The Agony and the Ecstasy A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo

I forgot to add this as one of the books I've read this year. I loved this book mostly because I love art and also because Stone did a good job of making Michelangelo real. I also liked the humanist bent of Michelangelo's writings and actions. I forgot to add this book as one of the books I've read this year. I loved the book mostly because I love art and enjoy art history. Irving...more

I forgot to add this as one of the books I've read this year. I loved this book mostly because I love art and also because Stone did a good job of making Michelangelo real. I also liked the humanist bent of Michelangelo's writings and actions. I forgot to add this book as one of the books I've read this year. I loved the book mostly because I love art and enjoy art history. Irving Stone did a good job of making Michelangelo a real person rather than just a name attached to beautiful works of art.   hide

A M-U-S-T READ for ANY art enthusiasts in the world of painting, sculpture, art, music -- it's all there in Italy and gloriously captured through this historical fiction. Absolutley INCREDIBLE!!! A must read if you faith and art is important to you. A must read to get to know one of the greatest artists of all time!

This book changed my experience of Italy. I felt like I personnally knew Michaelangelo and had a deeper appreciation for his work.

This biographical novel of Michelangelo Buonarroti describes very well the struggle and the genius of the artists, during his apprenticeship and political conditions during his life. One of those books that stick with you for the rest of your life. What a great writer Irving Stone was.

What an amazing book. I didn't know much about Michelangelo, but after seeing some of his work in Italy, and visiting his tomb in Florence I can now see why he is so revered. He was a sculptor, painter, poet, road builder,builder of defensive walls, architect. It covers his trials that he has to overcome (agonies) to just be left alone to do his work (estacies) and you as the...more

What an amazing book. I didn't know much about Michelangelo, but after seeing some of his work in Italy, and visiting his tomb in Florence I can now see why he is so revered. He was a sculptor, painter, poet, road builder,builder of defensive walls, architect. It covers his trials that he has to overcome (agonies) to just be left alone to do his work (estacies) and you as the reader get to share them. And the 7 popes he had to deal with, wars, family and loves of his life, which was over 90 years. I want to return to Florence and discover more about this great man!   hide

"Sebastiano,dávam vám v plnej miere za pravdu. Spievajte, hrajte si na lutne, zabávajte sa. Umenie nech pestujú len tí úbožiaci, ktorí bez neho nevedia žiť."

Read this at 17 ......will remain the best I ever read since !!!!!!

It took me a long time to get through this book, but I feel like I learned so much about the time period, historically, politically, and artistically. I had to remind myself it's not a biography of Michelangelo because it felt so realistic.

The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone is a wonderfully inspiring historical novel about the famous Renaissance artist Michelangelo. Although long, it reads very quickly and is consistently engaging. It is especially captivating if you have any interest in the Renaissance or in understanding the art works and creativity of Michelangelo.