Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F Sto
Collection
Publication
Signet (1987)
Description
Fiction. Literature. Thriller. Historical Fiction. This is Irving Stone's powerful and passionate biographical novel of Michelangelo. His time: the turbulent Renaissance, the years of poisoning princes, warring popes, the all-powerful Medici family, the fanatic monk Savonarola. His loves: the frail and lovely daughter of Lorenzo de Medici; the ardent mistress of Marco Aldovrandi; and his last loveâ??his greatest loveâ??the beautiful, unhappy Vittoria Colonna. His genius: a God-driven fury from which he wrested the greatest art the world has ever known. Michelangelo Buonarotti, creator of "David", painter of the Sistine ceiling, architect of the dome of St Peter's, lives once more in Irving Stone's marvellous
Subjects
Original publication date
1961
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User reviews
LibraryThing member bcrowl399
I read this book as a young adult and it has resonated with me over the years. It's a "historical novel". What that means to me is that it is based on historical facts, but it is filled in to make the story interesting. I learned so much from this book, not only about Michaelangelo, but about art,
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Italy and religous passion. It was well-written and entertaining as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member jdixon08
I was recommended this book a while ago by a family member and boy, am I glad that I read it! While reading a biography might come across as a boring read, this book completely proved me wrong. It's a beautiful story filled with the facts and tied together with wonderful language, and all together
This book fits in well with our English unit of Search For Self. From the very beginning, Michelangelo knows what he wants to do in life is to create with art, but most importantly, with sculpture. He learns though the book and refines on his theories of how art pertains to his life and his soul. Michelangelo feels that if God can create a prophet for the purpose of prophecies, then why not a sculptor for the purpose of capturing the greatness of all human form? When he sculpts, Michelangelo is at one with his marble, at one with God, and connecting with his Self. He struggles with the challenges life faces, his goal being once he finishes a new carving, to move on and make another one. His inspiration and determination to create and be at one with his Self is always his guiding hand, and it's very moving for the reader to see one of such strong character. Michelangelo, in my opinion, is a lot like Santiago from the Alchemist, because Santiago also knew what he wanted out of life, found it, and became at one with it. This is a lot like what Michelangelo did in this book too.
My recommendation? Everyone should read it! This book is highly moving, motivating, inspiring, insightful and beautifully written. Who could ask for anything more from a novel?
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these elements drag the read in and fall in love with the life of Michelangelo. From dealing with his father, to learning sculpture, to creating some of the greatest works of art in history, all the way to the very end this story will captivate and enthrall. Irving Stone does a brilliant job sticking as closely to Michelangelo's life as he can, and through his words makes Michelangelo come alive for the reader.This book fits in well with our English unit of Search For Self. From the very beginning, Michelangelo knows what he wants to do in life is to create with art, but most importantly, with sculpture. He learns though the book and refines on his theories of how art pertains to his life and his soul. Michelangelo feels that if God can create a prophet for the purpose of prophecies, then why not a sculptor for the purpose of capturing the greatness of all human form? When he sculpts, Michelangelo is at one with his marble, at one with God, and connecting with his Self. He struggles with the challenges life faces, his goal being once he finishes a new carving, to move on and make another one. His inspiration and determination to create and be at one with his Self is always his guiding hand, and it's very moving for the reader to see one of such strong character. Michelangelo, in my opinion, is a lot like Santiago from the Alchemist, because Santiago also knew what he wanted out of life, found it, and became at one with it. This is a lot like what Michelangelo did in this book too.
My recommendation? Everyone should read it! This book is highly moving, motivating, inspiring, insightful and beautifully written. Who could ask for anything more from a novel?
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LibraryThing member LibrarySprite333
This amazing book is well worth your time. Stone's thorough research into Michaelangelo's life and his fluid skill as an author provides the perfect blend to produce a narrative history. Though liberties are taken to create dialog and details of events for which verfiable knowledge cannot be given,
I also HIGHLY recommend Lust for Life (van Gogh).
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the book takes us to the true heart of the man, his life, and his work. As a historian, I can't ask for more.I also HIGHLY recommend Lust for Life (van Gogh).
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LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Audiobook read by Arthur Morey.
Stone’s epic historical novel tells the life story of Michelangelo. Stone did extensive research, living in Italy for several years, and using many of Michelangelo’s letters and documents found in various archives. He really brings the artist (and his works) to
Additionally, the novel includes much of the politics of the times, from the Medicis in Florence to the various Popes in Rome, it’s a fascinating history of the era.
This man was a giant among giants, whose influence on art and architecture is almost without measure. His life requires an epic story. That being said, the novel is incredibly long in order to cover all of Michelangelo’s eighty-eight years, and his life’s opus. I found his efforts to study anatomy in an era when dissection was absolutely forbidden fascinating, but grew tired of the repetitive references to his search for “peasant models” or insistence on the male nude form.
I may have noticed the repetition more because this was a second reading. I first read the novel sometime in the mid- to late-1960s; I’m fairly certain I read it before the movie, starring Charleton Heston, was released, but maybe it was shortly after that. My rating reflects my recalled reaction at that time.
I do wish there was an “illustrated” edition of the novel, to show some of his works alongside those chapters describing their creation. But I suppose that what Google is for!
Arthur Morey does a fine job narrating the audio version. At 34 hours in length, it’s a significant commitment, but worth it (and you don’t have to carry that huge tome around).
Stone’s epic historical novel tells the life story of Michelangelo. Stone did extensive research, living in Italy for several years, and using many of Michelangelo’s letters and documents found in various archives. He really brings the artist (and his works) to
Show More
life. While most of us are familiar with his Pieta and David sculptures, and the Sistine Chapel paintings / frescoes, Michelangelo was also an accomplished poet and architect. Stone brings all these elements into the novelized biography.Additionally, the novel includes much of the politics of the times, from the Medicis in Florence to the various Popes in Rome, it’s a fascinating history of the era.
This man was a giant among giants, whose influence on art and architecture is almost without measure. His life requires an epic story. That being said, the novel is incredibly long in order to cover all of Michelangelo’s eighty-eight years, and his life’s opus. I found his efforts to study anatomy in an era when dissection was absolutely forbidden fascinating, but grew tired of the repetitive references to his search for “peasant models” or insistence on the male nude form.
I may have noticed the repetition more because this was a second reading. I first read the novel sometime in the mid- to late-1960s; I’m fairly certain I read it before the movie, starring Charleton Heston, was released, but maybe it was shortly after that. My rating reflects my recalled reaction at that time.
I do wish there was an “illustrated” edition of the novel, to show some of his works alongside those chapters describing their creation. But I suppose that what Google is for!
Arthur Morey does a fine job narrating the audio version. At 34 hours in length, it’s a significant commitment, but worth it (and you don’t have to carry that huge tome around).
Show Less
LibraryThing member bphoenix
"St Peters...He entered the church through it's front portal, walked in the strong Roman sunshine down the wide nave, stood below the center of the dome, just over the tomb of St Peter. He felt his soul leave his body, rise upward into the dome, becoming part of it: part of speace, of time, of
Gorgeous! A peek into the soul of a brilliant artist.
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heaven and of God" Gorgeous! A peek into the soul of a brilliant artist.
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LibraryThing member dancingstarfish
A wonderful book, really helped me envision Michelangelo, his work and his life, better than any art history book I ever read in class.
LibraryThing member TadAD
This book about Michelangelo's life just sucked me in and I couldn't put it down.
LibraryThing member missyr46
This story is a biographical novel about one of the
world’s greatest artists, Michelangelo. It tells of his passion for sculpture, the many hardships of his life, and of all the people in his life such as his father Lodovico, and his closest friends Lorenzo de Medici and Contessina de Medici.
world’s greatest artists, Michelangelo. It tells of his passion for sculpture, the many hardships of his life, and of all the people in his life such as his father Lodovico, and his closest friends Lorenzo de Medici and Contessina de Medici.
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This story had a great impact on me because it showed me a different level of emotion that could be put into a work of art. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
As Stone tells us in his note afterwards, he not only lived and researched in Michelangelo's Italy, he had this letters translated into English for the first time. Stone even worked in marble quarries and apprenticed himself to a sculptor. Needless to say, this biography of the great artist,
It's also decently written, even if some parts are a slog--over-written and over-long, but the inherent fascination of the Michelangelo's accomplishments and of the Renaissance Italy of the Medici definitely kept me engrossed. Stone definitely brings alive the details of the outer life of the man--the actual description of artistic creation, the tools, techniques is lovingly described.
What I found wanting was more the inner life. There I didn't feel, despite the overblown title, that we got any sense of conflict or complexity that must have been an aspect of such a towering genius. Also, there's plenty of historical material to suggest Michelangelo was gay--or at least bisexual, given his relationship with the widow Vittoria Colonna. But there's no suggestion Michelangelo was homosexual in this novel. Yes, this was published in 1961. But Robert Graves and Mary Renault managed to write historical novels earlier (in the case of Graves' I, Claudius, 1934!) while dealing, even if not graphically, with homosexual themes.
Both Renault and Graves also gave me more of a sense of the historical mindset of the eras they chose to write than Stone does in this novel. So worth a read? Yes. But I wouldn't rank this at the top of the historical novels I've read.
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architect and poet is well-researched. It's also decently written, even if some parts are a slog--over-written and over-long, but the inherent fascination of the Michelangelo's accomplishments and of the Renaissance Italy of the Medici definitely kept me engrossed. Stone definitely brings alive the details of the outer life of the man--the actual description of artistic creation, the tools, techniques is lovingly described.
What I found wanting was more the inner life. There I didn't feel, despite the overblown title, that we got any sense of conflict or complexity that must have been an aspect of such a towering genius. Also, there's plenty of historical material to suggest Michelangelo was gay--or at least bisexual, given his relationship with the widow Vittoria Colonna. But there's no suggestion Michelangelo was homosexual in this novel. Yes, this was published in 1961. But Robert Graves and Mary Renault managed to write historical novels earlier (in the case of Graves' I, Claudius, 1934!) while dealing, even if not graphically, with homosexual themes.
Both Renault and Graves also gave me more of a sense of the historical mindset of the eras they chose to write than Stone does in this novel. So worth a read? Yes. But I wouldn't rank this at the top of the historical novels I've read.
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LibraryThing member rampaginglibrarian
I remember reading this during the lulls at the late-night pizza place i worked during college and people joking that i was reading pornography. I have mellowed somewhat in my infactuation with historical novels (used to love Michener), i think in some ways i might actually prefer the real history
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(if it is written well--there is a phrase being tossed about now: 'non-fiction that reads like fiction') but i can still appreciate a good historical novel and i remember that i enjoyed this one (though i also remember that i didn't fly through it.) I think that most of what i think i know of the life of Michalangelo from this book and it's hard to know where biography ends and fiction begins. Show Less
LibraryThing member Koen1
Great book. It made me read more books about painting and sculpture.
LibraryThing member cestovatela
Whether this book is historically accurate I do not know, but it beautifully dramatizes a brilliant artist's struggle to create and the society that alternately empowered and hampered him. Reading this book before visiting Florence and Rome made my trip so much more meaningful. Armed with Stone's
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stories of creation, I sought out Michaelangelo's more obscure works in hidden chapels and tiny museums. In the process, I visited so many places that I'd otherwise never have seen. Show Less
LibraryThing member trinibaby9
This was a fantastic insight into one of the greatest artists of all time. I learned so much about Michelangelo that I would otherwise have never known. This book is extremely detailed following Michelangelo from early childhood and apprentiship right through to the masterinf of his trade and
If you want to learn everything there is to learn about Michelangelo the man as well as see into the heart and passion of the artist this is the book to read. It's not the easiest read and definitely drags at times. I imagine many people would start it and never finish. It does fail to hold the readers interest consistently. There are fascinating portions but some of them are a real battle to get through. I wish it were a bit more consistent and the pacing were a bit better. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but there is something lacking for me in this book. It's certainly not the content, from an information stand point. It's just incredibly dry at times, which is a shame because it deals with such an interesting individual. Overall I'm not really a fan of the way it was written, but I am a fan for what I got out of the book at the end of it. I now have a huge respect for one of the most gifted and forward thinking individuals of our time.
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death. He was passionate, and a visionary, refusing to let others set limits or to set any for himself where his work was concerned. He conquered all mediums and more than that was a master at each. It is staggering to think of the works he achieved in his lifetime. It's also sad to know that he could have done so much more, had he not been the victim of political, familial and religious wrangling. If you want to learn everything there is to learn about Michelangelo the man as well as see into the heart and passion of the artist this is the book to read. It's not the easiest read and definitely drags at times. I imagine many people would start it and never finish. It does fail to hold the readers interest consistently. There are fascinating portions but some of them are a real battle to get through. I wish it were a bit more consistent and the pacing were a bit better. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but there is something lacking for me in this book. It's certainly not the content, from an information stand point. It's just incredibly dry at times, which is a shame because it deals with such an interesting individual. Overall I'm not really a fan of the way it was written, but I am a fan for what I got out of the book at the end of it. I now have a huge respect for one of the most gifted and forward thinking individuals of our time.
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LibraryThing member freetrader
Must read for people who want to visit Florence, Toscane, Rome, Italy. Insights in the art of Michelangelo and the history of his time and place; popes, the Medici's, Rome, Savonarola, the Inquisition,etc. Very well written.
LibraryThing member HankIII
I was thinking about this book a few days ago, and how much I enjoyed reading it years ago.In fact, I like this book so much I went on to read other works of historical fiction by Stone, but I think Agony and the Ecstasy was his best.I came away with a deep appreciation of Michaelangelo, his
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suffering and vision, his world, and the Medici, and it led me to look up his artistic creations in various art books.I need to read it again. I need to go to Florence one day too, maybe before I depart this world. Show Less
LibraryThing member marq
This epic work follows the life of Michelangelo from his very early days in Florence to his death at 89 in Rome.
Irving Stone succeeds in not over simplifying Michelangelo as a man. A lot is made by other writers of the nature of Michelangelo's relationship with Tommaso de' Cavalieri, his apparent
Irving Stone succeeds in not over simplifying Michelangelo as a man. A lot is made by other writers of the nature of Michelangelo's relationship with Tommaso de' Cavalieri, his apparent
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preference for the depiction of the male nude and certain interpretations of his poetry. Stone doesn't really try to hide any of this but does emphasise (largely fictional?) romantic relationships with women. To say that Michelangelo was homosexual may not be false but it is certainly a simplification of a very complex man (and of any man). Stone's account left me with this feeling for Michelangelo as a real, complex, difficult and loving person and an appreciation of his great genius. Show Less
LibraryThing member colleenharker
I read this one for my book club and was amazed at the varied responses. I absolutely loved it. The history, the descriptions of Michaelangelo's creative process, the story of his life and struggles. At over 750 pages it wasn't an easy read, but I enjoyed every page.
LibraryThing member stipe168
powerful, and powerfully long. Michelangelo is so much cooler than that Da Vinci a-hole any day of the week. He painted the freaking sistine chapel all by himself, for years, all day long, upside down on the ceiling, with paint falling into his eyes and mouth. he's one intense mofo. and he did it
“All the rest, the entire reach of the vault, he painted himself: every figure, every robe, every face, every limb of every nude, every expression, emotion, every putto, every child behind the Prophets and Sibyls, the exquisitely beautiful Sibyls, the powerful and glorious Hebrew Prophets, every last touch he did himself: a gigantic lifetime of labor jammed into three apocalyptic years.”
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all for GOD. “All the rest, the entire reach of the vault, he painted himself: every figure, every robe, every face, every limb of every nude, every expression, emotion, every putto, every child behind the Prophets and Sibyls, the exquisitely beautiful Sibyls, the powerful and glorious Hebrew Prophets, every last touch he did himself: a gigantic lifetime of labor jammed into three apocalyptic years.”
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LibraryThing member nicole_a_davis
The writing style got so tedious--the history was intriguing, but not enough to overcome the bad writing and I couldn't quite finish this one.
LibraryThing member SoonerCatholic
The epic fictional biography of Michelangelo is one of my favorite books. Dramatic and informative, I have read it at least twice. It would also be interesting to know if Stone would have changed some details if he had lived long enough for modern scholarship on the famous sculptor/artist as well
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as recent restorations of the Sistine Chapel. Show Less
LibraryThing member Harrod
Well written biographical novel of a Master of Art.
LibraryThing member tklos88
I first found this book in a used book store before traveling to Florence. It was a great book, full of idiosyncrasies that seem to be taken directly from Michelangelo's biography (minus the pompus overtones). After reading it I discovered that it was a personalized signed copy, but my copy was
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later destroyed by a flood. Lamenting the loss of a great novel I found another signed first edition to replace it. The substance is great and it tells the story of Michelangelo fantastically, working in some historical embellishments to make it resonate with the modern reader. Irving Stone is by far the best author I have come across in this genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member AliceAnna
Very slow reading, but an intriguing look at Michelangelo's very frustrating existence. He would have loved the NEA! Patronage was certainly the bane of his existence. What could he have created had he just been left alone?!?!
LibraryThing member colagi
This made me want to return to Italy to see the sculptures, paintings and places of Michelangelo. It was an interesting read but I had to keep stopping to find images of the works being described as he created them so I could appreciate the intricacies of their development.
LibraryThing member PeterNZ
I read this book in German many years ago and was fascinated. And again, this time in English this book fascinated me.
Irving Stone describes the life of Michelangelo Buonarotti. It is a story about a life lived serving his family and several politicians, noble men and popes. He gets in between
This book always makes me regret never having traveled to Florence and Tuscany. I would love to see the Sistine Chapel and his paintings and statues. Knowing the background of them and his suffering would make the experience even better.
If you love history, art,Italy then this is the book for you.
Irving Stone describes the life of Michelangelo Buonarotti. It is a story about a life lived serving his family and several politicians, noble men and popes. He gets in between
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feuds between families like the Medici and the borgias, comes between popes and kings, gets raised high up and thrown to the ground the next time. He always gets back up and fights on. He sends all his money to his father who doesn't make good use of it. Many times he has no money to feed himself but his art and his work is his nutrition. This book always makes me regret never having traveled to Florence and Tuscany. I would love to see the Sistine Chapel and his paintings and statues. Knowing the background of them and his suffering would make the experience even better.
If you love history, art,Italy then this is the book for you.
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Pages
774