“a book to be savored slowly or you will miss some remarkable bits of history and philosophy. I had to reread it several times. It was that good!” ~ The Reading Cafe
* * *
“the rewards will become obvious as you realize the immense capacity of this novice author to captivate you beyond measure.” ~ M Jette
* * *
“Second Lisa is an adventure in sensuality of the soul. The premise is intriguing, compelling, complex, and amazingly simple.
This remarkable novel carries us on an astonishing trip through history, seen through many eyes, focussing always on the eyes of `The Mona Lisa’ as her spirit gazes from her prison on the wall of the Louvre.
I deducted a star for one picky reason. Knox’s language and her understanding of humankind are masterful: but I know she has the ability to impose more control over the shape and direction of the work.
As a writer, I wish I could write as well as this. Read it for the experience.” ~ L Alexander
Second Lisa is an adventure in sensuality of the soul. The premise is intriguing, compelling, complex, and amazingly simple. The spirit of dead Lisabetta, sister of Leonardo da Vinci, has missed her chance at heaven because she waits for Leonardo to join her in death. Once the gate to Beyond closes against her, her spirit is trapped in the portrait that da Vinci had painted of her. Early on it is suggested that `La Gioconda’ was a false identity, and Lisabetta’s spirit exists in long resentment of not being recognised as herself.
Over the years many visitors to the Louvre view the portrait. Then comes Veronica, the author, and her autistic son, Jupiter; and the spirit of Lisabetta reaches out for recognition.
This remarkable novel carries us on an astonishing trip through history, seen through many eyes, focussing always on the eyes of `The Mona Lisa’ as her spirit gazes from her prison on the wall of the Louvre.
I deducted a star for one picky reason. Knox’s language and her understanding of humankind are masterful: but I know she has the ability to impose more control over the shape and direction of the work.
As a writer, I wish I could write as well as this. Read it for the experience. ~ L Alexander
* * *
“V Knox’s luxurious prose carries the lives of the Da Vinci into new planes of comprehension and wonder as Veronica Lyon’s dreaming brings her the peace and closure she has longed for on her own tortured trail through family life and artistic endeavour. This is a gentle waft of a book that is definitely worth staying with as it entices you back into a place and time where the world changed forever, and asks you to see it through the eyes of an artist”. ~ Jan Van Quirm