BOOK REVIEW
by Sarah Dunant
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Historical Fiction
# of pages: 320
Rating (1-5): 4.5
Having read and loved Sarah Dunant's The Birth of Venus, I was hoping against hope that this book would be as good. It was, perhaps even better!
Dunant's novel takes place in 16th century Venice, after Fiametta, a courtesan, aka high-class whore, and her dwarf/servant/accountant Bucino escape from Rome during the sack of Rome in 1527. They have lost almost everything, but Bucino is resourceful and cunning and soon has them set up and in business again in the thriving, throbbing, seething and beautiful city of Venice. But as they make Venice their new home, they also become entangled with several of its citizens who come into their lives in varying ways as the story is expertly woven.
I loved it because I was not able to tell where the story was going at any one point. The ending was bittersweet but satisfying, and with the final words of the novel I sighed deeply with sadness and wonder at the skill of the writer. If you enjoy historical fiction, take this voyage to the magical city of Venice at a turbulent and fascinating time period with Dunant's vibrant and touchable characters.
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