The Mona Lisa Stratagem
by Harriet Rubin
Published by Hachette Audio Books
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Reviewed by Claire Vath
Subtitled: The Art of Women, Age, and Power
Author Harriet Rubin follows up her first leadership book for women, the bestselling The Princessa: Machiavelli for Women, with The Mona Lisa Stratagem: The Art of Women, Age, and Power. Taking cues from Da Vinci’s piece-de-resistance, Rubin’s book plots out how a strong midlife presence can yield happiness, strength, accomplishment and fulfillment.
Time and mortality are the last big enemies at the midpoint in a woman’s life, according to the book. Using the mystery, beauty and strong femininity from the Mona Lisa, Rubin outlines 10 tactics to actually achieve fulfillment—sexually, emotionally, and internally—from age 45 and beyond. Her tactics are interspersed with iconic women who emanated a commanding presence later in life—everyone from Catherine de Medici, Emily Dickson and Queen Elizabeth to Georgia O’Keefe and Martha Stewart.
While the historical and mythological references were intriguing, Rubin’s 10 tactics are convoluted and disjointed, making it difficult to discern one tactic from the other. After a while, the meat of the book gets lost in a sea of prose, broad personality generalizations and little-known historical references.
Her writing style, seemingly articulate use of words and soothing but commanding voice, show that Rubin herself is a powerful woman enjoying her midlife, but her efforts into unlocking the secrets of older women remain as cryptic as the Mona Lisa’s smile.
Armchair Interviews says: Rubin has help others get published and now has written her second book.
Author’s Web site: http://www.HarrietRubin.com/books