Lent.
Tor. 2019
Girolamo Savonarola was a Dominican friar who preached in Florence, and was burned for heresy in 1498. Nearly the first half of this novel is the story of the six years leading up to this event, with the only fantasy overtones being that Girolamo can see and cast out demons. The novel makes him a sympathetic character, rather than the somewhat puritanical zealot of history. But on his execution, the novel takes a highly unexpected turn. For this Girolamo Savonarola is not human.
For me, the story got much more interesting once the fantasy aspects are foregrounded. As I said, that’s nearly half the way through. Up until then, it can be read (apart from the demons) as a relatively straightforward dramatisation of an historical figure. This is well done, but not my usual fare; however, I like Walton’s work, so I persisted. And it was worth the wait.
The rest of the book, which I can’t describe without massive spoilers, has the same historical feel, although the context has changed dramatically. It gives a wonderful view of life in Italy at this time, through a fantastical lens, and keeps you guessing until the end. I thought the ending was very slightly rushed, but everything fit together perfectly.
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