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Leonardo's Shadow: Or, My Astonishing Life as Leonardo da Vinci's Servant
Leonardo's Shadow Or My Astonishing Life as Leonardo da Vinci's Servant
Author: Christopher Grey
Milan, 1497. The height of the Renaissance. And for Giacomo, servant of the famous painter Leonardo da Vinci, it's the most difficult time of all. His Master has been working on the Last Supper, his greatest painting ever, for nearly two years. But has he finished it? He's barely started! The all-powerful Duke of Milan is demanding that i...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9781416905448
ISBN-10: 1416905448
Publication Date: 3/4/2008
Pages: 400
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 4

4.4 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
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GeniusJen avatar reviewed Leonardo's Shadow: Or, My Astonishing Life as Leonardo da Vinci's Servant on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

Leonardo da Vinci hasn't worked on the fresco of the Last Supper in two years. His supporters are most unhappy with his progress. Payments for da Vinci have stopped, but that does not stop the da Vinci household from running up debts all over town.

The shopkeepers are starting to refuse more credit on his accounts.

The Duke of Milan and da Vinci have a history of playful disagreements. However, the Duke makes no secret that he's asked the rival artist Michaelangelo to town. With threats at his doorstep and the Pope coming to the chapel in the near future, da Vinci gets to work.

LEONARDO'S SHADOW shares the story of the creation of the Last Supper through the eyes of da Vinci's servant, Giacomo. Grey spins a wonderful tale of historical fiction for anyone who's interested in the Italian Renaissance.
vnorthw avatar reviewed Leonardo's Shadow: Or, My Astonishing Life as Leonardo da Vinci's Servant on + 9 more book reviews
In 1490, young Giacomo is a thief running through the market of Milan. Fevered and weary, he finds his way to the top of the Milan Cathedral, only to fall from the roof. Days later he awakes in the home of the great Leonardo da Vinci. With no where else to go, and no memory of where he came from, he agrees to work as daVinci's servant.

In 1497, daVinci has been working on The Last Supper for two years, with little headway made. Without producing results, he is not being paid by the Duke, and his debts with nearby merchants are rising.

Giacomo is a witty and fun narrator, he reminded me somewhat of a sports caster in the way he narrated, giving a play-by-play of the action but stopping to add in his thoughts on the matter. I can definitely commend the author on the uniqueness of the narrator's voice.

A truthful representation of 15th Century Milan, Leonardo's Shadow weaves fact with fiction in an adventure about finding inspiration and family in places you never would have expected.


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