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The Princess of Nowhere A Novel Lorenzo Borghese Books

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The Princess of Nowhere A Novel Lorenzo Borghese Books

I wasn't familiar with the author (Prince Lorenzo Borghese) prior to stumbling across this book, so I had no preconceptions about him. I am much more familiar with the Napoleonic era, so my review is based more on content and characters.

The author provides a very interesting Afterword titled, "The History Behind the Story" which describes a family trip to Rome and his first sight of Pauline Bonaparte Borghese's (in)famous marble Venus Victrix (by Antonio Canova), and his desire to learn more about the woman who had posed for it (and who had been married to a brother of one of his ancestors). The marble Venus figures prominently in "A Princess of Nowhere" and the author has taken care to include less well known details about it. (Note: The Galleria Borghese website has a picture of the rotating base that is mentioned in the story, and also discusses the tradition of viewing the sculpture by candle light.)

As for the plot itself, it's not War & Peace 8-) but it is a pleasant work of light fiction. It *does* contain some very graphic, em, scenes of romance. The story doesn't demand any special knowledge of the Bonapartes or of the era. It is simply a story of a couple with issues in their marriage, the things that they say or do (and later regret) and how they grow up a bit by the end.

Oddly enough, I kept wishing that the book had been longer. The short length (a hair over 300 pages) is my main complaint.

I liked the characterization of Pauline and Camillo. The author has created characters with known flaws (Pauline had an overly developed sensuality, and Camillo wasn't famous for his intellect), but balances them out to make a readable story. The family connection provided a nice touch.

I can't see this book ever becoming a "classic" but I did enjoy it. It's a good book for those days when you want a light historical romance with some nice touches and a resolution. Take it to the beach and enjoy!


Tags : Amazon.com: The Princess of Nowhere: A Novel (9780061721618): Lorenzo Borghese: Books,Lorenzo Borghese,The Princess of Nowhere: A Novel,William Morrow Paperbacks,0061721611,Biographical,Biographical fiction,Bonaparte, Paolina,Borghese, Camillo,Historical fiction.,Man-woman relationships,Married people;Fiction.,Princesses,1775-1832,1780-1825,American Historical Fiction,Bonaparte, Paolina,,Borghese, Camillo,,FICTION Biographical,FICTION Historical General,Fiction,Fiction - Historical,Fiction Historical,Historical - General,Historical fiction,Married people

The Princess of Nowhere A Novel Lorenzo Borghese Books Reviews

Pauline Bonaparte is renowned as the most beautiful woman in Europe. Recently widowed, older brother Napoleon wants her to make an advantageous marriage - and Prince Camillo Borghese just might fit the bill - and he is very interested despite the rumors he's heard about her very busy bed. The two marry and begin a stormy on and off again relationship as the very proper Prince Camillo is forced to take a walk on the wild side with his new bride.

So, sounds like the makings of a rich, meaty historical novel you'd love to sink your teeth into, doesn't it? First off, if I'd done a bit more research not on the book, but the author beforehand I'd probably have stayed clear. Here's the deal - the author is a descendent of that same Borghese family (although not directly from Camillo and Pauline) - and while he's worn a lot of career hats I think this is the first time he's written a book. According to Wik Lorenzo Borghese has been on The Bachelor and also works in the family's cosmetics business and other business enterprises. Not exactly the background that suggests serious historical novelist to me.

On to my overall impressions - while the book isn't *bad* by any means, it certainly isn't great either. First and foremost, the blurb on the back promises this is told from the POV (third person) of Sophie Leclerc, a cousin of her first husband. Guess what, Sophie isn't even in the picture much of the time and she's most especially absent when Pauline and Camillo have to have hot hot hot sex (although not terribly hot for this reader, no chemistry there). We really don't get to know Sophie that well, let alone understanding her lifelong devotion to Pauline considering some of the treatment she receives. Camillo Borghese is a perfect gentleman with impeccable courtly manners, while Pauline screams SLUT.

Those quibbles aside, I think where this really falls short is we really don't get a feel for the real Pauline. The story begins when she's a widow, we don't *see* her as a young girl, nor do we find out what brought on her wild sexual behavior - or was it all rumor and innuendo? There are large periods in her life that are glossed over with a few pages of imagined letters from her, including the period where she joined her brother during his exile in Elba, yet we get page upon tedious page of her dying days and reunion with her perfect husband, including more hot sex - `natch. In the end, this is a novel that just teased me with what could have been (would someone please write that story?) and leaves you wanting more. This might do if you are in the mood for something *lite*, but this will stick with you just about as much as cotton candy at the fair - you'll just be left hungry for something more substantial.

Thanks for Librarything's Early Reviewer program for my copy.
i was very satisfied with the product
Great book written by Bachelor personality.
I read this novel after watching Prince Lorenzo Borghese on Celebrity Big Brother UK in the summer of 2012 for over 3 weeks.I was stunned by the way the story is told in his voice,his non judgemental attitude and how much of his personality is in this book. Camillo his major character and family is very much Lorenzo himself.Lorenzo is very unassuming and gives chance to extreme characters.This came across on Celebrity Big Brother and comes across very well in his handling and development of Pauline.

Knowing Lorenzo in a setting like Celebrity Big Brother where his emotions, opinions,relationships,patience and ability to handle conflict are tested, and stretched to the limit helped me greatly to understand why he had an interest in writing this part of his family history.The book tests all these in Camillo Borghese and probably is a reflection on Lorenzo himself.

I would reccommend this book to anyone in the UK who watched him on this show, has access to the footage, has an interest in how family background is reflected in voice and personality beyond generations or an interest in romantic historical fiction.

Half of a Yellow Sun
I loved the book!!! I was enchanted as I started reading and couldnt put the book down until I finished it. One of the main characters Prince Camillo Borghese was phenomenal-- a real aristocrat and a great man. His love, nobility and patience have completely outweighed his weaknesses of character when it came to Pauline. In regards to Pauline, I was annoyed, angry, disappointed, enraged and sad but never bored. I loved the details about the daily life of the aristocratic families, the letters, conversations and some historical references. It was a beautifully written book. I enjoyed every page and I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those who have grown completely disappointed with love and relations between lovers.
I wasn't familiar with the author (Prince Lorenzo Borghese) prior to stumbling across this book, so I had no preconceptions about him. I am much more familiar with the Napoleonic era, so my review is based more on content and characters.

The author provides a very interesting Afterword titled, "The History Behind the Story" which describes a family trip to Rome and his first sight of Pauline Bonaparte Borghese's (in)famous marble Venus Victrix (by Antonio Canova), and his desire to learn more about the woman who had posed for it (and who had been married to a brother of one of his ancestors). The marble Venus figures prominently in "A Princess of Nowhere" and the author has taken care to include less well known details about it. (Note The Galleria Borghese website has a picture of the rotating base that is mentioned in the story, and also discusses the tradition of viewing the sculpture by candle light.)

As for the plot itself, it's not War & Peace 8-) but it is a pleasant work of light fiction. It *does* contain some very graphic, em, scenes of romance. The story doesn't demand any special knowledge of the Bonapartes or of the era. It is simply a story of a couple with issues in their marriage, the things that they say or do (and later regret) and how they grow up a bit by the end.

Oddly enough, I kept wishing that the book had been longer. The short length (a hair over 300 pages) is my main complaint.

I liked the characterization of Pauline and Camillo. The author has created characters with known flaws (Pauline had an overly developed sensuality, and Camillo wasn't famous for his intellect), but balances them out to make a readable story. The family connection provided a nice touch.

I can't see this book ever becoming a "classic" but I did enjoy it. It's a good book for those days when you want a light historical romance with some nice touches and a resolution. Take it to the beach and enjoy!