“To truly love another, you must follow the lover’s path wherever it may take you . . .”
Filamena Ziani is the much younger sister of the most famous courtesan in sixteenth-century Venice, Tullia Ziani. Orphaned as an infant, Filamena has come of age bent like a branch to her sister’s will, sheltered and lonely in the elegant but stifling confines of their palazzo by the sea. Then a dark-haired stranger offers a gift that will change the course of her life forever: a single ripe plum, and an invitation to walk along the lover’s path, wherever it may lead.
THE LOVER’S PATH, a moving tale of forbidden love, is a romantic epic told in multiple layers. Through a novel combination of Filamena’s narrative, famous love stories from history and mythology, and sumptuously ornate illustrations, Filomena’s path is beautifully described and, finally, stunningly revealed.
Praised by The New York Times Book Review for her “quality of myth and magic,” Kris Waldherr brings to life a remarkable period in Venetian history using art and words. Her glorious celebration of romance, the feminine spirit, and the power of love to transform will inspire and move readers everywhere.
Publication Date: June 16, 2015
Publisher: Art and Words Editions
eBook; 114p
Publisher: Art and Words Editions
eBook; 114p
Genre: Historical Fiction/Graphic Novel
New expanded and revised anniversary edition. Finally available for iPad and Kindle.
****
I am so glad that I choose to read The Lover's Path on my iPad, taking full advantage of the color illustrations throughout this little gem of a story. It isn't a long book, more like a novella but that doesn't take away from the story at all.
You can read the synopsis above to get an idea of what takes place here. Each new chapter begins with snippets from the tales of Tristan and Isolde, Osiris and Isis and other famous couples (both real and mythological), this set the tone for The Lover's Path, made it magical and gave it that mystical feel. This is a story of forbidden love, an emotional story that had me totally immersed in 16th century Venice. I am not familiar with the famous courtesan Tullia Ziani's story, nor her younger sister Filamena which made reading this all the more intriguing.
I can definitely see myself rereading this one, studying the art work and purchasing a print copy. Thanks so much to HFVBT for asking me to be part of this tour, I might have missed this little gem otherwise.
Praise for The Lover’s Path
“THE LOVER’S PATH is beautiful in every way; not only is the story of the girl’s secret and ultimately dangerous love wonderfully told, but the exquisite illustrations and layout make you feel that you have truly fallen into old Venice with its longing and eroticism. Prepare to be lifted into another time and place and discover secrets long guarded. That one extraordinarily talented writer/artist/designer could have created this whole world is almost not to be believed but it is so. You must own this lovely, lovely book! —Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude and Camille and Marrying Mozart“The Lover’s Path is a visual and literary feast…. The star-crossed lovers are a celebrated courtesan’s virginal and over-protected young sister and a cardinal’s illegitimate son. The lovers in the book are linked mythically and thematically to the archetypal lovers on the Lover’s Path: Dante and Beatrice, Isis and Osiris, Tristan and Isolde, Orpheus and Eurydice, and ultimately Eros and Psyche…. Haunting.”—Mary Sharratt, author of Daughters of the Witching Hill
“Prepare to be transported to 16th century Venice from the first page. This novel is a feast—a full-color picture book for adults that tells a wrenching story of eternal love…. This beautiful fable reminded me of Erica Jong’s Serenissima.”—NPR Books
“With this illustrated novel, Waldherr has spun a wondrous story spilling over with mythological figures, with tarot cards and personal letters. You’re pulled into a vortex of a 16th century romance centered on Filamena Ziani, the younger sister of a famous courtesan in Venice…. Waldherr, who based her novel on a real-life courtesan, also created the illustrations for her book.”—The Albuquerque Journal
“Voluptuous illustration and enthralling narrative … in this extraordinary testament to the strength of the feminine spirit.”—WNBC/B(u)y the Book
“Kris Waldherr’s The Lover’s Path plunges readers into the mysterious and exhilarating world of sixteenth-century Venice…. A visual adventure.”—Women in the Arts, the Magazine of the National Museum of Women in the Arts
The Lover’s Path Available At
Kindle Fire format (Deluxe edition with full color graphics)Kindle format (Optimized for b/w and smaller screen size)
iPad format (Deluxe edition with interactive full color graphics):
iPhone format (Optimized for small screen size):
Visit her online at KrisWaldherr.com.
You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
The Lover’s Path Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, June 16
Review at Unabridged Chick
Review & Guest Post at Unshelfish
Excerpt at Let Them Read Books
Review at Unabridged Chick
Review & Guest Post at Unshelfish
Excerpt at Let Them Read Books
Wednesday, June 17
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Review at Peeking Between the Pages
Interview & Giveaway at Unabridged Chick
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Review at Peeking Between the Pages
Interview & Giveaway at Unabridged Chick
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