The Palace : A Novel

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Summary: sensuous prose captures place and passion
Review: The craze for Italy following in the wake of Frances Mayes brings this exquisite novel to America at last, nearly three years after its UK appearance. Set in mid-nineteenth century Italy,it's the story of a sculptor's love for a woman called Donna Donatella, and the huge and fabulous house he sets out to build for them to share. Donna makes only the briefest of appearances in the story - out of which Gabriele, the sculptor, conjures a passion and an obsession, which manifests itself in the palace. Lisa St Aubin De Teran's magical prose makes this slow, subtle tale genuinely gripping. Her lush and evocative use of words - she is one of the finest stylists in modern English language fiction - is nevertheless very precise. You will picture Venice clearly in your mind through her remarkably fresh descriptions, and see each stone of the house as it evolves. A book to revel in, to take time with, to read and read again. And to lead you to the seven earlier novels of Lisa St Aubin De Teran.

Rating:
Summary: This author you will hear a lot more from
Review: Truly a great story. It started out very dickenish like a tale of two cities and then moved in her own style. Whats even better of her writing is the fact is that both the story and characters give the reading a tremendous boast. So many writers today suck because they are only good at one or the other. Her creativity in her writing is truly unique. Its truly a great moving story but the ending dragged on about the palace a little too long. Even still, I think I want to read more of her work since I am now a fan (which I do not become that often).