Primavera - by Mary Jane Beaufrand (Paperback)

About the Book

In the midst of the Italian Renaissance, two powerful families are tangled in a bloody struggle for ultimate power, and Flora Pazzi is caught in the whirlwind. As her beautiful older sister is being painted by the famed artist Botticelli, Flora decides to escape life in a convent by masquerading as a boy.

Book Synopsis

The Italian Renaissance was a cultural explosion of art, architecture and learning, but it had a darker side. Two powerful families, the tyrannical Medici and their biggest rivals, the Pazzi, are tangled in a bloody struggle for ultimate power. Caught in the whirlwind is Flora, the last daughter of the Pazzi.

As her beautiful older sister is being painted by the famed artist Botticelli, Flora is dreading her fate. Destined for life in a convent, Flora is determined to take matters into her own hands, even as her world crumbles around her. When Flora decides to run away, she has no idea that the decision will save her life. As her family falls to their murderous enemy, Flora must find a new life and a new identity.

Inspired by actual events, Primavera is a dazzling coming of age story set during a time of beauty and wealth, ambition, rivalry and brutality. Historical art references to Boticelli and his famous painting, La Primavera, give this book an appeal similar to Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Review Quotes

"A welcome stepping stone for fans of Karen Cushman...who are on the road to popular "painting novels" for adults."--School Library Journal

"Beaufrand interweaves rich details of Renaissance culture."--Booklist

"Renaissance Florence comes alive in the pages of this novel...[Primavera] has an air of authenticity with a historically accurate portrayal of this period...an especially engaging, vibrant reading experience."--Library Media Connection

About the Author

Mary Jane Beaufrand lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, two children, and a stubborn basset hound. She has an MFA in creative writing from Bennington College and is the author of Primavera.