Disobedient: The gripping feminist retelling of a seventeenth century heroine forging her own destiny

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Briefly, Artemisia’s father is jealous of her talent as an artist and does all he can to keep her down. Following her mothers death in childbirth she is the only woman in the family, with three brothers. A married woman Zita lives with the family with her children whilst her husband is working away. Despite her own ambitions Artemisia is aware of her obligations to her family but her father goes too far… A young woman is put on trial. She has accused her painting teacher of the darkest betrayal - he accuses her of being an immoral liar. What really happened, and why will this trial scandalise seventeenth-century Rome? I haven’t experienced an artist’s studio but feel as if I have now – the smells, the assistant, the sitter. Light and shade. Everything feels very real. Elizabeth Fremantle is an author I always look forward to reading and I have enjoyed all six of her previous novels, including her two historical thrillers published under the name E.C. Fremantle. This seventh novel takes us to 17th century Italy and tells the story of Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the most important and accomplished female painters of her time.

What have you created?’ She is strangely calm. ‘A monster? Is that what you were going to say? No, Father, all you have created is a woman with a mind of her own. Perhaps that seems monstrous to you.’”Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @michaeljbooks for a digital ARC in return for an honest review. The feminist element is strong and forceful in this book, downtrodden yet defiant Artemisia Gentileschi’s life and Fremantle’s interpretation of this feels congruent, heart clenching, and gut wrenching. In the eyes of her family, Artemisia should accept her fate. In the eyes of the law, she is the villain. I have been interested in the paintings of Artemisia Gentileschi for a long time and knew her story so I was little doubtful about a fiction version of her life. But Elizabeth Fremantle has written an excellent book. Few writers manage to portray the art of painting effectively but she manages it very well although I was still thankful for Google which made it possible for me to look at them while I read.

So, my first impression of this one isn’t the kindest, I’ll apologize for that in advance. But, this book knows exactly whose ass it is kissing. I mean, I am as Artemisia–obsessed as anybody, but our heroine here is brilliant and faultless from six-years old onward… so it’s a point of view, but not one that’d be entirely manageable if not for the harrowing events that we all know are coming along the way. An unputdownable story of revenge, ambition, and how women overcome adversity. A heartbreaking and empowering read that places Artemisia as one of the greatest painters in history' COSTANZA CASATI, author of Clytemnestra Motherless, she is raised in a family of painters - men and boys of course, never women. No, that will never do. Something that I admire so much in Ms Fremantle’s work is her ability to create the most palpable scenarios right from the off. There’s no need to “get into“ the book, you’re there from the first word. It’s as if you’re immediately enveloped into 17th century Rome, the lifestyle and habits these artists. Is that the mark of impeccable research, skilful writing or a fusion of both. I’ve experienced it in all her books. And for the duration of your read, you’re there in that very world as if you were born to it.This novel has a wonderful, if somewhat bloody beginning, acting like a promise of what’s to come and the author had captured my attention straight away. 6-year-old Artemisia witnessing with her father the execution of a young girl, an experience that will shape and mould her artistic vision. Although we don’t know a lot about what really happened to her, Fremantle writes a compelling story together. You almost hope there will be a sequel but I believe this will not be the case when I read her historical note and personal motivation to write this book. Another great novel that didn’t disappoint and I’m already eagerly looking forward to Fremantle’s next book.

As Artemisia patiently goes from lesson to lesson, perfecting her craft, a mysterious tutor enters her life. Tassi is a dashing figure, handsome and worldly, and for a moment he represents everything that a life of freedom might offer. But then the unthinkable happens. A violent act that threatens Artemisia's honour, and her virtue. Artemisia made several paintings of the same subject. Recently Judith and her Maidservant was displayed at the Nelson Atkins Museum Of Art, and I was impressed by its large size, 72.44 in × 55.75 in. Her evocation of the surroundings in which Artemisia lived - the constraints of both her physical surroundings and the social norms - is very vivid and often horrifying. Talent is something Artemisia has in infinite supply versus even her father and surely to anyone with sense, she should choose her own destiny, but that simply is not possible. This is a thoroughly engaging work of historical fiction that successfully evokes the life of its remarkable female protagonist in early seventeenth century Rome. Artemisia lived in an uncompromising patriarchal world that denied women any opportunity beyond motherhood and the domestic sphere, and treated them all as the property of fathers and husbands. Women’s motives and appetites were always suspect, and a woman who complained had to undergo physical torture to prove herself in court.

My only real quibble is that I would have liked to read more about Artemisia's subsequent life and her later achievements which were significant. In the eyes of her family, she must accept her fate. In the eyes of the law, she is the villain. She will not let fate, or any man decide her outcome.