STRAVAGANZA: CITY OF MASKS

Set in a parallel world, where Italy is called Talia and Venice is calledBellezza, the narrative follows Lucien, who in our world is very ill.Given a marbled notebook to help him communicate when his throat hurts toomuch to speak, the notebook is the means that transports Lucien to thismagical, dangerous new world set in an alternative sixteenth century, andthrills to the delight of political intrigue and danger of assassinationattempts both foiled and successful. The parallel Venice is astonishinglyevoked, with the silks and velvets, the sensuousness of the food and theelegance of the city and its waterways all beautifully and powerfullydescribed. The world of Talia is unforgettably and convincingly real.