The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell Summary
Overview of The Marriage Portrait
In Renaissance Italy, a young duchess suspects her husband plans to kill her. Shortlisted for the Women's Prize, O'Farrell's haunting tale of art and survival captivated Reese Witherspoon's Book Club with its lush portrayal of female creativity amid brutal patriarchal politics.
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I. A Bride's Foreboding
In the opulent halls of a remote hunting lodge, I find myself trapped in a gilded cage, my heart pounding with the realization that my husband intends to kill me. I am Lucrezia de' Medici, barely sixteen, and for a year I have been the wife of Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara. As I gaze out the window at the misty woods beyond, I cannot help but wonder how I arrived at this moment, teetering on the precipice between life and death. The silk of my gown rustles against my skin, a symphony of fabric that speaks of wealth and privilege. Yet beneath its sumptuous exterior lies a corset of bone and expectation, squeezing the very breath from my lungs. I am a pawn in a game of power and politics, my body a vessel for the continuation of a dynasty. But I will not go quietly into the night. I am my father's daughter, a Medici, and I have faced down a tiger. I will not allow Alfonso to extinguish me.
II. A Childhood Cut Short
III. A Marriage of Convenience
IV. Life in the Duke's Court
V. The Unraveling of Illusions
VI. A Fight for Survival
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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