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Disobedient

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

I'll show you what a woman can do...

Rome 1611.

A jewel-bright place of change, with sumptuous new palaces and lavish wealth on display. A city where women are seen but not heard.

Artemisia Gentileschi dreams of becoming a great artist. Motherless, she grows up among a family of painters - men and boys. She knows she is more talented than her brothers, but she cannot choose her own future. She wants to experience the world, but she belongs to her father and will belong to a husband.

As Artemisia patiently goes from lesson to lesson, perfecting her craft, she also paints in private, recreating the women who inspire her, away from her father's eyes.

Until a mysterious tutor enters her life. Tassi is a dashing figure, handsome and worldly, and for a moment he represents everything that a life of freedom might offer. But then the unthinkable happens.

In the eyes of her family, Artemisia should accept her fate. In the eyes of the law, she is the villain.

But Artemisia is a survivor. And this is her story to tell.

©2023 E C Fremantle (P)2023 Penguin Audio Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Renaissance Women's Fiction

Critic reviews

I could not put this book down. Every woman - and man - should read it.
Shocking, gripping, Fremantle has crafted a tale that vividly evokes Baroque Italy
by portraying a strong, assertive women. Splendid! (ALISON WEIR)
A great female artist struggling for her voiceand for justice is brought to powerful life. Brilliantly researched, rich in detail, grippingly written, Disobedient is the novel Elizabeth Fremantle was born to write (ELIZABETH BUCHAN)
An exhilarating read. Through effervescent prose, Elizabeth Fremantle brings the story of artist Artemisia Gentieschi to life. Gripping, captivating, and consistently enlightening, Disobedient firmly places Gentileschi as one of the greatest female heroines in history (KATY HESSEL)
All stars
Most relevant
A brilliantly written story beautifully read. The characters are convincingly brought to life and the story keeps you wanting to listen for more.

Totally gripping!

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A great plot, brilliantly told. The injustice faced by women, and their power to overcome it, is depicted with great emotion but without sentiment. It’s great.

Brilliant storytelling

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Loved this story despite gruesome details of masochistic treatment of women at that time in history and torture. Kept me engrossed and wanting to keep listening. Narrator was excellent bringing the characters to life. Would highly recommend and will look out for other books by this author with eager anticipation.

Fabulous feminist artist story

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I was drawn into the book from the first chapter I loved the subject matter and the ultimate triumph of the main character

Powerful story of bravery

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Loved all the detail of the paint and descriptions of the paintings. There is much sadness and despair in this story. Women seem at first powerless then gain some ground only to be thwarted once more. It’s a hopeful story building on strong women and the weaknesses of the male.

Blood and gory.

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