Possibly one of the greatest fantasy writers of our time, Salman Rushdie has once again delivered with his latest new book entitled The Enchantress of Florence. Set around 14th century India, the story features main protagonist – Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian diplomat and captivating storyteller – as a regal young man with his heart set on captivating the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great.
Combing history, fantasy, romance, and just plain insanity, The Enchantress of Florence is a three part tale that is sure to make readers hungry for more. The tale begins with Niccolo arriving at Akbar The Great’s palace and delving into the Mughal emperor’s longtime history. Somewhere along the way readers are made aware of Akbar’s rather humorous insanity – in that of all his wives, his favorite, Queen Jodha, is not real. Met with both sarcasm and devout supporters, Akbar continuous to rule his Mughal court blissfully in control – until the new Italian diplomat challenges his right to rule.
Rushdie expertly weaves this tale with breathtaking imagery and flawless rhetoric. Although a dictionary may be needed for some of the more lengthy monologues, the plot of The Enchantress of Florence is captivating enough to hold any reader’s attention.
Western and Eastern values are recurring themes within the book, with one main character being Christian, the other Muslim. An excerpt of the book reads as follows: “The citizenry’s growing interest in the drink-sodden daily life and sex-crazed nocturnal culture of faraway Florence… led some to suspect a hedonistic conspiracy to weaken the people’s moral fiber and to erode the moral authority of the One True God.” Though a bit thick on the uptake, The Enchantress of Florence is well worth the struggle and leaves readers feeling more knowledgeable than before.
The book rounds off with an entirely unexpected plot twist and another un-conventional romance between Akbar and a well known Mughal princess. History is seamlessly mixed with fantasy in such a way that this story seems to make more sense then what actually occurred. Featuring Babar, Genghis Khan, Queen Elizabeth I, and other notable rulers in history, The Enchantress of Florence does what all historical fictions are meant to do – it brings history to life.
Beware however; this book is party to many controversial topics, a common aspect of many of Rushdie’s works. It is neither a light read nor a difficult one, though Rushdie’s vocabulary far exceeds that of a typical college student. So if you’re looking for a challenging, well-written novel, then look no further. The Enchantress of Florence is most definitely for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment