Review by Amateur de Livre
"Civilizations are built on the bones of the dead." Sometimes I believe we forget about those that have
come before us…this is evident in some of the mistakes that are made over and over again. History certainly has a way
of repeating itself, but thankfully there is nothing about this book that is a knock off of something else you have read -
it is truly original in every way.
This book focuses around a street rat named Luciano and his mentor, Chef Amato Ferrero. Luciano is living
on the streets, turned out at the age of 6, and although it is not the life he would have chosen he has become skilled in
the tricks needed to survive the hunger and the cold he faces daily. One day he is plucked from his life of poverty by his
soon to be mentor, taken to the home of the doge, given clean clothes, 3 meals a day, a warm place to sleep, and a real chance
at improving his station in life and showing that he is someone of worth.
"The art of cooking, like the art of living, must be savored for its own sake." This is the first of
many lessons young Luciano will learn from the maestro. His techniques are about much more than just following a recipe -
he is truly a magician in the kitchen. His unique abilities are able to prevent possibly disastrous situations from happening,
but in the end they aren't enough. The story's true star is a book - not just any book, but a book that is thought to be magical,
housing everything from the "recipe" for immortality, a love potion, and how to create gold from common ingredients. It is
sought by some of the most powerful, wealthy, and downright evil men in the country - all of whom are willing to do WHATEVER
it takes to possess it as their own.
I don't believe in delving too deeply into the plot of the story, I want the reader to be able to enjoy
the story as I did and not give away too much of the plot beforehand. I will say this, I wish that I was made aware of Elle
Newmark before now - her ability to evoke your emotions through her storytelling is something to be rivaled. She also has
an uncanny way of describing her characters and setting in the type of detail that makes you feel as if you are truly a part
of the story, not an easy feat when the story is set in 15 th century Venice.
This book is one I recommend to anyone looking for a true page turner with an original plot and enough
twists to make you shake your head and guess again at what will happen next. Thank you for providing this wonderful book,
and making me realize that just because a book is set in another country and time, does not mean it won't be compelling right
up until the very last page.
Questions for the author:
1.What made you decide to center the book not only in Venice, but also in the
15th century?
“Italy is my ancestral home, and Venice is one of the most unique places on earth. A city of palaces
built on water is an astonishing idea, and yet, there it is. I’ve traveled all over the world and I lived in Europe
for seven years, but I’ve never seen any place quite like Venice. The history and architecture are seductive and mysterious,
the perfect setting for Bones of The Dead.
“Of course, the Renaissance was the perfect time to place the story. It was an incredibly rich period.
Mankind was finally waking up from the dark ages—art, science and humanism were all exploding at the same time, and
the printing press was newly invented, just in time to spread all the new ideas. That fit perfectly with the story of a book
about a book, forbidden knowledge and an enlightened chef.
2. I found it wonderful that not only was one of the main characters a chef,
but that food was such a focal point. How did you come across the idea to use these two in such a way?
“Actually, we talk about food that way all the time: “Dry as toast,” “The salt
of the earth,” “He stewed in his own juices.” Food is integral to daily life and it comes naturally to speak
in those terms because food engages all our senses. Everyone loves the satisfying crunch of peanuts, the narcotic smell of
fresh bread, the sight of a deep red apple, and the sound of sizzling bacon. Food is deeply embedded
in the human experience.
“But it goes a bit further for me because my father is a master chef. He trained in Italy as a boy
and after coming to the U.S. he eventually became the national president of the American Culinary Federation. When a writer
grows up in an Italian family with a chef in the kitchen, food as metaphor is inevitable.
“The traditional metaphor for impermanence is a rose, but that’s a bit tired, and I went with
a soufflé. I’m a Buddhist and when a Buddhist writes about impermanence in the words of a chef, you’re going to
get soufflés instead of roses.”
3. How much research is involved to be able to depict a city and time that are
so far removed from our society today?
The actual city is not much changed from the way it was 500 years ago. It’s not like there’s
room to expand with glass skyscrapers, so the physical layout is pretty much the same now as it was then. It’s not exactly
a hardship to spend time in Venice exploring her palaces and canals. I would think it would be difficult to visit Venice and
not be inspired to write or paint or something. It’s that kind of place.
But the library research regarding the renaissance was extensive—the customs, traditions, food, the
day-to-day life, the historical figures, social hierarchies, the political and religious climate—all that involved many
months of reading and note taking. But it was fascinating.
4. What inspired you to become a writer, especially a writer of historical fiction?
I’ve always loved to read and to write. The first time I realized that simple ink on paper had
the power to make people think and feel, I wanted to learn how to do that. It seems a bit magical to me, although it’s
mostly a learned skill.
As for historical fiction, what broader canvas could a writer ask for than the history of mankind? And what
richer palette than the tapestry of human experience? The historical writer draws on the greatest resource of all: human experience,
but with the benefit of hindsight. I find it irresistible.
Come to a virtual book launch party!
As an added bonus, a copy of Bones of the Dead is to be
raffled off to a reader. Enter by signing the guestbook below. To view other comments you just need to click on the
View Guestbook tab.
The drawing will be held on the 3rd of December and winner announced
here under Raffle Winners, and on the discussion group.
If you run into technical trouble, or have additional questions, please
don't hesitate to contact me at T. Gleichner at uponfurtherreview@gmail.com
