An acclaimed author of the historical biography genre, Irving Stone's stunning portrayal of the life and times of the famous Renaissance artist Michelangelo is almost epic in its scale and execution. It chronicles the life of Michelangelo from his humble beginnings, his aspiration to become a master sculptor in the face of stiff opposition from his family, his interactions with popes, kings and his equally famous contemporaries (Leonardo Da Vinci), his refusal to bow to the traditional artistic norms, his controversial depiction of gods and saints in his paintings and sculptures, and his turbulent love affairs with three different women in different stages of his life. The amount of research and hard work that the author has put in the book is clearly reflected in the amount of detail visible in each and every incident and place described. The most striking feature of the book are the chapters which describe the construction of Michelangelo's most famous works (Pieta, Moses, Sistine Chapel, the dome of St. Peters), capturing in detail the inner turmoil and emotions experienced by an artist striving to achieve perfection and inner satisfaction in the face of a rigid social framework which often does not see eye to eye with the artist's vision. All in all, this is a truly engrossing read for everyone who has an interest in Renaissance art and sculpture and would like an insight into an artist's mind. Keep in mind however, that this is no Da Vinci Code and don't go for this one if you are looking for a light read. This one is recommended only for people who want to know about Michelangelo and what went behind each of his works and the attached motivation. Although a fictionalised biography, it is the credit of the author who crafts such a realistic tale which may lead you to believe that it is an actual authorised biography of Michelangelo that you are reading.
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