the early 1500s, David addresses many political issues and artistic viewpoints. Mary Hoffman uses the book to exaggerate the political dispute between the two factions. She also incorporated the popular style of art and how it affects peoples view on politics. This was caused by Michelangelo sculpting the statue David, which caused many disagreements between the Frateschi and the Compagnacci for many years. This was a time when people often misunderstood what the artist was
David is set in Florence, Italy at the beginning of the 16th Century and is about a young man called Gabriele who leaves his home in the countryside to hit the city and make some money so he can return to his village and marry his sweetheart. His plan is to find his milk brother Angelo, more recognisable to us as Michelangelo, the famous sculptor. Gabrieles story is narrated by the man himself in his senior years and at points through the story hell talk about something Gabriele or Angelo are
First Sentence: "My brother died last month." This book is the story of the imagined model for Michelangelo's David. Gabriele is a stonecutter from a small Italian village who is the milk brother of Michelangelo (the artist, not the turtle). Gabriele joins "Angelo" (as he calls him) in the big city of Florence and is immediately drawn into the web of intrigue that surrounds Florentine politics in the early 1500s. Gabriele's looks attract attention from artists as well as Florentine ladies. This
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