One of my favorite authors, Donna Jo Napoli, has written a historic fiction
novel set in
Venice, Italy. In
Venice
and each person, whether s/he is a noble, citizen, or worker. Young women of
noble families were very protected and most were not allowed to read and write
or be anywhere alone or without a family member or trusted servant. I learned
so much about this period.
Napoli showed me that only
the first son of a noble was allowed to marry in order to protect the family's
fortune. One or two of the girls might marry, but a dowry was expected to
secure that marriage. Sons were expected to go into the family business, and
one daughter might be allowed to live at home and be the maid to her brother's
family. Otherwise, girls were expected to join a convent.
the 1600s. Life is very prescribed for all the citizens of
None of those options sounded good to fourteen-year-old Donata. She wanted
to learn about the world and read and write. So, she sneaked out to see her
city, dressed as a boy, while trying to figure out what she wanted to do with
her life--and figure out if she could force that choice upon her father.
Of course anyone who has visited
Venice
(like I have) or who want to go there, will definitely enjoy the scenery
Napoli
provides!
http://www.donnajonapoli.com/
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