From Publishers Weekly
A formulaic foray into the world of Renaissance Italy, this novel based on the life of painter Fra Filippo Lippi will be lapped up by fans of historical romance. In the year 1457, Lippi, a Carmelite monk in Prato, spots the lovely Lucrezia Buti and wants to use her as a model for his paintings and frescoes. Lucrezia's visits to the painter's bottega are misinterpreted by the convent's corrupt and powerful prior general, with irreparable consequences for the girl. But Lippi and Lucrezia fall in love, and through a series of intrigues involving the disappearance of a relic revered as miraculous by the people of Prato, the painter and his lover are vindicated and can live happily ever after—at least until the hasty last chapter. Albanese (Blue Suburbia) and art historian Morowitz have taken a historical rumor and fashioned it into a saccharine, tidy and satisfying romance.

I liked this much better than PW - a very interesting read. ( )

Having lived in Florence for several years and been a student of Renaissance art, I was initially concerned that The Miracles of Prato might travel the melodramatic route of several other recent “art historical fictions” (which shall remain nameless, but you know the ones I’m talking about!). I was relieved that it largely does not succumb to the formulaic sappiness that has marred other stories based on the lives of painters. While the story does have its dime-novel moments, it is for the most past respectful of history.

Set in the heart of the Italian Renaissance in a town on the outskirts of Florence, the story focuses on the trials and tribulations of Carmelite monk and famed painter Fra Filippo Lippi, and his scandalous relationship with the daughter of a prosperous Florentine silk merchant who has been consigned to a convent that is under Lippi’s ministry. Authors Laurie Albanese and Laura Morowitz had a wonderful base to work with, for the real story of Fra Filippo and his two famous loves – painting and Lucrezia Buti - is so fascinating that it doesn’t need much embellishment. While the actual details of Fra Filippo and Lucrezia’s alleged relationship are hazy at best, the authors have done a lovely job imagining and recreating what might have been. The authors naturally have had to fabricate characters and situations to round out the story, but overall they remain true to the historical facts that are known about the amorous couple. It helps that author Laura Morowitz is a Professor of Art History who received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU – I believe it is her influence that kept the story from veering off course. I appreciated that the authors didn’t take unjust liberties with the fascinating history upon which their story is based.

The Miracles of Prato is an engrossing, interesting read that contains all of the elements of good fiction while still maintaining a healthy reverence for historical fact and detail. ( )

The Miracles of Prato tells the story of Lucrezia Buti, a young woman who has just entered a convent against her wishes in 15th Century Prato, a town outside of Florence. Lucrezia's family had fallen on hard times, so she has been denied the marriage she always dreamed of and has to become a nun instead. Soon after entering the convent, a depressed Lucrezia catches the eye of Fra Fillipo, the convent's chaplain, and a famous monk-painter. Fillipo is intrigued by her beauty, and--seeing her as his new Madonna--asks her to model for him. The two quickly fall in love, and marry in secret after Lucrezia is the victim of a terrible crime. But what will the Church do, allow the monk and young nun a life together, or take it away?

Despite an excellent subject and a strong start, The Miracles of Prato fell a little flat for me. The authors do an excellent job of capturing the atmosphere of a small convent in Italy in the 15th century, and the art they describe is beautiful. But the characters that populate this beautiful world are extremely one dimensional, and they react to their situations in a consistently helpless fashion. I know I may be a modern reader imposing my views of the past, but I like my historical romance with a bit of spunk and passion, which is lacking in Miracles. Instead, the novel is full of stereotypes, from the greedy man at the head of the church to the fallen virgin who is still a repentant angel. Although the novel is in part based on fact, these flat representations make it feel unbelievable.

Although I didn't love this book overall, there were parts that were enjoyable, full of beautiful settings and scenes. It gives you a real feel for church life in Italy, and the struggles of young women at the time. I would recommend this book to fans of the Renaissance period in Italy, or students of art history, with a warning about the characters. ( )

The Miracles of Prato is the story of a lesser-known love affair, between the Renaissance painter Filippo Lippi, and Lucrezia Butti, a novice in the Convent of Santa Margherita in Prato. According to the authors' note in the back of the book, Lucrezia was either a novice or a young lady placed in the care of the Convent. They had two children together, one of which, Filippino, became a famous painter himself, studying under Boticelli. The story is probably a romanticized version of what really happened; doing a bit more reading, I found out that Lucrezia may have been kidnapped by Lippi, and held hostage in his home. The "miracle" of the title is the Sacra Cintola, or Sacred Belt, that is the lynchpin of part of the story.

I found this book to be slow going. The writing style is excellent, but excellent writing does not a great novel make. The authors are clearly passionate about art; it's too bad that the rest of the novel can't keep up. The love story is muted, and it was hard for me to see why the painter and novice were attracted to each other in the first place. It's a pretty standard treatment of an old story. But that said, I enjoyed the historical setting; it's well-researched, and the story is an interesting composite of fact and fiction. ( )