CITY OF LIGHT

by Alison MacLeod ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1969

Miss MacLeod does tell a whopping good story in this continuation of the Tudor-age adventures of Thomas Vaughan (The Hireling, 1968) now at large in Venice after his refusal to spy on the young Princess Elizabeth. Forced to leave Venice by the pressures of the Inquisition (Thomas, although a Papist, is under suspicion), and anxious to see once again his bastard son Timothy (who as a heretic had fled to Geneva), Thomas sets off for the earthly Paradise. Astounded at the industry, cleanliness and discipline of the Calvinists, Thomas is yet appalled by the drabness, persecutions and merciless strictures of the totalitarian city. Drawn into the confidence of a noble Italian family--the good doctor Bologna, his beautiful wife Costanza and an elderly Countess--Thomas learns of Calvin's persecution of Servetus, the disillusion of the Bolognas, and the presumably secret accusation concerning the Calvin/Servetus affair for which the doctor is to be placed on trial. The doctor's natural death cheats the executioner and Thomas rescues the ladies, after leaving his Calvinist son with mixed feelings. He eventually weds Costanza and heads for England. Many close escapes, physical and verbal, a variety of scenery and personalities--a lively, entertaining picaresque.

Pub Date: July 1, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1969

Categories: FICTION