Disobedient

By: Elizabeth Fremantle

Narrated by: Emma D'Arcy

Brought to you by Penguin.

I'll show you what a woman can do...

Rome 1611.

A jewel-bright place of change, with sumptuous new palaces and lavish wealth on display. A city where women are seen but not heard.

Artemisia Gentileschi dreams of becoming a great artist. Motherless, she grows up among a family of painters - men and boys. She knows she is more talented than her brothers, but she cannot choose her own future. She wants to experience the world, but she belongs to her father and will belong to a husband.

As Artemisia patiently goes from lesson to lesson, perfecting her craft, she also paints in private, recreating the women who inspire her, away from her father's eyes.

Until 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.

In the eyes of her family, Artemisia should accept her fate. In the eyes of the law, she is the villain.

But Artemisia is a survivor. And this is her story to tell.

©2023 E C Fremantle (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

I could not put this book down. Every woman - and man - should read it.
Shocking, gripping, Fremantle has crafted a tale that vividly evokes Baroque Italy
by portraying a strong, assertive women. Splendid! (ALISON WEIR)

A great female artist struggling for her voiceand for justice is brought to powerful life. Brilliantly researched, rich in detail, grippingly written, Disobedient is the novel Elizabeth Fremantle was born to write (ELIZABETH BUCHAN)

An exhilarating read. Through effervescent prose, Elizabeth Fremantle brings the story of artist Artemisia Gentieschi to life. Gripping, captivating, and consistently enlightening, Disobedient firmly places Gentileschi as one of the greatest female heroines in history (KATY HESSEL)

Great narrator to match a great story

Overall fantastic listen! Emma D’Arcy slays the narration and the story is superb. If you like historical fiction give it a go!

great book!

I can't believe this book has no reviews. but I am so glad I took a chance on it. I love historical fiction this was a great historical fiction novel with a great story and a great narrator I love love love this book!

You will find the spirit of Caesar in the soul of a woman

I discovered this book by chance. Upon learning it was about one of my favorite artists, whose prints adorn my walls, I felt compelled to read it—and it did not disappoint. This powerful retelling of Artemisia Gentileschi’s life delves into the horrors she endured, including an assault—a societal issue that, unfortunately, remains prevalent today. I sincerely hope that Artemisia was able to live a life she loved and found her own happy ending, as portrayed in this novel.

Dramatic

I loved this well told story of a young woman’s near impossible greatness surviving and achieving against all odds and at a time when it really couldn’t have been achieved.

Masterful

The prose, the story of the female painter in Rome, during the Renaissance, her challenges and strength, the treatment of women . . . and the narrator, all hooked me from the start. Read it within 2 days. I also then researched Artemisis and other painters in the book, their histories and paintings. Excellent novel.