Rated of 5
by Susan What a time and place to live
A time of guarding knowledge, intrigue and fear. Telling the story with food and food preparation in the fifteenth/sixteen centuries as the centerpiece was for me very interesting - consuming food is essential for survival, but can be much more. A book for those interested in reading about this time period, loyalty and food.
Rated of 5
by Lola, Readers Library, Central Library, Tulsa, OK Book of Unholy Mischief
I read all types of books, but have a soft spot for historical fiction. This was a quick and easy read. If you love cooking/baking or even just eating food, this book will have you drooling. The author even cleverly slips in trivia about different dishes and ingredients to "spice" things up. The story itself was somewhat predictable, but was fairly fast- paced. I just wanted to shake the narrator, Luciano, and say "Wake up!!!". Could anyone be as naive as he and still be as street-smart as it was implied??!!! Not great literature but a fun read.
Rated of 5
by Gail Book of Unholy Mischief
Would appeal to students of the survival of knowledge through early Renaissance Inquisition. I preferred Susan Vreeland's period piece, Passion of Artemisia but enjoyed Newmark's familiarity with the architecture and byways of Venice and her interest in cooking. This would be good fodder for my book club. We'd like discussing the growth of Luciano's character and why the chef chose to mentor him.
Rated of 5
by Stephanie - Hudson, OH Food and Heresy make for a Good Discussion
If you liked "Like Water for Chocolate" and "The DaVinci Code," you'll like this book. The descriptions of food are sumptuous and the characters are, for the most part, likable and interesting. I enjoyed the story and thought that a book club would find much to discuss. The anti-Christian parts might turn some people off, but it doesn't claim to be non-fiction, so you can just use the "heretical" ideas as something to talk about. And for the non-Christian, some of the explanations are pretty intriguing.
Rated of 5
by Jean The Book of Unholy Mischief
I enjoyed this book very much. It was a little slow starting, but became an "I don't want to put it down" book. The history in the story was very interesting. The 1500's was a time of intrigue and danger. Things that we take for granted (reading, buying books, etc) were rare in the time frame of the story. It made me more appreciative of being able to read and having books to read.
What could be better that a book about a book?
Rated of 5
by Jean Venice is one of my favorite European cities!
Luciano, the main character, is appealing and sympathetic because of his loyalty and goodness towards both his human and feline companions. The author captures the special feeling of Venice through its food and by its architecture.
On the downside, there are a few parts where careful editing and cutting of wordiness would have benefited the flow of the story. As far as the central concern of the book, which is the secrets contained in the Book of Mischief, it promises more than it delivers. But overall it’s an engaging read.
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