The Book Of Unholy Mischief. Elle Newmark (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
I came across this book in my local library, the title of the book caught my eye as I was searching for another author.Luciano is a lovely character, who very quickly won my heart with his innocence and curiosity. I laughed many a time because of his getting himself into the most difficult of situations and his quick witted ways out of them too!His “Maestro” and mentor Chef Ferrero, who takes Luciano under his wing, is a very strong and intellectual character. He intrigues the reader with his culinary skills and many words of wisdom which he passes onto Luciano – some of which can be very controversial for the Christian reader.All in all I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, not only because of the excellent descriptions and intricacies of the workings of the palace and kitchen staff, dukes and lords, but it also gave you a wonderful perspective of the ignorance of people in those days. For instance the kitchen staff’s fear of the poisonous effects of the ‘love apples’ which Chef Ferrero used in his cooking – to us a common tomato! I also enjoyed the way the story gives you snippets of information for you to mull over and then in the next chapter satisfies your curiosity with an explanation. I think that this is definitely a book I would like to pick up and read again. I loved this book. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Add to that a mystery, some magic, and an alternative view of church mysteries, and I am hooked. I only wish it had been longer.Having recently visited Venice, I could relate to the descriptions, and almost felt as if I were there in that time.As a foodie who loves to cook, I loved the descriptions of the delicacies prepared by the doge's chef. And the idea that knowledge is hidden in plain sight, encoded in the recipes of the chefs, is intriguing.Some of my favorite passages:God arranges to torture and kill his son, who is also himself, in order to forgive sins not yet committed. It makes no sense. If a compassionate God wanted to forgive, why not just forgive? I'll tell you why: there's not enough drama in that. No blood, no pathos, it's flat. But human sacrifice to atone for sin is a compelling idea borrowed from paganism. It's primitive and emotional.The great cities of Italy are like different flowers in the same garden. Venice is a burst of pink azaleas turning brown at the edges, a carnival of decadence.....Rome, the Venus flytrap, an exotic beauty with a taste for flesh.
What do You think about The Book Of Unholy Mischief. Elle Newmark (2007)?
Positively rich and enveloping. Delicious and inviting. A riveting read!!
—Thais
Loved this book. I enjoyed the story line and the history.
—Dom
