≡ [PDF] The Book of Unholy Mischief A Novel Elle Newmark Books

The Book of Unholy Mischief A Novel Elle Newmark Books

Download As PDF : The Book of Unholy Mischief A Novel Elle Newmark Books

The Book of Unholy Mischief A Novel Elle Newmark Books

I took awhile until I had a chance to read The Book of Unholy Mischief and when I finally picked it up I was drawn into it. Interesting literary style, I finished it in one sitting. As a lover of historical fiction, this one hit the mark for me.


Tags : Amazon.com: The Book of Unholy Mischief: A Novel (9781416590545): Elle Newmark: Books,Elle Newmark,The Book of Unholy Mischief: A Novel,Atria Books,1416590544,Historical - General,Apprentices;Fiction.,Cooks;Fiction.,Venice (Italy);History;697-1508;Fiction.,AMERICAN FIRST NOVELISTS,AMERICAN HISTORICAL FICTION,Apprentices,Cooks,FICTION Historical General,Fiction,Fiction - Coming of Age,Fiction - Mystery Detective,Fiction General,Fiction Historical,Fiction Mystery & Detective General,Fiction-Historical,GENERAL,General Adult,Historical fiction,Italy,Mystery & Detective - Historical,United States

The Book of Unholy Mischief A Novel Elle Newmark Books Reviews

I won't go into plot as other reviewers have covered that beautifully. I just want to exclaim how much I love love love this book. I read it in two days and hid in the bathroom to finish the last pages without interuption. I hated it to end, and I'm wanting to go back and start over to discover even more layers. It's perfect in every enthralling detail.

I was drawn into the story quickly and held captive, savoring every sentence. The imagery was so alive and beautiful. At first I was intrigued by the food descriptions, but as the plot developed, so did the food metaphors and each meal became richer and more satisfying to the unfolding of the story. I kept going back and re-reading passages outloud. I love it when that happens!

I also loved the way the chef tried to enlighten Luciano with humanist questions inspiring the young boy to think for himself and to never blindly accept the statis quo mentality. These questions are the very ones I've always struggled with myself, and it was the Renaissance, afterall. I loved that the chef asked Luciano to repeat what he'd 'learned' after each lesson, only to be drawn back to the reality of the streets. Half way through the book I was yelling "No, don't do that!" not even sure of my own advice. Always on the edge of a twist and not trusting anyone.

I loved it when I stopped short, mid-sentence, and had to examine the cover again. I've been an avid reader of historical fiction for many years and I will definately share this book with all my friends, my book club, and anyone else who truly loves a great read. If you love this book as I do, you might like to check out "Hallelujah," by J. Scott Featherstone. And of course, who doesn't love Dickens? And finally, I did love "The da Vinci Code," but this book is different. It can stand alone and apart. It's that good.
What a terrifice find! I happened on this title while streaming through the titles on the page of another book, The Good Men, and this one looked intriguing. Happily I was richly rewarded, and you will be too! This is world class historical fiction.
This yummy treat set amidst the political and religious turbulence of late 15th century Venice is a must-read for any history buff who's either been there, done that, or hungering for their first visit. And, everyone else in between! A riveting non-stop read that satisfies all the senses and does all the things a really good novel needs to do. I loved the chapter headings and all the delicious historical and religious references.

If I say any more I'll spoil the recipe! Get it, read it, love it and pass it on!

Buon Appetito!
Lovely book, well written and the story is wonderful. I've read it several times. I love the narrative. There is a message about humanity and the value of life and living it day to day. Its a great gift also for foodies!
In the middle of a party, ever start thinking of the book you left at home and long to just curl up and finish the story you had started? The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark made me do that very thing. But then, I'm equal parts nerd and book lover.

Certain key phrases always make me perk up when considering a novel - the mystery of an ancient book, the promise of heavenly food descriptions (nerd, book lover, and voluptuary), throw in a dash of something decadent like Renaissance Venice and I am intrigued. Does The Book of Unholy Mischief deliver - oh, yes it does! Worth staying home from a party to read any day.

First there is Luciano, the mischievous but innocent orphan, rescued from the streets by the secretive Chef Ferrero, head chef at the Doge's palace. The Doge is dying of syphilis and to combat the course of nature, he is scouring all of Venice for a book rumored to contain the secret of immortality, using torture and murder to gain his ends. But the malevolent Doge is not the only one looking for it - the terrifying cappe nere, an elite force with agendas of their own, and even Pope Borgia of Rome want the book of magic for their own uses. As the Chef's apprentice, Luciano at first only wants to become a chef himself and perhaps win the lovely nun-to-be Francesca's heart. But Luciano is too curious for his own good. Soon he makes a connection between the unusually learned Chef with his amazing dishes that can sway the moods of powerful men and the hidden book of magic for which everyone is searching. What secret can his maestro be guarding under lock and key?

"Food has a power, Luciano. Each dish works its own magic, a kind of alchemy that changes our bodies and our minds....Consider the effect of melted cheese. Soft, warm, comforting, so easy to eat you barely need to chew. It makes a man relax. Then came the dumplings. Plain, common food to inspire trust, to awaken a sense of shared humanity and the enjoyment of simple things....Food can manipulate men's hearts and minds."

There is plenty of food in this colorful, inventive novel - but the mouthwatering descriptions are elevated by the rumination on food's power and effect on people, how food connects us to hidden parts of ourselves and to each other. Newmark cleverly intertwines the magic of food with the mysteries of alchemy and the burgeoning age of enlightenment. And then you've got Venice at the height of her power as a backdrop. All these elements combined make The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark a dazzling feast that fully satisfies. Only thing missing perhaps are recipes - I want to make the fabled Sauce Nepenthes!
I read this book for a book club. It is apparently the first novel of an older writer whose career was cut short by illness and death.
As a first novel, I think it was a very good effort with lots of interesting details about the period. Unfortunately we'll never know what this author could have achieved with more experience. It was a fairly enjoyable read. There was a certain lack of depth that leads me to think that this would be an approachable book for younger readers, say, late middle school or early high school. A lack of experience on the part of the reader would make this book more enjoyable and memorable.
I took awhile until I had a chance to read The Book of Unholy Mischief and when I finally picked it up I was drawn into it. Interesting literary style, I finished it in one sitting. As a lover of historical fiction, this one hit the mark for me.