Poinsettia Girl: The Story of Agata della Pieta by Jennifer Wizbowski (Book Review #2313)

Poinsettia Girl by Jennifer Wizbowski is a beautifully immersive historical novel set in Venice, 1710, that explores music, identity, and the search for belonging. Based on the life of Agata de la Pieta, an orphan musician at the renowned Ospedale de la Pieta, the story follows young Agata as she navigates loss, opportunity, and the powerful pull of both duty and desire.

At ten years old, Agata’s life is upended by the sudden death of her mother, leaving her in the care of an abusive father and an ailing grandmother who sends her to the orphanage. There, she discovers a world of extraordinary music and discipline, auditioning for a conservatory-style school where the girls’ performances are simultaneously salvation and spectacle. Adorned with poinsettias in their hair and hidden behind ornate metal grates, the singers captivate noble audiences, yet Agata must grapple with the personal cost of such a life.

As she rises to musical prominence, Agata faces a life-altering decision: accept a marriage proposal that promises a return to a family and neighborhood she barely remembers, or devote herself entirely to the music that has defined her existence. Wizbowski’s writing captures the tension between personal ambition, familial longing, and the transformative power of art, weaving a story that is both intimate and richly historical.

With lyrical prose, vivid Venetian settings, and a nuanced exploration of love, duty, and purpose, Poinsettia Girl is a moving tale of self-discovery and the choices that shape our destinies.

Written Jeyran Main

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