Painting or sculpture?
Sculpture, preferably in wax first, so that I could work over and over again on getting every anatomical detail just perfect.

Milan or Verona?
If I were to go someplace far afield from Bologna, it would be Paris, where so many of the world’ s great scholars are said to gather.

Plato or Aristotle?
Aristotle, most definitely—although it’ s difficult to forgive the old Stagirite for his low opinion of the intellect of women!

Prose or Poetry?
Poetry is certainly a beautiful thing for those who have the gift of it, but there are so many limits and boundaries to the form. I would hate to lose the gifts that poetry yields up to all who hear it. But prose, I think, is needed for the expansiveness of scientific observation. What a terrible choice you ask of me!

Logical thinking or emotional belief?
Logic is the only thing that will lead us to the truth.

Round Earth or Flat Earth?
I am compelled by the logic of Aristotle that the Earth is round, though the Church would tell us otherwise.

Cheese or wine?
Why would one want one without the other? If I had to choose between them, I would ask for cheese, as it will sustain a body whereas wine alone will not (although some committed drunkards will try to tell you otherwise).

Meat or fruit?
Again, it seems like a terrible choice to have one but not the other. How I love the apples, cherries and figs that grow in my father’ s orchards! But I don’ t think that fruit alone would give me the strength I need to pursue my work.

More important: To be clever and alone or warm hearted and surrounded by friends?
Oh there is an emptiness to being clever but alone! Give me warm-hearted friends who can also think and discuss the important things of the world! In truth, though, I would take one great good friend over many lesser ones.

Scientific pursuit or marriage?
This question makes me heave a sigh! Fortunately, in my lifetime I did not have to choose. My beloved husband was a companion to me in my quest for knowledge.

Thank you Alessandra for graciously answering!  I admit I wouldn't want to pick between some of the questions either!


Want to know more?  check out Barbara's website to learn more about her historical fiction for young adults!  And make sure to follow along on her tour with Teen Book Scene!