Rachel Blackmore takes you sun soaked Rome in 1636. Constanza tells a true story. Constanza ,our heroine, is a respectable wife until she meets Gianlorenzo Bernini. They soon embark on a passionate affair. All is going well until Bernini creates a sculpture of her and unveils it to the public. Now their secret is out. Constanza is sent to a nunnery, the standard punishment for adulterous wives. Bernini, continued to embellish St Peters for the Pope. This should have been the end for Constanza but she fights back. Now I want to go to Rome and see the sculptures.

Wow. I absolutely adored this work of art.

Whilst I am not usually a reader of Historical Fiction, I was captivated by the book description, and was intrigued by the resilient, powerful female protagonist. This novel is a feminist masterpiece.

Whilst it was a little slow starting, and it took me a moment to adjust to the period-appropriate prose, I came to appreciate the way Blackmore builds a very vivid 1600s Rome, and even more vivid characters.

Costanza is a truly captivating heroine, and after reading Blackmore's inspiration for writing the novel at the end of the book, I came to appreciate it even more. So often strong women are written out of history, and I love that she is brought to life in this novel, not as the footnote to a male artist's life - but given her rightful place in history along with all her dreams and desires.

Whilst the novel is set in 17th Century Rome, ruled by the moral judgement of the Pope and the Catholic church - so many parallels can be drawn to the plights still faced by women all over the world today in the 21st Century.

For lovers of a fierce female lead, who overcome what seems to be the impossible - pick up this book immediately.

The final lines of the book left me with chills - and perfectly captures the essence of the book:

'I have learned a great many things, but above all, never to be confined by the tales other people tell of you, Always seek out your own story.'

A big thank you to Rachel Blackmore, Dialogue Books | Renegade Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review.

Costanza, a woman of low birth, is married to Matteo, a sculptor. Through his work, she encounters the famed artist, Lorenzo Bernini. Costanza sees an opportunity to advance her education and feel more at ease in the art community.

Based on true events, this is an interesting premise for a novel but any pleasure is drained by the glacial pace, the inconsequential passages of dialogue and the heavy handed hints of Costanza’s dissatisfaction sexually with her husband.

Ratings suggest this book is highly regarded but alas not for me.

The name of Bernini is one that all fans of Baroque sculpture instantly recognise. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, born in 1598 and died in 1681, is known for such works as The Rape of Proserpina (1621-22), the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (1647-52), David (1623-24), among many others. His works are known for being highly expressive, dynamic, and passionate. Even his self-portraits convey an intensity that shone through his work:

With his immensely talented way of crafting seemingly soft flesh out of hard marble, and the sheer amount of his work, the love many of us have for his beautiful creations is strong. That said, his personal life lets him down, especially when it comes to a woman many of us never even heard of: Costanza Piccolomini.

In this gripping novel, Rachel Blackmore, brings Costanza’s story to life. I was fortunate to have been given an ARC of this novel for review, and all views expressed in this post are my own. The cover is gorgeous and vibrant:

A physically stunning woman, the quiet life she thought she’d have changes dramatically when her husband begins to work with the renowned and famous sculptor, Lorenzo Bernini. Lorenzo and Costanza have an immediate pull towards each other. What ensues is friendship followed by tender love, passion, and obsession turning what was beautiful into something dark, violent, and destructive. Especially with the character of Luigi Bernini, Lorenzo’s younger brother: a nasty, envious brute of a man.

Blackmore’s novel is slow-burning at first, setting the scene for what is to come. By the middle of the book, I was wholly engrossed, often staying up late to read just one more chapter (book lovers understand this compulsion). The world of 1630s Rome was really brought to life: with the sights, the sounds, and the colours vividly described. I felt like I was walking alongside them in the streets of 17th-century Rome, in the room with them in a villa looking at a painted ceiling full of story and wonder.

Although this may sound like a spoiler, it isn’t, as Costanza is subjected to facial disfigurement by having her face slashed with a razor on her lover’s orders. This actually happened, and the story leading up to that violence is sensually and powerfully crafted by Blackmore. It is shocking – how could a man so in love with someone cause them such harm? We have plenty of examples of such violence throughout history.

As the book neared the end, and Costanza’s story became ever bleaker, an overtly modern Feminist tone came into the writing, which I found anachronistic for seventeenth-century women and the cultures in which they lived. Blackmore does make a sound point, however, in the Author’s Note at the end of the book, in that 81,000 women and girls were killed in 2020 alone, and that women even today are disfigured in violent attacks such as with acid thrown in their faces, the cutting off of noses, and more.

Nonetheless, in general, I loved the book, and was very eager to see what would happen next. This book altered my view of Bernini, as I suspected it might when I read the blurb. I will always be a fan of his many works and his style, but Bernini as a man has been tarnished – not only by reading this novel but by my subsequent reading of nonfiction about him, inspired by this book.

I don’t look upon Costanza’s story as one of utter tragedy. According to what we know, she survived this terrible ordeal and became an art dealer. She found the strength to keep going and make the most of the rest of her life.

We are left with this stunning bust of Costanza Piccolomini, her beauty immortalised, carved with love by Bernini at the height of his passion for her, a beauty that was then destroyed by his command.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Costanza grows through the book from a young girl on verge of marriage to a fiercely strong woman, rising above the vengeance wrought upon her by her erstwhile lover. Very hard to put this one down - I like historical fiction but generally of a later period than this, so did not expect to become so quickly. immersed in the story. Captivation & engaging, very highly recommended.

Costanza is absolutely unmissable for historical fiction fans; it is as stunning inside as out, I mean just look at that beautiful cover! I had no idea that Costanza Piccolomini was a real historical figure until I read the author's note at the end of the book. Even more astonishing is that this is Rachel Blackmore's debut novel - brava!

The tantalising prologue haunted me throughout the novel and I couldn't read fast enough to discover whose life was in danger and how it came to be. So I stepped back into 17th century Rome and devoured every single perfectly crafted word in this stunningly breathtaking novel.

I was completely riveted as I discovered Costanza's story and my heart went out to her when her marriage didn't turn out quite as she planned. If circumstances had been different, I think she still would have been attracted to sculptor Bernini but she would have been more reluctant to act upon it. Bernini takes advantage of Costanza's situation and moulds her into the woman of his dreams. Of course, he is completely blameless when it all goes wrong as he had been powerless to resist seduction by a temptress!

Magnificent, compelling and powerful, Costanza is an absolute masterpiece filled with passion and betrayal and it evoked such fury in me at the way women were treated and often still are. I really must applaud Rachel Blackmore for giving Costanza such a strong and powerful voice and writing her back into history where she belongs.

I really enjoyed this historical novel set amongst so many artists I admire. Constanza was brave and the perfect mixture of vulnerable and courageous. I loved the marriage dynamics and getting a glimpse into a working household. All the details - fashion, sculpting, food were amazing and it was so easy to immerse myself in this story!

Costanza is a brilliant work of historical fiction that explores art, power and gender in Rome in the 1600. Based on an extraordinary real story, this novel gripped me from beginning to end.

This was a wonderful read, it was fascinating to find out the story of Bernini’s muse. Rome came to life for me with the beautiful writing it was a very powerful read. From poverty to riches, love, lust and revenge. I loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love it when a new historical a story of a woman's experience is published, to give us an insight lens of a strong female's life challenges.

The research was rich & brought to life her experience of being controlled and disfigured by violence in an 'all consuming relationship' with the famous sculpture Bernini. Bernini's brother is absolutely awful.

Blackmore relates this to the ongoing abuse of women, by men who place themselves in roles of power, some 350 years after Constanza's experience.

Continuing on with my current obsession with historical fiction, I saw the cover for Costanza and was immediately drawn to it. Then I read the blurb and I was enthralled. What's one more ARC review to add to the already-massive pile?!

Set in 17th century Rome, Costanza is based on the real story of Costanza Piccolomini, who's been long-forgotten by history - likely because she was a strong-willed feminist icon, a sinner, a temptress...

Woven in such a way that makes every setting come to life, Blackmore vividly describes every aspect of Costanza's life, her passions, her fears, her heartaches in ways that bring everything into sharp focus. Most notably there's the laser precision of realisation that the way women were treated in 1636 Rome isn't a million miles away from how we're treated now.

Being a fiery passionate woman is only a positive in my eyes, not so much in the eyes of the people around Costanza. Her husband's affair is overlooked; her own leads to her vilification. She is betrayed, she is abandoned, and then she is found again. Despite the sadness of Costanza's circumstances, she finds herself in a place where I found hope to return, and her journey to reclaim herself after losing everything was simply beautiful.

I will admit I found Costanza to be a bit of a slog in places, and it took me a little while to finish the book, but it was a gorgeous, evocative read that'll stick with me for time.

Rating: ✨✨✨

A sensual historical novel based on a true story of a feminist icon who has been written out of 17th century Roman history.
“Betrayed, abandoned, banished, Bernini would rather destroy Costanza than let her go, but Costanza is no ordinary woman, from the ashes she will rise”
Beautifully written and very immersive in it’s depiction.
Such a powerful story
Thanks @rachelblackmorewriter @dialoguepublishing & @netgalley for the immersive debut read

Costanza tells the story of a previously overlooked woman, who was the mistress of the famous artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini and later the survivor of a vicious attack and a terrible scandal. Blackmore creates a compelling portrait based on very scant historical records of this figure, and shows an imperfect woman who has the resilience to remake her life after she bears the brunt of social disgrace after the affair is revealed. While the story itself is gripping, she turns this story from being just a snippet of 17th century life by drawing parallels between the different treatment of men and women then and now, both in the story (occasionally using phrasing like 'boys will be boys' which is deliberately very out of place for 17th century Rome and so shows how society continues to have unequal attitudes towards what is acceptable behaviour for men and women) but also in the excellent afterword.

Having a particular affinity for Italian historical fiction, and having enjoyed a couple over the last year ( A Poisoner's Tale being one of them), Costanza had obvious appeal and I was excited to read it.
The atmosphere in this novel is evocative and intriguing. Set in Rome in 1636, the vivid descriptions transport the reader right into the centre of the city. Costanza is newly married and navigating her way through her life. Her husband works in the studio of the larger than life Gianlorenzo Bernini, and one fateful day Costanza and he meet. It's a match to a flame. They begin an affair that burns like a bonfire.
Women at this time have little currency, and Costanza knows she is playing with fire.
Bernini wants to sculpt her, and does so, with terrible consequences for Costanza. She suffers a terrible violence, and subseqent betrayal, but rises again.
This novel is based on a true story, another of the novels that revive women forgotten by history. (The Instrumentalist being another.) It is a very good read, well written and researched. Costanza as a character is captivating and inspiring, and the atmosphere is convincing, as is the situation for women at the time. It is well worth a read.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Costanza by Rachel Blackmore is a wonderful foray into 17th century Rome, strictly ruled by the catholic church and the noble families that battled through the religious hierarchies for prevalance and ultimate power, striving to be the most renowned collectors of the finest art in Europe

Costanza is married to a sculptor, but falls for her husbands teacher, Lorenzo Bernini, against everything that soceity and the church decrees. A fascinating insight into her journey and the culture and machinations of 17th century Rome


Thank you to NetGalley, Dialogue Books | Renegade Books and Rachel Blackmore for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Very well written, it is a real page , very interesting and also horrific in parts. I felt I was actually there. A very good debut book.

Lorenzo Bernini is an artist at the height of his power, commissioned by the Pope to produce sculptures for the Vatican. Costanza Piccolomini is the wife of one of the men working for Bernini, beautiful and wilful, her marriage is one of convenience for her husband. When Bernini meets Costanza he falls for her but their passion can only lead to tragedy.
This is a fictionalised account of the story of Bernini's mistress and his madness and jealousy. Whilst I appreciated the feminist slant to the actions, I did not like the way it was hammered home in the author notes at the end. That spoiled what is a rather good piece of historical fiction with its emphasis on different forms of female friendship and rivalry.

The striking cover of Costanza initially caught my eye, and I’m glad it did, as the story inside proved to be equally captivating. Set in a period I knew little about, the book introduces the artistic world of the Bernini brothers and their entanglements with Costanza, the wife of sculptor Matteo. When the renowned Lorenzo Bernini becomes infatuated with Costanza, he offers to teach her about art, which leads to a passionate affair that is both thrilling and tragic.

The book intricately weaves a tale of desire, power, and betrayal, with Lorenzo’s obsession driving him to destructive extremes, while Costanza’s resilience in the face of such adversity shines through. The dynamic between Costanza and the Bernini brothers, particularly with the added danger of Lorenzo’s brother Luigi's interest, creates a tense and enthralling narrative.

Costanza is a remarkable debut, showcasing Blackmore's meticulous research and imaginative storytelling, making it a standout piece of historical fiction that I thoroughly enjoyed.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Absolutely fabulous read, based on the experiences of Constanza, mistress to Lorenza Bernini. The story is skillfully told and you really feel you are living along with Constanza. She goes from poverty to the high life to a sudden life-changing event. The author explores women's lack of agency in this era - which parallels our lives even today. Shocking, enthralling and simply one of the best books I've read in 2024. 5* rating.

Costanza is the true story of a woman who became the mistress of the famous sculptor Bernini in 17th century Rome and the subsequent dramatic and terrible consequences when Costanza attracts the interest of Bernini's younger brother.
This is a well researched novel which I ultimately enjoyed reading. I found the first part very slow and almost gave up, but persevered after reading other reviews. It is a terrific story and all the better for being true. I can imagine it making a compelling drama series with the highs and lows of Costanza and Bernini's complex relationship and the repercussions, which have a resonance in today's 'Me Too' environment when controlling behaviour, misogny and domestic violence are ever present.
The second part is much faster-paced and the tenderness between women in dire circumstances was very poignant and seemed to ring truer than the romantic (and slow) build up at the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this novel.