A Feast of Small Surprises

I just finished this novel. I think it's really very very good. In fact, I can't recall a plot keeping me hanging like that one. And it's rich not just in plot but also in cultural bullet points, in artistic and literary references. I also love the way things are punctuated by these small paragraphs at the start of each chapter. Makes me want to go live in Rome, a place where cops read Kirkegaard (and carry it in public).

Truly, I savored this book as I read it. I loved its delightful descriptions -- of the food and the art and the piazzas that were the backdrop for the story, of the speech and the mannerisms of the characters. The characters interested me, especially Maya and Anne, and the intricate plot remained internally consistent and believable. Reading the book was like being right there in Italy and actually knowing the people who find themselves involved in some amazing events!

As an avid reader it first must be said that I tore through the book in 2 nights of reading. As I started to unfold the characters my imagination was intrigued and I created the vision of what the movie might entail. Their descriptions were succinct, yet detailed enough, that one could feel their thoughts and capture their essence. Their relationships were delicately intertwined, yet complex, and it developed the plot without fail and left the reader tantalized. The subtlety of the clues positioned throughout left just enough mystery and intrigue that the ending's slight twist to the story line was a pleasant surprise, although a little abrupt in its unveiling. I did get a little lost with the "travelogues" at the start of each chapter (I chalked that up to my lack of world travel); however the author's ability to build upon those descriptions created a beautiful backdrop for each scene. I thought it was wonderful and I hope that you allow your creativity to inspire you to yet another venture.

Once I began reading "Feast" I could not put it down. Compelling, sophisticated, and a little terrifying at times, it's impossible to put down once you've started the journey with Van Houten. You won't want to miss this one!

A Feast of Small Surprises tastes fabulous. It's like taking a trip to Italy with an interesting, provocative cast of characters. Anne, Maya, Edward, and John dodge bullets, chase art fraud, and survive a car bomb. Beautiful settings and Renaissance art form a backdrop to unpredictable action and adventure. Descriptions of art and art commentary take the reader to an interesting art history class. "Paint never forgets the memory of being liquid..." "The use of egg yolk and oil is basic to both painting and cooking...and, in Florence, the chefs and painters belonged to the same guild..." Desire motivates the characters in a Feast and weaves a philosophical thread throughout the novel. Desire for food, wine, sex, and beauty - sit at this table and devour this Feast of Small Surprises.