The Poet Prince: A Novel (The Magdalene Line, 3)

This is a must read for anyone following this series. Truly inspiring and life changing. There were times I could not put it down.

Kathleen McGowan has created possibly the most important literary works of this century starting with "The Expected One" then `The Book of Love" and now "The Poet Prince" These books bring to light many truths which have been obscured or hidden throughout the centuries. The suppression of the importance of Mary Magdalene to the teachings and life of Jesus is something that I have felt was missing from the Bible.The role of women in history has been diminished and ignored. Kathleen brings a few of the heroines back to the forefront and has given them the recognition they so richly deserve. Kathleen's thorough research gives me confidence of the historical correctness of her characters and events. For instance, a little known fact is that Pope Gregory the Great declared in 1969 that the Catholic Church reversed its stand on Mary Magdalene's status as a prostitute. She had been vindicated but as a footnote historically.These books give an agonizingly bitter look at the extent to which some truths have been suppressed and the sacrifices and deaths to keep the truth alive. In the Poet Prince, it is revealed why art became so important in that it was the only way that the truth could be preserved. The paintings, the poetry, the murals contain hidden symbols that are only now being discovered and interpreted.The artists risked their lives at a time when heresy was considered a death sentence. This has given me such a broader understanding and appreciation of the arts. I will never look at another piece of art from the Renaissance in the same way again.Kathleen brings history alive with real characters and creating an exciting storyline with a superb continuity throughout the ages that follows through each of her books. It is GENIUS and inspired. And most probably only for those with ears to hear and eyes to see. I hope that she continues with the drama, I am so anxious to meet more people from our history.

Having been brought up a Roman Catholic, educated in Catholic schools and embracing my religion and the saints and others who I admire and try to emulate, I so appreciate the opening my eyes to another thought that Jesus was truly made human in every aspect. I can relate to this so much more than my early education.The Way of Love is truly what we should all aspire to.Thank you for this eye opening history lesson and an alternative to what I've been taught.

Such a heart warming book. I found myself in tears throughout my read of it. If it doesn’t inspire the mind, it will certainly touch the heart.

As a huge fan of her other books...i was eagerly awaiting the next installment. McGowan has a gift for story-telling that is rare, a style that makes me forget I'm reading a book and takes me to the time & places she writes about. On The Poet Prince...I admit I don't know much about the Renaissance era, but was looking forward to the next book in The Magdalene Line and this was a real treat. It was historical information on the Renaissance with McGowan's unique style and story-telling ability. Whether it's fact or fiction, (or the critics love or hate it), the truth is that these books are great reads! In The Poet Prince she makes the artwork come alive! Its well-written, and I felt good every time I settled down to read it. The flow, the drama, the concepts, the stories all work together to create a really good book! I've given this book to several friends, both male and female, and everyone has enjoyed it.After finishing the book quickly (I looked forward to every chance I could read...and ended up finishing it WAY too quickly) I had a new appreciation for the art, artists, and the love infused in what they created. And a new view on the Renaissance...I'm planning to check out the pieces that she describes so beautifully, and see the possible symbolism! Heck, now I want to go visit Tuscany, and all the places she writes about! I enjoy the way McGowan writes, it's unique and I love the tie of the ancient and modern. Do yourself a favor and check this out.

The entire trilogy is utterly fascinating! McGowan’s storytelling is breath-taking. I could not stop ready and find myself wanting all of it, even the fictional parts to be true. Il temps revient….

I really enjoy Kathleen McGowan's novels and was thrilled that she was releasing a new one so soon after her last one.Whether or not you agree with the original premise of her first book - that the Magdalene and Jesus were married and had children - you will learn so much history and geography in general.This novel follows the Medici line, and it was incredibly interesting to learn about the beginning of the Renaissance and this part of Italy. It absolutely comes to life in the way that McGowan writes about it.I do feel as though the more that these stories continue, the present-day characters seem to appear less and less. That kind of bothers me, as they were more of the focus in the beginning.Berenger lying to Maureen about a few things was disconcerting. It is obvious what the truth is before you reach the end, but you wish that the characters were smart enough to figure it out.I do love that McGowan has done so much research and so much of what she writes is backed up by fact. You will find yourself digging through and looking up the artwork mentioned.

Normally when I buy books to read on the Kindle I have found the reviews to be of some help when choosing an author I have no experience of. Not this time. I have studied this period of Italian history for many years both in this counrty and in Italy. Not all of the books I have read have been non fiction but a good many fictional novels have been written that capture this period of history and its people very well.I found the book to lack in substance and the main characters annoying, dull and predictable.I thought the Da Vinci code was bad but I'm sorry to say this is worse.I know I'm in the minority regarding other reviewers more positive comments so maybe its just me.If you enjoyed Dan Brown and other authors of this genre you will probably enjoy this but if you are looking for a novel set in this time period there are much better ones available.

I thought this might not be for me when I read the first chapter - it is incredibly gory! But,thankfully, the story then becomes less traumatic, though no less interesting as the author takes us into the world of Renaissance Florence and the life of Lorenzo dei Medici, intertwined with a modern day woman's life. The most famous Renaissance artists are also portrayed as well as Lorenzo's family background and personal life. It is fictional, of course, with elements of The Da Vinci Code, but incredibly well-researched and plausible. I absolutely loved it.

Having purchased the first 2 books of the trilogy, I was used to the writing style of going backwards and forwards in time, although it still does make for a bit of confusion now and then. Overall an interesting story of how history is interwoven into the present day and vice versa - it certainly casts a new perception into various areas. It now seems there is a fourth book in the offing so it seems to have expanded from a trilogy into a series. Will await the arrival of the new book into paperback with interest.

Love this author, her writing transports to far away lands, the way she describes paintings it makes you want rush off and look at them. While leading I had my tablet at my side so I could look up the paintings and see what they saw. Can't wait for the next instalment. Please hurry

All the books in this trilogy are powerful, and I believe extremely important. They are beautifully written, the people within them coming to life with great clarity, and have been left wanting to research and find out more. I gather each book could have been over 1,500 pages long, but many of the outtakes are on-line as PDF files. I am so looking forward to Kathleen's next book early 2015.