THE STAR BOOK REVIEW

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By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop

“Costanza” by Rachel Blackmore

This is a debut novel of historical fiction based on the sketchy details known about a real woman living in mid 1600s Rome. This is not my usual choice of genre, but the book was recommended to me by its sales rep as a good book club choice. It sparked one of the best discussions our book club has had to date.

Costanza is young, maybe not even 20 at the opening of the book. Married, as yet childless and optimistic even though her life hasn’t been all easy. Her husband, Matteo is a sculptor, one of many working under the auspices of the maestro Lorenzo Bernini. 

The dime upon which the story turns is a chance meeting at a social gathering between Bernini and Costanza. He is a powerful man accustomed to having anything and anyone he wants, and he quickly decides he wants Costanza. She in turn is flattered and ultimately intoxicated by the combination of desire and proximity to power. So far it could be any historical romance, but wait, there’s more.

The author draws the reader deftly into Costanza’s affair detailing her social and economic rise that is only matched by her utter delusion of its permanence and trustworthiness. Power inequalities between classes, genders, families, violence and exploitation all slip into the room unseen until they slice Costanza’s life into shreds. 

The writing is so good that even when you feel the danger lurking it shocks and dismays the reader when it arrives and immediately demands that the question be asked, has anything changed in 500 years?

I am so pleased I stepped out of my reading comfort zone for this book – if historical romance is not your thing but you love a story with some substance that will leave you asking some big questions – then this is for you. 

Available at your local bookshop.