33 pages • 1 hour read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
160
Book • Nonfiction
Florence, Italy • 1450s
1986
Adult
18+ years
In Giovanni and Lusanna: Love and Marriage in Renaissance Florence, historian Gene A. Brucker details the relationship between Giovanni di Ser Lodovico della Casa and Lusanna di Girolamo, highlighting their romance, secret marriage, and subsequent court trial in fifteenth-century Florence. This microhistory underscores how Florentine society handled issues of love, marriage, and social class.
Romantic
Challenging
466 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Gene A. Brucker's Giovanni and Lusanna has been lauded for its meticulous use of archival sources to illuminate a dramatic 15th-century marriage dispute. Reviewers praise Brucker's narrative skill and historical insight. Some critique it for lacking broader socio-political context. Overall, it's recommended for its vivid portrayal of Renaissance Florence.
Readers interested in social history, gender studies, and Renaissance Florence will enjoy Giovanni and Lusanna by Gene A. Brucker. Comparable to Natalie Zemon Davis's The Return of Martin Guerre, this book engages those intrigued by personal stories woven into broader historical contexts.
466 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Giovanni della Casa
A wealthy bachelor from the aristocratic della Casa family, Giovanni engages in a controversial relationship with Lusanna. His ties to elite circles, including the Medici family, play a critical role in the unfolding events.
Archbishop Antoninus
The most powerful religious figure in Florence, known for his commitment to fairness and justice, Antoninus presides over Lusanna's case. He makes pivotal decisions that reflect his dedication to protecting the city's poorer citizens.
Ser Filippo Mazzei
A notary in Archbishop Antoninus's ecclesiastical court, Ser Filippo documents the events of the legal proceedings involving Lusanna's case. His detailed recordings provide insight into the court's procedures.
Cosimo de' Medici
The influential patriarch of the Medici family, Cosimo wields considerable power in Florence through an elaborate patronage network. His connections and possible influence are speculated to impact the outcome of the legal proceedings.
160
Book • Nonfiction
Florence, Italy • 1450s
1986
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.