By Gina Buonaguro
“Luca made an excellent Odysseus, though I was quite partial, and I could not help but think he was speaking to me when he spoke these lines: “Be patient, my heart, for you have endured things worse than this before.” Yet again my own heart fought the reality of my predicament. There could be nothing worse. Jesus is to be my husband. I knew I had yet another mortal sin to add at the confessional and prayed God would be merciful.”
While Venice faces the threat of war and daily upheaval, Justina Soranzo chooses to approach life with a positive mindset. She firmly believes her father will arrange a marriage between her and Luca Cicogna, her beloved sweetheart. Luca is the perfect partner for Justina, as they share a deep appreciation for reading, can converse freely in meaningful conversations about ideologies and philosophies, and Luca fully encourages Justina’s joy for writing.
Life, however, has different ideas for Justina, as does her father. With the family name tarnished by debt, Justina’s father can only assemble a dowry for one daughter, and he decides to give Rosa, Justina’s younger sister, the opportunity to marry. The fact that Rosa has never met the man she has been betrothed to is cause for unease, especially considering she's only 13 years old. For Justina, her fate lies in the hands of the church. She will become a nun and, therefore, relinquish all her dreams for the future.
In the midst of war, loss, and sacrifice, can Justina find peace in the life that has been chosen for her? The Virgins of Venice: A Novel by Gina Buonaguro explores the complex nature of social intricacies, and reveals that scandal could still happen under the watchful eye of the Church.
Justina's realisation that her dream match would never happen was a shocking blow, but she had to remain strong for her family. Rosa was being coerced into a marriage that promised a bleaker future than Justina's life in the San Zaccaria convent. What was a life of devotion to God and separation from loved ones compared to a loveless marriage, forced to bear children for one you barely knew, and did not want to be near? Justina and Rosa, being sisters, were always close, but it took only one decision to forcefully separate them, condemning them to lives of misery and discontent. Reading about their relationship was truly beautiful. Despite being in impossible situations, their love for each other shines through the pages. Throughout everything, their thoughts are always on the other, praying for the best for each other instead of themselves.
Reading about Rosa's engagement and marriage is enough to make your stomach turn. In sixteenth century Venice, child marriages were common, but Rosa was exceptionally young at just 13. Rosa's circumstances made my heart weep, as she was pushed into a life where she had no choice but to submit. Justina's perspective is the sole narrative in this novel, sparing the reader from witnessing horrific scenes. However, the events are not-so-subtly alluded to, and Rosa's emotional responses are deeply moving. This novel fearlessly portrays the mistreatment of women in Venice during this era, and it also demonstrated that once their destiny was set by their elders, there was no going back. Dreams of the future lost their significance when a father had different intentions, and sadly, things took a turn for the worse for Rosa.
There is a clear comparison between Rosa and Justina, and Madelena, the family’s slave. Even though Madelena is close to the family, she is still their possession and lacks the freedom to do as she wishes. There are instances when her path reflects that of other characters, and while she is compelled to obey due to her position, so are Justina and Rosa. They are mere pawns in their family's game, strategically positioned to progress in society.
Life within the San Zaccaria convent was unlike what you may expect. Justina spends a lot of time alone in her room, or wandering the convent with her dog, rather than sticking to a strict timetable of prayer and service to God. She feels trapped in a prison, constantly monitored, and unable to act or speak freely, aware that privacy is forever lost. In her room, she finds solace from those at the convent who would willingly exploit any mistakes she may make and use it against her and her friends.
Convents are usually associated with prayer, closeness, friendship, and kindness, but this novel challenges that perception. Nuns, despite their profession, still have human emotions such as love and distaste towards others. Justina encounters certain characters in this book whom I strongly disliked, as they seem determined to make life difficult for others. Nonetheless, there were characters that met the expected nun archetype. Justina’s aunt, Livia, as well as friends, Elisabetta and Viena, are incredibly welcoming. Nonetheless, it doesn't indicate they have no aspirations in life other than devotion and prayer. No matter how many oaths or prayers are made, love remains unaffected, and forbidden love is the most irresistible. Justina's scenario with Luca is not unique; the other nuns may have had or still have their own sweetheart they can't stop thinking about.
Although she is meant to move on from him, Justina cannot simply forget Luca. Luca is a character you cannot help but love. He is there for Justina through thick and thin. No matter what comes, or what hurdles either of them face, he will always return to her side. He is a constant when her entire world is turned upside-down, and that in itself makes him an incredibly kind, down-to-earth character. The heartbreak in this novel extends beyond the story's events to the potential that went unrealised. If things had been different, Justina could have married Luca, and Rosa could have gone into San Zaccaria instead. It is so easy to see how the two sisters would have been so much more happy if the roles were reversed, and it is devastating to follow them as they try to find the small positives in a world full of negatives.
Gina Buonaguro's novel, The Virgins of Venice, illuminates the forgotten lives of women who lived in the shadows of history. This novel is deeply moving and will linger in your soul for a long time.
I Highly Recommend.
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See you on your next coffee break!
Take Care,
Mary Anne xxx