THE LION AND THE ROSE
A Novel of the Borgias
From the national bestselling author of The Serpent and the Pearl comes the continuing saga of the ruthless family that holds all of Rome in its grasp, and the three outsiders thrust into their twisted web of blood and deceit . . .
As the cherished concubine of the Borgia Pope Alexander VI, Giulia Farnese has Rome at her feet. But after narrowly escaping a sinister captor, she realizes that the danger she faces is far from over—and now, it threatens from within. The Holy City of Rome is still under Alexander’s thrall, but enemies of the Borgias are starting to circle.
From the national bestselling author of The Serpent and the Pearl comes the continuing saga of the ruthless family that holds all of Rome in its grasp, and the three outsiders thrust into their twisted web of blood and deceit . . .
As the cherished concubine of the Borgia Pope Alexander VI, Giulia Farnese has Rome at her feet. But after narrowly escaping a sinister captor, she realizes that the danger she faces is far from over—and now, it threatens from within. The Holy City of Rome is still under Alexander’s thrall, but enemies of the Borgias are starting to circle. In need of trusted allies, Giulia turns to her sharp-tongued bodyguard, Leonello, and her fiery cook and confidante, Carmelina.
Caught in the deadly world of the Renaissance’s most notorious family, Giulia, Leonello, and Carmelina must decide if they will flee the dangerous dream of power. But as the shadows of murder and corruption rise through the Vatican, they must learn who to trust when every face wears a mask . . .
- Berkley
- Paperback
- January 2014
- 464 Pages
- 9780425268766
Buy the Book
$16.00
About Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn is a native of Southern California. She attended Boston University, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Classical Voice. A lifelong history buff, she first got hooked on ancient Rome while watching I,Claudius at the age of eight. Her first two novels, Mistress of Rome and Daughters of Rome, have been translated into multiple languages.
Praise
“Kate Quinn is a masterful storyteller…It is no mean feat to write a novel that is both literary and a page-turner.”—Margaret George, bestselling author of Helen of Troy
“Kate Quinn is a mistress of storytelling . . . She skillfully intertwines the private lives of her characters with huge and shocking events . . . Quinn is a remarkable new talent.”—Kate Furnivall, bestselling author of The Russian Concubine
“A riveting tale…glamorous and brutal, a heady mix of intrigue and combat, with added decadence and depravity…An exhilarating read.”—Marie Claire, UK
“Fans of Philippa Gregory’s books who have had enough of Elizabethan times will be entranced by this Rome-set debut….Awash with historical detail, this is a violent, passionate, compelling read.”—Elle Magazine, UK
Discussion Questions
The novel opens in the middle of the action, as the Pope’s mistress and her friends are hostages from the French army. Did you come to their story fresh, or did you read The Serpent and the Pearl, which came before it? How did this affect your enjoyment of The Lion and the Rose? Did you have any other preconceptions about the Borgia family from legends, rumors, television, or other books?
The dwarf Leonello and the cook Carmelina are quickly introduced as enemies. How do their feelings toward each other change over the course of the novel? Did their relationship change in the ways that you expected, or did it end up surprising you?
Sancha (the Tart of Aragon) is roundly denounced for being a harlot, whereas Juan and Cesare, who behave in the same way, are not. Do you think this is fair? Why is Giulia not despised as Sancha is, though she is equally notorious?
Leonello’s pursuit of a mysterious killer leads him to a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with Cesare Borgia, and Giulia observes that both Cesare and Leonello enjoy “needling people just to see their reactions” (p. 155). What are other similarities and differences between the Pope’s son and the dwarf bodyguard? What about Leonello and Cesare’s other bodyguard, Michelotto?
Giulia’s affair with her Pope is filled with genuine affection at the beginning of the novel. When do you see her feelings begin to change? Did the change come from inside Giulia, or from Rodrigo’s actions, or both?
Kitchen apprentice Bartolomeo is the only character who can match Carmelina’s love of food and skill at cooking. How does the delicious food they make alter the course of events at various points in the novel?
The murderer sought by Leonello meets a vicious end. Did he deserve that end, or did was there another way to stop him? What about the man acting as his squire, who was killed accidentally?
Did you hope that Rodrigo Borgia would reform the Church and the city of Rome after his breakdown and epiphany? Were you pleased or disappointed by the outcome?
Re-read the conversation in which Leonello leaves Giulia’s household. Did you expect their exchange to play out as it did? Were you as surprised as Giulia was?
Carmelina speaks bitterly of the life that nuns lead. In your opinion, did nuns or married women lead more restrictive lives in the Renaissance?
Each of the three narrators has a relic or a symbol of power that defines them: Carmelina has a true relic in the withered hand of her patron saint Santa Marta; Giulia has her floor-length hair; Leonello has his knives. What power do these relics really hold for their owners? How do they feel about their respective relics by the end of the novel?
All the Borgias change radically over the course of the novel. Did you find their descent believable? Who do you think changed the most radically, and why? What do you think the future for them holds, beyond the end of the novel?