History is a Bitch - a weblog by Jeanne Kalogridis

Dear Jeanne, I am a 70 year old woman, and I have just finished I, Mona Lisa. Just loved it, but especially one passage. I was reading it in bed, and had to jump out of bed and dance around the room ! Can you imagine, it was the passage about Donatello's Mary Magdelene ! I had the exact same reaction to her the first time I saw her in 1964. She stole my heart completely. I went back twenty years later-after the flood-and was devastated not to find her in the Duomo. A kindly person directed me to her in the museum across the street where I was able to take pictures so I could remember her in years to come. I also agreed with your feelings about Donatello's David. I was so dis-appointed in any further works of his that I was able to see. The whole book was wonderful. What a great imagination you have to have filled out Lisa's life so fully. Thank you for an exciting tour of Florence at such a time of turmoil. Thank you again-Shirley Ortisi

Shirley,
Your comments delighted me! I have the most wonderful image of you jumping out of bed. Donatello's Magdalen is so haunting, isn't she? Thank you so much for your kind, kind words.