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A review by flamingokrysten
The Silent Duchess by Dacia Maraini
4.0
This book has some really challenging themes and topics to read about (rape, incest, sexual assault), however, all these attributes were necessary in creating the dialogue and discussion the book has. You're supposed to be uncomfortable and angry reading this, this isn't a book you can just read and feel satisfied and wholesome with. This book is a strong and powerful criticism of female oppression, a woman's role in society, hypocrisy of men and the church, and the overall domination of women.
While this book was written as historical fiction and takes place during the 18th century, it is rich in history and background regarding real life. The 18th century was used as an allegory for the themes that are still happening and are relevant today.
I thoroughly enjoyed the strong poetic voice that was consistent throughout the novel. The use of third person singular was really powerful as it left a distance between reader and character similarly to how Marianna has to live her life through a barrier and at a distance. I also appreciated Marianna being deaf and mute and that spoke volumes and was a metaphor for the women around her.
I really liked this book and would read it again with a more critical lens as I feel this will require a few re-reads to fully capture everything in its entirety. However, a star was removed as I didn't really like how some parts were so detailed and slow then suddenly a time jump of 4-5 years+ occurred. I understand time jumps were necessary to depict her whole life, but it just didn't seem consistent. I am also unsure of how I felt about the literary trope of the older woman finally having her sexual awakening and liberation, but with a much much younger man.
I also just want to add that i felt the oddly sexual language when referring to family or really mundane things, speaks to how limited women were in expressing their sexuality. so much so, that a lock of hair escaping your family members bonnet is deemed sensual.
Again, while read this, you should be angry, you should be uncomfortable. This really happened to many women and still does and it is important to have this awareness. Obviously people can disagree with me on this as this is just my opinion and what I got from it.
While this book was written as historical fiction and takes place during the 18th century, it is rich in history and background regarding real life. The 18th century was used as an allegory for the themes that are still happening and are relevant today.
I thoroughly enjoyed the strong poetic voice that was consistent throughout the novel. The use of third person singular was really powerful as it left a distance between reader and character similarly to how Marianna has to live her life through a barrier and at a distance. I also appreciated Marianna being deaf and mute and that spoke volumes and was a metaphor for the women around her.
I really liked this book and would read it again with a more critical lens as I feel this will require a few re-reads to fully capture everything in its entirety. However, a star was removed as I didn't really like how some parts were so detailed and slow then suddenly a time jump of 4-5 years+ occurred. I understand time jumps were necessary to depict her whole life, but it just didn't seem consistent. I am also unsure of how I felt about the literary trope of the older woman finally having her sexual awakening and liberation, but with a much much younger man.
I also just want to add that i felt the oddly sexual language when referring to family or really mundane things, speaks to how limited women were in expressing their sexuality. so much so, that a lock of hair escaping your family members bonnet is deemed sensual.
Again, while read this, you should be angry, you should be uncomfortable. This really happened to many women and still does and it is important to have this awareness. Obviously people can disagree with me on this as this is just my opinion and what I got from it.