The Ruby Ring

by Diane Haeger

Book Overview

From critically acclaimed historical novelist Diane Haeger comes The Ruby Ring , an unforgettable story of love, loss, and immortal genius . . . Rome, 1520. The Eternal City is in mourning. Raphael... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400051738
• ISBN13: 9781400051731
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

The Ruby Ring

The compelling novel The Ruby Ring written by Diane Haegar is one that you can not stop reading. Diane Haegar does an amazing job of telling the story of Raphael Sanzio and the love of his life, Margherita Luti. It is a story about love, loss, and everything in between. When the famous artist Raphael Sanzio falls in love with a common baker's daughter, all of Rome goes into an uproar. To make it worse, he was already betrothed to the niece of Cardinal Bibbiena. At first Margherita Luti thought that everything that happened was simply too good to be true, and she later found out that it was. Cardinal Bibbiena was furious when Raphael called off the engagemen with his beloved niece Maria and simply would not allow him to marry Margherita. Together, Raphael and Margherita try to ignore all of the hatred and continue their life with one another. They run into many difficulties, but nothing could stop their undying love for eachother. Margherita is a relatable character in this story in several ways. She starts from nothing and at first doubts Raphael's motives because of his reputation with woman. Since Raphael was a famous artist who was friends with important people, Margherita had to try to impress everyone so that they would approve atleast a little more. She often had complicated decisions to make and had to disregard the ridicule that she received from people. Throughout the novel it is made clear that Margherita is just a normal person and goes through a lot of problems that many people do. I enjoyed reading this book a great deal. The whole story was so interesting and well written that I could not choose one favorite part. Although I did not have a favorite part, I did like when Margherita and Raphael first met. She was not interested in HIm the least bit but he was persisten in getting to know her and having her stick around. There is not anything that I would change about this book because there was romance and conflict that made this book very alluring. I would definitely recomment this book to other people. I think that a variety of people would take pleasure in reading The Ruby Ring because there are so many aspects that could interest someone. Anyone who especially likes romance, drama, and some history would easily be hooked on reading this unforgettable tale.

A wonderful story you won't be able to put down!!

She's done it again! I have read all of Diane Haeger's books, and this is yet another exquisite tale, a love story filled with vivid, rich descriptions that made me feel like I was actually there on the streets of Rome, walking right next to the characters! She paints such a detailed picture with her words it is truly remarkable. I was instantly drawn into the story from the first page, and once I started, I could not put it down. This is no silly romance novel, by any means. If you enjoy a good story, that's well-written, plus a good love story set against a historical background, this is the book for you. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

A Beautifully Written Historical Novel

Diane Haeger's newest novel, "The Ruby Ring", is a beautifully written story and rich in historical detail... which readers of Ms. Haeger's books have come to expect from this fine author of historical fiction. She has not only brought to life the characters of artist Raphael Sanzio and his beloved Margherita and their passion for one another, but also the entire city of Sixteenth Century Rome! It is a treat for the imagination, and a wonderful window to gaze into a time and place where none of us have been. Diane Haeger's job is a tough one! Though we would all love to see Raphael and Margherita together forever, she has stayed true to what is known of these individuals, both the joyful and the sad, and presented us with a splendid story of how it all may have unfolded if one were there to observe it. As with all of her previous novels, "The Ruby Ring" is sheer reading enjoyment, filled with immaculate details and vivid mental pictures, and is a virtual education into another place and time. I come away from her books feeling enriched.

Wonderful

From the time I began reading, I couldnt put it down. Well written, descriptions are beautiful, the book brings you back in history to a time when life was simpler, beautiful, harsh, and a great division between social/economic classes. Didnt hurt that I took it to Rome never knowing I would be in the subject city. Exhausted by sightseeing, walking, etc, still could not let a nite or a bus ride go by in Italy that I didnt read it. Became so involved in the story that I went to the Trastavere area to see the streets, etc. Wondered how much was fiction and fact. Went to the Pantheon, looked for Raffaello's crypt. After coming home I read it again. Would recommend it highly.

A heartbreaking story

"The Ruby Ring" is a love story about Raphael the famous Renaissance Painter that falls for a peasant woman. He has many outstanding commissions all over Rome that he is running behind in and Michelangelo and his protégé Sebastiano are constantly on his heels with envy and jealousy. He is in need of a muse he finds that in Margherita. At first she declines the offer to be his model because it is well known that Raphael is a philanderer and more times than not seduces his models she has a higher image of herself (her mother's influence) and does not want THAT for herself. Of course as in all romance novels the chase for Raphael is more intense because she will not agree to become his model. After he repeatedly offers money, comes to her father's bakery sends her a (respectful) piece of art -- so that she is able to understand he just wants her to model for him ONLY she agrees. Raphael is engaged to a Cardinals niece so there is a lot of political pressure on him constantly not only to complete his commissions but to honor his betrothal. Time goes by he becomes obsessed with her, they fall in love he desperately tries to get out of the betrothal, his enemies are against them at every turn. This book didn't have a lot of detail about their surroundings as you normally find in a romance novel much of the book took place at 4 locations his studio, his home, the bakery and a number of places that he was working on the art. Leonardo Da Vinci makes a few appearance and for the most part Michelangelo is in Florence not in Rome where this book takes place. Raphael becomes so consumed with Margherita that he seems never to pick up the pace when it comes to his commissions I found that frustrating because it was obvious these men didn't want him with her and kept reminding him that she was a distraction to him, I would have thought that he would have made sure to complete his jobs in a timely manner since at every turn they were constantly reminding him of his DUTIES to THEM. Granted you understand that for Raphael SHE became his duty and all else was irrelevant to him.... Diane H. is unquestionably one of the most gifted writers of Historical Romance Fiction out there. Her books are so involving that after you read the pages you still fill like there is more to learn of the individuals in the story. I should know because after reading this book I did some research of my own on the web regarding Raphael as well as Margherita to see what she really looked like in all of the paintings. The one thing that I realize in reading nearly most of Diane books is that very rarely is there a Happy Ending... but since largely what she writes is actual Historical events the reader has to understand that's the way it is, no matter how much "filler" she puts in it she always brings it back to the factual ending. I also recommend if you like this type of tale "The Girl with the pearl Earring" (a fictitious story inspired by a real work of art) or even perhaps the movie "Th