Do not mistake this book for quality adult fiction. It's a spoonful of sugar for non-readers who want to be well-rounded.If you're interested in learning about the past through the lens of fiction I strongly recommend Gore Vidal and Umberto Eco instead. Eco, an Italian, has a few books set in the same part of the word, though a couple hundred years earlier.This book is, of course, a way to learn about Michaelangelo, and a lot of the factual information is interesting and well-researched. But you can get that kind of an experience from an encyclopedia as well, without having to read Stone's repetitive and vanilla passages on what it means to have passion. Friends, It really is for kids.