Joan Mackenzie: The Marriage Portrait and Owning It

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell.  Based on the life of Lucrezia de Medici who lived in Florence in the 16^th Century and was the subject of the famous Robert Browning poem My Last Duchess. At the age of 15 she was married off to the Duke of Ferrara who commissioned a marriage portrait of his new wife, inviting a renowned portrait artist to take on the job. Lucrezia though felt unwelcome in her new home where it was clear that her sole responsibility was to provide a son and heir and when that didn’t happen, after less than a year, became increasingly certain that the Duke had plans to kill her. Wonderful historical fiction. 

 

Owning It by Brad Smeele. Story of a world champion wakeboarder who had a terrible accident on the water and has been quadriplegic ever since. It’s a big book – nearly 500 pages – which is remarkable given that he wrote it by using a mouthstick to tap out every single letter onto a tablet. I have to say, he shares a lot – perhaps not always wisely – but I guess it highlights what he’s lost. Is becoming quite the inspirational/motivational speaker. 

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