Journal Entry 1 by sarradee from Dallas, Texas USA on Saturday, December 31, 2005

This is an ARC copy, sent to me to be reviewed as a juror for Elle magazine. My review follows:

With this, her second foray into historical fiction Sarah Dunant gives her readers another brilliantly written novel. Obviously well researched, Dunant's depiction of the Italian Renaissance setting is so realistic as to be magical. She transports the reader to 1527 and keeps them there for the duration.

The story is that of Fiametta, the titular courtesan and her dwarf companion, Bucino. They lose everything they hold dear, and barely escape with their lives when Rome is sacked and destroyed around them. Fiametta's legendary beauty was damaged in an encounter with "Lutheran harpies", and the two voyage to her matriarchal home in Venice to rest and recover. Sadly Fiametta's mother has long since died and almost nothing remains of her fortune. With the help of La Draga an eerily blind, crippled healer, Fiametta is nursed back to health and works hard to regain her status as the high-class companion to the wealthy and titled men of her time. All is well until an accident involving Bucino sends him seeking after La Draga. To her misfortune, his discovery of her secret ends in an accusation of witchcraft and subsequent trial.

Dunant's Venice is truly compelling, shown to the reader by the unusually astute observer Bucino, narrator of this story. At times he is companion, helper, business manager, confidant and exotic plaything. He uses his status as a dwarf to full advantage, even pretending to be a drooling idiot to further their cause. He is quite a sympathetic character; one can't help but like him for his loyalty to his mistress. He stands by her through thick and thin, even when there is considerable danger to his own skin. Indeed his loyalty makes him reject an offer that, had he accepted would have set him up in luxury. Only once does Fiametta push him to the breaking point. She falls in love with a young client, and starts giving him freely what Bucino as her pimp thinks should be paid.

The courtesan Fiametta is both vain and shallow, excellent qualities in a woman who lives by her beauty. Under her flighty facade she has a core of steel, to have survived not only the rape of Rome, but also the setbacks that awaited her in the expected haven of Venice. Although Fiametta is a slightly lesser character, her relationship with Bucino is the backbone of the story and the heart of the book; all events in some way revolve around her. La Draga the mysterious blind healer, has a terrible secret, this and her powers leave a permanent mark on the courtesan and her dwarf. Dunant's characters are absolutely irresistible.

This fascinating novel is well fleshed out with historical figures and events. Even La Draga herself is a real person, although some liberties are admittedly taken with her story. All in all, an exceptionally satisfying way to wile away an afternoon or two.

Journal Entry 2 by morsecode from Buffalo, New York USA on Wednesday, January 11, 2006

The absolute most wonderful RABCK ever!
I adored The Birth of Venus and this book won't even be available for another month.
Thank you so much, sarra! 

Journal Entry 3 by morsecode from Buffalo, New York USA on Wednesday, March 29, 2006

My mom made last minute plans to visit this weekend so I've finally had an excuse to bump this book to the top of my TBR pile. I can't believe that I've been able to resist it for so long.

I literally just finished reading this book (thank you so much, sarra!!!). I'll probably have to add to this journal entry later, but I wanted to journal it right away.

I must admit that because I liked Birth of Venus so much I was afraid that a new novel might be a let-down. Happily, I was not disappointed by this book.
I simply love Sarah Dunant's writing. I haven't had a chance to read any of her earlier work yet, but Dunant's historical fiction is vivid: Rome and Florence of the early 16th century come alive in this novel. And her characters are so real (even minor characters like Abdullah Pashna are fully imagined).

I'm left still wondering about Elena... how and why she ended up as La Draga and how young Fiammetta fits in to the story, but as I read in a review for another book "The trick to story-telling is knowing when to disappoint a reader's expectations" (Guardian review for Tim Parks' novel Rapids). 

Journal Entry 4 by chargoyle from Ossining, New York USA on Sunday, April 09, 2006

I received this book from my daughter (morsecode) last weekend. She said it was right down my alley (historical novels are my favorites), and she was correct. I loved it! I should have been doing other things, but just kept on reading.

The descriptions of Italy in the 1500's were fascinating and the characters believable, imbued with both humor and angst.

I can hardly wait to read THE BIRTH OF VENUS and others by Sarah Dunant. If her research is as thorough in them as it was in this book, they'll be delights to read and unforgettable.

I will be sending IN THE COMPANY OF THE COURTESAN back to my daughter. 

Journal Entry 5 by morsecode from Buffalo, New York USA on Wednesday, April 26, 2006

This book is arrived safely in Buffalo today. It'll be off to KarinAlyssa the next time I send her a package.

I am very pleased to point out that In the Company of the Courtesan was voted Elle's top book for March. I'm a juror for September and I just received the top books for January, March, and May (so I can vote for the fiction book of the year) so now I have another copy. :) 

Journal Entry 6 by KarinAlyssa on Thursday, June 01, 2006

When I heard Sarah Dunant had written another book, I knew it was going straight to my wishlist until my hands could have a copy to read. Thanks to MorseCode this is now done. Thank you !!! 

Journal Entry 7 by KarinAlyssa at by Mail in BookRelay.Com, Bookrelay -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, September 24, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (9/24/2006 UTC) at by Mail in BookRelay.Com, Bookrelay -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

for Miss Ballyswapper October, BountifulPots. Enjoy ! 

Journal Entry 8 by KarinAlyssa on Sunday, September 24, 2006

to review when my laptop comes back from the repair shop.

Briefly, I enjoyed that book. Both the writing style and the story. Italy fascinates me and this is one of the places I really want to visit soon. 

Journal Entry 9 by BountifulPots from Olathe, Kansas USA on Sunday, October 22, 2006

Got this one for Ballyswappers! Thanks Karine!