Book Review: The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark

 

The Book of Unholy Mischief

by Elle Newmark

published December 30, 2008

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Atria
ISBN-10: 1416590544
ISBN-13: 978-1416590545
Appropriate for Young Adults - Adults
Author Elle Newmark's site

synopsis from Goodreads:

"It is 1498, the dawn of the Renaissance, and Venice teems with rumors of an ancient book that holds the secret to unimaginable power. It is an alchemist's dream, with recipes for gold, immortality, and undying love. Everyone, rich and poor alike, speculates about the long-buried secrets scrawled in its pages and where it could possibly be hidden within the labyrinthine city. But while those who seek the book will stop at nothing to get it, those who know will die to protect it." "As a storm of intrigue and desire circles the republic that grew from the sea, Luciano, a penniless orphan with a quick wit and an even faster hand, is plucked up by an illustrious chef and hired, for reasons he cannot yet begin to understand, as an apprentice in the palace kitchen. There, in the lavish home of the most powerful man in Venice, he is initiated into the chef's rich and aromatic world, with all its seductive ingredients and secrets." Luciano's loyalty to his street friends and the passion he holds for a convent girl named Francesca remain, but it is not long before he, too, is caught up in the madness. After he witnesses a shocking murder in the Palace dining room, he realizes that nothing is as it seems and that no one, not even those he's come to rely on most, can be trusted. Armed with a precocious mind and an insatiable curiosity, Luciano embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. What he discovers will swing open the shutters of his mind, inflame his deepest desires, and leave an indelible mark on his soul.

It was quite fortuitous that I should read The Book of Unholy Mischief now rather than when it first came out. I recently read and reviewed The Red Priest's Annina about the relationship between Vivaldi and one of the opera singers he trained.  In researching for the review I watched a BBC special about Vivaldi, the orphans he taught at the Pieta, Venice and the Rialta, and how babies and small children were left to fend for themselves on the streets during the 1500's. If you are at all interested in learning more about Venice or Vivaldi, I highly recommend this 4-part piece.

The BBC special added so much more flavor to the book.  I have never been to Venice but being able to see the courtyard, the Pieta, the areas where all of the orphans usually hung out if they were not fortunate enough to be taken in by someone.  As I've been moving I've been reading the book AND listening to it on my iPod. So between watching the BBC special, reading the book, listening to the audiobook AND eating out - Italian, of course, I have experienced The Book of Unholy Mischief with every sense! I think I'm on to something here...a new way of reading! Oh my, and I have been so hungry reading and listening to The Book of Unholy Mischief it was not even funny!

We served professors from some of the oldest universities (pork and buttered dumplings for one from Heidelberg, and pasta with a creamy meat sauce for another from Bologna), a renowned herbalist from France (rich cassoulet), a noted librarian from Sicily (cutlets stuffed with anchovies and olives), a dusky sorcerer from Egypt (marinated kebabs).....(254)

The story begins with Luciano, recounting his life and how he had left the streets of Venice as a homeless orphan to become an apprentice to the Doge's Master Chef Ferrero.  The chef found him stealing a pomegranate in the marketplace, scrubbed his face and hands and once he confirmed the dark birthmark on Luciano's forehead the chef took Luciano in to become his apprentice.

Venice is on the brink of the Renaissance period. Books are still being hand-written; however, the 'quick-press' has been invented in the New World. Excitement is building about knowledge being shared more readily, but there is also an undercurrent of fear and terror brought on by the Catholic Church.  If knowledge is shared then how will the church be able to control the people?

In the midst of this the rumors begin to fly between Rome and Venice about a book, a very special book that has a recipe for alchemy and immortality. Not only does the Doge want it, the Pope, but also the Council of Ten who are akin to the gunslingers of the Wild West, the mob bosses of the '20s, the nightmare you wish you never dreamed. Luciano and his Maestro the Master Chef are always in the center of the search for the book, or is it that they are the keeper of the book? And what is in this book?

The fascinating piece to The Book of Unholy Mischief is the manner in which the Maestro teaches his young apprentice to appreciate food, both the preparation and the enjoyment of eating the meal.  Each flavor is more intoxicating than the next, and food has a way of teaching us about life.

The souffle teaches the folly of pursuing immortality. Life is death. A moment arises, and it dies. There's nothing but the present, and you can't hold on to the present - you can only be in it. A souffle awakens an awareness of the moment. It forces us to appreciate the rich and fluid now. (276)

A beautiful book. A luscious book. If you enjoy history, love food, a little intrigue, don't mind frank discussion about the early church then this is a great read for you! My only issue is that a cookbook was not included in the back of the book! 

It is with tremendous thanks that I received The Book of Unholy Mischief from the author and Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. In no way did it affect my opinion or review.