The Second Mrs. Gioconda is a book with an answer and a great ending. It’s a great story of Salai, an apprentice of Leonardo, and his master, Leonardo and consists of sad, excited, happy, and fun events that happened in their lives. Overall, the book was a great historical fiction about why Mona Lisa was painted and I would definitely recommend it to the people who never read this book before or the people who wants to know why the Mona Lisa was painted.

One thing Konisgburg always does well is 'subtle depths.' Some of the other reviewers wanted more characterization... apparently they weren't willing to read between the lines. Others wanted more of the model 'Mona Lisa' herself... but that wasn't the point. Others wanted more history... not remembering that not enough is known to build a novel on, and such is admitted in the preface.

Anyway, thoughtful and poignant, with some truly beautiful bits, as is usual from this author.

I love when Beatrice teaches Salai about art, in the process of telling him why he is important to Leonardo: "A person looking at a work of art should not be slapped to attention; he should be wooed." And: "[Leonardo] needs a wild element. All great art needs it: something that leaps and flickers.... He is too self-conscious. When he has an important commission... he ties up all his instincts."

Book Review On Mrs. Gioconda

By: E.L Konigsburg

This book is Historical Fiction. Although, the Characters in this book are real people. This story takes place in the Renaissance time, specifically Milan. (but they did live in France for a bit also, and traveled to different places around Europe like Florence and Venice.) This starts off with a ten year old boy who goes around and pickpockets people. Until, he ran into Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the greatest geniuses around, and soon enough became Leonardo’s servant. Leonardo is explained as a god like man, he often works on sculptures or paintings, or is studying something in his studio. Salai is very inspired by Leonardo’s cleverness and his amazing drawings and inventions, he also likes making his master laugh.

Later in the book, he eventually goes like this until he meets Duchess Beatrice D’este of Milan who has a big effect on Salai in the book. She was known as Plain, and labeled as “Duchess,” Salai meets her and realizes how fun, and beautiful she can be. Her husband II Moro or Duke Ludovico is in love with another girl, Cecilia Gallerani. But then the Duke suddenly realizes that his love belongs to The Duchess. As Beatrice develops Salai is not needed anymore, but Beatrice does not necessarily forget about Salai. Then, there is Beatrice’s sister, Isabella, she is snooty, needy, and selfish. She always begs Leonardo often for a portrait. It affects Salai’s decisions in the book, Salai also often teases her Isabella. Surprisingly, we actually don’t learn about who really The Second Mrs. Gioconda is until the last chapter.

And Overall, I would say this book is great. One thing I absolutely loved about this book is that I learned so much about them, and I saw the characters grow up, develop and mature which I thought was cool. The character development, the characters described in the book were very realistic, and I can easily picture them in my head. I also liked how the story was told from Salai’s point of view, because I was very intrigued when I first listened to Salai's character in the first chapter. All of the characters in this book have different personalities and I loved hearing about each and everyone of them. The author has to know the personality and how the development should go for each and every character. The one thing that they could have definitely improved on in this book is to label the chapters, and to maybe to not have chapter’s that doesn't really matter. There was a chapter in the book that was just a fill in and was not really needed. But except for those two things, it was an awesome book. If the author of this book was trying to get their audience to learn more about the Renaissance, and historical fiction, they definitely succeeded, they did so because I experienced it myself, it changed my perspective on the Renaissance. At first, I didn’t like this topic too much, but when I listened to Mrs Gioconda I was more eager to learn, and listen more intently on the Renaissance. So I would definitely recommend this book. You might not want to read this book because you don’t like Historical Fiction or History in general, but you never know, it might have changed your perspective like it changed mine.

3.5 stars

I liked that this book kept you guessing until the end! I also appreciated learning about Leonardo da Vinci and Salai.

It was short, and I felt that, because of the length, the author did a good bit of telling vs. showing.