So, someone sent this to me today and I was fascinated to read it. : http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2009/08/sarah-dunant-bares-all.html

It is quite close to my heart because ,of couse, while the renaissance is known for its beauty and wonder, it was also a time of huge violence and brutality.  That I certainly believe. And given the levels of pain and limits of medicine or even medical hygiene, and the religious emphasis on body versus soul, I thing the human body itself was a more potent , fragile yet powerful object then.  But I throw it open to others to comment. I”m not sure about the ptotocol of an author replying to someone’s review> It might seem a bit self reverential. And thank you for all your comments it feels like we are staring a dicussion now. Yeah!

2 Responses to interesting review blog on New Yorker site

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Lizabeth

August 6th, 2009 at 1:48 am

Just wanted to say how absolutely wonderful it was to hear you speak at Barnes & Noble in New York. I am reading the book now, but very slowly. I want to enjoy the plot of course, but I am also interested in how you use language. If I begin to go too fast, as is my habit, I then go back a page or so and reread. There are already wonderful moments. I can close my eyes, you know, and actually be present in the place and time you have so beautifully created. Thank you.

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harriett

December 19th, 2009 at 11:37 pm

I read Mapping the Edge, three or four years ago, which was actually recommended by a student. I loved it; so clever and unusual — such an original chronology —

I heard your discussion on NPR and loved hearing your voice and your talk about how difficult writing is …. as you said “fallow years.”

Since you discussed this trilogy, I picked up The Bride of Venus, and I look forward to reading all three books.

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