Back to the convent where it all started

9 Jun 2010

The place is the city of Ferrara in Italy – in itself one of the best kept secrets of renaissance history when it comes to tourism. Ten days ago I found myself walking its streets again towards the convent of Sant ‘Antonio in Polesino, with its deeply peaceful exterior coutyard and cherry tree ( famous in the city for those intense blossoms once a year) framing the entrance to the outside chapel and the forbidding green door with its grille which leads to the enclosed convent itself. The occasion was an event which, three years ago when I first found this wonderful place, I could barely have imained. I was there to meet the mayor of the city and the head of the province, alongside journalists a wonderful woman writer of Ferrara to talk about the Sacred Hearts, the novel, the convent which inspired it and the nuns whose lives and voices played such a rich part in the city’s history. I had sat up half the night writing a short speech in Italian. At my side was Laurie Stras, one half of Musica Secreta, the early music group which had given me so much help in the writing the novel and with whom I have been collobrating on concert projects.

It was the most extraordinary hour. I must confess I didn’t answerstand everything that was being said, ( the speeches went on quite a while) but it was clear that the city was very proud of own history, but also the novel which had used the city and the convent as its backdrop. After it was over we went inside and were allowed to wander ( the nuns were hidden somewhere) aroud the chapel and the anteroom. Then , from the church , came the sound of singing- Gregorian chant, prepared and performed by one of the city’s choirs

I would like to thank absolutely everyone in Ferrara, Lauretta, Luca, Elisabetta, Guiliana and many many others for making my stay so rich and memorable. And to say to anyone planning to go to Italy this summer, that if you miss Ferrara you miss a real jewel…….

10 Responses to Back to the convent where it all started

judie

June 13th, 2010 at 11:24 pm

I’ve always loved to read and paint. When I suffered a personal tragedy in my life I didnt do either for a couple of years. Then I picked up The Birth of Venus. I was suddenly hooked on reading again. Then I read In The Company of The Courtesan, loved it, and even did a painting called The Courtesan. Today I have just finished Sacred Hearts. Could you please hurry and write another….like tomorrow? Take care.

Courtney Janak

July 1st, 2010 at 5:00 am

I have only just discovered you as an author, currently almost finished reading The Birth of Venus. You’ve reignited my passion for Renaissance Florence and for reading in general, and for that, I thank you. I look forward to reading your other works.

Has anyone ever approached you about making any of your novels into a play or film? I can so easily see The Birth of Venus dramatized on screen to great effect!

Best wishes,
Courtney Janak

Sarah Dunant

July 2nd, 2010 at 3:08 pm

Hi Courtney,

Thank you for that and good to meet you. Hope Venice and In the Company of the Courtesan and Sacred Hearts in Ferrara (all the renaissance moments) give you as much pleasure.

Over the five or so years since I started publishing these books lots of people have been interested in them in films, but no one has got beyond the stage of an option. I suspect the expense has put them off. I have to say I don”t mind. I think the best films are the ones you make in your mind as you are reading. I can’t think of many books where the film has given me better pictures than my own. But maybe some day……..

Richard A. Heckler

July 20th, 2010 at 4:20 am

Dear Sarah:
Your writing helps me forget about my parking tickets…all $800’s worth; and my teenagers desire to explore altered states; and, perhaps most of all, how fussy my own writing has become.

thank-you for your work…its such a pleasure and joy to read.
ps…should there be another brain like yours laying around, please send to my ofc in California.
Warmly,
Richard

Frans Mossberg

July 26th, 2010 at 6:51 pm

Hi Sarah!
Thanks for your beautiful work. I am a swedish musicologist, composer and artist.

I came upon Sacred Hearts this summer and must say I appreciated it very much and the thoughtfulness you gave to your characters and their experiences. It also really opened up a hard reality and unfreedom of women in convent life, without sacrificing the finer nuances of inner spirituality.

I now dive into the courtesan and must say I am so impressed by the way you are able to paint the scenery of the times in Venice and Rome. I am reading this in swedish translation and the humor and colorful language is a true joy and inspiration to read.
Being a lover of Italy its like being there in spirit.

Your writing is a true gift. /yours Frans Mossberg

Sarah Dunant

July 28th, 2010 at 5:56 pm

Thank you Frans I would love to be able to read them both in Swedish!!!!

Sarah Dunant

July 28th, 2010 at 5:59 pm

Parking tickets drive most of the people I know to near distraction, altered states are what parents need to deal with teenagers, and writing is the hardest job in the world. My heart goes out to you. But you will do it! Pain, as they say, is part of the process.

Melanie Robertson

August 18th, 2010 at 11:19 pm

Thoroughly enjoyed it right to the end; then really disappointed. I wanted to know what happened in the morning. Rather abrupt ending for me.

Melanie Robertson

August 18th, 2010 at 11:19 pm

Above comment about Sacred Hearts.

Back to the convent where it all started

10 Responses to Back to the convent where it all started

Comment Form

Welcome

Categories

Archives

What I'm Doing...

Meta