The Colour of Heaven

by James Runcie

From the author of THE DISCOVERY OF CHOCOLATE – a romantic historical quest set in Renaissance Florence and China surrounding the search for ultramarine.

THE COLOUR OF HEAVEN is a fictional account of a young man who travelled to what are now Afghanistan and China to discover lapis lazuli, the precious stone that when turned into ultramarine changed the history of painting – allowing artists to abandon gold as a background and open up depth, landscape and perspective with the most beautiful shade of blue.

Along the way, Paolo suffers the torments of unfulfilled love before he returns to his anxious family in Venice, where he also plays a part in the early development of lenses and spectacles!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Italy, Literature, Travel, Novels

392 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2000

About the author

James Runcie is a British novelist, documentary film-maker, television producer, theatre director, and Artistic Director of the Bath Literature Festival.

Reviews

[Bron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book in a jumble sale, just thinking it would be a pleasant, lightweight read and I could BookCross it later as it didn't cost much. To my surprise, I found myself very moved by it, especially towards the end where Jacopo died. I identified quite a bit with the main character Paolo, as I'm very short-sighted myself and I remember taking off my glasses to make the world "go away" when I was young, still do now and then in fact. The story starts in 13th century Venice where spectacles are still very new. Paolo, an orphan taken in by a glass-making family is too short-sighted to safely carry on the family trade, so he is sent to train with an artist in Siena. From here he is sent on a journey to the east with the Jew, Jacopo, to find lapis - the source of the fabulous blue needed to "paint heaven". On their travels, they enlist a Muslim guide Salek, and in China, Paolo meets and has discourse with an oriental holy man (couldn't tell if he was Buddhist or Taoist)so there is a strong philosophical thread running through the story, as well as the travel adventures. I discovered the author is the son of a former Archbishop of Canterbury - so maybe this reflects some of his own thinking.
Although I think this is an above average novel, there was one niggling anachronism that kept cropping up and which I couldn't get out of my head somehow - they wouldn't have had tomatoes in Europe in the late 1200s and early 1300s. Tomatoes originate in South America, they couldn't possibly have arrived here before 1493, and I believe, didn't become a general part of European diets until the seventeenth century.....

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teresa longs for a child, and finds an abandoned boy on a boat in the canals of Venice. Taking the child,Paulo, home to Murano, he becomes apprenticed to her husband Marco, a glassblower. As an adult Paulo must search for the perfect blue in order to paint the Virgin Mary's cloak. This is a tale of redemption and how to overcome adversity. A hidden gem.

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torno ai miei cari romanzi storici con questo libro che ci catapulta nel Medioevo, ai tempi del pittore Simone Martini. Al centro della trama vi è un viaggio che il giovane protagonista, Paolo, deve affrontare per trovare il "colore del paradiso" del titolo, cioè il blu lapislazzulo. Un viaggio che diventa pretesto per un viaggio interiore, di crescita personale, che porterà alla scoperta dell'amore e della morte, e alla comprensione dell'essenza della vita.
Ho trovato la lettura piacevole, con descrizioni accurate e molto sinestetiche, eppure mi è mancato qualcosa. Forse c'è un po' troppa filosofia spiccia e alcune scene mi sono parse ai limiti del surreale. Insomma, resto soddisfatta a metà, ma nel complesso è un buon libro.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I love historical fiction and this book takes you to very interesting places, I felt the story lacked depth.

Teresa, unable to have children, adopts a baby boy she finds near a Venice Canal. He grows up happily in the Murano district but it doesn´t take long for the mother to discover her son is nearsighted and has many problems in distinguishing objects which are farther away. With this disability, he cannot follow the steps of his father and become a glassblower, so his family decides to send him, as an assistant, to a famous painter in Sienna, where his deep sense of colour is much appreciated. Simone, the painter, is searching for the perfect blue and here starts the quest that will lead our hero halfway around the world.

The idea of a thirteenth century “road movie”, crossing Constantinople, Persia and China seemed to be appealing, but I just couldn´t feel excited about the story. The author is quite good at describing settings and curiosities of the time (like the making of glasses) but the characters are too one dimensional. They don´t seem real, but are quite stereotyped. The love story is just stale and you can´t get any real emotion out of it. I think the author did not know how to take advantage of a great idea.

[Windy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming of age story about Paulo, a foundling brought up by a glass maker and his wife who as a teenager travels overland to the far east in search of Lapis Lazuli.

I had hoped to learn a lot about history and the culture of the countries he passes through but sadly from that respect it was quite shallow. However it is still a lovely story, concentrating on the power of love and faith and how they help you deal with grief.

I had meant this to be "China" in my Around the World challenge but only one chapter is set there so I'll have to get another idea I think.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

To tell the truth, I was taken by the cover. It made me think of 'Girl With a Pearl Earring', and then when colour seemed to be talked about in the book, and the art of paint making discussed, I was seduced into thinking that this book would reveal something to me about the world of colour and art, in the same way that 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' did. Unfortunately, not the case.

I struggled to get through this book. There were, very few, moments of promise. Very rarely the main character, Paolo, came to life, as in learning to ride a camel:

'There is no rhythm!' shouted Paolo. 'It's lurching.'
'Let him know you,' advised Salek. 'Be calm. Everyone is nervous at first. But in three days you will be able to place your fingers in his nostrils, look him in the eye, and establish your authority.'
'Walk on, walk on,' Paulo commanded, nervously.
The animal turned, bit him in the leg and began to advance.
Clearly the nostrils would have to wait.

Usually, though, the story lurches, camel like, with dialogue like the following:

'And why should I trust you?'
'Because I come in peace and do not travel for myself.'
Aisha smiled sadly, 'You speak well.'
'I only speak the truth.'

There are moments that make this book almost worth the effort, but not enough of them, in my opinion.

[Venetia Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

I managed to read about two thirds of this book before I gave up. The author's reliance on 'telling' kept me at arm's length from Paolo, the young protagonist, as did the vaguely omniscient style of narration which slipped from one point-of-view to the next. This was leavened by occasional moments of beauty and insight, in which I wondered whether this omniscient telling served some greater artistic purpose ... until I decided: no, it's just unengaging writing.
Perhaps I would have given the author more credence if it wasn't for the anachronisms. These certainly served no greater artistic purpose, and they began on the very first page. The book opens in 1295 and shows us a bustle of charlatans in Venice selling, amongst other things, "protection from the plague". Well, unless Runcie had some other, undefined "plague" in mind, Venice had to wait at least 50 years for the plague, a.k.a. the Black Death, to descend. This was by no means the only historical hiccup. Unfortunately, such easy-to-make slip ups simply supported my feeling that this was not a well written or well researched piece of historical fiction. Sorry if I'm doing you an injustice, James Runcie!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story but not as well written as the Discovery of Chocolate. A bit more mystical. Through much of the book Runcie's paragraphs consist of long lists of whatever he is describing. I enjoy this but many would probably find it a boring technique. I like imagining all of the exotic things he describes.

One quote I like from pg. 129 (e-book) "You cannot pray without doubt, love without fear, or live without the past. There is no such thing as a new life without an awareness of the past; cleanliness without forgiveness; redemption without the knowledge of sin."

[Judy Nappa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice simple story line with a wonderful historical background. I really liked Paolo - his character was well portrayed as were his glassblower father and mother. His travels with Jacopo and Salek through the trade routes in pursuit of lapis lazuli provide him with an education unlike no other as he grows to manhood and learns about life, love and death. A very enjoyable read.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alchemistlike journey of a short-sighted boy into adulthood which involves the search of lapiz azuli coloured gems. Touching.

[Mira15 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grande aventura sobre a Ásia! história interessante que fala sobre pintura, os primeiros óculos, e o poder do amor...Embora me tivesse desiludido, gostei de ler algumas partes.

[Kate Millin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travel and Venice in the 13th Century with the detail of the finding of lapis as a colour and glasses coming into use – fascinating.

[Alan Pottinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

A jolly little adventure - loved the historical detail

[MaryEllen Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read that is written by James Runcie the author of the Grantchester series. This is a short historical fiction account of the travels of a young Venetian, the discovery of ultramarine from lapis lazuli and the first eyeglasses! So it is all about color, light, vision. Runcie has a beautiful perspective on life/death/love and faith, evident in both this book and The Great Passion about Bach's writing St. Matthew's Passion. The story moves along as Paolo, the main character matures in many ways, beautifully decorated by the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of international travel from Venice through Asia in the 14th century. Looking forward to reading the 3rd James Runcie book, The Discovery of Chocolate.

[Joana Gomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

É um livro cheio de cor e luz...!
Um miúdo que cresce e se torna homem, que vê com pouca nitidez mas é um estudioso da luz, percebe a cor, e parte numa viagem que pode ser o seu fim...
Nessa aventura, Paolo conhece os valores da amizade, do amor e da morte.
Há uma parte que me tocou particularmente porque me reconheci neste sentimento: quando dá de caras com a morte, Paolo não percebe «como as vidas das pessoas que o rodeavam podiam manter-se iguais, continuar como se nada tivesse acontecido. Não saberiam o que a morte significava? Porque não tinha a vida parado?»
<3
Gostei!

[Ines Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

#RunAwayTBRSetembro23 #6 #O.W.L.S. #7 #Hebology

Eu comprei este livro há varios anos e tem ficado na minha estante fisica á espera de ser lido, na altura chamou-me a atenção por ser um romance histórico pela questão de uma viagem para descobrir um azul perfeito, e já que o azul é a minha cor preferida mas só agora ao precisar de um livro fisico que tivesse um elemento da natureza no título.

Foi uma leitura interessante, meio ao estilo do que eu imagino que será ler as aventuras de Marco Paulo. Recomendo e já tenho uma lista de pessoas a quem vou emprestar de seguida.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but it feels as if he never really hit his stride until the Grantchester series, the journey felt rather rushed, and while the original idea of spectacles and lapis lazuli being 'discovered' in parallel should have made for a great story, this was lacking something. As several reviews have mentioned there were places where endless lists appeared, as if the word count was too low and a bit of padding was needed.

[ReaderReader84 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend if you're looking for a coming-of-age adventure story with an unlikely pairing.

The protagonist (a levelheaded, but sometimes inexperienced teenage boy) and a merchant/trader (a religious paternal figure) are on a quest to find a perfect shade of blue. I loved the premise of this book.

The writing was also pretty good. There were some funny moments that made me laugh out loud.

Overall, enjoyable read!

[Angela Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paolo is a foundling adopted by a glass working family in Venice. When it is discovered he is short sighted he is apprenticed to a painter as his colour vision is exceptional. Sent on a mission to find lapis lazuli he travels in search of ultramarine; the colour of Heaven, through Turkey and on to Afghanistan and then China. A journey where he discovers sight and distance, beauty and love before his return.

[Ladybug · Rating 3 out of 5]

the idea is good, the writing? not so much

I find ultramarine to be a fascinating pigment, and whenever I look at paintings from the renaissance period, it always caught my attention. Yet I would have loved if the author focused more on the pigment than on the very elaborate journey, unless he could write and make the journey interesting. What we got here is a jumble of ideas poorly executed.

[Steph Stirling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately drawn to the title of this book when seeing it at a stand while on holiday, and am so glad I picked it up.
A story of the origin of ultramarine blue paint intertwined with the discovery of the first pairs of spectacles to improve sight. I learned a lot about some things I wouldn’t have normally known about 12th century eastern Europe!

[Patricia O'Brien · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading The Great Passion, I was quite taken with James Runcie - skilled at evoking time and place and such brilliant writing. However, having picked up this title, it is clear this was not always so evident. I found the storyline preposterous and the writing clunky. I couldn't even continue and gave up around page 70. Sorry James - not your finest hour (imo, of course)

[Dragana Slm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book, which was surprising, because I expected some regular historic book. But this was very interesting and in the same time, I have learned few things about Venice in that time. Adventurous, moving and book that will keep you reading all time long.

[Pete Dobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those books you find yourself taken up with quickly. Part background for some research. Very enjoyable.

[Barbara Howe]

This story just didn't live up to the promise of its gorgeous cover. Paolo's romance was unconvincing, and the narrative drive petered out about halfway through.

[Pedro Bello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma história simples e bonita com final feliz
Ainda mais agradável porque se le rapidamente.
Vou tentar ler « o segredo do chocolate « 

[Lynrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing! Poetically written. Full of philosophy and well-observed relationships. A beautifully written story of love and beauty.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to paint & it's hard to imagine a world without ultramarine, which is made from lapis lazuli. So I was intrigued to read what is on the surface a novelized version of its introduction to Western art. The novel touches on a painting called Maestra by Simone Martini as among the first to use the color.

What the novel actually involves is a meditation on enduring romantic love, death, and religious experience. Also, because it also tells the story of how spectacles for the near-sighted were introduced to the west, there's a lot of discussion about sight.

I liked the book well enough to read it in one sitting. But I couldn't wholly suspend disbelief to enjoy the story as a story. Only three women figure in the book: two Italians & woman from Afghanistan -- at the time of Marco Polo, we are to believe that all of them had love-based marriages of a sort that most 21st century Western women would envy: no beatings, no cheating. That seemed an ahistorical improbability.

Similarly, much of novel involves a journey made by a skeptical Catholic, a Jew, & a Muslim. The Catholic is younger & respectfully observant of the older men's religions. While in China, our protagonist also spends some time philosophically admiring a Buddhist monk. All very ecumenical & sweet, but a bit improbable historically. Improbable in our own time, now that I think of it.

[Jessleong · Rating 4 out of 5]

It can be said love at first sight when I saw the title of the book followed by the jacket of the book. It was emitting sense of peace to me, the moment I saw it, “this is it..” and I borrowed. The story happened in the sometime in the distant past, somewhere in Greek, a young boy was found in a cradle down by the river. He was saved and adopted, his father was a great glass maker, however, he was short-sighted thus, on one occasion, he set off to get the colour of heaven, it is said that that colour is extraordinary beautiful, like none had seen before. Before leaving, he also found out that his parents weren’t his real ones. He felt cheated and in defiance. And the search for the colour, this..is where his journey wends. He travelled with another man who were planning to go trading. He learnt how to view life by observing fallen leaves, he learnt how to love a widow who has a son, he learnt how things can be make cleared for him by using two oddly shaped glasses, and he learnt how to go home.

“Greatest possession is health, secret of life is simple: contentment is the greatest treasure, confidence is the greatest friend. Nirvana is the greatest joy” -The Colour of Heaven

[Shonaigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the tale of Paolo, a young Italian boy during the rennaissance era. He is partially sighted but has a great talent for colour, mixing and blending to create new ones. At this time the great buildings and paintings of Italy were being forged. In the book he is finally able to see the world for what it is, when a pair of glasses are made for him. I wear glasses myself and liked the revelation in the book that he would take off his glasses to escape the real world. Paolo goes on a journey across the world to the Middle East and Asia. He meets many people on his quest to seek one particular and elusive colour ulramine the source of which is a stone called lapis lazuli- the colour of heaven. It becomes a journey of self discovery and an opening of his eyes to the variety and wonder within the places he travels. Other themes explored include romance. Runcie is a beautiful writer, he conjures up vivid beautiful images with his descriptions. It is an easy read, quite short and would be a perfect novel for a holiday read. Elements of history within are very interesting.