Born right in the midst of the Renaissance, Michelangelo is a brilliant artist living through turbulent times in Italy. Though he impresses his first painting master, Michelangelo longs to be a sculpter, only feeling at home with a hammer and chisel in his hand as he brings to life the being inside the stone. Intertwining his life with the influential first family of Florence, the Medicis, Michelangelo does learn to sculpt, but that is only the beginning of the life of one of Italy’s greatest artists.
This massive book is subtitled “a biographical novel of Michelangelo” and it certainly attempts that feat. From his teenage years, before which I’m assuming very little is known, right up to his death, Irving Stone does his very best to cover it all in detail. I learned more about sculpting, painting, and the many other things that Michelangelo gets up to than I’d ever really expected to. We even hear about the particular types of stone in Italy and how they are quarried. I was astounded by the sheer amount of information Stone appears to have gathered on his subject. He has a more extensive bibliography in the back than I’ve seen in some popular non-fiction books.
As for the book itself, I will admit that sometimes its prose drags. Stone is a bit of an old-fashioned writer, as the book is from 1961, and it takes a little adjusting to his style. It doesn’t help that he includes every detail about everything you could possibly imagine. I think, however, that its epic scope and immersion in Michelangelo’s life are totally worth it. I spent days with this book and I really enjoyed those days. I know a little about Renaissance Italy, and it was fascinating to see it from his perspective, particularly because his family wasn’t hugely wealthy. I felt like I was experiencing both the life of the rich and the life of the ordinary, even though Michelangelo himself was truly extraordinary.
More so, this book somehow made me long to actually see Michelangelo’s sculptures for myself. I’m glad I live in the UK now, because I can plan a trip to Italy and see all of his existing sculptures and paintings. The Agony and the Ecstasy has made me appreciate just what it took to produce such art, and as a result I expect my admiration of it will be far greater. This is a wonderful book, and I do recommend it.
I am an Amazon Associate. I purchased this book.
Oh, a trip to Italy would be fabulous. I’m intimidated by books like this, but I’m glad you enjoyed it.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
I really, really need to get to this one. I have it high on my 2010 TBR list!
Lezlie
.-= Lezlie´s last blog ..Indefinite Hiatus =-.
I still haven’t made it to Italy, but anyway, I can definitely see why knowing more would make the sculptures even more impressive.
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – A Guessing Game =-.
I have never read this one, and have never really known whether I want to. Still not sure
But I agree that sometimes books really make you want to go somewhere and see something!
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: How Fast Do You Read? =-.
I read this one in the late 60s or early 70s — I was fascinated by it. I wonder what I would think of it now.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Review: Sweeping up Glass by Carolyn Wall =-.
I read my mom’s copy when I was in high school, but don’t remember much about it, just that I loved it at the time..
I haven’t read this book yet (um, to be honest, I didn’t even know it was about Michelangelo…? =/ Sad, I know). Italy is kick-ass, though. You should definitely go there.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..TSS–The Vlog Edition =-.
I remember after reading this I was just dying to go to Florence! You are so lucky to be “in the neighborhood”!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Moby Dick Mondays – Week 6 =-.
Ooh.I have been waiting for you to review this novel. My dad has a copy of this novel, and he is always recommending me to read this. Since his tastes are extremely esoteric, I have always resisted.
Good to hear from you that this book is not that dense. Maybe, I will listen more to my dad’s recommendations next time
.-= Nish´s last blog ..What Color is Your Blog? =-.
I read this book before and during my trip to Florence! It was so wonderful and when I got to Florence I just felt I was in the book. I really enjoyed it too and I don’t remember it dragging — but that was because I was going there and was so excited.
I hope you do get the chance to see the sculptures. It is so amazing.
.-= Rebecca Reid´s last blog ..Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman =-.
Italy is amazing, you must, must go and tour all around. This book sounds epic and detailed, whcih si always a good thing when it comes to history.
.-= Jodie´s last blog ..Gears and Jewels =-.
I absolutely loved this book! It was great seeing all the Michelangelo stuff in Italy after reading this book.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..The Girl Next Door – Elizabeth Noble =-.
I read this one last year and was glad I finally did. I’d read a couple of Stone’s other fictional biographies (Immortal Wife about Jessie Benton Fremont and Love is Eternal about Mary Todd Lincoln) when I was in high school.
This one did plod a bit – ok it plodded in a lot of places, but like you said, that’s Stone’s style. Very Michener-esque.
I spent a semester in Italy when I was in college so this book brought back a lot of memories and images to my head. Having seen many of the major works described in the book and having been to many of the places helped me to immerse myself in it.
I’m glad read and liked it – hope you get to Italy soon. Seeing those works and places in person is a life-changing experience.
.-= SuziQoregon´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday #12 =-.
I had heard of this book, but admit to having no earthly idea what it was about. Now that I know, I’m not sure if I want to read it or not. It loses points for being so descriptive, but gains them for the thoroughness of it’s subject matter. How’s that for a contradiction? I am going to have to take a closer look at this book. Thanks for the detailed review!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Company of Liars by Karen Maitland – 480 pgs =-.
i read the book 2 years ago..admitted it was a drag but totally worth it.i have really wanted to see italy ever since…
[…] statues in person for the very first time. I’ve really wanted to since I read The Agony and the Ecstasy last year, and at the Louvre I got my chance. Here’s a picture again if you missed […]