I wonderful little historical fiction, envisioning a possible pre-history behind Leonardo DaVinci's painting of the Mona Lisa. Great writing and wonderful storytelling from longtime favorite author, E.L. Konigsburg, but I had not previously been aware of or familiar with this particular book. Well worth checking out and reading.

Salai, a zis apoi, cred ca acolo unde le pune Dumnezeu unora o galma de respect, tie ti-a scobit locul.

Dragostea il face pe omul lenes inca si mai lenes, iar pe cel ambitios inca si mai ambitios.

Veselia dumneavoastra e prea tipatoare. La fel si rochia. Amandoua acopera ceva.

Muntele de talent si inteligenta isi baza semetia pe mandrie.

Era o femeie care stia ca nu-i frumoasa si invatasevsa traiasca cu asta. Era o femeie pe care faptul ca se acceptase asa cum era o facuse frumoasa intr-un fel profund si tainic. O femeie a cerei privire iti spune ca te evalueaza cu un instrument de masura din mintea ei; un instrument de masura careia ea insasi ii crestase unitatile. O femeie care stia cum sa ofere placere si cum sa ofere durere. O femeie care stia sa indure. O femeie cu multe straturi.

The Second Mrs Gioconda
ttttBy E.L. Konigsberg
The book Mrs Giocanda by E.L. Konigsberg was published by Simon and Schulter in 1975 and has 140 pages. The book is a young adult historical fiction about Leonardo’s pupil Salai, Leonardo, and the Duchess Beatrice. It is mainly from Salai’s view and his early life. The book is very interesting and good.

It’s about a 10 year old Salai and his master Leonardo Da Vinci. It starts off with Salai trying to steal from Leonardo but not knowing who he is. Afterwards, Leonardo takes Salai apprentice and becomes his pupil. They then quickly travel to Pavia and then find out The Duke of Milan is to marry Beatrice. They immediately prepare for the wedding. Soon afterwards, Salai meets Beatrice in person and become friends. Beatrice also had gained in popularity very quickly but she goes to Venice. When Beatrice comes back she dies from childbirth and the French took Milan. They go to Beatrice’s greedy sister, Isabella and they meet a merchant and a merchant's wife who Leonardo will paint. The Merchant’s wife's name is Mrs Giocanda.

The Protagonist was mainly Salai but a bit of Leonardo and Beatrice. The Antagonist wasn’t as important which was Isabella which I didn’t like it because I personally feel the Antagonist is what gives the story conflict. I liked how the story ended because it was a play on words which made the cliffhanger a whole lot more interesting. What I did not like was that there was not much of a plot and conflict which made the story slightly less wanting to read it as there isn’t much of climax and you want to know what happens next. It was still very interesting and how the author was able to make the book interesting without having the antagonist being a big part of the story was a surprise. I would recommend it to others as a good book but there are definitely books better than this though.

Overall, it didn’t leave too much emotion for me but definitely worth my time reading it. Just know that the story is calm and isn’t very tense which is good for relaxing.

Fun, easy to understand historical fiction. Another great work by E L Konigsburg!

read-aloud for homeschool history

Read this with my 6th grade student

4.75 I really, really liked this book, it was intriguing and witty start to finish. Great story to understand where the Mona Lisa came from and why Leonardo chose to paint her

Might be fun to pair with Outliers...about being in the right place at the right time.

I enjoyed this as a second read. The teens in my World History class are enjoying this also. They describe this as a fun story that brings the Renaissance to life. I am looking forward to hearing what they think of the novel’s explanation for Da Vinci’s painting of the Mona Lisa. Grateful that Konisburg wrote about such a unique subject matter.

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Fun historical fiction that will make an enjoyable addition to a Renaissance study for next year’s World History class. I always enjoy Konisburg.

In 2018 I listened to the biography of Leonardo DaVinci.
This title was recommended to me by one of my grandaughters. She knows I like historical fiction.

This was an interesting spin on the life of Leonardo and his assistant Salai and some of their other associates. I don't think I would have liked it as much if I hadn't read the earlier title.
Leonardo - and the Mona Lisa - fascinating.
This was a quick young adult book. Thanks Claire!!<3

One interesting quote from the book - I wonder if Leonardo actually said this. He is speaking here to Salai, referring to their friend Beatrice, but perhaps also to himself?.?
"Some of us simply cannot learn to live with an unhappy past. Some of us have to strain all of our present actions through past pain. Other of us merely learn to coat bad thoughts with silence and good manners. Not everyone can be like you, Salai."

Do we not all know people like this?

E.L. Konigsburg has written this short novella about Leonardo daVinci during his stay in Milan under the patronage of Duke Il Moro and with his servant/apprentice Salai. There is more about Salai than daVinci to be sure, showing the child as a liar, thief and con man (boy) but ultimately, devoted to his mentor. The cover is not of Mrs. Giaconda as I thought, but is a drawing of a young child thought to be Salai. Throughout the book you will wonder where is the title character, and you will not meet her until the final two or three pages. A fast and enjoyable read.

The Second Mrs. Gioconda is a book made by E.L. Konigsburg that has 140 pages. It was published by Simpon 8 Schuster in 1975.

The Second Mrs. Gioconda is mostly about Salai also known as Gian Giacomo Caprotti da Oreno becoming Leonardo Da Vinci’s pupil and the adventures they have in mostly Milan. The author's purpose was to entertain us with fictional stories of Leonardo, Salai and Beatrice. Personally I think the book is not very successful as it feels plain and didn’t entertain me much as it seems like the book was rushed. Salai is supposed to be reckless but he feels not reckless enough while Leonardo seems absent and misrepresented. It starts off with Salai meeting Leonardo and Salai becoming Leonardo's pupil, from there Salai meets Beatrice and becomes really good friends with her. Beatrice gets married to Il Moro and life stays steady for a while. Beatrice dies and Il Moro gets overtaken by the french. from there the story is mostly chatter and then the story ended.

I think the author had a good idea and base of a book but it was executed poorly. Most of the book feels plain with out of time dialogue mostly plain characters and not much of a story. The books best parts are of Salai being mischievous but other than that it feels really boring. I do not recommend this book to others because of its plainness but overall it is readable.

Overall it is a mediocre plain book that I do not recommend to most people unless they are specifically interested in the topic.

*Minor Spoilers*

The Second Mrs Gioconda

tThe Second Mrs Gioconda by E.L. Konigsburg, is a book about Salai’s life being an apprentice of Leonardo. Also about Salai’s life in court, Salai maturing and helping around in the studio. The Second Mrs Gioconda was published by Atheneum Books in 1975, it’s genre is YA historical fiction and has 140 pages.
The setting is Milan, in the late 1400’s to the early 1500’s. This book was told by a narrator who explained the pains and feels of Salai almost as if he were to have written it himself. Salai is the obvious protagonist in this story but some very major characters are, Leonardo da Vinci and Beatrice. ( Both of these characters are very important to this story. Leonardo is the whole reason this book can exist, and Beatrice was very impactful on not only his emotions but she really made Salai realise a lot of things. Personally I felt a very calm and collective mood during the book expect for someparts. Overall very calm book not to much suspense.
This book was almost completely history based so all of the events and dates are real and correct. The book starts out with Leonardo asking Salai to be his apprentice, Salai accepts. Although Leonardo found Salai robbing someone he still asked him to be his apprentice.(Keep in mind most people paid to be an apprentice.) Salai helped around the studio and learned a lot about painting and other things. They then are assigned to plan Duke Ludovico Sforza’s wedding/festival. Duke Ludovico is to marry a person named Beatrice. (Who is second choice behind her sister Isabella.) A while after the wedding/festival they meet Isabella, Salai doesn't like her. Salai becomes friends with Beatrice. The duke finally actually starts to love Beatrice. Then she becomes stone cold, due to unfortunate events. Something even more unfortunate happens to Beatrice. Salai doesn't like how Beatrice is acting now. Salai gets mad at Leonardo for Beatrice related events. Leonardo tries to make a project he’s been planning for years. Before he can finish it, Salai and Leonardo are forced to move to Florence. Isabella starts annoying Leonardo about how he should make her a portrait. Then someone comes to Salai and asks for a portrait from Leonardo. The End (Without spoilers.)
Personally, I'm on the fence about this book. I like it but not a lot it was an interesting book. It is a well written book the story is unique, there's a lot of positives to this book, but the genre is not my cup of tea. Overall well written book but not my kind of genre.