From the forthcoming August issue of the Historical Novel Society quarterly review:
THE MASTER OF VERONA
David Blixt, St. Martin’s Press, 2007, $27.95/£18.99, hb, 608pp,
9780312361440
How much of life is determined by the stars? How much by the choices of
men? How far will a man go to achieve his destiny? Those are the questions.
Set in Italy in the year 1314, The Master of Verona is a mesmerizing
tapestry of tales written in five acts. The great poet, Dante, arrives in
Verona. His patron is Verona’s ruler, Francesco della Scala. In a fast-moving sequence, Dante’s son, Pietro, follows della Scala into battle against neighboring Padua. It is the beginning of Pietro’s story as confidant, friend, and knight in service of the master of Verona—and as witness to the tragic love triangle of his two friends and the girl they both love. The story climbs to a climactic twist, and Pietro must confront his destiny.
The Master of Verona is fast, colorful, and action-packed; plus, there
are no flat characters. Even those cast members in cameo roles shine. There is also depth and abundant historical detail to the story. The only
troubling aspect of the narrative is that the characters speak in 21st-century American English.
A confession: it has been a long time since this reviewer stayed up until
dawn to finish a novel, but it happened with The Master of Verona. Be
prepared to burn the midnight oil. It’s well worth it. –Lucille Cormier
