Blog this item

The Agony and the Ecstasy

A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo

By Irving Stone

(24)

| Paperback | 9780451213235

Like The Agony and the Ecstasy?
Join aNobii to see if your friends read it, and discover similar books!

Book Description

Celebrating the 500th anniversary of Michelangelo's David, New American Library releases a special edition of Irving Stone's classic biographical novel-in which both the artist and the man are brought to life in full. A masterpiece in its own right, this novel offers a compelling portrait of MichelaContinue

4 Reviews

1 person find this helpful

An absolutely fabulous book. I spent my time reading and then going to my art book to compare the descriptions of the works with their pictures! I also spent considerable time googling the names of all the other artists, sculptors, painters and historical personages. No wonder this book has been a ... (continue)

An absolutely fabulous book. I spent my time reading and then going to my art book to compare the descriptions of the works with their pictures! I also spent considerable time googling the names of all the other artists, sculptors, painters and historical personages. No wonder this book has been a favorite for so many years.

Is this helpful?

Kerry Jacobson said on Mar 28, 2009 | Add your feedback

I enjoyed reading every single page of this super biography. Stone writes with deep reverence for his protagonist and you cannot help feeling the same.
Michelangelo's passion and yearning to be what he always desired to really impressed and touched me.

Is this helpful?

momiji1020 said on Oct 9, 2010 | Add your feedback

A very enjoyable introduction into the life of Michelangelo, and so well-written that you forgive the author some historic liberties. Michelangelo lived to the age of 89, and you feel that Stone at times is rushing to keep the book under 1000pp. (and it's well that he managed), but in the end he's r ... (continue)

A very enjoyable introduction into the life of Michelangelo, and so well-written that you forgive the author some historic liberties. Michelangelo lived to the age of 89, and you feel that Stone at times is rushing to keep the book under 1000pp. (and it's well that he managed), but in the end he's rushing through everything, the artists lesser known works, as well as his great masterworks, which is a shame. Don't let the book cover fool you, the Sistine Chapel ceiling Project takes up very little space in this book (probably the David receives most attention). Lastly, two key themes in Michelangelo's life and career I feel were undervalued: his relationship to his various patrons, and his religion and preoccupation with death.
All being said, a great effort on behalf of the author and an enjoyable result.

Is this helpful?

erpupone said on Feb 26, 2010 | Add your feedback

Review

This is a big book; over 750 pages of small print and crowded pages. So when I began to read and wasn’t all that impressed I thought I’d end up tossing it. The prose felt forced, stilted and somewhat boring. But as I read on I did get more and more interested. At the same time however, the style of ... (continue)

This is a big book; over 750 pages of small print and crowded pages. So when I began to read and wasn’t all that impressed I thought I’d end up tossing it. The prose felt forced, stilted and somewhat boring. But as I read on I did get more and more interested. At the same time however, the style of prose doesn’t really improve. I enjoyed the book while reading it, but it was never a case that I simply couldn’t put the book down. In fact on a few occasions I wasn’t all that bothered to pick it up.
Despite this flaw I would still recommend the book. The life and times of Michelangelo Buanarotti are well worth reading about, and this book covers everything. Maybe that is part of the problem. Michelangelo had such a full life there is almost too much to write about. First and foremost he is remembered as an artist; the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s David are two of the greatest works of art of all time.
But as well as the art, there is also the fact that he lived through a time of political and religous upheaval. Almost fostered by Il Magnifico, and then having to live through the corruptions of other members of the de Medici family. To watch works of art be destroyed because of the religous beliefs of Savanarola; to have to compete with the likes of Leonardo da Vinci. The Renaissance must have been one of those “interesting times” that the Chinese saying warns about.
I think most people are aware of some details of Michelangelo’s life, if only from school, but this book gives the reader the opportunity to learn so much more. Much of it is based on Michelangelo’s actual letters, and biographies of the time. In the opening few chapters, for example, there is a sentence attributed to Torrigiani:
I felt his bone and cartilige crumble like biscuit
This description of Torrigiani’s thoughts on breaking Michelangelo’s nose with a punch is almost the exact phrase used by him, as reported by Benventu Cellini. Indeed the later meeting between Torrigiani and Cellini is also mentioned in the book.
Of course this is a fictional biography. The reader learns about Stone’s interpretation of what Michelangelo was feeling and thinking, his interpretations of the artist’s works. That has to be born in mind, we cannot accept it as truth. At the same time however it is a very well researched book, and the bibliography at the end of the book will enable any interested reader to read further on the topic.
One aspect I didn’t like about the novel was that every so often Stone would use an Italian phrase and then translate it. In certain situations this is acceptable. To illustrate different dialects, as when he describes how the Carrarini stone cutters chopped off the end of their words, giving them almost a different language. But in other places it seems out of place. We should know that the characters are speaking Italian, we don’t have to be told. And I don’t think it adds to any atmosphere or tone, simply means that Stone has to say some things twice. Once in Italian, and then again in English.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but I’m not sure if I’d ever reread it.

Is this helpful?

Dee said on Oct 27, 2006 | Add your feedback