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leahkrason's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
for class but was kinda funny n interestinb
meme_too2's review against another edition
3.0
A pleasant read into the lives of the courtesans of the 1500s. Maybe the Scarlet Pimpernel read this book to get ideas. "Sink me, your tailors have betrayed you." This book is about the best way people should act among themselves.
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent discussion of what the ideal courtier would look like, circa 1510 or so, from the perspective of a lot of Italian gentlemen and women who entertain themselves of an evening with this sort of thought-provoking speculation and debate. Although fictionalized, the characters who undertake this discussion are all based on actual court figures with whom Castiglione was familiar, and the entirety reads more as a sort of philosophical treatise than actual fiction, however much the individual attributes or opinions of these persons may have been changed in the writing. The work begins by describing the attributes of the perfect courtier (mostly focusing on which virtues and social graces are important for him to have, and which ones are more important than others), then moves in the second section into a lengthy analysis of humor and how to incorporate it into your conversation in a pleasing manner. This part in particular I found overly long and tedious. The third section digresses into a discussion of a matching ideal court lady to pair with the courtier, and allows itself some considerable argument over the merits of women as compared to men, whether or not they can be as worthy of praise, etc, which was pretty fascinating as an insight into the 16th century mindset. The fourth section spends some time discussing the occupation of the courtier and the attributes of the ideal prince (whom the imaginary courtier is imagined to be instructing), before veering into another argument about whether it is appropriate for old men to fall in love. This debate morphs into a spiritual lyric in praise of intellectual love which is poetic and very moving, albeit a bit removed from the original intention of the work. As a window into sixteenth-century thought and manners among the elite of Italy, it's very interesting, although it skims the surface for the most part and won't give details of good manners in the way of a manners-guide or anything of that sort. This is a book that deals with theory, but you can read a lot between the lines if you want to.
meganreads5's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
shannonjorgenfelt's review against another edition
1.0
i understand the historical importance, but DEFINITELY not my style of book. SO laborious
jazpb's review against another edition
4.0
I began reading The Book of the Courtier for a Humanities paper I was writing. I had no idea what it was in for, but I figured I could learn a thing or two about courtiership. I'll be honest, I thought this book was going to be terribly dry and boring. I didn't go into this very open minded. I was pleasantly surprised to find it interesting. Not thrilling, but I did have a few moments of "page turner" feelings. These were brief and few and far between, but it wasn't until the end that I lost interest. The forth chapter (and probably part of the third) drones on too long making no definitive points. I got bored. I may have skipped a page or two, but I am pretty sure it wouldn't have mattered since the same singular point is still being beaten to death 20 pages later.
Aside from that failing, I was impressed with Castiglione for writing something informative, philosophical, and entertaining.
Aside from that failing, I was impressed with Castiglione for writing something informative, philosophical, and entertaining.
fauxpunk's review against another edition
5.0
This book is surprising and entirely charming. Similar to Machiavelli's The Prince, the characters in The Book of the Courtier discuss, in the form of Platonic dialogue, the ideal member of a court. It's intelligent, funny, and even beautiful at times. Certainly an odd book, but I found it compelling and absorbing.
However, it will probably be of little to no interest to anyone not interested in the time period, but if the Italian Renaissance floats your boat (as it does mine, clearly) this is absolutely worth the read.
However, it will probably be of little to no interest to anyone not interested in the time period, but if the Italian Renaissance floats your boat (as it does mine, clearly) this is absolutely worth the read.
jessssss1210's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
leelulah's review against another edition
2.0
It's useful but it's way too archaic to keep the reader engaged. The structure of dialogues is reminisccent of The Decameron. But the conversation goes on forever and ever. Instead of being a monologue of Castiglione making explicit the things he expects of courtiers, of ladies of the court, and of the role of courtiers before princes, he makes his characters go on and on forever about it.
Since the Duke is ill, they propose a game, which the Duchess will command, and in a number of nights they'll discuss these qualities required. The book is full of typical Renaissance topics: casual anti-clericalism, humanist hope in the knowledge of man, appreciation for stoic philosophy, trivial observations about women, disscussions about the nature of women (whether they're bad or good), a justification of adultery in cases of unfair marriage (only for women).
Humanists saw God and nature as two separate concepts, but nature being a servant of God, and how important is for the courtier to be a knowledgeable man who avoids every form of affectation, educates himself in the use of the word, letters and the use of arms, while having hobbies typical of royalty such as hunting, and the study of classics. The known issue in Don Quixote, is a central part here, but of course, the Knight's discourse is much more elaborated and convincent. So, thanks for the nice influence in Cervantes, but I really can't say this is as much of a masterpiece as it is made out to be. Sometimes, like this book mantains, disciples are even better than the master because their influences come more from their own good intellect and judgement.
Since the Duke is ill, they propose a game, which the Duchess will command, and in a number of nights they'll discuss these qualities required. The book is full of typical Renaissance topics: casual anti-clericalism, humanist hope in the knowledge of man, appreciation for stoic philosophy, trivial observations about women, disscussions about the nature of women (whether they're bad or good), a justification of adultery in cases of unfair marriage (only for women).
Humanists saw God and nature as two separate concepts, but nature being a servant of God, and how important is for the courtier to be a knowledgeable man who avoids every form of affectation, educates himself in the use of the word, letters and the use of arms, while having hobbies typical of royalty such as hunting, and the study of classics. The known issue in Don Quixote, is a central part here, but of course, the Knight's discourse is much more elaborated and convincent. So, thanks for the nice influence in Cervantes, but I really can't say this is as much of a masterpiece as it is made out to be. Sometimes, like this book mantains, disciples are even better than the master because their influences come more from their own good intellect and judgement.