Vigilantism can be a dangerous thing. It sure had horrific consequences for Beatrice Cenci, two of her brothers, and her stepmother.

The celebrated crime here is their murder of Beatrice’s father Francesco. But his crimes – especially raping Beatrice more than once – were far worse. As far as anyone like myself is concerned, who’s sympathetic towards the Cenci family, Francesco deserved to die, while his family did not deserve their brutal fate.

This short factual account is written at a brisk pace and, apart from the long intro about the popes and the lead-up to Francesco Cenci’s time, it’s well worth reading. ( )

L'admirable, chez le conteur Dumas, c'est que de l'horreur où baigne l'épouvantable histoire des Cenci (qui inspira aussi Stendhal et Antonin Artaud), il sait tirer, à force de rythme, de verve, un souffle quasiment réparateur. Essayez de conter à vos amis cette épopée de l'inceste, du crime et des plus ignobles châtiments : vous ne susciterez que l'horreur. Ici le souffle de Dumas emporte tout. Sans pour autant faire des malheurs de la pauvre Béatrix un conte pour enfants sages.