Book Review: Raphael, Painter in Rome

Hi everyone!

Last week I briefly talked about my new favourite book Raphael, Painter in Rome, written by Stephanie Storey. I promised I would make it this week’s main topic, and I will, but in order to do that I have a little story to tell you first (I promise it’s relevant). It’s a story about me. And Italy. If you know me you know I LOVE Italy. In my life, and especially when I was a kid, I have been lucky enough to visit this wonderful country several times. I was really young back then, but I can easily recollect many memories like swimming in Lake Garda, walking the streets of Rome, visiting Milan, taking silly pictures in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, eating pizza in Venice and visiting the Duomo in Florence.

Fast forward to 2019. About a year ago I found myself sitting behind my laptop, searching for an audiobook to listen to on my bus trip to Tuscany! Of course I searched for something related to Florence, but when I found Oil and Marble (another masterpiece written by Stephanie Storey) I mostly chose it because it was about Michelangelo (and Leonardo). I won’t say too much about it, but I can tell you this: it was because of Oil and Marble that my close-to-perfect holiday was now made perfect.

At the beginning of this year I learned that there was going to be another book called Raphael, Painter in Rome. I was very excited, but to be honest, I did not expect I would like it more than Oil and Marble. Only I did.

Raphael, Painter in Rome

Raphael, Painter in Rome is about the beautiful and talented Italian Renaissance painter Raphael Santi. At eleven years old Raphael promised his dying father to become the greatest painter in history. For years and years he practiced, copying other painters’ work and, always striving for perfection, trying to make it even better. There was only one man standing in his way: Michelangelo Buonarotti.

When Raphael saw the statue of the David he was in awe (who wouldn't be?), so he repeatedly mentioned that he was glad that Michelangelo was a sculptor and not a painter.

But then it turned out that he was.

When Pope Julius II called both artists down to Rome to pit them against each other (Michelangelo had to paint the Sistine Ceiling while Raphael decorated the pope’s private apartments), the rivalry began.

In my opinion the book is mostly about Raphael's struggles as he fought to reach perfection while battling his inner demons. But the story is also about falling in love, finding beauty and learning what is truly important in life. Are you excited to read it yet? If so, never mind my blog and go get yourself a copy! If not, please continue so I can keep on trying to convince you :)

Why do I love this book?

Apart from the fact that it is about Italy, art and history (three things I adore), the list of what I love about this book is endless, I’ll try to only name a few:

1. The writing style is wonderful. I am not exaggerating when I say that I was hooked from the very first sentence. Even though there is a lot of information to take in (you can tell Storey has done a LOT of research to make it as accurate as possible) it is very easy to read. I also love that it is written as if Raphael is sitting right next to you telling you his own story. I usually prefer books that aren’t first person narratives because you often miss a lot of information on the other characters, but that was definitely not the case with this one.

I also have to mention P.J. Ochlan (the narrator). He did an amazing job! Even though the words were in English, he made it sound very Italian. I loved that.

2. Raphael is (too) nice (for Rome). I love that Raphael is such a good guy. At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like him, because I knew he was going to be Michelangelo’s rival, and Michelangelo had already stolen my heart in Oil and Marble. I couldn’t possibly be on team Rapha now, could I?

As you might already have guessed: it didn’t take long before I fell in love with Santi. I loved his enthusiasm and his kindness and there were just so many things about him I could relate to. Apparently it is possible to love them both equally, without having to choose a side. (Team Raphaelangelo?)

3. Raphael and Michelangelo’s love-hate relationship. I think Raphael really admired Michelangelo, but Michelangelo on the other hand was extremely annoyed by literally everything Raphael did. Yet, he (Michelangelo) wasn’t mean to him. Not really. He didn’t work against him or tried to hurt him or anything. He just… I don’t really know how to explain it.

Maybe I can give you an example but it will be a really strange one:

Michelangelo and Raphael kind of reminded me of my two cats. The oldest of the two (he's the Michelangelo in my example) does not like our little Ravi (Raphael). He does not want him in our home, yet he tolerates him because he's part of the family so he doesn't really have a choice. And at times (at very rare occasions) he even seems to like him just a tiny little bit (but maybe that’s just me seeing things), but certainly not too much. Ravi on the other hand adores him. He thinks he’s the most wonderful cat alive and follows him everywhere, trying to learn from him, trying to be like him…

Do you get my point?

(Now as I am writing this I feel like I should really name my cats Michelangelo and Raphael. It suits them, doesn’t it? And Ravi can be short for Raphael, I think.)

4. I love the way it makes me feel. I started this post by telling you how much I love Italy, but I didn’t name the main reason why. Being in Italy always gives me this special feeling. I am not sure why, but the moment I get there it feels like I am coming home.

When I read the Raphael book I felt that exact same way! At the beginning it was like I was driving through Switzerland, witnessing the breath-taking view while listening to Mozart, knowing I was going to be in Italy soon. Next thing I knew I was in Florence again. I can't even begin to describe how that makes me feel, but it truly is the best feeling you can imagine.

Then I was eleven again, watching this beautiful dove fly out of the Saint Peter’s Cathedral the moment I was about to enter the magnificent building. (This truly felt like magic.)

And as I finished the book I relived the last memory I have of being in Rome, looking back over my shoulder to see the sun set behind the Colosseum, knowing I was going to be home soon, yet feeling like I wouldn’t be at home for a very long time.

I think this might be a nice way to end this post. I really hope I convinced you to read the book. May it mean the same to you as it did to me.

Stay safe everyone.

Much love,

Annabel

To Stephanie Storey (I doubt that you’ll read this, but if you do): THANK YOU.

Book Reviews:

Little Universes by Heather Demetrios ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Chewie and the Porgs by Kevin Shinick ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

All Men Are Assholes by Jordan West ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story by Anthony Daniels ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Fun fact: After I shared a brief review on Twitter, Mr. Daniels sent me a very sweet DM. I absolutely adore this man!)