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For the first time in one volume, Jean Plaidy’s duet of Borgia novels brings to life the infamous, reckless, and passionate family in an unforgettable historical saga.
Madonna of the Seven Hills:
Fifteenth-century Rome: the Borgia family is on the rise. Lucrezia’s father is named Pope Alexander VI, and he places his daughter and her brothers Cesare, Giovanni, and Goffredo in the jeweled splendor—and scandal—of his court. From the Pope’s affairs with adolescent girls, to Cesare’s dangerous jealousy of anyone who inspires Lucrezia’s affections, to the ominous birth of a child conceived in secret, no Borgia can elude infamy.
Light on Lucrezia:
Some said she was an elegant seductress. Others swore she was an incestuous murderess. She was the most dangerous and sought after woman in all of Rome. Lucrezia Borgia’s young life has been colored by violence and betrayal. Now, married for the second time at just eighteen she hopes for happiness with her handsome husband Alfonso. But faced with brutal murder, she's soon torn between her love for her husband and her devotion to her brother Cesare… And in the days when the Borgias ruled Italy, no one was safe from the long arm of their power. Not even Lucrezia.
The most complete and beautiful version of Joseph Bedier's classic ever to appear in English includes Gaston Paris's original Preface, Bedier's historic essay "On the Nature of the Legend of Tristan and Iseult," and Vincent Nicolosi's Introduction, which sheds light on the tale's Celtic nature and origins. Joseph Bedier published Le Roman de Tristan et Iseut in 1900 in Paris. A few years later, Hilaire Belloc introduced the English-speaking world to this marvelous tale-or rather part of this tale. One shortcoming of Belloc's otherwise compelling and exquisite translation is that he omitted, suppressed, so very much-in fact, four chapters, either in their entirety or in part, along with a scattering of sections, phrases, and single words. Some of Belloc's omissions were inexplicable, though he obviously found certain passages too steamy and indelicate. Now, Fonthill Press makes available the most complete, exquisite, and definitive edition of Joseph Bedier's The Romance of Tristan and Iseult to ever appear in the English language.
Powerful, prosperous, and expanding ever farther into the untamed world, the Roman Empire has reached its zenith under the rule of the beloved Emperor Trajan. But neither Trajan nor his reign can last forever… Brash and headstrong, Vix is a celebrated ex-gladiator returned to Rome to make his fortune. The sinuous, elusive Sabina is a senator’s daughter who craves adventure. Sometimes lovers, sometimes enemies, Vix and Sabina are united by their devotion to Trajan. But others are already maneuvering in the shadows. Trajan’s ambitious Empress has her own plans for Sabina. And the aristocratic Hadrian—the Empress’s ruthless protégé and Vix’s mortal enemy—has ambitions he confesses to no one, ambitions rooted in a secret prophecy. When Trajan falls, the hardened soldier, the enigmatic empress, the adventurous girl, and the scheming politician will all be caught in a deadly whirlwind of desire and death that may seal their fates, and that of the entire Roman Empire.
I am so not surprised that Plaidy's books are being reissued. I had a discussion with several people now about how the Borgias are the on trend hist fic topic of this year. It's all capitalisation on the new Showtime series. But I don't know if I'll read this one - I've thought about picking up Plaidy, but Misfit and several others tell me they're kinda mediocre.
Excited about the next Kate Quinn though.
May 27, 2011 12:10 PM
Beth - I've read a lot fo Plaidys and some are better than others. I think it's true that compared to many recent books, hers can be a little dry sometimes, but I find them particuarly helpful to read if I'm not familiar with the time period because she does make it pretty straightforward and easy to understand.
I've read the first Borgia book and am halfway through the second. I think they are better than mediocre.
May 27, 2011 12:28 PM
I can not wait for the new Kate Quinn novel to come out. This is the first time I've seen the cover - it's lovely. I hope it doesn't change.
May 27, 2011 3:43 PM
Of course there is a reissue and "Most complete" version of Bedier's book, seeing as I still haven't gotten around to reading the last issue of it. Oye.
June 3, 2011 10:04 AM