Costanza

Costanza by Rachel Blackmore

Set in Rome in 1636, Costanza tells the story of Costanza Piccolomini, a seemingly ordinary housewife whose world is upended when she suspects her husband, Matteo, of infidelity - with another man. In a time and place where such matters were not only taboo but dangerous, especially so close to the Vatican, Costanza’s life takes a dramatic turn.

Enter Gianlorenzo Bernini, the celebrated sculptor and a Favorite of Pope Urban VIII. A powerful mutual attraction ignites between them, leading to a passionate and perilous affair. Bernini immortalises Costanza in marble, in a sculpture that leaves little to the imagination - an act that sparks a scandal capable of shaking Roman society to its core.

As the affair spirals, Costanza finds herself betrayed, abandoned and ultimately banished from Rome. But she is no ordinary woman. Like a phoenix, she rises from the ashes, revealing a strength and resilience that defy the constraints of her time.

Rachel Blackmore paints a vivid portrait of Baroque Rome, rich with the textures of frescoes, sculpture and the grandeur of Italian art. Costanza is a passionate, evocative, and insightful novel that explores the complexities of love, power and identity in a deeply patriarchal world. Costanza emerges as a true heroine - bold, resilient, and unforgettable.

 A five-star read for lovers of historical fiction, art and strong female protagonists.

Find Costanza by Rachel Blackmore

Christopher (Reading Circle Patron)