{"product_id":"9780349131122","title":"Costanza : 'Striking fictional retelling of this true history' – Sunday Times","description":"\u003cp\u003eby Blackmore, Rachel | Historical fiction \u003cbr\u003ePublished 05\/06\/2025 by John Murray Press (Renegade Books) in the United Kingdom \u003cbr\u003ePaperback | 432 pages\u003cbr\u003e129 x 198 x 29mm | 346g\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e'In Blackmore's striking fictional retelling of this true history, Costanza refuses to accept a fate as nothing more than a victim of male exploitation' SUNDAY TIMESRome, 1636: In the scorched city of Rome, the cobbled streets hum with gossip and sin... Costanza Piccolomini is a respectable young wife - until she meets Gianlorenzo Bernini, the famed sculptor and star of Roman society, whose jet-black gaze matches his dark temper. From the second they set eyes upon each other, a fatal attraction is born.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTheir secret love burns with a passion that consumes them. But with every stolen kiss and illicit tryst, Costanza's reputation is at stake. Meanwhile, Bernini has a dangerous desire: he wants to make Costanza immortal. He vows to possess her not just in body and soul, but also in marble.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Bernini unveils his sculpture of Costanza, she is exposed as his lover, marking the undoing of their affair - and the beginning of a scandal which will rock Roman society. For Bernini would rather destroy Costanza than let her go.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetrayed. Abandoned. Banished. This was meant to be the end of Costanza's story. But Costanza is no ordinary woman: from the ashes, she will rise...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistory calls her a Muse. Temptress. Fallen woman. This is her story. Based on a true story, Costanza brings to life a feminist icon who has been written out of history. Perfect for fans of The Marriage Portrait and The Miniaturist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Emotionally intense' DAILY MAIL'Stunning' JENNIE GODFREY'This novel took over my life' PATERSON JOSEPH'I loved it' ELIZABETH CHADWICK'This has to be my book of the year!' SHEILA O'FLANAGAN'A revelation' ELLEN ALPSTEN\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"THE CLEEVE BOOKSHOP LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55285718024567,"sku":"9780349131122","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/0729\/3737\/files\/costanza-striking-fictional-retelling-of-this-true-history-sunday-times-the-cleeve-bookshop-55576.jpg?v=1752095234","url":"https:\/\/thecleevebookshop.co.uk\/products\/9780349131122","provider":"The Cleeve Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}