August 2004

 

 

Best Summer Read:

The Birth of Venus,

by Sarah Dunant

Barbara K. Adamski
OP Contributor

As intricately woven as a fine brocade, The Birth of Venus
tells the story of the clever, artistic, and fiercely independ-
ent Alessandra Cecchi, from her entry into womanhood
and discovery of all the passions, desires, and betrayals that
accompany it, to her ultimate achievement of inner piece—
on her own terms.

Though initially reluctant to an arranged marriage,
Alessandra consents to wed the much older and highly edu-
cated Cristoforo, who promises her freedom, the cost of
which she discovers on her wedding night.

Philosophy, art, and religious fanaticism intertwine to
provide a richly textured background to a fascinating love
story, which, in itself is but a thread. When pulled howev-
er, this thread creates a tension that keeps the novel mov-
ing at a suspenseful pace.

Sarah Dunant’s meticulous research enables her to write
seamlessly of renaissance artists Boticelli and
Michelangelo, of Plato and Dante, of the fanatical religious
leader Savonarola, and of 15th century Florence itself.

Arts & Entertainment

 

 

 

 

 

Oh sure, I sate pics al the tte:
everywhere.
- T can’t leave ny house without meeting someone new,

 

But i ae ing start always ends in locusts.
Or caterpillars, or droughts, oS
or floods, « ot Godzilla. :

 

“And what began as hundreds of corn sas,
all ready to bloom,
Finishes as a dried out, half-eaten cae
that has been crushed into a maddy puddle
by a radioactive monster.

And here I am, = _
Left without a single potential =
or girlfriend, or soulmate,
or lifemate, or “friend with benefits”,
or consti,

  
   
 
  

‘For what I's
—

...Ot corn on th Le

 

 

 

 

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