The Miracles of Prato

The Renaissance is famous for its contributions to the artistic world, and of the many artists who populate its annals few are as controversial as Fra Filippo Lippi, the Carmelite monk whose glorious paintings rivaled his reputation as a womanizer and whose frequent inability to complete his commissions on time enraged his patrons. Perhaps one of the most scandalous events attached to Lippi's reputation, however, is his liaison with Lucrezia Buti, an impoverished young woman who joined the conve [...]

Fra Filippo Lippi proclaimed that "God made the world beautiful, and there is no shame in celebrating that beauty. The world is simply a mirror of the Lord's kingdom." It is these words that Lippi uses to embolden a young novitiate, Lucrezia, as she drudges through daily tasks in the garden and infirmary, work to which her noble hands and mind are not accustomed. If one researches Lippi's paintings, it's easily evident the inspiration her melancholy had on his drawings. She's really quite a love [...]

This novel combines all of my favorite subjects: art, women in history, romance, excellent characterization, beautifully written prose, captivating story line. Highly recommended especially to those interested in these subjects or just a really goodread!

I enjoyed this book very much. I probably would not have read it but someone recommended it to me & I am glad they did. It was a love story/historical fiction but not a romance novel.I loved reading about the artwork that the painter was doing. (Now I have some research to do)There seemed to be a need for lots of personal gain & recognition & because of this & some other deceit, innocent people were hurt.

This rating is probably a way personal thing for me, and maybe I even asked for it in choosing this book: I do not tend to enjoy books where religion features heavily. It has nothing to do with an aversion to religion in my beliefs, I just don't find it to be interesting reading material. Books with nuns bore me to tears, and it's no coincidence that the books I read and liked this year with nuns in them ("Bohemian Gospel", "The Sisters of Versailles", "A Tale for the Time Being") either dispens [...]

Drawn from the world of Renaissance Italy, this historical fiction captures the lives and romance of painter Fra Filippo Lippi and his muse, Lucrezia Buti. This is no ordinary relationship, however, Fra Lippi is a Carmelite monk and Lucrezia is a noviate living in the Convent of Santa Margherita in Prato, Italy, where Fra Filippo serves as chaplain when he can tear himself away from his paints.Perfectly captured by authors Albanese and Morowitz (an art historian) are the struggles of the times: [...]

The thing that piqued my interest immediately was the fact that this is historical fiction based on one of my favorite renaissance painters Fra Fillipo Lippi, a monk with a sordid reputation. I'm a sucker for history, for beautiful art and the renaissance and this novel delivered exactly what I was hoping for.It's a fabulous blend of historical fact and modern fiction that chronicles a few years in the lives of the painter/monk Fra Fillipo and Lucrezia, a novitiate at the Santa Margherita Conven [...]

In this historical romance novel we are transported to 15th century Italy where we are privy to a “behind the scenes look” at the authors’ vision of the forbidden love between a monk/artist Fra Filippo Lippi and his inspirational muse, a nun named Lucrezia Buti. Fra Lippi becomes captivated by the beautiful Lucrezia and uses her visage as his inspiration in creating the many magnificent Madonna’s he produces for the de’ Medici family and the Catholic Church. Lippi approaches his religi [...]

Uncomfortable read for a long time. Predictable damsel in distress with the unfortunately usual unsavory things happening to her. This woman's predicament set in a detailed and presumably authentic historical background of medieval Tuscany and the life of famous artist Fllippo Lippi. The plot consists of the reader waiting chapter after chapter for the unhappy events to unfold as life in those times is portrayedAlso I have an aversion to liberal sprinkling of foreign words and phrases--in this c [...]

Art historians Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz have combined forces to create an entertaining and gripping look into the world of the Italian Renaissance through the story of Fra Fillippo Lippi and Lucrezia Buti. The former was a famous artist and the latter was the Carmelite novitiate who became his muse. Lippi and Buti are historic persons, as are many of the characters who pepper the pages of this novel -- from nuns to nobility. The authors present a world in which the church controls the [...]

Already a fan of Laurie Albanese's other novel (LYNELLE BY THE SEA) and her memoir in verse (BLUE SUBURBIA) I couldn't wait to read THE MIRACLES OF PRATO. It did not disappoint. Less literary than her other works, MIRACLES tells the artful, passionate love story of a priest and a nun in Renaissance Italy--based on a true story. I loved the period details, the art history (meticulously researched), and the way the two lovers struggled to reconcile their love for each other with their love for the [...]

I was excited about winning this book through First Reads. It is recommended for people who enjoyed Girl in Hyacinth Blue, which I loved. I saw the book in a book store recently and almost purchased it. It was an interesting approach written by two authors, Laurie Albanese who is a novelist and her friend, Laura Morowitz who is an art historian. It is a unique collaboration about a painter, Fra Filippo Lippi and his muse, Lucrezia. Not wanting to provide any spoilers, it's historically acurate a [...]

This is a book that, once started, you will not want to put down. It's a novel that is not only read but seen. I found it to be visually rich. The reader really feels that they are "there". I don't want to give much away. it is simplistic to say that this is a story of monk/painter Filippo Lippi and the beautiful novitiate Lucrezia Buti, (his model, lover, wife) and their romance. This book is a tapestry of prose and poetry. An ode to an artist and to a time which you will step into and not want [...]

Being that Dr. Laura Morowitz is the reason I found my own love for art history, I could not wait to read this book. I was not disappointed. I have always been a fan of historical fiction and am not one to chastise authors for taking license with material inspired by actual events. After all, I read books for the enjoyment of story and language, not to get my history lessons. This book painted a beautiful picture of its setting and characters. The romance was realistic for the setting true fairy [...]

This is an absolutely beautifully written book of historical fiction. The authors provide the most vivid and realistic details of the 1400's in Prato. The intrigue of a forbidden love is infectious. I read this is two seatings- I could not put it down!

Italian Renaissance period, art history, historical fiction: what else can I ask for? Beautifully written, full of rich details and engrossing characters, I was drawn in from the first page. Good read.

What a terrific book. It's based on true characters, which I didnt know while reading it. Its about a novitiate and a monk who fall in love and not the kind of falling in love like most novels, but the kind of love you'd imagine for these two people. A must read!!!!

John Steinbeck wrote:"Our species is the only creative species, and it has only one creative instrument, the individual mind and spirit of man. Nothing was ever created by two men. There are no good collaborations, whether in music, in art, in poetry, in mathematics, in philosophy. Once the miracle of creation has taken place, the group can build and extend it, but the group never invents anything. The preciousness lies in the lonely mind of a man."So I've always been a little hesitant to read a [...]

When the beautiful Lucrezia Buti and her sister Spinetta arrive on the doorstep of the Convent Santa Margherita, they are admitted with open arms and ushered into the simplicity of cloistered life. But for Lucrezia this new life is one of sadness, for until her father's unexpected death, she had been expecting to marry a handsome merchant and live her life as a wife and mother. As Lucrezia comes to fully understand the sacrifices demanded of her, she meets the monk and painter Fra Filippo Lippi. [...]

I'd rate between3.5 and 4 stars. I love historical fiction. Even though the story is fiction, it inspires me to do some research about the real characters and the time frame in which the story takes place. I thought the story was an enjoyable read about a fascinating time in history. It is amazing that so much great art was created during such a time of corruption.

Good historical story. The church has both good and evil in abundance.

In The Miracles of Prato, authors Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz tell the story of the brilliant Renaissance artist Fra Filippo Lippi and Lucrezia Buti, the woman who inspired him. Lucrezia and her sister, Spinetta, are forced to become novices in an Augustinian convent in the town of Prato, near Florence, when her father, a silk merchant, dies and her family loses the money for her dowry. Spinetta has a religious vocation, but Lucrezia, who had wished to get married, is unhappy at the conve [...]

Prato, Italy 1456. Twenty year old Lucrezia Buti arrives at the Convent Santa Margherita, along with her younger sister, Spinetta. The sisters lives have completely changed since the death of their father, a successful cloth merchant. They find themselves suddenly destitute, with no choice but to enter the convent. For Spinetta, who was always promised to the church, the transition is not difficult. But this is not the case for her beautiful sister. Lucrezia's future husband had been selected, s [...]

Drawn from the world of Renaissance Italy, “The Miracles of Prato” is historical fiction that captures the lives and romance of painter Fra Filippo Lippi and his muse, Lucrezia Buti. This is no ordinary relationship, however, because Fra Lippi is a Carmelite monk and Lucrezia is a noviate living in the Convent of Santa Margherita in Prato, Italy, where Fra Filippo serves as chaplain when he can tear himself away from his paints.Perfectly captured by authors Albanese and Morowitz (an art hist [...]

This is the story of Italian Renaissance painter/monk Fillipo Lippi and his muse, novitiate Lucrezia Buti. Lucrezia is young and beautiful when she and her sister are forced into the convent after her merchant father's untimely death. She is sad and just cannot seem to resign herself to her fate. Fra Fillipo Lippi is not only the most brilliant painter in Italy, but also a monk and the chaplain of Lucrezia's convent. When the painter sees Lucrezia's angelic face for the first time, he knows he m [...]

Set during the year of 1456 of the Italian Renaissance and based on true characters. Story of beautiful Lucrezia Buti, daughter of silk merchant of Florence. She arrives with her sister at the Convent Santa Margherita in Prato due to diminished circumstances. At the same convent, a monk, who acts as chaplain to the nuns, is also a great artist named Fra Filippo Lippi, famed for his portraits of Madonnas. He keeps searching for “a face worthy of the Virgin.” One morning as he enters the chape [...]

If you are a fan of Jennifer Chavriani check out this book. I love reading about this time period, art and the influence of the church. This was a page Turner

I will confess right up front that the cover here probably wouldn't have prompted me to pick up the book. And that would've been my loss, because then I would've missed out on this lovely book.The Miracles of Prato opens with a birthing that is followed quickly by the baby's removal from his mother's side. From that heart-wrenching scene, we go back to the beginning of the story of two unlikely lovers--a Carmelite monk and a novitiate.It is 1456. Fra Filippo Lippi is a Carmelite monk known for h [...]

The year is 1456. With the sudden passing of her father, Lucrezia has been sent to the Convent Santa Margherita. She is trying to adjust to her new life. It isn’t easy. She wants to obey. Fra Filippo Lippi is a monk but besides that, he has a very great talent as a famed painter. He is acting Chaplain for the convent. Fra is pretty rough around the edges. It is while at the convent that he meets the lovely and beautiful, Lucrezia. She becomes Fra’s muse. She has inspired him to create some o [...]

Thank you for this giveaway!!I am in awe of authors that can develop and write a story this well, but to team up with a partner and likely have differing opinions on how the characters develop seems an even more daunting task. Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz make an unbeatable team!The Miracles of Prato is an incredibly well written story beginning in Italy 1456. Chapter one begins with two young women arriving at a convent after their father’s death. The youngest sister, Spinetta seems to [...]