Giovanni and Lusanna: Love and Marriage in Renaissance Florence Book

This recount of a whirlwind love affair turned legal battle set in Renaissance Florence is intriguing, to say the least. When one considers the traditional gender roles and marriage customs of the era, it is clear that this is no traditional love story. Lusanna, a woman of the artisan class, was widely regarded as exquisitely beautiful by her many suitors. Giovanni was one of Lusanna's many suitors who pined after her despite the fact that Lusanna was married. The affair occurred over many years and created quite the controversy throughout Florence, some rumors referring to Lusanna as promiscuous. The affair wasn't meant to be, Giovanni desired to marry another woman, but Lusanna claimed they were still married. Due to a woman's lower social status than men in this age, hardly anyone believed her. Lusanna, however, was determined to prove those who were against her wrong and went to court. Lusanna's defiance of the traditional gender roles and stubborn determination is what makes this historic love turned legal affair as recounted by Brucker extremely compelling. Brucker provides a great flow of events and background to the story that even those unfamiliar with the essence of Renaissance Florence will appreciate his retelling.