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Saga Viravolta, l'Orchidée Noire #1
The Dante Trap
1756: Venice is at the height of its power, but as the madness and excess of Carnival descend on the watery city, a dark force stalks the gothic shadows...
A series of gruesome murders, each fulfilling the horrific fate depicted in the nine circles of Dante's Inferno, mar the festivities. Aware the city is full of enemies of the Republic, the Doge entrusts the Black Orchid - a dashing young adventurer, seducer and former secret agent, awaiting execution beneath the Bridge of Sighs - with the secret mission of seeking out the killer: an elusive figure known only as the Chimera.
As the Black Orchid embarks on the Chimera's trail, he finds himself embroiled in a terrible game of cat and mouse, drawn deep into the heart of a secret sect and a conspiracy to bring about the downfall of the city.
A series of gruesome murders, each fulfilling the horrific fate depicted in the nine circles of Dante's Inferno, mar the festivities. Aware the city is full of enemies of the Republic, the Doge entrusts the Black Orchid - a dashing young adventurer, seducer and former secret agent, awaiting execution beneath the Bridge of Sighs - with the secret mission of seeking out the killer: an elusive figure known only as the Chimera.
As the Black Orchid embarks on the Chimera's trail, he finds himself embroiled in a terrible game of cat and mouse, drawn deep into the heart of a secret sect and a conspiracy to bring about the downfall of the city.
389 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 8, 2006
11 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Arnaud Delalande
110 books14 followersArnaud Delalande (born in Lusaka, Zambia in 1971) is a French author and comic book writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 6, 2011
The body of one of Venice's brightest young actors is found, crucified, his eyes gouged out and a line of verse carved into his chest. His is just the first death as a shadowy group stalk the rulers of Venice and their supporters. The murderer, known only as The Chimera, is the leader of this dangerous fanatical group - the Stiges or Firebirds - determined to kill one of the depraved, the gluttonous, the traitors to their cause - one for each of the nine Circles of Dante's Inferno.
The Doge of Venice turns to Pietro Viravolta, a dashing young adventurer, best friend of Casanova, seducer of women in his own right, and lover of the beautiful wife of the powerful Senator Ottavio. Pietro - The Black Orchard - awaits execution in jail for adultery, but he is called from that jail to investigate the deaths by the Doge, on the proviso that he does not escape the city and does not contact Anna - the love of his life, the Senator's wife.
The Black Orchid's investigations lead him to Luciana, the beautiful courtesan; Spadetti, the master glass-maker of Murano and his son, the maker of the glorious crystal gown; Caffelli, the tormented priest of San Giorgo Maggiore and further and further into the echelons of power and to Senator Ottavio - the husband of the woman he loves. As he goes murder follows and the Firebirds draw closer and closer to The Doge, completing their nine circles in the brutal fashion.
THE DANTE TRAP is a very intricate historical work, written originally by a Frenchman, and translated to English, the text is dense and peppered liberally with non-translated quotations and references. It's a very elaborate and quite decorative style of writing that immerses the reader in the other world of 1756 Venice - the descriptions of the location, the costumes, the styling of the dialogue has a very authentic feel to it. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a reader of historical mystery fiction of this style, and I suspect that personal preference means that I missed a lot of the intricacies of this book as I found the use of those non-translated references and the complications of the names and the relationships quite confusing on occasion.
THE DANTE TRAP certainly read like a book that is extremely competently done, with an elaborate and quite intricate and multi-layered plot; with mystery and political intrigue; a lively and slightly irreverent central character in Pietro; with a more than healthy dose of romance and difficult love; with some pointed references to the life of women - courtesans or nuns if they don't want to make the marriage that is deemed by others to be acceptable; and with a glorious picture drawn of Carnival in Venice, I suspect that THE DANTE TRAP will greatly appeal to fans of this style of historical mystery fiction.
The Doge of Venice turns to Pietro Viravolta, a dashing young adventurer, best friend of Casanova, seducer of women in his own right, and lover of the beautiful wife of the powerful Senator Ottavio. Pietro - The Black Orchard - awaits execution in jail for adultery, but he is called from that jail to investigate the deaths by the Doge, on the proviso that he does not escape the city and does not contact Anna - the love of his life, the Senator's wife.
The Black Orchid's investigations lead him to Luciana, the beautiful courtesan; Spadetti, the master glass-maker of Murano and his son, the maker of the glorious crystal gown; Caffelli, the tormented priest of San Giorgo Maggiore and further and further into the echelons of power and to Senator Ottavio - the husband of the woman he loves. As he goes murder follows and the Firebirds draw closer and closer to The Doge, completing their nine circles in the brutal fashion.
THE DANTE TRAP is a very intricate historical work, written originally by a Frenchman, and translated to English, the text is dense and peppered liberally with non-translated quotations and references. It's a very elaborate and quite decorative style of writing that immerses the reader in the other world of 1756 Venice - the descriptions of the location, the costumes, the styling of the dialogue has a very authentic feel to it. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a reader of historical mystery fiction of this style, and I suspect that personal preference means that I missed a lot of the intricacies of this book as I found the use of those non-translated references and the complications of the names and the relationships quite confusing on occasion.
THE DANTE TRAP certainly read like a book that is extremely competently done, with an elaborate and quite intricate and multi-layered plot; with mystery and political intrigue; a lively and slightly irreverent central character in Pietro; with a more than healthy dose of romance and difficult love; with some pointed references to the life of women - courtesans or nuns if they don't want to make the marriage that is deemed by others to be acceptable; and with a glorious picture drawn of Carnival in Venice, I suspect that THE DANTE TRAP will greatly appeal to fans of this style of historical mystery fiction.
January 26, 2021
acho que se eu tivesse lido "Divina Comédia" de Dante a experiência com a leitura teria sido outra e, sem dúvidas, mais completa. toda a história, acontecimentos são projetados de acordo com a história de dante, até a própria divisão do livro. porém, de qualquer forma, foi extremamente interessante.
é interessante acompanhar toda a história e tradição francesa, mesmo que em 1752.
ah, 1752: por vários e VÁRIOS momentos eu completamente esqueci que a história se passava nesse período, os diálogos, as descrições não me faziam associar a isso (talvez quando puxavam uma espada, falavam de algumas vestimentas ou quando andavam de carruagem, ai sim eu lembrava), mas isso me fez uma falta.
associei por várias vezes o livro aos do Dan Brown, talvez em uma versão levemente melhorada, porém um pouco mais cansativa.
a construção dos personagens no começo foi interessante, a gente conhecia um pouco mais dos principais e você sente até uma certa ligação. ou conhecendo algumas curiosidades do governo da França (em 1752) que nem tinha noção antes.
o livro - para mim!!!!!! - se tornou bastante cansativo no fim, com um plot twist que era já um pouco esperado.
é interessante acompanhar toda a história e tradição francesa, mesmo que em 1752.
ah, 1752: por vários e VÁRIOS momentos eu completamente esqueci que a história se passava nesse período, os diálogos, as descrições não me faziam associar a isso (talvez quando puxavam uma espada, falavam de algumas vestimentas ou quando andavam de carruagem, ai sim eu lembrava), mas isso me fez uma falta.
associei por várias vezes o livro aos do Dan Brown, talvez em uma versão levemente melhorada, porém um pouco mais cansativa.
a construção dos personagens no começo foi interessante, a gente conhecia um pouco mais dos principais e você sente até uma certa ligação. ou conhecendo algumas curiosidades do governo da França (em 1752) que nem tinha noção antes.
o livro - para mim!!!!!! - se tornou bastante cansativo no fim, com um plot twist que era já um pouco esperado.
April 9, 2023
Povijesno - pustolovni triler, prožet stvarnim događajima, a inspiriran Danteovom Božanstvenom komedijom. Mračni ubica koji svoje žrtve ubija po uzoru na Danteove krugove pakla, a venecijanski heroj - istražitelj Crna Orhideja vodi borbu sa mračnim silama zla psihopatskog uma i korumpiranih političara. Prava poslastica za ljubitelje avantura u kišnim danima.
"Vexilla regis prodeunt inferni. - Približavaju se zastave paklenog kralja!"
"Tamo gdje vlada strah, vlada i moć. Zbog toga je nastao paradoks po kom je zlo najviši instrument vlasti zvaničnih religija; zbog toga se svjetska carstva nameću silom; zbog toga se problem zla može smatrati političkim i zbog toga nam, iznova, ukazuje na satanin trijumf na ovome svijetu."
"Vexilla regis prodeunt inferni. - Približavaju se zastave paklenog kralja!"
"Tamo gdje vlada strah, vlada i moć. Zbog toga je nastao paradoks po kom je zlo najviši instrument vlasti zvaničnih religija; zbog toga se svjetska carstva nameću silom; zbog toga se problem zla može smatrati političkim i zbog toga nam, iznova, ukazuje na satanin trijumf na ovome svijetu."
April 27, 2013
There seems to be quite a fascination with Dante these days. There was Matthew Pearl's Dante Club, and now there's Arnaud Delalande's The Dante Trap. Both novels use Dante's Inferno as inspiration for wild murders based on the various tortures faced by the damned in the great Florentine's work. It's painful when real historical characters are suddenly transformed into detectives (I've seen Newton and Dante in this role), so I'm grieved to say that in the former book a bunch of American poets (led by Longfellow) track down the killer. In the latter, set a century or so earlier in Venice, Viravolta, the dashing spy and friend of Casanova, is tasked to uncover a murderous plot against the state. Actors die in Dantean fashion, secret societies abound, and altogether, this silly book becomes sillier and more far-fetched with every page. Add to that a translation that makes large parts of it read like a history text, and I'm surprised I managed to finish it.
June 24, 2011
So the basic concept/plot of this book is interesing (hense why I picked it up and bought it in the first place) however, the fact that it is poorly written made it very difficult to enjoy. Not only were there several spelling and grammatical errors, I got so exhausted reading the style it was written in i.e. paragraphs that are longer than a full page. It just rambled and I truthfully spaced out through a bunch of the fine details. I barely knew who some people were or could keep straight who was who. Additionally, there were a number of Italian words or phrases used in the book but only about 60% of the time were they actually translated. Yea, I don't speak Italian, so that kinda sucked. Like I said, I just kinda didn't pay attention to a lot and just stuck to it and told myself that I would finish it eventually. Now I have, it's going on my shelf, never to be looked at again.
March 30, 2021
La historia que se plantea en Venecia de 1756 es muy interesante, mantiene una ambientación de como eran las costumbres y modas en ese entonces para poder contar una historia única y llena de misterios.
Aunque vamos siguiendo las pistas por toda Venecia junto a Pietro, nuestro protagonista, no tenemos el privilegio del lector para saber todos los secretos de los Pájaros dd Fuego, es un misterio que debemos esperar para ver como se resuelve. Al final, cuando se descubren todos los misterios, el golpe es muy bueno, un giro que te obliga a retroceder un poco del libro y pensar en todo lo que acabas de vivir.
Aunque vamos siguiendo las pistas por toda Venecia junto a Pietro, nuestro protagonista, no tenemos el privilegio del lector para saber todos los secretos de los Pájaros dd Fuego, es un misterio que debemos esperar para ver como se resuelve. Al final, cuando se descubren todos los misterios, el golpe es muy bueno, un giro que te obliga a retroceder un poco del libro y pensar en todo lo que acabas de vivir.
March 13, 2015
Η ιστορία ήταν πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα.
Η βόλτα στη Βενετία πολύ ατμοσφαιρική.
Τα ιστορικά στοιχεία επιτυχημένα.
Αλλά το βιβλίο ήταν κουραστικό στο σύνολο του.
Ωστόσο, γύριζα με λαχτάρα στο σπίτι μετά από μια εξαντλητική μέρα και έπιανα το βιβλίο στα χέρια μου για να λικνιστώ στα κανάλια της Βενετίας!
Η βόλτα στη Βενετία πολύ ατμοσφαιρική.
Τα ιστορικά στοιχεία επιτυχημένα.
Αλλά το βιβλίο ήταν κουραστικό στο σύνολο του.
Ωστόσο, γύριζα με λαχτάρα στο σπίτι μετά από μια εξαντλητική μέρα και έπιανα το βιβλίο στα χέρια μου για να λικνιστώ στα κανάλια της Βενετίας!
January 20, 2013
OK, I read this a really long time ago, and all I remember is that after it I told myself I should definitely read The Divine Comedy, by Alighieri.
If it made such a strong impression on me, I have to read it again, for sure. I'll come back on this one. :)
If it made such a strong impression on me, I have to read it again, for sure. I'll come back on this one. :)
November 17, 2016
Long digressions and descriptions do not help the reading.
Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch' intrate.
Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch' intrate.
May 7, 2024
Se fossi il tipo di persona che riesce ad abbandonare un libro dopo una decina di pagine, di sicuro La Trappola di Dante avrebbe fatto questa fine.
Il motivo?
La prima parte del libro, dove si introduce appena quello che sarà lo spunto della trama, è una dettagliatissima ricostruzione della storia della Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia, dalla nascita al declino, con tanto di spiegazioni dettagliate sul governo della città.
Può anche essere interessante, nel caso tu stia cercando un libro sulla storia e il governo della Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia, però in quel caso tenteresti di reperirlo tra i saggi, non andresti a pescare un giallo storico ambientato nella Venezia del XVIII secolo, con la speranza che, per una botta di culo, l’autore abbia deciso di fare sfoggio della sua conoscenza della Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia.
Per poter leggere tutto il libro, bisogna avere la forza di superare lo scoglio iniziale, in cui per un po’ si va avanti dicendo: ‘oh, finalmente sembra che la trama prenda l’abbrivio!’ per poi essere frenati di nuovo dall’ennesimo spiegone storico-sociale-politico-culturale.
Non è facile, perché questa parte è tutt’altro che breve e, in aggiunta, anche quando gli spiegoni si diradano e si accorciano, non scompaiono mai del tutto, proiettando il lettore fuori dalla narrazione, con una serie di dettagli che non arricchiscono l’ambientazione, ma appesantiscono la lettura inutilmente.
Questo è un peccato, perché la storia in sé non è male, il giallo è piuttosto interessante e il finale tutt’altro che scontato, quindi, se solo l’autore avesse voluto fare un po’ meno il pavone con lo sfoggio delle sue conoscenze, credo che avrebbe scritto un libro davvero notevole, invece la lettura va un po’ a singhiozzo, con momenti in cui non vorresti staccarti dal libro e altri in cui vorresti solo far scorrere le pagine senza neanche leggerle per tornare alla trama, che nel frattempo si perde.
C’è un secondo volume dedicato alle avventure di Pietro Viravolta, che dovrebbe essere ambientato a Parigi.
Da un certo punto di vista sono curiosa della storia, dall’altro temo già di dovermi subire un nuovo trattato sugli ultimi decenni del Regno di Francia, e probabilmente pure sui suoi secoli precedenti.
Dovrò valutare bene a che livello arriva la mia caparbietà nel finire anche i libri più ostici.
Il motivo?
La prima parte del libro, dove si introduce appena quello che sarà lo spunto della trama, è una dettagliatissima ricostruzione della storia della Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia, dalla nascita al declino, con tanto di spiegazioni dettagliate sul governo della città.
Può anche essere interessante, nel caso tu stia cercando un libro sulla storia e il governo della Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia, però in quel caso tenteresti di reperirlo tra i saggi, non andresti a pescare un giallo storico ambientato nella Venezia del XVIII secolo, con la speranza che, per una botta di culo, l’autore abbia deciso di fare sfoggio della sua conoscenza della Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia.
Per poter leggere tutto il libro, bisogna avere la forza di superare lo scoglio iniziale, in cui per un po’ si va avanti dicendo: ‘oh, finalmente sembra che la trama prenda l’abbrivio!’ per poi essere frenati di nuovo dall’ennesimo spiegone storico-sociale-politico-culturale.
Non è facile, perché questa parte è tutt’altro che breve e, in aggiunta, anche quando gli spiegoni si diradano e si accorciano, non scompaiono mai del tutto, proiettando il lettore fuori dalla narrazione, con una serie di dettagli che non arricchiscono l’ambientazione, ma appesantiscono la lettura inutilmente.
Questo è un peccato, perché la storia in sé non è male, il giallo è piuttosto interessante e il finale tutt’altro che scontato, quindi, se solo l’autore avesse voluto fare un po’ meno il pavone con lo sfoggio delle sue conoscenze, credo che avrebbe scritto un libro davvero notevole, invece la lettura va un po’ a singhiozzo, con momenti in cui non vorresti staccarti dal libro e altri in cui vorresti solo far scorrere le pagine senza neanche leggerle per tornare alla trama, che nel frattempo si perde.
C’è un secondo volume dedicato alle avventure di Pietro Viravolta, che dovrebbe essere ambientato a Parigi.
Da un certo punto di vista sono curiosa della storia, dall’altro temo già di dovermi subire un nuovo trattato sugli ultimi decenni del Regno di Francia, e probabilmente pure sui suoi secoli precedenti.
Dovrò valutare bene a che livello arriva la mia caparbietà nel finire anche i libri più ostici.
August 2, 2020
A ver, está bien, pero, le quito dos estrellas porque algunas partes de heterobasiquismo me han dado grima. Delalande ha quereido recrear al típico héroe perfecto, como el zorro de ese estilo, y chica, estamos ya en el siglo XXI, los personajes planos quedaron muy atrás. Igualmente, tiene cosas que madre mía. También hace gracia que se considere a Viravolta tan sumamente listo cuando podría haber evitado dos o tres claros asesinatos y no se dio ni cuenta de lo que pasaba por sus narices.
La ambientación es lo que más me ha gustado, pero quizá si no se conoce Venecia no se entiende muy bien (un planito manque sea). Y los episodios de historia pura y dura a mí personalmente me sobraban porque ya me los conocía, igualmente alguien que no sepa tampoco los va a agradecer porque son liosos.
No sé, a veces era un libro sumamente adulto, con escenas fuertes de muertes y exceso de "mira me voy de putas" (en serio, a quién le importa) y otras era sumamente infantil tipo serie de animación como Bandolero (mis respetos a Bandolero, la mejor serie de la historia).
No tiene mucho sentido, es un libro para tíos heterobásicos, cero dudas y como tal, pues es muy básico en algunos puntos, lo que no quita que tenga potencial, pero es desperdiciado, ainnnns, podría haber estado mucho mejor.
La ambientación es lo que más me ha gustado, pero quizá si no se conoce Venecia no se entiende muy bien (un planito manque sea). Y los episodios de historia pura y dura a mí personalmente me sobraban porque ya me los conocía, igualmente alguien que no sepa tampoco los va a agradecer porque son liosos.
No sé, a veces era un libro sumamente adulto, con escenas fuertes de muertes y exceso de "mira me voy de putas" (en serio, a quién le importa) y otras era sumamente infantil tipo serie de animación como Bandolero (mis respetos a Bandolero, la mejor serie de la historia).
No tiene mucho sentido, es un libro para tíos heterobásicos, cero dudas y como tal, pues es muy básico en algunos puntos, lo que no quita que tenga potencial, pero es desperdiciado, ainnnns, podría haber estado mucho mejor.
February 1, 2019
Given that I don’t do period drama's I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Set in Venice in 1756 it follows the adventures of Pietro Viravolta aka The Black Orchid. Following a spate of grizzly satanic style murders he's given the choice 1) rot in prison 2) help to solve the crimes ...... I bet you cant guess which he chooses ? The description on Amazon describes it as one-sitting .... I wouldn't agree with that as I found it hard going at times ..... I don't think the translation helped as it was like a textbook in parts but overall its a good whodunnit murder mystery with a historical slant. Yeah its good :-)
March 12, 2019
The storyline is amazing. The plot has so many twists and turns and it’s quite unpredictable at the end.
A story based in Venice in the 1700s would definitely have a flair for the dramatic in not just the plot but also the writing style, however it was overdone. Not ostensibly so yet overdone. The author loses context and the narration rambles at times. I did skip over several parts because the same things seemed to be said over and over again.
However, once you get used to the narration and writing style, you can very easily paint a vivid picture in your mind’s eye. I could easily imagine this book and so many things it described.
A story based in Venice in the 1700s would definitely have a flair for the dramatic in not just the plot but also the writing style, however it was overdone. Not ostensibly so yet overdone. The author loses context and the narration rambles at times. I did skip over several parts because the same things seemed to be said over and over again.
However, once you get used to the narration and writing style, you can very easily paint a vivid picture in your mind’s eye. I could easily imagine this book and so many things it described.
May 11, 2019
Just a tad too long and written in a style that is far too "stylish" for my taste, its nevertheless a fun, breathtaking adventure in glorious Venice that comes alive on the page with perhaps even too much detail at times, slowing the pace a bit too much. The politics, intrigues and bloodshed are all very entertaining and although the overall plot ends up being somewhat predictable and the characters forgettable, with only the villain making a mark, its still an enjoyable read, not taking itself too seriously and delivering on an "old fashioned" tale of murder and mayhem in an exotic city and time in history and exhilarating setpieces that are a joy to picture in your mind.
October 11, 2025
Venice during any period of time is intriguing and beautiful, but reading about the eighteenth century in Venice with its secrets, power and conspiracies sounds to me a perfect dark scenario to be led into. Gruesome murders are being committed in this powerful city and someone seems to follow the nine circles of Dante's Inferno. I was absorbed by it from the beginning and fully enjoyed it till the end.
November 14, 2022
Esta fue mi primera novela negra y aunque tenía en principio mis distancias terminé completamente enganchada. Creo que es una novela perfecta para aquellas personas que necesiten escaparse un poco de la realidad y huir, románticamente, a un pasado veneciano del siglo XIX sin matarse la cabeza, tal cual como lo harías viendo una película de época.
October 10, 2017
Le diable n’est autre qu’emilio Vindicati membre du conseil des Dix auprès du doge qui s’est allié au prince autrichien mis au ban de l’a royauté afin de conquérir Venise. L’orchidée noire (aventurier et séducteur) évitera les 3 derniers crimes (dont le doge, le prince et lui-même).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2019
A historical thriller centered on the investigation of a series of murders carried out by a secret sect in Venice in the 18th century. The vicious murders inspired by Dante's "Divine Comedy" threaten the stability of the republic and require unusual steps to solve the mystery.
December 5, 2018
Interesujące, ale przegadane.
August 18, 2019
Demasiadas descripciones innecesarias, con listas interminables, quizás para demostrar erudición.
May 1, 2020
Me encantó el personaje de la Orquídea Negra
November 17, 2022
DNF at 164 pages
December 31, 2023
Pretty disappointing. DNF.
October 10, 2024
hmmmmmmm
January 3, 2025
Turgid. Just when you think the author is going to get on with the story, he gives you another dissertation on Venetian history or politics. Bored me in the end.
May 27, 2025
Esta aceptable, nada excepcional
August 31, 2025
entretenido aunque un poco previsible
Read
December 7, 2025should've dnfed
June 4, 2014
The year is 1316, and the perennial political
instability in the city of Florence threatens to
escalate to anarchy. "Terror, superstition, anguish,
and impotence" reign as distinguished citizens are
murdered in grotesque fashion, their corpses
accompanied by parchment verses from Inferno. Poet
Dante Alighieri himself is a prime suspect, having
been exiled years earlier from the city for his
politics. The King's vicar, Count Guido da Battifolle
secretly spirits Dante back to Florence and offers him
a deal: for identifying the assassins, Dante's
reputation will be cleared and he will be able to
return to his beloved ancestral home honorably.
Replete with facts from Dante's life and the [pre-]
Machiavellian machinations of the medieval nobility,
this novel may fascinate history buffs. While the
reality of the political and social background of 14th
century Florence is so complex that even a glancing
overview would seem convoluted, the details that
author Arribas (Madrid, 1963) provides are so copious
and cumbersome that they interfere with clarity. The
protracted narration, frequent interior monologues,
and interminable dialogues beg for tighter editing,
especially in view of the rather linear and
predictable plot. Recommended for bookstores and
libraries with dedicated historical fiction readers.
instability in the city of Florence threatens to
escalate to anarchy. "Terror, superstition, anguish,
and impotence" reign as distinguished citizens are
murdered in grotesque fashion, their corpses
accompanied by parchment verses from Inferno. Poet
Dante Alighieri himself is a prime suspect, having
been exiled years earlier from the city for his
politics. The King's vicar, Count Guido da Battifolle
secretly spirits Dante back to Florence and offers him
a deal: for identifying the assassins, Dante's
reputation will be cleared and he will be able to
return to his beloved ancestral home honorably.
Replete with facts from Dante's life and the [pre-]
Machiavellian machinations of the medieval nobility,
this novel may fascinate history buffs. While the
reality of the political and social background of 14th
century Florence is so complex that even a glancing
overview would seem convoluted, the details that
author Arribas (Madrid, 1963) provides are so copious
and cumbersome that they interfere with clarity. The
protracted narration, frequent interior monologues,
and interminable dialogues beg for tighter editing,
especially in view of the rather linear and
predictable plot. Recommended for bookstores and
libraries with dedicated historical fiction readers.
June 1, 2011
objectif pal...
Présentation de l'éditeur :
1756. La Venise des Lumières. Un meurtre atroce - une crucifixion - est commis en plein cœur d'un théâtre de la Sérénissime. Pour mener l'enquête, le Doge fait libérer Pietro Viravolta, aventurier et séducteur, qui croupit dans une geôle aux côtés de Casanova... Ses recherches le conduisent tour à tour chez Luciana, la maîtresse d'un sénateur ; Spadetti, le maître verrier de Murano ; ou encore Caffelli, le prêtre tourmenté de San Giorgio Maggiore... Lorsque ce dernier est assassiné, Pietro découvre l'existence d'une secte. En se plongeant dans La Divine Comédie de Dante, il comprend que ces mises à mort reproduisent les châtiments des Neuf Cercles de l'Inferno... qui doivent se solder par l'apparition de Lucifer en personne ! Truffé de rebondissements, Le Piège de Dante mêle le suspense du thriller à la jubilation du roman d'aventures.
Présentation de l'éditeur :
1756. La Venise des Lumières. Un meurtre atroce - une crucifixion - est commis en plein cœur d'un théâtre de la Sérénissime. Pour mener l'enquête, le Doge fait libérer Pietro Viravolta, aventurier et séducteur, qui croupit dans une geôle aux côtés de Casanova... Ses recherches le conduisent tour à tour chez Luciana, la maîtresse d'un sénateur ; Spadetti, le maître verrier de Murano ; ou encore Caffelli, le prêtre tourmenté de San Giorgio Maggiore... Lorsque ce dernier est assassiné, Pietro découvre l'existence d'une secte. En se plongeant dans La Divine Comédie de Dante, il comprend que ces mises à mort reproduisent les châtiments des Neuf Cercles de l'Inferno... qui doivent se solder par l'apparition de Lucifer en personne ! Truffé de rebondissements, Le Piège de Dante mêle le suspense du thriller à la jubilation du roman d'aventures.
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