The Master of Verona

Have you ever wondered why the Montagues and Capulets of Romeo and Juliet began their famous feud? David Blixt has, and in answer, he gives us The Master of Verona. Yet, The Master of Verona isn't so much about the feud (though it is in there) as it is about Congrand della Scala. Told through the perspective of Pietro Alagheri, son of Dante (The Inferno), we catch a slice of Veronese life on the brink of Renaissance. The cast of characters is enormous (and, thankfully, it is provided at the beginning of the book). Fictional characters intermingle with historical figures as well as Shakespearian figures. They all have names like Gargano Montecchio and Marsilio Da Carrara, and if it isn't enough that most of the names sound like someone else's, they all have nicknames as well. All that is said to say that to read this book is a commitment. But if you'll hang in there for a few chapters (and refer regularly to the cast), it will be worth it. I am rather unfamiliar with this time period, so I can't be certain, but this novel seems very well researched and accurate to the times. Even the author will tell you that he potentially took some liberties with the life of Dante and the work of Shakespeare, though not direct contradictions to historical record. I found this to be a highly engaging and exceptional story. It took a good bit for me to get into it and keep track of the characters, but once I did, it was thoroughly enjoyable. It is an intimidating work. But even if you aren't familiar with the period, their weapons, their manners and their customs, you will be before you are finished. Armchair Interviews says: This read is well worth the effort.

When I started The Master of Verona, I had no intention of reading a 560 page book in three days. I had other things to do. I read the book instead. The book's scope of topics is as broad and intricate as a medieval tapestry; just when you think you've seen it all, Blixt draws your eye to a new detail as compelling as the last. There's Pietro, son of Dante, learning to become a knight under the shadow of his famous father. There's medieval Italian politics as vicious as anything you see on The Sopranos. There's great female characters like Antonia Alighieri and Katerina Della Scala using words as devastatingly as the men use swords. There's the historical figure of Cangrande attacking a neighboring city in a battle sequence as vivid as those you find in Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books. There's a horse race that makes a NASCAR crash look tepid and a duel that only a writer who's also a fight choreographer and swordsman himself could write. Blixt also throws in a mysterious child, assassination attempts, oracular prophecies, and a villain as curiously loathsome as one from Dickens or Dumas. All of this should collapse into an unreadable mess, but Blixt's well-honed prose, characters, and narrative line turned it instead into my favorite beach book of summer 2007. Oh, and if that weren't good enough, throughout the book, you come to empathize with the fathers of both Romeo and Juliet and watch as their friendship turns to hate. I can't wait for his next book.

This book has it all: adventure, intrigue, drama, duels, battles, and a little sex thrown in for good measure. And the characterizations are extraordinary. If Mr. Blixt had not done such an amazing job building such complete, three-dimensional characters, it would be hard to believe that such intriguing figures as Cangrande, his sister Katerina or the fascinating Antonia Alaghieri actually existed. As a bonus, the narrative is liberally peppered with appearances by some of William Shakespeare's most famous Italian characters, and we see how the turmoil of northern Italy at the beginning of the Renaissance led to the famous feud at the heart of "Romeo and Juliet." One aspect that I particularly enjoyed was the characters' various dispositions on astrology, which plays a central role in the novel. Given the time period, it is fascinating to watch as a culture begins to shrug off the mysticism of its past. It is a wonder that more books don't employ the setting and characters of David Blixt's debut novel. Between the people and locales which inspired the works of William Shakespeare and the historical personages of Dante and Cangrande della Scala, I am amazed that more writers have not mined this period more thoroughly. That said, I wonder if there are very many who could do it better than "Master of Verona."

Shakespeare, Dante, Italian history, romance, and astrology all wrapped up in an action packed adventure, stepping into the world of The Master of Verona is like getting on board a roller-coaster that never slows or lags. This is one of those rare books that is both a fabulous beach read and a great piece of literature. The historical detail is astonishing, while the references to Shakespeare's characters are both fun and informative. I can't wait to see how this story unfolds as it winds its way to the inevitable tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet!

David Blixt's first novel, Master of Verona, keeps you rivetted with amazing action sequences, intricately crafted characters, and wonderfully refined details into a world I'd never known. And to top it off he combines the story of the Greyhound (who I never knew was such a fascinating character of history till this book) and Dante's son, all the while interweaving Shakespearean story lines that make you smile every time you see one. It's such a great read for anyone into history, Shakespeare, or just wanting to read a fantastic story. Can't wait till the next one!!!