The Book Of Unholy Mischief (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
ISBN 1416590544 - A recipe for The Book of Unholy Mischief: A little ISBN 0486424537 Oliver Twist, for the child pickpockets, a bit of ISBN 1400079179 The Da Vinci Code, for the secret that could destroy The Church, and way too much ISBN 0767916069 Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy, for the really-really-really boring food strewn throughout. Set it during the Renaissance and top with things that just didn’t happen during the Renaissance. Viola! Luciano, as an adult, tells the story of his childhood and his introduction to a secret group whose sole reason for being is to preserve knowledge. One of many children living on the streets of Venice, Luciano has two friends, one cat and a huge crush. He doesn't have enough to eat or a warm place to sleep until he is taken in, inexplicably, by the chef of the doge. He's not aware why he was chosen, but he appreciates the room and board that comes with his apprenticeship and he shares some of his good fortune with his friends on the street while he considers what becoming a chef might mean for his future with the lovely Francesca. When rumors begin to circulate about a mysterious book, all of Venice searches for it, in the hope of claiming one of several large rewards. Many will kill for what they think is in the book; others will gladly give their lives to protect what they know is in it - and Luciano finds himself having to decide where his loyalties lie.The food references were enough to bore me to sleep, seriously. I get the whole food metaphor thing, but the reader won’t really see that tie for a long time - and by then, the food has been overdone and then some. It's an interesting idea, but then it's beaten to death. Newmark actually makes part of this case herself, when she has Luciano trying to create his own recipe: it's the balance of the right ingredients that makes a story great. This is a good story, but it's weighted down, at times, by the food. The language seems wrong for the times, and everyone from the wealthy men to the street tough boys speaks in a very feminine voice, which is disconcerting.The real faults in the book are factual. The author seems to have done some poor research: (1) tomatoes were not eaten in 1498 and were called "love apples" in America in the 1700s, not in Italy (2) pistols were invented about 1540 (3) the first mention of the Iron Maiden in actual history is 1793 (4) the fork is mentioned in the bible but the author's given the Italians credit for the creation of it circa 1498 (5) Torquemada's call to Venice is questionable since he died in 1498 at the age of 78 - making him likely either too old or too dead to be good at his job anymore (6) there is no Bridge of Sorrows but there is a Bridge of Sighs where the "Bridge of Sorrows" is said to be, connecting the prisons to the Doge's Palace - but it was built in 1600. I hope Newmark sticks with it and takes another shot at the genre, because she's got the story, she's just got to put the next one together a little better. (the copy I've read is an ARC and details might have changed before it was printed, just FYI)- AnnaLovesBooks Very enjoyable read - and a conundrum about these star ratings. The last book I read, Penelope's Daughter, I also gave 3 stars to, but debated awhile about whether it really should have had 2 stars, because I went up and down as I was reading in liking/not liking it. This book, on the other hand, was up there towards the 4 end, altho lacking a bit in the depth of thoughtfulness that takes a book into that realm. So: stars, schmars. I loved all the food in this book and the sheer fun of the adventures involved, although I could have done without the torture scene. Irritating as he sometimes was, the main character, Luciano, carried my interest and sympathy as he tried to rise to the occasion of Chef Ferrero's teachings and faith in him as a good person. The author plays a bit fast and loose with strict historical in the name of making her story interesting, but I didn't mind. Glad I read it.
What do You think about The Book Of Unholy Mischief (2007)?
Really enjoyed this book - anything set in Venice helps of course but good story and characters too.
—Whoahh456
Entertaining look at Borgia/Renaissance Italy. Not a great book - but a good read.
—jagh201
I enjoyed the historical setting and creative story.
—Hword123
