Reviews

The Silent Duchess by Dacia Maraini

manolitagafotas's review against another edition

I just found it boring. Didn’t connect with the characters 

flamingokrysten's review against another edition

4.0

This book has some really challenging themes and topics to read about (rape, incest, sexual assault), however, all these attributes were necessary in creating the dialogue and discussion the book has. You're supposed to be uncomfortable and angry reading this, this isn't a book you can just read and feel satisfied and wholesome with. This book is a strong and powerful criticism of female oppression, a woman's role in society, hypocrisy of men and the church, and the overall domination of women.

While this book was written as historical fiction and takes place during the 18th century, it is rich in history and background regarding real life. The 18th century was used as an allegory for the themes that are still happening and are relevant today.

I thoroughly enjoyed the strong poetic voice that was consistent throughout the novel. The use of third person singular was really powerful as it left a distance between reader and character similarly to how Marianna has to live her life through a barrier and at a distance. I also appreciated Marianna being deaf and mute and that spoke volumes and was a metaphor for the women around her.

I really liked this book and would read it again with a more critical lens as I feel this will require a few re-reads to fully capture everything in its entirety. However, a star was removed as I didn't really like how some parts were so detailed and slow then suddenly a time jump of 4-5 years+ occurred. I understand time jumps were necessary to depict her whole life, but it just didn't seem consistent. I am also unsure of how I felt about the literary trope of the older woman finally having her sexual awakening and liberation, but with a much much younger man.

I also just want to add that i felt the oddly sexual language when referring to family or really mundane things, speaks to how limited women were in expressing their sexuality. so much so, that a lock of hair escaping your family members bonnet is deemed sensual.

Again, while read this, you should be angry, you should be uncomfortable. This really happened to many women and still does and it is important to have this awareness. Obviously people can disagree with me on this as this is just my opinion and what I got from it.

kellynanne's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

athena_buttons's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

iaiette's review against another edition

5.0

"Nel Settecento la nobile famiglia siciliana degli Ucrìa vanta un’antica progenie, garantita da donne che nascono, si sposano in tenera età e figliano. Tutti i discendenti degli Ucrìa hanno il destino segnato: c’è chi diventerà monaca, chi sposerà un ricco pretendente, chi indosserà la veste talare, chi erediterà tutti i beni. Ma cosa fare di Marianna?

È piccola, Marianna, sorda e muta, ma non stupida: ha imparato a comunicare col mondo attraverso penna e calamaio. E legge tantissimo. Essendo “inutile” a causa del suo handicap fisico secondo la logica utilitaristica dell’epoca, a tredici anni diventa la sposa-bambina del vecchio zio Pietro, capace di donarle solo aridità e di rubarle l’intimità come uno sciacallo. Ma Marianna sa irrigare la sua mente ubertosa con l’inchiostro e fertilizzarla con la carta: rifugiandosi fra le pagine dei libri, costruisce una sua personale visione del mondo, lontana dai preconcetti della sua casta e dalle contraddizioni della sua Sicilia, terra di mode francesi ed esecuzioni cristiane, di tradizione e bestialità.[...]"
Tutta la recensione su temperamente.it, qui: http://www.temperamente.it/novecento/%E2%80%9Cla-lunga-vita-di-marianna-ucria%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-dacia-maraini/

arualallesan's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

ascalun's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

mary412's review

4.0

For some reason, I was alone in the house, woke early and started reading this book. I sat at the dining room table and read all day. Finished the book before I went to bed that night. This is very unusual for me. Was it the best book I ever read? No, but the circumstances were just right for me to enjoy this in one long day.

olinekokra's review

informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

meganmalaga's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0