Disobedient: The gripping feminist retelling of a seventeenth century heroine forging her own destiny

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Description

A young woman is put on trial. She has accused her painting teacher of the darkest betrayal - he accuses her of being a immoral liar. What really happened Rome 1611. A jewel-bright place of change. Artemisia Gentileschi dreams of becoming a great artist. Motherless, she grows up among a family of painters - men and boys. She belongs to her father and will belong to a husband. As Artemisia perfects her craft, a mysterious tutor enters her life. But then the unthinkable happens. A violent act that threatens Artemisia's honour, and her virtue. 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.

Reviews

Magical, thrilling, wonderful, excellent. Heartpoundingly tense and absolutely engrossing. Clever, amazing and inspiring * Daily Mail *

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
Vivid, unflinching, justly furious. Fremantle's best work * The Times, Historical Fiction of the Month *
Dazzling. Taut, fast-paced, powerful and painterly as Artemisia's canvases * Mail on Sunday *
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
A searing, gripping account of the early life of baroque prodigy Artemisia Gentileschi * Daily Mail *
A WONDERFUL HERO: creative, passionate and true to herself * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING SUMMER READING *
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
You'll be gripped by this fictionalised account of the life of the remarkable Italian Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi. The author brings 17th-century Italy to life * Woman & Home *

Artemisia's life was extraordinary, and so is this book. I was swept away
by lush, evocative prose that transported me to a painter's studio in Rome in the 1600s.
Through the eyes of a defiant and determined young woman, Fremantle weaves
Artemisia's paintings into events, endowing Artemisia with the dignity, courage and honour she deserves. An unforgettable, moving and important story told with great skill and care

-- JENNIFER SAINT
Outstanding. A powerful novel about women who are shamed and silenced, and how they learn to survive. A literary knockout -- ANNA MAZZOLA
An unforgettable book - visceral and lushand fierce. You root for Artemisia. Hurt with her. Roar with her. And you simply cannot look away. The last few pages left me gasping. An absolute triumph -- EVE CHASE
The colourful, brutal world of Baroque Italy is superbly evoked in this gripping novel of Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the era's greatest artists. The challenges faced by a dauntless woman in this man's world leave a deep impression on the reader -- LINDA PORTER
You'll be gripped * Woman's Weekly *
If you don't already know the story of 17th-century artist Artemisia Gentilleschi, I urge you not to google it but let this phenomenal novel describe her for you. If you already know what happened, let yourself be immersed in 17th-century Rome as the action unfolds in the hands of a master storyteller. The characters are nuanced and relatable; the writing is colourful and moreish; the pace and plotting are pitch perfect. She is a writer at the top of her game, and this is historical fiction at its absolute best. -- GILL PAUL, author of THE SECRET WIFE
Just finished reading this gem - an unputdownable story of revenge, ambition, and how women overcome adversity. A heartbreaking and empowering read that places Artemisia as one of the greatest painters in history -- COSTANZA CASATI, author of CLYTEMNESTRA
To produce the best work a writer must "dig deep"' In Disobedient, Elizabeth Fremantle pierces the reader's soul, drawing tears, blood, and rage for the injustices and pain inflicted on the painter, Artemisia Gentileschi ~ until she rises through the force of her character and art. Through vivid depictions of the paintings in the story, and the art of her own writing, Liz has bared her soul and produced this stunning portrait of a courageous genius who refuses to accept the abuse or petty jealousies of men who would oppress her. Brava Artemisa . . . and Liz! -- ESSIE FOX, author of THE SOMNAMBULIST
Absolutely stunning...Exquisitely written, powerful, gripping, devastating, and timely. I loved it so much. Everyone should read it -- DINAH JEFFERIES
Disobedient is often beautiful, sometimes shocking and always propulsive. A remarkable book I'm unlikely to forget * Louisa Treger, author of MAD WOMAN *
A rich and dark portrait of an extraordinary woman * Sunday Times, Books of the Year *

Author Bio

Elizabeth Fremantle is the critically acclaimed author of four Tudor historical novels- Queen's Gambit (soon to be the feature film, Firebrand), Sisters of Treason, Watch the Lady and The Girl in the Glass Tower. As E.C. Fremantle she has written two gripping historical thrillers- The Poison Bed and The Honey and the Sting. She lives in London.