Ardor: A Novel of Enchantment

This is one of those books that is uniquely different and so enjoyable. The book reminds me of Shakespears "Mid-summers night eve" not that the book is on the same par. It is a delightful read definitely worth picking up if you are going to be in a long car ride or train ride.

How to describe Ardor? The only other author I've read who's as quirky - quixotic - imaginatively creative - as Lily Prior is Jasper Fforde, but the 2 are quite different. Having read La Cucina, I had some idea of what to expect from Ardor. At first it was difficult to accept the premise of mule as narrator, but I gradually became quite fond of Gezebel. The female lead, Fernanda, is introduced as powerful and mysterious and remains so throughout the story. There is also a (human) baby who flies! Prior does a good job of conveying something of the Italian personality and lifestyle without resorting to stereotype. If you like Italy, strong characterization, potent but not blatently graphic sexuality, AND can suspend the need to be bound by reality, you will probably enjoy Ardor.

Gezabel, a mule who carries a nurse to and from patients everyday, falls head over heals for the local olive farmer, Arcadio, after he plants seeds of love. Yes, Gezabel is a mule. Everyone in town is falling in love with someone else. Passion is running amuck. Animals and people are victims of the seeds, although only Gezabel falls for a human being! Poor Arcadio, in love with a woman who arrives in town, is not receiving a response. The energy of everyone's lust is making the town crazy. This is such a fun book. It does not become too strange, even with Gezabel suffering her unrequited love for the hard-working Arcadio. The story is full of all of the senses. It is passionate. It is crazy. It is so much fun! I highly recommend this, if you are looking for something very unusual. You have to let your mind just fall open to accept it, but it is utterly enjoyable to do so! I haven't read anything like it before. You have to hang on just to see if poor Gezabel ever finds true love!