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Lent
From Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award-winning Jo Walton comes Lent, a magical re-imagining of the man who remade fifteenth-century Florence—in all its astonishing strangeness
Young Girolamo’s life is a series of miracles.
It’s a miracle that he can see demons, plain as day, and that he can cast them out with the force of his will. It’s a miracle that he’s friends with Pico della Mirandola, the Count of Concordia. It’s a miracle that when Girolamo visits the deathbed of Lorenzo “the Magnificent,” the dying Medici is wreathed in celestial light, a surprise to everyone, Lorenzo included. It’s a miracle that when Charles VIII of France invades northern Italy, Girolamo meets him in the field, and convinces him to not only spare Florence but also protect it. It’s a miracle than whenever Girolamo preaches, crowds swoon. It’s a miracle that, despite the Pope’s determination to bring young Girolamo to heel, he’s still on the loose… and, now, running Florence in all but name.
That’s only the beginning. Because Girolamo Savanarola is not who—or what—he thinks he is. He will discover the truth about himself at the most startling possible time. And this will be only the beginning of his many lives.
Young Girolamo’s life is a series of miracles.
It’s a miracle that he can see demons, plain as day, and that he can cast them out with the force of his will. It’s a miracle that he’s friends with Pico della Mirandola, the Count of Concordia. It’s a miracle that when Girolamo visits the deathbed of Lorenzo “the Magnificent,” the dying Medici is wreathed in celestial light, a surprise to everyone, Lorenzo included. It’s a miracle that when Charles VIII of France invades northern Italy, Girolamo meets him in the field, and convinces him to not only spare Florence but also protect it. It’s a miracle than whenever Girolamo preaches, crowds swoon. It’s a miracle that, despite the Pope’s determination to bring young Girolamo to heel, he’s still on the loose… and, now, running Florence in all but name.
That’s only the beginning. Because Girolamo Savanarola is not who—or what—he thinks he is. He will discover the truth about himself at the most startling possible time. And this will be only the beginning of his many lives.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2019
About the author
Jo Walton
79 books2,976 followersJo Walton writes science fiction and fantasy novels and reads a lot and eats great food. It worries her slightly that this is so exactly what she always wanted to do when she grew up. She comes from Wales, but lives in Montreal.
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November 14, 2018I think it's pretty good, but it's hard for me to judge.
Here's a link to some illustrations.
http://www.jowaltonbooks.com/books/le...
Also, I LOVE the cover. I don't know what I did recently to get so lucky with covers, but this one is fabulous.
Here's a link to some illustrations.
http://www.jowaltonbooks.com/books/le...
Also, I LOVE the cover. I don't know what I did recently to get so lucky with covers, but this one is fabulous.
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April 8, 2024Though this book is written within the framework of Roman Catholicism of the 1400-1500s, it is not a Catholic book. It is a book celebrating Renaissance humanism.
A quick note laying down my understanding here.
Renaissance Humanism was not a philosophy. It was a cultural phenomenon flowering around the rediscovery of the classics. It was not antithetical to Christianity as it was developed, and celebrated, within the vast and lapidary complexity of Christian theology and mythology, but as far as I understand it (not being a Renaissance or a medieval scholar), it shifted the focus from the study of the next world to the study of this world, with man at the center. Studying—delighting in—things human, in particular good speaking, good writing, and above all, art, was acceptable because God had created humans in his own image.
We slide into that paradigm at the very start, when Girolamo Savonarola casts out demons. Even though not everybody sees demons, he does. He sees those demons, he casts them out, sending them straight back to Hell.
Which is a real place.
I’m not going to say anything more about the story, because this is one that is so much better experienced without any knowledge of what lies ahead. What I will say is that the exquisite, amazing, and often strange city of Florence is beautifully evoked here, where remarkable personalities lived, made art, debated. And died, sometimes terribly, because passion’s dark side is violence.
But it’s not a bleak book. Jo Walton writes so joyfully about humanism—people being the best selves they can be—in all her books.
I found that viewpoint especially breathtaking in this intense, vivid, transcendent book, leaving me in the good kind of tears at the end.
A quick note laying down my understanding here.
Renaissance Humanism was not a philosophy. It was a cultural phenomenon flowering around the rediscovery of the classics. It was not antithetical to Christianity as it was developed, and celebrated, within the vast and lapidary complexity of Christian theology and mythology, but as far as I understand it (not being a Renaissance or a medieval scholar), it shifted the focus from the study of the next world to the study of this world, with man at the center. Studying—delighting in—things human, in particular good speaking, good writing, and above all, art, was acceptable because God had created humans in his own image.
We slide into that paradigm at the very start, when Girolamo Savonarola casts out demons. Even though not everybody sees demons, he does. He sees those demons, he casts them out, sending them straight back to Hell.
Which is a real place.
I’m not going to say anything more about the story, because this is one that is so much better experienced without any knowledge of what lies ahead. What I will say is that the exquisite, amazing, and often strange city of Florence is beautifully evoked here, where remarkable personalities lived, made art, debated. And died, sometimes terribly, because passion’s dark side is violence.
But it’s not a bleak book. Jo Walton writes so joyfully about humanism—people being the best selves they can be—in all her books.
I found that viewpoint especially breathtaking in this intense, vivid, transcendent book, leaving me in the good kind of tears at the end.
October 3, 2019
Amazing and thoughtful book with some epic twists. I always have really high expectations about new Jo Walton books, and this one still blew me away.
As in, this bizarre book that twists together a bunch of famous priests and scholars in Renaissance Florence with some fantasy elements, made me stay up way too late to find out what would happen next. I had no idea I could find this kind of thing so fascinating, but I did.
And on top of all that, Walton is always so good at weaving in politics and commentaries on social norms of the time.
Really good.
As in, this bizarre book that twists together a bunch of famous priests and scholars in Renaissance Florence with some fantasy elements, made me stay up way too late to find out what would happen next. I had no idea I could find this kind of thing so fascinating, but I did.
And on top of all that, Walton is always so good at weaving in politics and commentaries on social norms of the time.
Really good.
June 5, 2020
Groundhog Day by way of 15th century Florence. This is not my usual pick, but it turned out to be an excellent read for me. Walton's prose is so practiced and conversational, and kept me wanting to pick it up to see what would happen next...or again.
February 11, 2020
How do I write about this book? It feels like a work of genius and I am badly in need of someone to discuss a few things with. However, until I have a friend who has also read it, this inadequate review will have to do.
The book description tells the story just adequately enough to give you a sense of the atmosphere without spoiling the story. The main character, devout and talented priest Girolamo, can see demons and cast them into Hell. He's got the gift of prophecy. He is also a most appealing character as we watch him try to make Florence into the Ark of God.
This seems an unlikely topic for fantasy writer Jo Walton but she does love to take a topic and dive deep while she adds fantastic layers which enliven while adding insight to the main theme. Consequently, Lent is a melange of 15th century Catholic theology, Florentine and Vatican politics, demons, Hell, metaphysics, and friendship.
Above all, surprisingly, it is a meditation on what it means to love God and what it means to be threatened with losing Him. I've seen a few reviewers say they're unclear about the point of the book, but to this Catholic it seems clear. And I like what I see. Even if you don't agree with me, you will be left with a lot of food for thought wrapped in an entertaining story. Highly recommended.
Scott Danielson and I discussed this book in episode 212 of A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast.
The book description tells the story just adequately enough to give you a sense of the atmosphere without spoiling the story. The main character, devout and talented priest Girolamo, can see demons and cast them into Hell. He's got the gift of prophecy. He is also a most appealing character as we watch him try to make Florence into the Ark of God.
This seems an unlikely topic for fantasy writer Jo Walton but she does love to take a topic and dive deep while she adds fantastic layers which enliven while adding insight to the main theme. Consequently, Lent is a melange of 15th century Catholic theology, Florentine and Vatican politics, demons, Hell, metaphysics, and friendship.
Above all, surprisingly, it is a meditation on what it means to love God and what it means to be threatened with losing Him. I've seen a few reviewers say they're unclear about the point of the book, but to this Catholic it seems clear. And I like what I see. Even if you don't agree with me, you will be left with a lot of food for thought wrapped in an entertaining story. Highly recommended.
Scott Danielson and I discussed this book in episode 212 of A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast.
May 25, 2020
This is my third Jo Walton novel, she’s quickly become one of my favorite writers whose whole body of work I plan on reading because wow, does she know how to draw you into a story *fast*, and she doesn’t let go.
I’m a little shaken by this one. Going in I didn’t know anything about the Italian friar, preacher and politician Girolamo Savonarola. He claimed to be able to see the future as told to him directly by God, and he worked hard to rid the Church of corruption, establishing a sort of republic in Florence and pissing off the Pope in the process, which lead to him being burned to death for heresy. I would have happily read about the deeply fascinating life of this man as it were, but Jo Walton adds an extra layer by making Girolamo able to see real demons, actual physical beings from Hell that he frequently exorcises.
At first I wasn’t sure that this fantastical element added anything to the story, that is, until the story takes a turn to the left and then it suddenly does matter a great deal. Walton manages to create a sense of urgency that made it hard to put this one down and I think it’ll be rummaging around in my mind for a long time.
As a frequent occurence in Walton’s work there is a great deal of philosophical, ethical and moral discussion in this one which is always interesting and draws parallels to the master herself, Ursula K Le Guin.
I’m a little shaken by this one. Going in I didn’t know anything about the Italian friar, preacher and politician Girolamo Savonarola. He claimed to be able to see the future as told to him directly by God, and he worked hard to rid the Church of corruption, establishing a sort of republic in Florence and pissing off the Pope in the process, which lead to him being burned to death for heresy. I would have happily read about the deeply fascinating life of this man as it were, but Jo Walton adds an extra layer by making Girolamo able to see real demons, actual physical beings from Hell that he frequently exorcises.
At first I wasn’t sure that this fantastical element added anything to the story, that is, until the story takes a turn to the left and then it suddenly does matter a great deal. Walton manages to create a sense of urgency that made it hard to put this one down and I think it’ll be rummaging around in my mind for a long time.
As a frequent occurence in Walton’s work there is a great deal of philosophical, ethical and moral discussion in this one which is always interesting and draws parallels to the master herself, Ursula K Le Guin.
April 19, 2019
I have no idea how Jo Walton concocted such an amazingly brilliant and original story, but "Lent" is one of the best books I have read in 2019. 15th century Christianity, demons, Hell, and metaphysics all come together in this absolutely remarkable story set during Renaissance Italy. Follow this tale of absurdity and piety and find yourself in worlds separate from our own and what it means to truly "know thyself".
July 17, 2019
This book is a Venn Diagram of People Who Like Jo Walton's Novels, People Who Like Historical Fantasy Fiction, People Who Like Medieval Theology, and People Who Like Humanism, and I am firmly at the centre.
March 29, 2020
My line of impressive books doesn't seem to break off.
"Lent" is another example of intelligent writing, interesting structure and skillful prose. The very end felt too unimposing for the expectation the rest of the book had created in me, that's why it is 4 instead of 5 stars.
The novel narrates the later life of Savonarola, the Florentine 15th century ecclesiastical reformer. I half and half remembered his name from my school history classes yet with a more negative connotation. Walton describes him very palpable and 'human' so that I found it quite easy to root for him and follow his musings and battles within the Catholic church.
I will not say more about the story, because the fun starts when he is condemned to death. Only that much: Walton writes a compelling take on theological philosophy, renaissance and damnation which had me glued to the audiobook - which btw was very aptly read by Will Damron. His voice told the inner struggle of the main character in a perfectly relatable way.
A perfect book for readers who are interested in Renaissance, Catholic theological history, philosophy or just plain good writing.
"Lent" is another example of intelligent writing, interesting structure and skillful prose. The very end felt too unimposing for the expectation the rest of the book had created in me, that's why it is 4 instead of 5 stars.
The novel narrates the later life of Savonarola, the Florentine 15th century ecclesiastical reformer. I half and half remembered his name from my school history classes yet with a more negative connotation. Walton describes him very palpable and 'human' so that I found it quite easy to root for him and follow his musings and battles within the Catholic church.
I will not say more about the story, because the fun starts when he is condemned to death. Only that much: Walton writes a compelling take on theological philosophy, renaissance and damnation which had me glued to the audiobook - which btw was very aptly read by Will Damron. His voice told the inner struggle of the main character in a perfectly relatable way.
A perfect book for readers who are interested in Renaissance, Catholic theological history, philosophy or just plain good writing.
December 21, 2019
I found this a tough book to get through, and not because the writing is bad or complicated. I’ve read other books by Jo Walton (and I’m a fan of her work) that I’ve had no trouble sailing through.
The writing in this book is good, but I was just not that interested in much of Girolamo’s story for the first 40-45% of this book. Then suddenly, I became invested in the narrative. Though I found much of the talk about harrowing hell and the machinations between the various similar Christian orders to be ridiculous, I thought the repeated but slightly different iterations of Girolamo’s life were fascinating.
That did not, however, make me love this book. Instead, I liked parts of the book, but had to work to get through his story.
The writing in this book is good, but I was just not that interested in much of Girolamo’s story for the first 40-45% of this book. Then suddenly, I became invested in the narrative. Though I found much of the talk about harrowing hell and the machinations between the various similar Christian orders to be ridiculous, I thought the repeated but slightly different iterations of Girolamo’s life were fascinating.
That did not, however, make me love this book. Instead, I liked parts of the book, but had to work to get through his story.
April 9, 2020
This is SF/fantasy/historic/philosophic novel by one of the greatest but underappreciated SF authors of today, Jo Walton. I read is as a part of monthly reading for April 2020 at SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases group.
The book consists of two parts, each roughly half of the novel. The first part is a biography of Girolamo Savonarola (1452 –1498), a real life Italian Dominican friar from Ferrara, who actively preached Florence. He was known for his prophecies and his calls for Christian renewal. He also saw and exercised demons. The story of his life is told in the third person but as a personal account and his seeing and exercising demons could have been just his imagination, but others ‘feel’ them or their disappearance, so at least a magical realism. This is Renaissance and there are a lot of Platonists and rad new artists and Nouveau riche bankers/traders and Florence itself is governed by rotating randomly chosen group of Nine, while in Rome Pope Alexander Borgia sits, the worst Pope yet, seen by many as anti-Christ. Awful times to live in, but great to read about.
After the first part there is a SF twist, which appears completely unanticipated and the story turns in surprising direction.
The book consists of two parts, each roughly half of the novel. The first part is a biography of Girolamo Savonarola (1452 –1498), a real life Italian Dominican friar from Ferrara, who actively preached Florence. He was known for his prophecies and his calls for Christian renewal. He also saw and exercised demons. The story of his life is told in the third person but as a personal account and his seeing and exercising demons could have been just his imagination, but others ‘feel’ them or their disappearance, so at least a magical realism. This is Renaissance and there are a lot of Platonists and rad new artists and Nouveau riche bankers/traders and Florence itself is governed by rotating randomly chosen group of Nine, while in Rome Pope Alexander Borgia sits, the worst Pope yet, seen by many as anti-Christ. Awful times to live in, but great to read about.
After the first part there is a SF twist, which appears completely unanticipated and the story turns in surprising direction.
July 8, 2022
This is a strange novel, that starts out as a fictionalized biography of Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican Friar who lived in Florence in the late 15th century. You can read an outline of his biography, and period history -- but it would be best to wait until after you read the book, to avoid “spoilers” — if actual history can be a spoiler. Anyway, like many, I had a dimly remembered low opinion of Savonarola — but he turns out to have been a pretty good guy, for a Renaissance religious mystic. His special talent in the novel, as you can guess from the cover art, was banishing demons. There’s a twist on that, which would be unfair to reveal.
About halfway into the book, the novel takes a sharp turn into "Replay" or "Groundhog Day" reruns, some very unpleasant. After a number of iterations: The End. Abrupt and unsatisfying, I thought. And this part of the novel was, hrm, of varying interest for me. Some reruns were sweet, some weird, some so short as to be annoying -- as is the repetition. The writing is of uniformly high quality, but the cast of characters is large, and was hard for me to keep track of them.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book more than I was expecting. Religious mysticism of 500+ years ago is not high on my list of interests, so I’d put off reading the book. But I’m glad I finally read it! Renaissance Florence turns out to have been a happening place. 3.7 stars, rounded up.
The author has posted some illustrations for the book, which you are likely to find informative. I did: http://www.jowaltonbooks.com/books/le... I found Sherwood Smith’s review particularly on-target: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
About halfway into the book, the novel takes a sharp turn into "Replay" or "Groundhog Day" reruns, some very unpleasant. After a number of iterations: The End. Abrupt and unsatisfying, I thought. And this part of the novel was, hrm, of varying interest for me. Some reruns were sweet, some weird, some so short as to be annoying -- as is the repetition. The writing is of uniformly high quality, but the cast of characters is large, and was hard for me to keep track of them.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book more than I was expecting. Religious mysticism of 500+ years ago is not high on my list of interests, so I’d put off reading the book. But I’m glad I finally read it! Renaissance Florence turns out to have been a happening place. 3.7 stars, rounded up.
The author has posted some illustrations for the book, which you are likely to find informative. I did: http://www.jowaltonbooks.com/books/le... I found Sherwood Smith’s review particularly on-target: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 3, 2022
Original 2019 review: Although I haven't read as much as usual this year, I've been fortunate to read some really wonderful books, like this, which is beautiful and tremendous and deeply spiritual and kind of perfect for the way I've been feeling lately. Another A Tale for the Time Being in that it's a spot on book for this time in my life.
2022 re-reading review: Gah, this book is just so beautiful.
2022 re-reading review: Gah, this book is just so beautiful.
November 13, 2019
Girolamo Savanarola is a real figure from Renaissance Italian history, and this book tells the tale of his life, assuming that the Catholic theological conception of the world is literally true. So we get Girolamo seeing and dispelling demons, experiencing miracles and generally doing all the things he really did in Florence besides. But Girolamo isn't who he thinks he is, and there's more to his world than he knows, as he gets to experience it over and over again.
The elavator pitch for this is Groundhog Day in 15th century Florence, but that really doesn't convey how beautiful Walton's writing is here. The concept has little to interest me, even though it's meticulously realized and researched, but I found Girolamo's story compelling, both from wanting to understand what was happening, but also from experiencing the wonderful characters and world-building.
I also think its an interesting book from a structural point of view, but unfortunately I think it stumbles at the end. That's a criticism I would level at pretty much all of the books I've read from this author though, as I find her endings rushed and lacking in impact. Still, the journey is worthwhile and this is a great concept for a book.
The elavator pitch for this is Groundhog Day in 15th century Florence, but that really doesn't convey how beautiful Walton's writing is here. The concept has little to interest me, even though it's meticulously realized and researched, but I found Girolamo's story compelling, both from wanting to understand what was happening, but also from experiencing the wonderful characters and world-building.
I also think its an interesting book from a structural point of view, but unfortunately I think it stumbles at the end. That's a criticism I would level at pretty much all of the books I've read from this author though, as I find her endings rushed and lacking in impact. Still, the journey is worthwhile and this is a great concept for a book.
October 30, 2021
3.5 intriguing and unique plot but not quite my thing. Thought it would be with the very intriguing blurb but while it's well written and does deliver what it promised it didn't quite work for me
June 29, 2019
Started Thursday evening after a disappointing showing on my certification exam: Reader, I failed it. A pleasant historical work about a real person, only with demons being real. The dragon I kept expecting, based, no doubt, on a misreading of a review, did not ever appear. As much as I respect her dragons, they weren't missed.
So first half is Sharon K Penman sort of thing about Renaissance Florence, a topic about which I knew nothing. I was digging it, but not unable to put it down Friday to go to work. And then Friday evening I got farther in, and could not put it down at my usual bedtime, and having gotten through that slight bit of sleepiness there was no impediment to my reading straight through to the end at three am.
Well worth the mostly sleepless night.
It just get better and better and better. I love all the choices Walton made, and fully expect this to be a book I regularly reread, because I love the idea so much.
Library copy
So first half is Sharon K Penman sort of thing about Renaissance Florence, a topic about which I knew nothing. I was digging it, but not unable to put it down Friday to go to work. And then Friday evening I got farther in, and could not put it down at my usual bedtime, and having gotten through that slight bit of sleepiness there was no impediment to my reading straight through to the end at three am.
Well worth the mostly sleepless night.
It just get better and better and better. I love all the choices Walton made, and fully expect this to be a book I regularly reread, because I love the idea so much.
Library copy
October 2, 2019
It seems like every year there’s a book that I want to beg people to read because I struggle to describe it, and it’s nothing like what they’d expect. This year, it’s this book.
It’s beautiful. It’s delightful and unusual and quietly profound. It’s a master class in plot. Or rather, how to make plot not seem like plot. It’s the progression we get in real life: day to day events that aren’t much in themselves but accrue, layer upon layer, into unforeseen outcomes.
And then, it’s a master class in how to twist that plot every which way, over and over. Brilliant.
Much like God Knows, where that David is now the canonical David for me, this feels like the canonical Savonarola. Mostly because— and this is the irony, given the book— he’s so completely and thoroughly human, more human than our versions of history let him be. Every character in the book springs off the page in bright flesh and blood and I love them for it.
I want to marvel again at how Jo Walton crafts this story, but that would take pages of spoilery details. Just— highly recommended whether this book seems like your thing or not. I struggle to describe it. It’s that great.
It’s beautiful. It’s delightful and unusual and quietly profound. It’s a master class in plot. Or rather, how to make plot not seem like plot. It’s the progression we get in real life: day to day events that aren’t much in themselves but accrue, layer upon layer, into unforeseen outcomes.
And then, it’s a master class in how to twist that plot every which way, over and over. Brilliant.
Much like God Knows, where that David is now the canonical David for me, this feels like the canonical Savonarola. Mostly because— and this is the irony, given the book— he’s so completely and thoroughly human, more human than our versions of history let him be. Every character in the book springs off the page in bright flesh and blood and I love them for it.
I want to marvel again at how Jo Walton crafts this story, but that would take pages of spoilery details. Just— highly recommended whether this book seems like your thing or not. I struggle to describe it. It’s that great.
November 20, 2023
every time I consume media about renaissance italy I want badly to be a part of The Gang in renaissance italy but it's okay because then I remember plague
September 10, 2019
This book started out gently enough, then got interesting, and finally settled into a pleasant, slow cruise into a historical novel. Then around the all hell broke loose and the plot flew off the rails, hurtling down a ravine of gasps and OMGs into a new realm of storyland... a new realm I like a lot! If you need spoilers, I'm sure other reviews will have them, but I'm going to just leave this here with one of my uncommon five stars.
June 9, 2019
Jo Walton’s books are unpredictable, both like and unlike the others. This is a beautiful, touching story, that takes religion seriously but still finds room to play with it. I feel like Girolamo is a friend of mine now, and 15th century Florence a place I visited and loved. I think anyone should read this.
October 15, 2019
3.5 rounded up. Sort of smash up of elements between My Real Children and The Just City. Kept my interest until 3/4 in and then I felt the pages of dialog didn’t keep the plot moving as well. Still it’s Jo Walton and always thoughtful.
April 24, 2023
the lyrics to taylor swift's 'this is me trying' except replace 'me' with 'italian dominican friar girolamo savonarola' and 'you' with 'God'
May 29, 2020
Pure brilliance, this book, pure brilliance.
Jo Walton may be the first author I've read that has done actual research on the era and person of interest in her book: Renaissance Italy, mostly Florence, and Girolamo Savonarola the Dominic monk known for his prophetic visions and for starting a bonfire of the vanities. In this book, Savonarola goes through a Groundhog Day situation; his lives a variety of different lives trying to change the course of both his own history and of those around him and each time he dies he starts over again, mostly in April 1492 near the end of the Christian observance of the Lent (hence the title) and the beginning of Easter. Walton incorporates other historical figures into the book whom Savonarola knew personally and communicated with, mostly Giovanni Pico della Mirandola. She shows how many Christian theologians, such as Savonarola and Mirandola, incorporated Renaissance humanism into their theologies which was something that actually happened during that time. As one other reviewer said, humanism in its infancy wasn't anti-Christian at all, heck, it was started by Petrarch who was inspired by the works of Saint Augustine of Hippo. It just placed humans at the center of the world's important questions and how they should respond to them; theological anthropology has its infancy here too, but that's another review.
Walton paints Savonarola as a multi-faceted man. He is not the mad monk many other writers and historians paint him as, though he is full of faults. He is not the holiest of men, something he knows and does not deny and something he consistently tries to work on. One the overarching themes of the book, and Savonarola's character arc and journey, is that of pride. Savonarola himself and so many other characters think they can control things, especially their own destinies even when they acknowledge God as the one who controls the universe. Let's just say that as a Catholic, this hit home with me. There was a lot I found relatable in Savonarola's struggles, doubts, and beliefs.
But what really takes the cake, what I really loved about this novel, is that is shows the fear of losing or being abandoned by God. This is not some Nietzschean proclamation about the "death of God" or culture's loss of focus on God. It shows the actual grief, fear, heartbreak, and emptiness one feels when one losses God, that you feel no longer loved or worthy. Again, a relatable thing for me. However, it also shows the pain of losing your friends, even if those friends have differences with you. Another theme I loved in this book is the constant reminder (I'm paraphrasing) that Earthly beauty prepares one for Heaven for Heaven's beauty cannot be matched.
Ultimately, this is a story of Heaven, Hell, Earth, devotion, friendship, faith, and hope. This may be one of my favorite novels of all time.
Jo Walton may be the first author I've read that has done actual research on the era and person of interest in her book: Renaissance Italy, mostly Florence, and Girolamo Savonarola the Dominic monk known for his prophetic visions and for starting a bonfire of the vanities. In this book, Savonarola goes through a Groundhog Day situation; his lives a variety of different lives trying to change the course of both his own history and of those around him and each time he dies he starts over again, mostly in April 1492 near the end of the Christian observance of the Lent (hence the title) and the beginning of Easter. Walton incorporates other historical figures into the book whom Savonarola knew personally and communicated with, mostly Giovanni Pico della Mirandola. She shows how many Christian theologians, such as Savonarola and Mirandola, incorporated Renaissance humanism into their theologies which was something that actually happened during that time. As one other reviewer said, humanism in its infancy wasn't anti-Christian at all, heck, it was started by Petrarch who was inspired by the works of Saint Augustine of Hippo. It just placed humans at the center of the world's important questions and how they should respond to them; theological anthropology has its infancy here too, but that's another review.
Walton paints Savonarola as a multi-faceted man. He is not the mad monk many other writers and historians paint him as, though he is full of faults. He is not the holiest of men, something he knows and does not deny and something he consistently tries to work on. One the overarching themes of the book, and Savonarola's character arc and journey, is that of pride. Savonarola himself and so many other characters think they can control things, especially their own destinies even when they acknowledge God as the one who controls the universe. Let's just say that as a Catholic, this hit home with me. There was a lot I found relatable in Savonarola's struggles, doubts, and beliefs.
But what really takes the cake, what I really loved about this novel, is that is shows the fear of losing or being abandoned by God. This is not some Nietzschean proclamation about the "death of God" or culture's loss of focus on God. It shows the actual grief, fear, heartbreak, and emptiness one feels when one losses God, that you feel no longer loved or worthy. Again, a relatable thing for me. However, it also shows the pain of losing your friends, even if those friends have differences with you. Another theme I loved in this book is the constant reminder (I'm paraphrasing) that Earthly beauty prepares one for Heaven for Heaven's beauty cannot be matched.
Ultimately, this is a story of Heaven, Hell, Earth, devotion, friendship, faith, and hope. This may be one of my favorite novels of all time.
September 24, 2023
What a book! Walton does not disappoint. This is best take on ‘Groundhog Day’ and wow! History, philosophy and fantasy, all in one.
March 20, 2020
As with every book of Walton's, I am both awed and perplexed by the author's imagination and ideas. Walton is a force of her own. Similarly to the Thessaly trilogy, I would have never said I would be engrossed by a book about Girolamo Savonarola, and yet, it was extremely engrossing. And deeply weird, too - I can honestly say it is a very, very idiosyncratic book, one you can either love despite its weirdness (I did) or be left cold.
December 1, 2019
This book is difficult - it's a difficult premise to pull off, and a difficult read, and difficult to assess.
For one thing, Girolamo Savonarola is not a pleasant character. Walton manages to make him fairly sympathetic, but he's one of history's biggest self-righteous assholes who did a lot of damage in the name of "the greater good." So spending a whole book with his character is daring. On top of that, Savonarola's world was very different from ours, and it takes a lot of work to get into his mindset to understand why he thought the things he thought. Walton is fairly successful here, although she misses a lot of nuance. If you aren't already reasonably familiar with a lot of the people and religious doctrines of late medieval/early Renaissance Europe, there are a lot of details that you're going to miss or find confusing. Despite all of this, I think Walton does an impressive job of making the reader want Savonarola to succeed.
The first half of the book is a slog - it's a pretty detailed account of the last 6 years of Savonarola's life, and there are a lot of characters with similar names and it's hard to keep them all straight and Italian Renaissance politics are bewilderingly complex. I thought about giving up several times during the first half. Then there's a major change halfway through the book that suddenly makes it far more interesting. I wish Walton had been able to make that surprise happen earlier, or provide more hints about it, or do something to make it clear that this isn't just a biography of Savonarola.
I wish this book had been written by a better theologian. Ultimately, it's a story of a quest to find God. There was room in here for some really profound statement about forgiveness, redemption, the nature of love, and the unity of all creation, but the theological potential isn't fulfilled.
The rest of this review is full of spoilers.
For one thing, Girolamo Savonarola is not a pleasant character. Walton manages to make him fairly sympathetic, but he's one of history's biggest self-righteous assholes who did a lot of damage in the name of "the greater good." So spending a whole book with his character is daring. On top of that, Savonarola's world was very different from ours, and it takes a lot of work to get into his mindset to understand why he thought the things he thought. Walton is fairly successful here, although she misses a lot of nuance. If you aren't already reasonably familiar with a lot of the people and religious doctrines of late medieval/early Renaissance Europe, there are a lot of details that you're going to miss or find confusing. Despite all of this, I think Walton does an impressive job of making the reader want Savonarola to succeed.
The first half of the book is a slog - it's a pretty detailed account of the last 6 years of Savonarola's life, and there are a lot of characters with similar names and it's hard to keep them all straight and Italian Renaissance politics are bewilderingly complex. I thought about giving up several times during the first half. Then there's a major change halfway through the book that suddenly makes it far more interesting. I wish Walton had been able to make that surprise happen earlier, or provide more hints about it, or do something to make it clear that this isn't just a biography of Savonarola.
I wish this book had been written by a better theologian. Ultimately, it's a story of a quest to find God. There was room in here for some really profound statement about forgiveness, redemption, the nature of love, and the unity of all creation, but the theological potential isn't fulfilled.
The rest of this review is full of spoilers.
October 5, 2019
By now, I have learned that if a book was written by Jo Walton, I don't really need much more information to know that I want to read it.
June 30, 2022
This is hard to review - I was enjoying myself until 40%, and only really got into it at that point, but the less said about the book, the better. You're better off knowing the least amount possible going in.
If you already know you like books by Jo Walton, what are you waiting for? Just go read this right away.
If you're not sure about this book, this is a story about ideas, about the Renaissance, about friendship, about the cost of doing what you think is right, and about hope. Savaronla, mostly famous now for his asceticism and his Bonfires of the Vanities, is a pretty interesting lens for all of this.
This was very readable, and I'd even call it fun. But it was also thoughtful, and I would have loved to talk to Walton as she went through the process of writing this. I'm having trouble thinking of how to describe who I would recommend this to, and I almost wish I had picked this for book club, because I think we would have had A LOT to talk about. If you're interested in the Renaissance humanists, or redemption, you should definitely pick this up.
If you already know you like books by Jo Walton, what are you waiting for? Just go read this right away.
If you're not sure about this book, this is a story about ideas, about the Renaissance, about friendship, about the cost of doing what you think is right, and about hope. Savaronla, mostly famous now for his asceticism and his Bonfires of the Vanities, is a pretty interesting lens for all of this.
This was very readable, and I'd even call it fun. But it was also thoughtful, and I would have loved to talk to Walton as she went through the process of writing this. I'm having trouble thinking of how to describe who I would recommend this to, and I almost wish I had picked this for book club, because I think we would have had A LOT to talk about. If you're interested in the Renaissance humanists, or redemption, you should definitely pick this up.
March 30, 2022
Ahoy there me mateys! I have always wanted to read this author's work and this was the first. I wasn't sure what I was expecting with this novel (and was surprised!) but I am certainly glad to have read it.
This novel follows Girolamo Savanarola who was a priest in 15th century Florence. The fantasy twist of this historical novel is that this Dominican friar can actually see and banish demons. This book deals with the end of his life and the machination of Florentine politics and religion. His beliefs on religion, and his powerful sermons, led to a truly fascinating time in Florence. I did not know when reading this how closely the author followed history while twisting it. So cool.
The plot surprised me multiple times and I cannot spoil it but suffice to say that I was enthralled by this book. I loved that demons and miracles did actually exist. I loved the world building and how real Florence felt. I loved how much I rooted for Girolamo through his ups and downs. I enjoyed getting yet another perspective on the Medici family even though they were not the focus. I was impressed.
The only small problem was the way the book resolved even though it made sense. I just wasn't ready to let go. The author does have a wonderful post about historical references and the monastery. Minor spoilers there for the plot.
I hear Walton has written a story about Victorian times with dragons. Must read that (and the others). Arrr!
This novel follows Girolamo Savanarola who was a priest in 15th century Florence. The fantasy twist of this historical novel is that this Dominican friar can actually see and banish demons. This book deals with the end of his life and the machination of Florentine politics and religion. His beliefs on religion, and his powerful sermons, led to a truly fascinating time in Florence. I did not know when reading this how closely the author followed history while twisting it. So cool.
The plot surprised me multiple times and I cannot spoil it but suffice to say that I was enthralled by this book. I loved that demons and miracles did actually exist. I loved the world building and how real Florence felt. I loved how much I rooted for Girolamo through his ups and downs. I enjoyed getting yet another perspective on the Medici family even though they were not the focus. I was impressed.
The only small problem was the way the book resolved even though it made sense. I just wasn't ready to let go. The author does have a wonderful post about historical references and the monastery. Minor spoilers there for the plot.
I hear Walton has written a story about Victorian times with dragons. Must read that (and the others). Arrr!
October 25, 2019
When I heard Jo Walton was writing a book about the mad monk Savonarola, I scrambled to preorder it. I didn't know exactly what to expect, but Jo is an author I've learned to trust and roll with.
In this case - it's a different take on Girolamo Savonarola, his life, how things happen, and keep happening. You are steeped in the politics and time period of late 1400s Florence, and it feels as real as if you weren't in a magical setting where demons really exist and have a significant presence.
Savonarola dies and is reborn. And dies and is reborn over and over again, learning or experiencing something new each time and it's a great ride. I was raised Catholic and I have done a lot of reading and learning about this time period (and yes, indulging in pop culture period pieces), and I found this book immensely satisfying.
In this case - it's a different take on Girolamo Savonarola, his life, how things happen, and keep happening. You are steeped in the politics and time period of late 1400s Florence, and it feels as real as if you weren't in a magical setting where demons really exist and have a significant presence.
Savonarola dies and is reborn. And dies and is reborn over and over again, learning or experiencing something new each time and it's a great ride. I was raised Catholic and I have done a lot of reading and learning about this time period (and yes, indulging in pop culture period pieces), and I found this book immensely satisfying.
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