[.ca] Prince of Foxes: The Best-Selling Historical Epic (ISBN 1882593642)

Swashbuckling Historical Morality Play:
I read this book when a was a teenager, years and years ago, finding the hardcover from the original publication in a trove of an older siblings books. It made an indelible impression on me then, and, re-reading it, it still does. Pagentry, politics, emotional angst, it's all here. The book made such a vivid impression on me, that when I travelled to Italy years later, one of the most exciting experiences I had was to go to the Castel Saint'Angelo outside Rome. Not only is it the site where Tosca jumps to her death in the opera, but it's the setting for the very atmospheric scene in "Prince of Foxes" where Andrea goes to the secret audience with Borgia and is worried about being assasinated. That's how concrete that scene was. They don't write books like this anymore. For years, I was upset over the fact that I have thick thumbs, like Angela Borgia! The movie that was made in the 1950s (Tyrone Power as Orsini, Orson Welles as Borgia and Wanda Hendrix as Camilla) does not do the book justice, for all that there are some nice scenes actually filmed on location in Italy. Oh, and Tyrone Power does look great in tights. Check him out in the wedding scene at the end.

A Prince of a Book!:
It seems as though swashbuckling, adventure, and intrigue, reached their all time highs in the Renaissance Italy of Samuel Shellabarger's novel, The Prince of Foxes. Frome the moment we meet the hero, Messer Andrea Orsini, in the workshop of a famous artisan with an order from the Pope, his charm and guile are evident. Having a sympathetic hero ( or rather heroes, if one chooses to include Camilla Borglione and Mario Belli in that elite group), is one of the strengths of this book. And Orsini is not the only one capable of holding attention, as Shellabarger weaves a veritable net of notable secondary characters. The historical accuracy of the novel is doubtful, but because of the subtle atmosperic touches and use of Italian Renaissance vocabulary it is very easy to insert oneself into the action. In fact, the descriptions of the clothing of the period are so vivid, I found myself envying the beautiful gowns and jewelry. This book was a quick read, as the action kept a steady pace and the plot took unexpected twists and turns. But I can't tell you anymore, lest I spoil the adventure. And so....."To a clatter of hoofs on the drawbridge, a ruffle of drums, a flourish of trumpets, a grounding of halberds....." I'll leave you to the Prince of Foxes.