Friday, November 6, 2009

Book Review + Giveaway!!




There’s nothing I enjoy more than reading about 16th c Venice.  But Imagine reading a book written by a person who actually lived in those days!  Filamena Ziani (or Filamela: nightingale) was a female artist of  16th c Venice.  This is the first actual English publication of her work , which was at the time, dedicated to her patroness,  Felicita Lando.  As a female musician-singer-writer, Filamena’s work never received the recognition due.  Kris Waldherr, through her enchanting illustrations has magically recreated this written work of art, by the nightingale and ‘Virtuosa’ of the times- someone who actually existed back then and even has a palazzo named after her!

This story or ‘fiabla’ of forbidden love, is about a young Filamena who is raised by her older sister Tullia, a notable Courtesan.   Tullia wants to shield Filamena from the world’s cruelties and the pain and torments that love can bring.  One evening while her sister is entertaining noble society gentlemen, Filamena is invited to sing in the background.  There she spots the man who was to become the love of her life...her forbidden love.


This novel is so beautifully created that you can just get lost in the splendor of the artwork.  Every single page is designed to enchant.  There are letters carefully tucked in envelopes and beautiful historical maps, card-size illustrations (the basis for the Love Tarot series) that can all be found within this splendid book.  But not only is this book breathtaking and fulfilling to the senses as is, the story itself is incredibly captivating.


At the beginning, I read along for the sake of romance and getting lost in a world of a different era…but as I kept reading, I discovered that this was not an ordinary love story.  I was surprised to find mystery, intrigue, and a twist of fate that I really did not expect.  I enjoyed this book through and through and the fact that the story was written by someone who actually lived in a place and time that fascinates me makes me feel like I found a treasure. 

In addition, the prelude to the Lover's Path is writen by Marina Rossetti, the curator of 'Museo di Palazzo Filomela (curator of the Museum of Filomela's Palace).  Here, she briefly describes the life, work, art, and documentation supporting this historical figure, time and place. 

Breathtaking, brilliant, interesting, interactive, historical - A splendidly precious creation.

Whether you immerse yourself into the reading, the history, the artwork, or just for the browsing- The Lover's Path  is a definite conversation piece.  This book is a real gem.

Side Note:  I believe that although  The Lover’s Path is  a mere 135 pages and is unpretentious in its reason to be- it’s got great merit in having brought forth a woman’s voice, thoughts and talent that were sadly suppressed at a time when women had no place in the arts.  It has sustained its message throughout the ages and Filamena’s talent has finally been brought to light.  A special Thanks to Kris Waldherr for playing a major part in this success.
(I’ll be entering this one in the Women Unbound Challenge for sure!)





 

AND NOW FOR A SPECIAL TREAT………………………..

Courtesy of Kris Waldherr…

GIVEAWAY :  The Lover’s Path!!!!  (US only)


 To Enter:
1 Chance:  Leave a Comment
2 Chances:  Become a Follower of this Blog (If you’re already a follower you automatically get this)
5 Extra Chances:  for every Tweet, Blog Post, Blog Side-bar Post


GOOD LUCK!!!
Winner Announced on November 12th



45 comments:

brokenteepee said...

Tweeted
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/5484237996
thank you
kaiminani(at)gmail(dot)com

brokenteepee said...

I would like to win, duh. and I follow
thanks
kaiminani(at)gmail(dot)com

Tea said...

I would love to win and read "The Lover's Path."

I do follow you.

teakettle58atyahoodotcom

Christy B said...

This sounds fascinating! I'll probably end up buying this if I don't win it.

I'm already a follower.

Link on my right sidebar: http://christysbooks.blogspot.com/

runaway84(at)gmail.com

Jen Knox said...

This sounds like a fantastic read. I'm becoming a follower, and I'll look forward to hearing more.

The Tome Traveller said...

Sounds fantastic! Please enter me!

I'm a follower...

Carey
thetometraveller *at* yahoo (dot) com

Passages to the Past said...

Pick me, pick me!!! This sounds divine Lucy!

And you know I'm a devoted follower!

Thanks to you and Kris for this awesome chance!

Amy

Libby's Library said...

I would LOVE to win. Thanks so much for the giveaway.

I'm a follower (either as Neas Nuttiness or Libby's Library).

I blogged it here:

http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/2009/11/lovers-path-at-enchanted-by-josephine.html

Thanks again:-)

libneas[at]aol[dot]come

Roberta said...

Wow another great review and sounds like I can handle the size of this one...I need another vacation so that I can catch up on some reading. I've gone ahead and posted about this giveaway on my blog and facebook and added the contest on my sidebar as well. Have a great weekend, fondly, Roberta
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/11/t-g-i-f-fthats-frickin-friday.html

Julia Guthrie said...

What a great giveaway, & very generous :)
It sounds wonderful
xx

BurtonReview said...

count me in ofr this one, I would love to be transported to 16th C. Venice!!
Thanks for another fabulous review.

Martha Lawson said...

This sounds like an awesome book. Please enter me..

I am a new follower..

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

+1 I've wanted to read this ever since reading your interview with the author. Thanks!

+2 I'm a loyal follower

+1 I tweeted: http://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/5496880483

+1 blog sidebar (right side--giveaway section) http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/

Thanks!
miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Unknown said...

Hi :)
THE LOVER'S PATH sounds amazing.
Written by a woman in the 16th Century.
I am eager to read it.
Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
PS - Posted contest on my blog http://rkcharron.blogspot.com/2009/11/saturday-nov-7.html
:)

brokenteepee said...

I tweeted again.
thank you
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/5511151117
kaiminani(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Your review is filled with reverence for an old classic that has been updated with great artwork to complement the story. I would love to read this story and I agree that I counts for Women Unbound challenge. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.


bstilwell12 at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

I am a current follower of your blog.

bstilwell12 at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

I tweeted about this giveaway:
http://twitter.com/pine1211/status/5523014409

bstilwell12 at comcast dot net

Anonymous said...

would enjoy reading this book...thanks for the opporunity.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

brokenteepee said...

I tweeted today
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/5535630317
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Wendy said...

This is such a beautiful book and I have it on my Christmas list already! I love anything to do with Venice and am making my very first trip there next summer!

Thank you for the entry!

Wendy
wendysfictionaddiction(at)gmail(dot)com

Wendy said...

I'm already a follower and just tweeted this great giveaway! http://twitter.com/FctionAddiction

Thanks!

Wendy
wendysfictionaddiction(at)gmail(dot)com

Emma said...

The Lover’s Path sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Valorie said...

I'd love to win!

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

I am a follower.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/morbidromantic/statuses/5544611356.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

Sidebar link:
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Linda said...

Wow, this book sounds beautiful, visually intriguing, with an interesting story. And I just became a follower of your beautiful blog.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Amanda said...

O my gosh! This is so cool! I really want to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway!

And I became a follower although I've subscribed to your blog a long while back. Thanks!

nycbookgirl at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I tweeted today
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/5565900377
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Jenny Q said...

Sounds so interesting! I'd like to be entered to win, and having just discovered you, I'll be signing up to follow you shortly!

Jenny
jdq1175@aol.com

Arleigh said...

This sounds fabulous! Throw my name in the hat :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a book I could get lost in.

lilysnowflower at aol dot com

Alyce said...

This looks like a beautiful books!

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Alyce said...

I follow your blog.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

(I just realized I had a typo in my previous comment - it should say "book" not "books".)

brokenteepee said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/5594764033
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I just became a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

brokenteepee said...

today's tweet
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/5627112227
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Miss Haley said...

enter me please!

+1 follower
+5 tweeted at twitter.com/haleymathiot

heatherzilla said...

This sounds like a beautiful book. Please include me in the giveaway.

+1 follower
+5 tweeted
http://twitter.com/heatherzilla8/statuses/5644407099

heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

Aarti said...

No need to enter me in the giveaway! This sounds like a really great book. Thanks for putting it on my radar for Women Unbound :-)

Lizzie said...

Add me to this one too! You know I am a follower.

Elizabethjohnsonart@yahoo.com

Heather G. said...

This book looks great. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

Anonymous said...

WOW this would be great to win, it looks so interesting. thank you for putting it up for grabs.
grams of 20

rosepedal60@gmail.com