The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon contained lots of rich, if painful, historical detail. However mystery element of the novel was uninteresting and set alongside a large, and often, unlikable cast of characters.
There is something remarkable about an architect who designs a building without any idea of how to actually build it. Yet this is what happened when the original plans for a new Cathedral in Florence were drawn up in the late 1200s. What is even more incredible is that the foundation stones were laid, followed by 100 years of building without anyone having resolved the question of how to build
Confessions of Young Nero is another strong first person historical novel from Margaret George. Not only does she bring first century Rome vividly to life she also repositions Nero from the degenerate that we mostly know him as today to a significantly more nuanced character. Can’t wait for the second part!