The Scarlet Contessa: A Novel of the Italian Renaissance

by Jeanne Kalogridis

Overview

What Philippa Gregory has done for Tudor England, Jeanne Kalogridis does for Renaissance Italy. Her latest irresistible historical novel is about a countess whose passion and willfulness knew no bounds—Caterina Sforza.


Daughter of the Duke of Milan and wife of the conniving Count Girolamo Riario, Caterina Sforza was the bravest warrior Renaissance Italy ever knew. She ruled her own lands, fought her own battles, and openly took lovers whenever she pleased.

Her remarkable tale is told by her lady-in-waiting, Dea, a woman knowledgeable in reading the "triumph cards," the predecessor of modern-day tarot cards. As Dea tries to unravel the truth about her husband's murder, Caterina single-handedly holds off invaders who would steal her title and lands. However, Dea's reading of the cards reveals that Caterina cannot withstand a third and final invader—none other than Cesare Borgia, son of the corrupt Pope Alexander VI, who has an old score to settle with Caterina. Trapped inside the fortress at Ravaldino as Borgia's cannons pound the walls, Dea reviews Caterina's scandalous past and struggles to understand their joint destiny, while Caterina valiantly tries to fight off Borgia's unconquerable army.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312576240
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/05/2011
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.26(h) x 1.26(d)

About the Author

Jeanne Kalogridis lives with her partner on the West Coast, where they share a house with two dogs. She is the author of The Borgia Bride, The Devil's Queen, and other dark fantasy and historical novels. Born in Florida, Kalogridis has a B.A. in Russian and a master's in linguistics, and taught English as a second language at The American University for eight years before retiring to write full-time.

Reading Group Guide

1. In Italy, Caterina Sforza is well known and regarded as a hero and true Renaissance warrior. Were you familiar with her story before reading The Scarlet Contessa? Many are not, even though Caterina's exploits are the stuff of legend. Why do you think her story has not received more attention?

2. The author's previous books, The Devil's Queen and I, Mona Lisa, were written from the central character's point of view. Why do you think the author chose not to write the story from Caterina Sforza's viewpoint, but instead from that of a fictional narrator, Dea?

3. How do you believe Caterina's coddled childhood and the trauma of seeing her father assassinated shaped her character? How did her character change over the course of the book?

4. Caterina's bold behavior was considered outrageous for a female in quattrocento Italy. Do you believe her brashness was a help or hindrance? What were her most and least admirable qualities? Would you consider her behavior shocking by modern standards?

5. The author took two major artistic liberties in writing The Scarlet Contessa: She created a fictional narrator as well as an affair between Caterina and Rodrigo Borgia. (Caterina and Borgia belonged to the same social circle and were well acquainted; both were libertines.) Everything else-settings, historical events, characters' physical appearances, articles of clothing, and all historical personages (even those who played very minor roles, such as Luffo Numai)-are based on historical records. As a reader, what degree of accuracy do you think is appropriate for a historical novel? What are appropriate "do's" and "don't's" for historical fiction?
6. How would you describe Dea's character? What are her strengths and weaknesses? How does she differ from Caterina-and how are they alike? How did Dea's childhood shape her character?

7. Discuss how Caterina and Dea influenced each other over the years. How did their relationship evolve, and what events caused it to change?

8. Do you believe that Caterina Sforza's decision to stay and fight against overwhelming odds was noble, suicidal, or stupid?

9. Do you sense a trend among readers during times of strife/political upheaval to read more nonfiction or historical fiction than general fiction? Why do you think this occurs? What do you hope to get out of reading a historical novel?

10. "Triumph" cards (now called tarot cards) first appeared in quattrocento Italy in the Duke of Milan's court, and the notion of the Holy Guardian Angel was rediscovered by the Medici as Cosimo the Elder (Lorenzo's grandfather) sent agents to all the libraries and monasteries of Europe to recover ancient Greek and Roman manuscripts. As a result, systems of ritual magic were rediscovered and new systems created based on ancient documents. Do you feel that Dea's beliefs in the angel and in her ability to read the cards added to the story, or did it distract? Do you think that the author intended for you to "believe" in the triumph cards and the angel?

11. What message do you believe the author was trying to convey through Dea and Caterina? Is there a moral to The Scarlet Contessa?

Editorial Reviews

Sexually voracious, battle hardened, a ruler in her own lands, Caterina rejects a woman's place in a macho culture. Does she get away with it? That's what this guilty pleasure of a novel is about.” —USA Today

“In her fascinating novels Kalogridis focuses on the intrigues, passions and history of the Renaissance, drawing readers into the events that shaped the era through the lives of remarkable women. In a time when women quietly obeyed, Caterina Sforza forged her own destiny, choosing her lovers and fighting battles. In Kalogridis' hands, she comes alive as an extraordinary woman ahead of her time.” —RT Book Review (4 stars)

“Historical novelist Kalogridis has again woven a delightful and intricate tapestry of life, love, lust, politics and ambition that made up the Italian peninsula in the 15th century. . . . Depictions of sumptuous richness and the basest squalor, the petty enmities and jealousies, the corruption at the heart of the Vatican are shown in splendid detail and make this an incredibly rewarding read. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal

“[A] vividly rendered historical . . . plenty of intrigue and conspiracy in the lusty plot.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

This vividly rendered historical takes readers to tempestuous Renaissance Italy, where city-states and noble families battle for supremacy over Italy and, through the papacy, the world. Caterina Sforza comes into power by marrying the illegitimate son of Pope Sixtus, and while her husband is slothful and suspicious, Caterina is clever and ambitious, allying herself with powerful men to ensure her family's success throughout tumultuous times. Always by her side is her confidante, Dea, who has a gift for reading tarot cards, and, as our narrator, relates Caterina's struggles and schemes against a lush backdrop swarming with the most powerful families of the day--the Borgias and the Medicis, though these players, unfortunately, feel mostly like window dressing. Seeing the world through Dea's eyes only makes the reader yearn more to know what Caterina, who remains too much a mystery, is thinking. There's plenty of intrigue and conspiracy in the lusty plot, but the characters don't quite sing. (July)

Publishers Weekly

Set during the Italian Renaissance, this historical novel delves into the political intrigue of nobility and city-states fighting to become the supreme political power of Italy, and, through the papacy, the world. Caterina Sforza, the Scarlet Contessa, marries the illegitimate son of Pope Sixtus and holds her own against the Borgias and the Medicis—the power-brokering families of the day. Wanda McCaddon tells this complicated story through the voice of Dea, Caterina’s lady-in-waiting and confidante. In her voice we can hear Dea go from distrust and dislike to respect and admiration for her Lady, who navigates successfully through a sea of conspiracy and deceit. Sadly, in spite of the intriguing times and McCaddon’s narration, the characters lack the depth to truly engage the listener. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2010 - AudioFile