The Night Portrait

A Novel of World War II and da Vinci's Italy

De: Laura Morelli

Narrado por: Reba Buhr, Christa Lewis, Paul Woodson, P.J. Ochlan

An exciting, dual-timeline historical novel about the creation of one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous paintings, Portrait of a Lady with an Ermine, and the woman who fought to save it from Nazi destruction during World War II.

Milan, 1492: When a 16-year-old beauty becomes the mistress of the Duke of Milan, she must fight for her place in the palace—and against those who want her out. Soon, she finds herself sitting before Leonardo da Vinci, who wants to ensure his own place in the ducal palace by painting his most ambitious portrait to date.

Munich, World War II: After a modest conservator unwittingly places a priceless Italian Renaissance portrait into the hands of a high-ranking Nazi leader, she risks her life to recover it, working with an American soldier, part of the famed Monuments Men team, to get it back.

Two women, separated by 500 years, are swept up in the tide of history as one painting stands at the center of their quests for their own destinies.

©2020 Laura Morelli (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Good

Good story. I’ve read better, but this was pretty good. It would have been nice to hear what happened to the woman curator.

Intriguing overlay of time frames

The story was captivating enough that I listened to it all, and it was worth the time. However, I found the overly rough German annoying, not because the characters were harsh people but because I've been to Germany and they do not sound like they do in old World War II movies, or Hogan's Heros.

Wonderful story

I enjoyed listening to The Night Portrait and hearing the history surrounding the Monuments Men. The voice of Dominic had such emotion!

A must!

Beautifully written. Educational and compelling!
A testimony to art, culture and love.
Readers are superb!

Moving historical story

Enjoyed the interweaving of the stories of each character. The voices were perfect and added drama to an already intense period of time and place.

Written at a Nancy Drew level

I cannot figure out why this book is so popular. The writing is pedestrian at best. The repetition of phrases at the end and beginning of sections must be the author’s clumsy way of trying to link the sections together and perhaps suggest that the 15 century story of the painting has anything at all to do with the WWII sections. Not a great book.

Ok story

Kept my interest but narration with unnecessary German and Italian accents was annoying. Should only have been used when German, Polish characters were speaking English.

Interesting and Informative Read

I enjoyed this story and how the author wove in the possible origins of the Lady with Ermine painting into to story about the Nazis' grab of priceless artwork during WWII. I knew about Hitler's desire to collect art but had no idea of the extent of it

outstanding

very enjoyable!! da vinci, art history , WWII history , a view through different character’s eyes. highly recommend!

Narration lacking

Great subject full of historical facts. Some narrators were really good but a couple others, not so much. Accents and emotions overdone. Lots anguish over their situations which were understandable but repeated too much. Otherwise, really enjoyed