What do you think?
Rate this book
Close Your Eyes
Set in early 1400s Europe, Close Your Eyes is a sincere, yet light-hearted and lustful, ode to love. As Samuel, the court jester, struggles to describe why his friends, Agnieszka the cook, and Tycho the story-teller, fled the King of Gora's service, he learns that love was the beating heart behind everything that happened in the castle. He learns as well that more ghosts than he knew of walked the midnight halls, and that the spirit of Jeanne d'Arc haunted his friend, and once slid into bed with Tycho, daring him to leave - to take to the cold roads of Europe, where he had once wandered orphaned and alone, and find his destiny there.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2022
340 people are currently reading
4183 people want to read
About the author
Chris Tomasini
3 books65 followersChris Tomasini lives in Ontario, Canada.
He is the author of Festival, a coming-of-age novella set in London, England, and Toronto, Canada. He is also the author of Close Your Eyes: A Fairy Tale, which won the 2022 Historical-Fantasy award from the Historical Fiction Company. Chris's book Within This Darkness, book one in the teen Douro-Zamość trilogy, was shortlisted for the 2025 Whistler Independent Book Awards in the fiction category.
In the 1990s Chris taught English as a Second Language and had stops in England, Poland, and Japan. Since 2000, Chris has worked in bookstores, publishing, and in libraries.
A chaser of sunrises, Chris can often be found on a bicycle or in a kayak, pointing a camera towards the rising sun.
IG @chrisfindsthelight
He is the author of Festival, a coming-of-age novella set in London, England, and Toronto, Canada. He is also the author of Close Your Eyes: A Fairy Tale, which won the 2022 Historical-Fantasy award from the Historical Fiction Company. Chris's book Within This Darkness, book one in the teen Douro-Zamość trilogy, was shortlisted for the 2025 Whistler Independent Book Awards in the fiction category.
In the 1990s Chris taught English as a Second Language and had stops in England, Poland, and Japan. Since 2000, Chris has worked in bookstores, publishing, and in libraries.
A chaser of sunrises, Chris can often be found on a bicycle or in a kayak, pointing a camera towards the rising sun.
IG @chrisfindsthelight
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
December 14, 2022
“Close your eyes”
In the year 1435, Samuel, the court jester of the prosperous European kingdom of Gora attempts to reconstruct the events that led to the fateful day in 1431 that the court storyteller Tycho and the cook Agnieszka fled the kingdom. Samuel takes us through the history of Gora and how it prospered and flourished under Pawel’s’ rule as well as the individual circumstances that led the characters – himself, Tycho, Agnieszka, Ahab the astronomer and Bishop Tonnelli to Gora and King Pawel who “was one of those strange few for whom the truth was more fantastic than the fiction”.
King Pawel of Gora married his 19-year-old bride Kristina only to lose her in childbirth after five years of marriage leaving him with his children Princess Alexandra and Prince Krysztoff. Kristina’s death causes him to spiral into the depths of grief and madness, awaiting his beloved’s spirit, who is believed to haunt the premises of the castle, every night. Tycho the storyteller, Samuel the jester and Agnieszka the cook are all in the employ of the King but unbeknownst to them, once they have been found to satisfactorily perform their duties, they are not free to leave the kingdom and those who have attempted to do so in the past have lost their lives in the process.
When Agnieszka learns of this, her hopes of returning to her husband after the completion of one year of service (as had been the contracted terms of her employment) are shattered. Desperate to leave she turns to Tycho, who has always had feelings for her, to help. What follows is a take of bravery, sacrifice, friendship and most importantly love.
Chris Tomasini’s “Close Your Eyes” is a beautifully woven fantastical tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters were engaging, and the backstories of the characters and their interactions are exceptionally well written. The narrative flows easily and draws you in with its characters, stories within the stories and perfect combination of wit, wisdom, fantasy, and humor. Though the larger part of the narrative is presented from Samuel’s perspective based on his memories of past events and each character’s past, we also get parts of the story from Tycho’s scrolls (journal entries), Ahab’s written records of the stories Tycho told, and letters written by Bishop Tonnelli. The pace is a bit uneven, especially in the first half of the novel, but not so much that it detracts from the overall reading experience.
Overall, this is a well-written story perfect for those who are interested in fairy tales for mature audiences or those who would like a light enchanting read in between more serious reading. This is quite different from my usual picks, but I am glad I picked it up.
Many thanks to author Chris Tomasini and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this engaging fantastical story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
"I hope by then that Tycho’s name is legend not only as a teller of stories, but as the founder of a movement. My friend may work miracles, but he is, after all, one boy, and love, it would seem, requires a crusade-a crusade fought with kindness and generosity, and acclaimed by the joyous bells of a thousand city squares: bells which ring out across blue horizons, telling a continent to close its eyes, to dream beautifully and to wake with hope."
In the year 1435, Samuel, the court jester of the prosperous European kingdom of Gora attempts to reconstruct the events that led to the fateful day in 1431 that the court storyteller Tycho and the cook Agnieszka fled the kingdom. Samuel takes us through the history of Gora and how it prospered and flourished under Pawel’s’ rule as well as the individual circumstances that led the characters – himself, Tycho, Agnieszka, Ahab the astronomer and Bishop Tonnelli to Gora and King Pawel who “was one of those strange few for whom the truth was more fantastic than the fiction”.
King Pawel of Gora married his 19-year-old bride Kristina only to lose her in childbirth after five years of marriage leaving him with his children Princess Alexandra and Prince Krysztoff. Kristina’s death causes him to spiral into the depths of grief and madness, awaiting his beloved’s spirit, who is believed to haunt the premises of the castle, every night. Tycho the storyteller, Samuel the jester and Agnieszka the cook are all in the employ of the King but unbeknownst to them, once they have been found to satisfactorily perform their duties, they are not free to leave the kingdom and those who have attempted to do so in the past have lost their lives in the process.
When Agnieszka learns of this, her hopes of returning to her husband after the completion of one year of service (as had been the contracted terms of her employment) are shattered. Desperate to leave she turns to Tycho, who has always had feelings for her, to help. What follows is a take of bravery, sacrifice, friendship and most importantly love.
Chris Tomasini’s “Close Your Eyes” is a beautifully woven fantastical tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters were engaging, and the backstories of the characters and their interactions are exceptionally well written. The narrative flows easily and draws you in with its characters, stories within the stories and perfect combination of wit, wisdom, fantasy, and humor. Though the larger part of the narrative is presented from Samuel’s perspective based on his memories of past events and each character’s past, we also get parts of the story from Tycho’s scrolls (journal entries), Ahab’s written records of the stories Tycho told, and letters written by Bishop Tonnelli. The pace is a bit uneven, especially in the first half of the novel, but not so much that it detracts from the overall reading experience.
Overall, this is a well-written story perfect for those who are interested in fairy tales for mature audiences or those who would like a light enchanting read in between more serious reading. This is quite different from my usual picks, but I am glad I picked it up.
Many thanks to author Chris Tomasini and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this engaging fantastical story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
"I hope by then that Tycho’s name is legend not only as a teller of stories, but as the founder of a movement. My friend may work miracles, but he is, after all, one boy, and love, it would seem, requires a crusade-a crusade fought with kindness and generosity, and acclaimed by the joyous bells of a thousand city squares: bells which ring out across blue horizons, telling a continent to close its eyes, to dream beautifully and to wake with hope."
November 23, 2022
Gora was a tiny kingdom near Prussia. Pawel, "a solid careful strategist...transformed an inconsequential patch of impoverished farms into a grand and powerful non-Christian state...". "As a warrior [he] built a kingdom. As a scholar he built a city-a bustling cultural city, inhabited by people of talent-and housing works of beauty from around the world...He built the kingdom for himself-he built the city for his family...". At age 44, Pawel "needed to find a nation worthy of uniting through marriage to Gora." He found Kristina, a 19 year old intelligent and gentle Swedish beauty. "...it was only necessary to observe him to understand the depth of his love...". Upon her death in childbirth, Pawel, half mad with grief, now spent his days walking the halls of the castle, chasing the ghost of his beloved Kristina.
King Pawel, believing his children Princess Alexandra and Prince Krysztoff were the most important people in the kingdom, provided them with talented educators. The king had an iron-clad rule. Employment was for life, no exceptions. In 1431, the King's cook, Agnieszka along with the storyteller, Tycho fled the castle. Tycho left his journals on Samuel's bed. Samuel was determined to relate Tycho's story, the story of a gifted storyteller. In Samuel's words, "My life's training has been as a jester...I have no idea how to tell this story." "I'm a dwarf huddled under a fur, writing by candlelight, my hands covered in ink...I shall introduce Tycho."
"Tycho was a wanderer...without a destination...beneath the charm and the winning smile...we saw the sadness of a soul...forever in transit..." "Tycho and I performed the same duty at the castle, walking about...bringing light to people's faces with jests and stories...while I agree that his stories were remarkable, what truly amazed me was the endless stream of entertainment the boy could provide regardless of audience, language, setting or mood." His stories were playful and irreverent. Women adored "this scamp who slept with every women in the castle."
As the years went by, King Pawel prowled the darkened castle looking to reunite with his soulmate. Nightly, in the storyroom, six individuals were assembled to hear another of Tycho's fairy tales. The Prince and Princess, in bed under the covers, Agnes, the cook and Samuel, the jester seated in chairs on either side of the bed, Ahab, the elderly astronomer, listening through the stone wall and recording the tale while Tycho stood at the foot of the bed telling his audience to "Close Their Eyes". They were in for a treat! Stories of love, romance, loneliness, loss, isolation and camaraderie would follow.
"Close Your Eyes: A Fairy Tale" by Chris Tomasini is a beautifully written tale set in the imaginary 15th Century city of Gora. The quest for love is ever present. For King Pawel, his love had been turned to ice cold wanderings. Tycho enticed women, but love, I think not! Others from their close inner circle approached the concept of love from different perspectives. What is love you ask? For this reader, love is a copy of author Tomasini's enchanting, and captivating historical, adult fairy tale. Highly recommended.
Thank you Chris Tomasini and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
King Pawel, believing his children Princess Alexandra and Prince Krysztoff were the most important people in the kingdom, provided them with talented educators. The king had an iron-clad rule. Employment was for life, no exceptions. In 1431, the King's cook, Agnieszka along with the storyteller, Tycho fled the castle. Tycho left his journals on Samuel's bed. Samuel was determined to relate Tycho's story, the story of a gifted storyteller. In Samuel's words, "My life's training has been as a jester...I have no idea how to tell this story." "I'm a dwarf huddled under a fur, writing by candlelight, my hands covered in ink...I shall introduce Tycho."
"Tycho was a wanderer...without a destination...beneath the charm and the winning smile...we saw the sadness of a soul...forever in transit..." "Tycho and I performed the same duty at the castle, walking about...bringing light to people's faces with jests and stories...while I agree that his stories were remarkable, what truly amazed me was the endless stream of entertainment the boy could provide regardless of audience, language, setting or mood." His stories were playful and irreverent. Women adored "this scamp who slept with every women in the castle."
As the years went by, King Pawel prowled the darkened castle looking to reunite with his soulmate. Nightly, in the storyroom, six individuals were assembled to hear another of Tycho's fairy tales. The Prince and Princess, in bed under the covers, Agnes, the cook and Samuel, the jester seated in chairs on either side of the bed, Ahab, the elderly astronomer, listening through the stone wall and recording the tale while Tycho stood at the foot of the bed telling his audience to "Close Their Eyes". They were in for a treat! Stories of love, romance, loneliness, loss, isolation and camaraderie would follow.
"Close Your Eyes: A Fairy Tale" by Chris Tomasini is a beautifully written tale set in the imaginary 15th Century city of Gora. The quest for love is ever present. For King Pawel, his love had been turned to ice cold wanderings. Tycho enticed women, but love, I think not! Others from their close inner circle approached the concept of love from different perspectives. What is love you ask? For this reader, love is a copy of author Tomasini's enchanting, and captivating historical, adult fairy tale. Highly recommended.
Thank you Chris Tomasini and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2023
Early 1400s Europe - The kingdom of Gora
"Close Your Eyes" is a story within a story. It is a tale about love, unrequited love, lost love, longing, loneliness, yearning, and the "stories" of the characters. Samuel, a dwarf, and the Court Jester for King Pawel of Gora, tells the story of his friend, Tycho the talented storyteller, who fled the castle/kingdom with Agnieszka the cook/chef. Employment in the kingdom is for life and they have broken the rule. In the past, breaking this rule has led to death.
Tycho, a creative and gifted storyteller, would tell fairy tales at night and the characters would gather to listen to them. He would ask them to close their eyes and his tales would flow. One character, Ahab, the astronomer, would listen and take notes - writing down the tales.
Samuel, who was left Tycho's scrolls, has his own story to tell. We learn what brought him to the castle, his recollections/memories of the past, other characters and their histories. He wants to keep the memory of his friends alive and relay their story/stories as well. He wants to tell the story of what led up to Tycho and Agnieszka fleeing. This book is also told in part through the scrolls Tycho left for Samuel, the tales that Ahab wrote down and Bishop Tonnelli's letters.
This is a fairy tale that has wit, funny moments, and heart. I found myself smiling frequently while reading. Many forms of love are shown, and the characters come alive through their stories. Each character is distinct, colorful and is experiencing some form of love; whether it be lost love like the King, Unrequited love, the longing to love and be loved, or the love you are willing to risk everything for. If you haven’t guessed it, Love is the name of the game in this book.
The book was on the slower side in the beginning as the author set the tone. I found this to be well written, clever, full of engaging interactions and dialogue, and quite enjoyable. This was a nice mash up of historical fiction and fairy tale. The kingdom of Gora, the characters and their lives came alive through Tomasini's vivid descriptions.
An ode to love.
Thank you to Chris Tomasini who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
"Close Your Eyes" is a story within a story. It is a tale about love, unrequited love, lost love, longing, loneliness, yearning, and the "stories" of the characters. Samuel, a dwarf, and the Court Jester for King Pawel of Gora, tells the story of his friend, Tycho the talented storyteller, who fled the castle/kingdom with Agnieszka the cook/chef. Employment in the kingdom is for life and they have broken the rule. In the past, breaking this rule has led to death.
Tycho, a creative and gifted storyteller, would tell fairy tales at night and the characters would gather to listen to them. He would ask them to close their eyes and his tales would flow. One character, Ahab, the astronomer, would listen and take notes - writing down the tales.
Samuel, who was left Tycho's scrolls, has his own story to tell. We learn what brought him to the castle, his recollections/memories of the past, other characters and their histories. He wants to keep the memory of his friends alive and relay their story/stories as well. He wants to tell the story of what led up to Tycho and Agnieszka fleeing. This book is also told in part through the scrolls Tycho left for Samuel, the tales that Ahab wrote down and Bishop Tonnelli's letters.
This is a fairy tale that has wit, funny moments, and heart. I found myself smiling frequently while reading. Many forms of love are shown, and the characters come alive through their stories. Each character is distinct, colorful and is experiencing some form of love; whether it be lost love like the King, Unrequited love, the longing to love and be loved, or the love you are willing to risk everything for. If you haven’t guessed it, Love is the name of the game in this book.
The book was on the slower side in the beginning as the author set the tone. I found this to be well written, clever, full of engaging interactions and dialogue, and quite enjoyable. This was a nice mash up of historical fiction and fairy tale. The kingdom of Gora, the characters and their lives came alive through Tomasini's vivid descriptions.
An ode to love.
Thank you to Chris Tomasini who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 5, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Canadian author Chris Tomasini takes on the medieval fairy tale with his novel, “Close Your Eyes”. Narrated by Samuel, the dwarf and Court Jester, we hear of the adventures of Pawel, the King, his children, Krisz and Alex, the cook, Agnes, and the storyteller, Tycho, residing in the European town of Gora in the 1400s.
At its root, like all fairy tales, is a desperate tale of love and longing, with a royal, courtly backdrop and a few eccentric characters. Tycho’s desire for love from the one person who could never love him, Agnes and her recent husband, who share a love even though they are separated by miles and Alex, the princess, sought after by every young prince in the country and unable to choose as her heart belongs to another. Samuel narrates his own story, but also includes snippets from Tycho’s journal and the new Bishop, Tonolli, to complete the captivating scene.
The story is well told and the plot is well developed. Each character gets their chance to shine as Sam narrates their stories for them, and each character is so unique and charming they are easy to root for and relate to.
Tomasini focuses on Tycho’s stories in a way that made me think they had some extreme relevance to the plot (considering his opening statement, “close your eyes” was enough to earn the book’s title honours) and although they didn’t seem to, Tycho’s narratives added to his character development and reinforced a bond with the reader.
“Close Your Eyes” has good flow and Tomasini’s talent is not to be ignored. This is a fairy tale unlike any other, with powerful and bizarrely delightful characters, and it is one that is worth exploring.
Canadian author Chris Tomasini takes on the medieval fairy tale with his novel, “Close Your Eyes”. Narrated by Samuel, the dwarf and Court Jester, we hear of the adventures of Pawel, the King, his children, Krisz and Alex, the cook, Agnes, and the storyteller, Tycho, residing in the European town of Gora in the 1400s.
At its root, like all fairy tales, is a desperate tale of love and longing, with a royal, courtly backdrop and a few eccentric characters. Tycho’s desire for love from the one person who could never love him, Agnes and her recent husband, who share a love even though they are separated by miles and Alex, the princess, sought after by every young prince in the country and unable to choose as her heart belongs to another. Samuel narrates his own story, but also includes snippets from Tycho’s journal and the new Bishop, Tonolli, to complete the captivating scene.
The story is well told and the plot is well developed. Each character gets their chance to shine as Sam narrates their stories for them, and each character is so unique and charming they are easy to root for and relate to.
Tomasini focuses on Tycho’s stories in a way that made me think they had some extreme relevance to the plot (considering his opening statement, “close your eyes” was enough to earn the book’s title honours) and although they didn’t seem to, Tycho’s narratives added to his character development and reinforced a bond with the reader.
“Close Your Eyes” has good flow and Tomasini’s talent is not to be ignored. This is a fairy tale unlike any other, with powerful and bizarrely delightful characters, and it is one that is worth exploring.
February 5, 2023
This is a really wonderful historical fairy tale, filled with adventure, love, treachery, and heartbreak. There are also other tales within a tale that will hold you spellbound. The characters are easy to connect with and draw you in right away. Fans of fantasy and historical fiction will love this mashup of both.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
November 12, 2022
What a beautiful and enchanting tale. I requested a copy of this book on NetGalley because the description did look interesting, and the title had me questioning what this could be about. I did not expect to be swept away as quickly and completely as I was. Tomasini's writing is eloquent, captivating, mystifying... all the adjectives that could adequately describe a fairy tale. Sam, a little person and the court jester, is our narrator, piecing together his own written history, as well as excerpts from his friend Tycho's journal and the diary of a twisted Bishop to create a lovely but heartbreaking tale surrounding Tycho (the castle story teller) and Agnes (the royals' cook).
In the novel, readers are given the pleasure of taking a seat in the Story Room with Sam, Anges, the prince, and princess to listen to many of Tycho's stories that he, almost divinely, let spill from his soul. This is one of the many reasons I was enchanted. Tycho is a handsome womanizer, always jolly and seductive, but he is haunted more than anyone really knows. This inner darkness he faces comes to a head when he must decide what to do about the woman he loves that will never love him back, a decision that will alter his life completely.
I do not know what else to say about "Close Your Eyes." I am almost left in a thoughtful speechlessness. While some of the characters are only teenagers, I would recommend this book to a mostly adult population. There were no explicit scenes, but a lot of sexual and lustful themes that would be more appropriate for a mature audience.
I give this title a 5/5, and it will be hastily added to my favorites shelf.
#netgalley #arc #fairytale
In the novel, readers are given the pleasure of taking a seat in the Story Room with Sam, Anges, the prince, and princess to listen to many of Tycho's stories that he, almost divinely, let spill from his soul. This is one of the many reasons I was enchanted. Tycho is a handsome womanizer, always jolly and seductive, but he is haunted more than anyone really knows. This inner darkness he faces comes to a head when he must decide what to do about the woman he loves that will never love him back, a decision that will alter his life completely.
I do not know what else to say about "Close Your Eyes." I am almost left in a thoughtful speechlessness. While some of the characters are only teenagers, I would recommend this book to a mostly adult population. There were no explicit scenes, but a lot of sexual and lustful themes that would be more appropriate for a mature audience.
I give this title a 5/5, and it will be hastily added to my favorites shelf.
#netgalley #arc #fairytale
December 17, 2022
I adore historicals, and if there’s a whisper of danger, a hint of darkness, maybe even a touch of magic? All the better! Chris Tomasini’s Close Your Eyes has all that and more!
Close Your Eyes is completely engrossing, and Tomasini has crafted one heck of a tale. Moving between several points of view, we get the story of the folks living in the castle of Gora in the early 1400's. Servants, the royal family, even the local clergyman gets in on the act.
Exceptionally beautifully written, Tomasini explores everything from their daily life, to the highs and lows these fascinating people experience.
I fell deeply into this novel, and had trouble putting it down. Bravo Mr. Chris Tomasini! I've already downloaded Festival and plan on getting very little sleep in the next few days.
a copy of Close Your Eyes was provided by the author, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
Close Your Eyes is completely engrossing, and Tomasini has crafted one heck of a tale. Moving between several points of view, we get the story of the folks living in the castle of Gora in the early 1400's. Servants, the royal family, even the local clergyman gets in on the act.
Exceptionally beautifully written, Tomasini explores everything from their daily life, to the highs and lows these fascinating people experience.
I fell deeply into this novel, and had trouble putting it down. Bravo Mr. Chris Tomasini! I've already downloaded Festival and plan on getting very little sleep in the next few days.
a copy of Close Your Eyes was provided by the author, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
September 29, 2022
The subtitle describes this novel as a fairy tale, set in 1400's Europe. Light fantasy is another term that comes up oh so often with regards to Close Your Eyes. An apt description, seeing as the story's setting is not a historically authentic one, more of a romanticized version of medieval Europe.
******
Read the Interview with Chris Tomasini!
******
The storyteller and the princess. Well, kind of.
Chris uses a storytelling technique I first noticed with Umberto Eco, where the story is told in first person, but not by the same person the story is meant to be about. Like Adso of Melk tells the story of William of Baskerville in The Name of The Rose, here it is Samuel setting out to chronicle the story of his friend Tycho. And when parts need to be told of which Samuel could not have been a first hand witness, Tycho's journal is used instead.
I've described the setting as romanticized based on the larger than life characters which Chris manages to brings alive between the pages of this book. He does so using Samuel's voice, which is gentle, warm, caressing. The way Samuel writes about those people makes it clear he cares for them a lot, and there is more to this story than just Tycho (who this story is supposed to be about).
Samuel, jester and teller of this story
That being said, the gentle voice of our chronist makes for a rather touching read. Action this is clearly not, nor will a lot of exciting things happen. It's a quiet book, made to be read alone in a cozy atmosphere, touching, moving, sometimes kind of philosophical. It's the right kind of book to be read during moody autumn sessions.
Talking about mood - I think this stories is best described by one of the riddles that is used within, where the hero of this book is asked whether he would choose the life of a slave, knowing nothing but misery and one hour of love everyday, or the life of a free man, knowing nothing about loss but also nothing about love, eventually dying alone one could winter day.
Aye, it is this kind of story, a well woven one that gets you thinking. What answer would be best? You have to decide for yourself.
Disclaimer: I've received a free Advanced Reader's Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
You can also read this review on my Blog.
******
Read the Interview with Chris Tomasini!
******
The storyteller and the princess. Well, kind of.
Chris uses a storytelling technique I first noticed with Umberto Eco, where the story is told in first person, but not by the same person the story is meant to be about. Like Adso of Melk tells the story of William of Baskerville in The Name of The Rose, here it is Samuel setting out to chronicle the story of his friend Tycho. And when parts need to be told of which Samuel could not have been a first hand witness, Tycho's journal is used instead.
I've described the setting as romanticized based on the larger than life characters which Chris manages to brings alive between the pages of this book. He does so using Samuel's voice, which is gentle, warm, caressing. The way Samuel writes about those people makes it clear he cares for them a lot, and there is more to this story than just Tycho (who this story is supposed to be about).
Samuel, jester and teller of this story
That being said, the gentle voice of our chronist makes for a rather touching read. Action this is clearly not, nor will a lot of exciting things happen. It's a quiet book, made to be read alone in a cozy atmosphere, touching, moving, sometimes kind of philosophical. It's the right kind of book to be read during moody autumn sessions.
Talking about mood - I think this stories is best described by one of the riddles that is used within, where the hero of this book is asked whether he would choose the life of a slave, knowing nothing but misery and one hour of love everyday, or the life of a free man, knowing nothing about loss but also nothing about love, eventually dying alone one could winter day.
Aye, it is this kind of story, a well woven one that gets you thinking. What answer would be best? You have to decide for yourself.
Disclaimer: I've received a free Advanced Reader's Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
You can also read this review on my Blog.
November 13, 2022
The novel Close Your Eyes by Chris Tomasini is a moving account of love, sorrow, and redemption. Sam, the court jester, relates a tale from Tycho, the castle story teller, and Agnes, the royal family's chef.
The reader is drawn into the story from the very first page and is transported to a world of magic and wonder. The writing brings the characters to life and allows the reader to feel their emotions as they experience love, heartache, and despair. This is a story that’s packed with emotion, insight and compassion for our flawed humanity.
One of the things that I appreciated most about this book was its historical accuracy. Tomasini did an excellent job of capturing the essence of life in early 1400s Europe. The details he included added to the richness of the story, and I could easily imagine myself walking through the castle halls alongside Samuel, Agnieszka, and Tycho.
I also loved Tomasini's exploration of love and its transformative power. Tycho falls in love with Agnieszka, and their relationship forces him to confront his own beliefs and assumptions about the world. Through their interactions, Tomasini highlights the potential for growth and change that exists within romantic relationships.
Overall, I absolutely loved Close Your Eyes. The story is at once heartbreaking and uplifting, and it leaves the reader with a sense of hope for the future. Close Your Eyes is a must-read for anyone who loves a good love story.
I would never force anyone to read a book, but I would highly recommend everyone read this one. I can’t believe how good this book is. . . . Totally unique.
The reader is drawn into the story from the very first page and is transported to a world of magic and wonder. The writing brings the characters to life and allows the reader to feel their emotions as they experience love, heartache, and despair. This is a story that’s packed with emotion, insight and compassion for our flawed humanity.
One of the things that I appreciated most about this book was its historical accuracy. Tomasini did an excellent job of capturing the essence of life in early 1400s Europe. The details he included added to the richness of the story, and I could easily imagine myself walking through the castle halls alongside Samuel, Agnieszka, and Tycho.
I also loved Tomasini's exploration of love and its transformative power. Tycho falls in love with Agnieszka, and their relationship forces him to confront his own beliefs and assumptions about the world. Through their interactions, Tomasini highlights the potential for growth and change that exists within romantic relationships.
Overall, I absolutely loved Close Your Eyes. The story is at once heartbreaking and uplifting, and it leaves the reader with a sense of hope for the future. Close Your Eyes is a must-read for anyone who loves a good love story.
I would never force anyone to read a book, but I would highly recommend everyone read this one. I can’t believe how good this book is. . . . Totally unique.
November 30, 2022
“𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦'𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 […] 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺, 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥.”
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
This was a brilliant book. Set in the 1400s and told from the perspective of a court jester, this is the story of a storyteller and a chef, a broken king and trapped lives. It started off a bit jumpy, but at the same time this made sense. The whole idea is that the jester was writing a book about this tale, so these first chapters set the scene and introduce main characters.
As the story goes on, you fall in love with Tycho and Agneiszka and the lives they are living within the castle walls. The truly magical story of different types of love. The love you can’t ever admit, the love that isn’t reciprocated, the love that was so deep it breaks you when it’s lost, and the love you would do anything for, including risk your life.
I was truly drawn in and moved by this story and I urge anyone, regardless of genre preference, to give this a go! It will stay with you a long time!
I’m really thankful to the author, Chris Tomasini, for reaching out to me and sending a gifted copy and a special little parcel! I will be reading more of his works!
𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲.
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
This was a brilliant book. Set in the 1400s and told from the perspective of a court jester, this is the story of a storyteller and a chef, a broken king and trapped lives. It started off a bit jumpy, but at the same time this made sense. The whole idea is that the jester was writing a book about this tale, so these first chapters set the scene and introduce main characters.
As the story goes on, you fall in love with Tycho and Agneiszka and the lives they are living within the castle walls. The truly magical story of different types of love. The love you can’t ever admit, the love that isn’t reciprocated, the love that was so deep it breaks you when it’s lost, and the love you would do anything for, including risk your life.
I was truly drawn in and moved by this story and I urge anyone, regardless of genre preference, to give this a go! It will stay with you a long time!
I’m really thankful to the author, Chris Tomasini, for reaching out to me and sending a gifted copy and a special little parcel! I will be reading more of his works!
𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲.
August 17, 2022
I honestly didn't expect anything but wow how such a delightful it is. the writing itself is really impressive. I know it is Historical Fiction but normally in Historical genre we sometimes kinda feel tense, serious, and heavier but this is just like a the book pull you in with their own magic, fantasy.
For the plot and characters itself at first I'm a bit confuse and I realize that the book has quite different layout from normal book that I usually read which is for me is really good idea. It's like you read every character's diary but it's connected to each other so it engaged us as reader.
I really enjoy this book and to be honest I was looking before a book that has a fantasy & magical feel with historical element with not so much heavy but we still get the lesson at the end. this book totally satisfied my craving.
For the plot and characters itself at first I'm a bit confuse and I realize that the book has quite different layout from normal book that I usually read which is for me is really good idea. It's like you read every character's diary but it's connected to each other so it engaged us as reader.
I really enjoy this book and to be honest I was looking before a book that has a fantasy & magical feel with historical element with not so much heavy but we still get the lesson at the end. this book totally satisfied my craving.
March 14, 2023
Alert: the contents of this book bleeds emotions. Underneath the binding and the cover of a scene (taken by the author himself) is a creature that is so alive, and so real, it trembles in your hand.
This book is everything.
Close your eyes by Chris Tomasini is something I can't quit thinking about. It's been three days. I ought to be over it, but I'm not.
The story goes like this- Samuel (a smart, rather talented dwarf, a Peter Dinklage if you will) is this story and this story is of a storyteller. (Which is something I've never come across before) set in early 1400s Gora is a kingdom that exists because of this smart and deviously cunning but caring king, Pawel. Pawel and his family form the heart of the story. Agnieszka the cook, Samuel the jester, Tycho the storyteller, Ahab the astrologer are all tellers of their own story.
I don't think this is a fairy tale. I think this is a tragically beautiful story of love of every kind (and there are many). I don't think any book has touched me so deeply before. And read hundred books per year. Page after page, this book kept me alive and breathing. Words won't do justice. You'll have to read it to feel the magic.
I love the characters so much. I think I would love a book on Samuel. He was very witty and well generally smart.
Overall this has been an enriching read. I think I'm not the same person anymore and I think I'm okay with that.
I believe Chris Tomasini to be a wizard or something.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ For everything, everything.
This book is everything.
Close your eyes by Chris Tomasini is something I can't quit thinking about. It's been three days. I ought to be over it, but I'm not.
The story goes like this- Samuel (a smart, rather talented dwarf, a Peter Dinklage if you will) is this story and this story is of a storyteller. (Which is something I've never come across before) set in early 1400s Gora is a kingdom that exists because of this smart and deviously cunning but caring king, Pawel. Pawel and his family form the heart of the story. Agnieszka the cook, Samuel the jester, Tycho the storyteller, Ahab the astrologer are all tellers of their own story.
I don't think this is a fairy tale. I think this is a tragically beautiful story of love of every kind (and there are many). I don't think any book has touched me so deeply before. And read hundred books per year. Page after page, this book kept me alive and breathing. Words won't do justice. You'll have to read it to feel the magic.
I love the characters so much. I think I would love a book on Samuel. He was very witty and well generally smart.
Overall this has been an enriching read. I think I'm not the same person anymore and I think I'm okay with that.
I believe Chris Tomasini to be a wizard or something.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ For everything, everything.
January 5, 2023
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction
Publisher: December 16, 2021
Pub. Date: Amazon Kindle Direct
Martie’s Rating: 3 ½ Stars
In this feel-good, offbeat historical fiction, the reader is transported to the medieval Kingdom of Gora. Here we meet kings, queens, princes, princesses, storytellers, cooks, and jesters. The book's central theme is love, but it takes a while for this to emerge. Born a dwarf, Samuel serves as the court jester. We are told the story through his eyes as the first-person narrator. The novel reads like a fairy tale for adults, which is appealing if you enjoy magical adventures. I am not a fan of surreal stories. I continued reading, though, because I do enjoy historical fiction. In addition, laughter, wisdom, and melancholy are skillfully woven into the plot.
With a kingdom histrionic outburst, the author's wit shines from the outset. In the prologue, we learn that the kingdom’s people woke up in distress one day. “Neighbors question each other about the reason for the hysteria. The most widely believed rumor was that forces of the Holy Roman Empire were preparing to attack our king.” There was no army coming. There was no plan to harm the king. The disturbance had nothing to do with anything political or religious. It seems that the kingdom had its priorities. What is life without good food and storytelling? The reason for the commotion was that “the King’s cook and the storyteller had fled the castle.” The novel is often outrageously funny. Another example is when a widow told a group of scholars, “The Greek included passages concerning the sexual proclivities of each animal. You may find a lover capable of replacing your horse.”
Here is another occurrence that had me laughing out loud. While still in his teens, Samuel worked as a traveling jester. He collaborated with Troyden, a man who stands seven feet tall. The two went by the name "High and Low." They despised each other. Samuel thought, “Troyden was a genius upon a stage, but in daily life, he was the most asinine dullard I have ever known.” One night they broke character during scenes, “a genuine, and bitter, argument erupted between us.” Since they believed it was a part of their act, the audience laughed even harder while watching an oddly tall and abnormally short man “quarreling viciously.” The images the reader sees are absurd and hysterical—Slapstick humor at its best.
The two parted ways, and Samuel goes on to be “the private clown for the children of King Pawel of Gora.” This is where he meets his good friend Tycho, the king’s storyteller. Tycho is a likable scamp blessed with good looks and natural charm. He believes that having a never-ending supply of eager ladies who desire to sleep with him makes up for his lack of affection throughout his formative years. This makes him a fun character to read. The book’s title gets its name from him. “On this night, he said ‘Close Your Eyes,’ and just as I did, I saw that his eyes were bright, were shining.” Samuel is also an engaging character. While Tycho is looking for the meaning of love, intelligent Samuel explores the lessons one can learn from life experiences.
“Fairy Tale” captures the full spectrum of medieval society. Look for a twist with the character, Bishop Tonnelli. Despite not being my cup of tea, the book can be lively and absorbing with its sly humor, flair for characterization, and rich examination of the human condition. This is evident, particularly in the character of Samuel. The novel's length and added complexity is my most significant criticism. Although the writing is good, it can be disjointed, leaving me sometimes confused. However, the epilogue did explain much of what I initially didn’t get. Tomasini would have written a superior book if he had written this as a collection of short stories or novellas. Still, if you enjoy the genre and can ignore the bulkiness, you will probably eat this one up. Moreover, you might disagree with me that the novel is bulky. Sometimes it is all a matter of taste.
I received this novel at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://books6259.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com
https://twitter.com/NeesRecord
https://www.amazon.com
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/c...
Publisher: December 16, 2021
Pub. Date: Amazon Kindle Direct
Martie’s Rating: 3 ½ Stars
In this feel-good, offbeat historical fiction, the reader is transported to the medieval Kingdom of Gora. Here we meet kings, queens, princes, princesses, storytellers, cooks, and jesters. The book's central theme is love, but it takes a while for this to emerge. Born a dwarf, Samuel serves as the court jester. We are told the story through his eyes as the first-person narrator. The novel reads like a fairy tale for adults, which is appealing if you enjoy magical adventures. I am not a fan of surreal stories. I continued reading, though, because I do enjoy historical fiction. In addition, laughter, wisdom, and melancholy are skillfully woven into the plot.
With a kingdom histrionic outburst, the author's wit shines from the outset. In the prologue, we learn that the kingdom’s people woke up in distress one day. “Neighbors question each other about the reason for the hysteria. The most widely believed rumor was that forces of the Holy Roman Empire were preparing to attack our king.” There was no army coming. There was no plan to harm the king. The disturbance had nothing to do with anything political or religious. It seems that the kingdom had its priorities. What is life without good food and storytelling? The reason for the commotion was that “the King’s cook and the storyteller had fled the castle.” The novel is often outrageously funny. Another example is when a widow told a group of scholars, “The Greek included passages concerning the sexual proclivities of each animal. You may find a lover capable of replacing your horse.”
Here is another occurrence that had me laughing out loud. While still in his teens, Samuel worked as a traveling jester. He collaborated with Troyden, a man who stands seven feet tall. The two went by the name "High and Low." They despised each other. Samuel thought, “Troyden was a genius upon a stage, but in daily life, he was the most asinine dullard I have ever known.” One night they broke character during scenes, “a genuine, and bitter, argument erupted between us.” Since they believed it was a part of their act, the audience laughed even harder while watching an oddly tall and abnormally short man “quarreling viciously.” The images the reader sees are absurd and hysterical—Slapstick humor at its best.
The two parted ways, and Samuel goes on to be “the private clown for the children of King Pawel of Gora.” This is where he meets his good friend Tycho, the king’s storyteller. Tycho is a likable scamp blessed with good looks and natural charm. He believes that having a never-ending supply of eager ladies who desire to sleep with him makes up for his lack of affection throughout his formative years. This makes him a fun character to read. The book’s title gets its name from him. “On this night, he said ‘Close Your Eyes,’ and just as I did, I saw that his eyes were bright, were shining.” Samuel is also an engaging character. While Tycho is looking for the meaning of love, intelligent Samuel explores the lessons one can learn from life experiences.
“Fairy Tale” captures the full spectrum of medieval society. Look for a twist with the character, Bishop Tonnelli. Despite not being my cup of tea, the book can be lively and absorbing with its sly humor, flair for characterization, and rich examination of the human condition. This is evident, particularly in the character of Samuel. The novel's length and added complexity is my most significant criticism. Although the writing is good, it can be disjointed, leaving me sometimes confused. However, the epilogue did explain much of what I initially didn’t get. Tomasini would have written a superior book if he had written this as a collection of short stories or novellas. Still, if you enjoy the genre and can ignore the bulkiness, you will probably eat this one up. Moreover, you might disagree with me that the novel is bulky. Sometimes it is all a matter of taste.
I received this novel at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://books6259.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com
https://twitter.com/NeesRecord
https://www.amazon.com
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/c...
December 11, 2022
What a wonderfully imagined story that’s all about “love” delivered with familiar “fairy tale” components - we have a dashing, principled King (Pawel), a kind, gorgeous Queen, a beautiful princess, and handsome prince who live in a castle complete with a dwarfed court jester (Samuel), an irresistible storyteller (Tycho) with a magnetic personality, a mystic, learned astrologer/tutor (Ahab), a religious leader, the best cook in the land (Agnes) and it wouldn’t be a fairy tale if it didn’t have a “moral(s) to the story” - some takeaway lesson(s), that offer sage wisdom and life lessons.
On the surface, a respected King seems to descend into madness when his young wife is lost during childbirth. He loves/d his Queen dearly and his nights are spent chasing her ghost throughout the castle. He devotes his time to his children and their happiness at the cost of the servants’ freedom. Unbeknownst to the cook, no one is released from service to the children – thus those closest to the children (the Jester, Storyteller, Cook, and Tutor) are bound to the castle in a lifetime of servitude. However, when she learns of this - she feels deceived because she thought her post was merely for one year; she’s now more determined to return to her newlywed husband in her hometown village. The story begins with Samuel, the jester, telling the reader of the night of the daring escape – when his best friend, the Storyteller, runs away with the Cook…and away we go. I found this to be a page-turner.
This is not a children’s bedtime story as it may be set in the 1400’s, the ideas and themes are mature, timeless and intelligently interwoven in the story. Each character contributes unique perspectives on the myriad of “love” based topics that are layered and intertwined as the story moves forward: Unrequited love, Romantic love, Brotherly love, lost love, platonic love, “Christian”/spiritual love and the various outlooks regarding the search for love, explorations on “proving” one’s love, the sacrifices made (and expected) for love – and so much more (I especially enjoyed the meditations on Bishop Tonnelli’s battles with his faith, hypocrisy of the church (and its leadership), and his moral failings).
I’m happy to have had the opportunity to read this because it was a deviation from my reading norm and didn’t disappoint. I have made a note to check out other works from this author.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
On the surface, a respected King seems to descend into madness when his young wife is lost during childbirth. He loves/d his Queen dearly and his nights are spent chasing her ghost throughout the castle. He devotes his time to his children and their happiness at the cost of the servants’ freedom. Unbeknownst to the cook, no one is released from service to the children – thus those closest to the children (the Jester, Storyteller, Cook, and Tutor) are bound to the castle in a lifetime of servitude. However, when she learns of this - she feels deceived because she thought her post was merely for one year; she’s now more determined to return to her newlywed husband in her hometown village. The story begins with Samuel, the jester, telling the reader of the night of the daring escape – when his best friend, the Storyteller, runs away with the Cook…and away we go. I found this to be a page-turner.
This is not a children’s bedtime story as it may be set in the 1400’s, the ideas and themes are mature, timeless and intelligently interwoven in the story. Each character contributes unique perspectives on the myriad of “love” based topics that are layered and intertwined as the story moves forward: Unrequited love, Romantic love, Brotherly love, lost love, platonic love, “Christian”/spiritual love and the various outlooks regarding the search for love, explorations on “proving” one’s love, the sacrifices made (and expected) for love – and so much more (I especially enjoyed the meditations on Bishop Tonnelli’s battles with his faith, hypocrisy of the church (and its leadership), and his moral failings).
I’m happy to have had the opportunity to read this because it was a deviation from my reading norm and didn’t disappoint. I have made a note to check out other works from this author.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
May 28, 2025
“Close your eyes.”
Chris Tomasini's Close Your Eyes is a breathtaking meditation on the power of storytelling, memory, and the fragile threads that bind us to one another across time and space. Through lyrical prose and profound imagery, Tomasini crafts a tale that feels both timeless and deeply personal.
I closed my eyes and became enmeshed in the story until it was finished and I opened them again.
“I need a story to reach this shore, so from the sand about me I collect driftwood and frayed ropes, securing them together with memories of Tycho's stories and the requirements set upon me by the goal I wish to achieve, the shore I wish to reach, the sea I must cross.”
In this hauntingly beautiful narrative, the character of Tycho emerges as a beacon — a storyteller whose gift transforms the improbable into the unforgettable.
“This boy, he told her, this lad named Tycho, could take any situation you gave him, any unlikely hero, and create a tale which would render you speechless, awestruck by the images playing about in your mind.”
The way narrative is explored and played out in this novel is so different from anything else I've read and yet it works so perfectly for this novel. A perfect blend of the narrator telling us the entire story, while at the same time being human and unreliable as well.
This novel isn’t merely read; it’s experienced. With each page, you are invited into a dreamlike world that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.
“I thought that if the afterlife is merely a moment, an image in pause, which echoes endlessly through the reaches of the universe, and if this moment upon the beach were the one chosen to represent me, then I would be content.”
There is a tragic elegance to the story’s emotional arc: a love so fierce it entraps, the human struggle of how to make your mark on history and what you were meant for, and a fate shared among complex, unforgettable characters.
“With the shuffling and movement of this occurring about me, I remained still, staring at the King, gazing upon the strength of his love, a love which had imprisoned me, and Ahab, and Tycho, and most regrettably, Agnieszka.”
Close Your Eyes is a triumph of literary craft and emotional depth. This is a story that deserves to be savoured, remembered, and shared.
“I closed my eyes."
Chris Tomasini's Close Your Eyes is a breathtaking meditation on the power of storytelling, memory, and the fragile threads that bind us to one another across time and space. Through lyrical prose and profound imagery, Tomasini crafts a tale that feels both timeless and deeply personal.
I closed my eyes and became enmeshed in the story until it was finished and I opened them again.
“I need a story to reach this shore, so from the sand about me I collect driftwood and frayed ropes, securing them together with memories of Tycho's stories and the requirements set upon me by the goal I wish to achieve, the shore I wish to reach, the sea I must cross.”
In this hauntingly beautiful narrative, the character of Tycho emerges as a beacon — a storyteller whose gift transforms the improbable into the unforgettable.
“This boy, he told her, this lad named Tycho, could take any situation you gave him, any unlikely hero, and create a tale which would render you speechless, awestruck by the images playing about in your mind.”
The way narrative is explored and played out in this novel is so different from anything else I've read and yet it works so perfectly for this novel. A perfect blend of the narrator telling us the entire story, while at the same time being human and unreliable as well.
This novel isn’t merely read; it’s experienced. With each page, you are invited into a dreamlike world that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.
“I thought that if the afterlife is merely a moment, an image in pause, which echoes endlessly through the reaches of the universe, and if this moment upon the beach were the one chosen to represent me, then I would be content.”
There is a tragic elegance to the story’s emotional arc: a love so fierce it entraps, the human struggle of how to make your mark on history and what you were meant for, and a fate shared among complex, unforgettable characters.
“With the shuffling and movement of this occurring about me, I remained still, staring at the King, gazing upon the strength of his love, a love which had imprisoned me, and Ahab, and Tycho, and most regrettably, Agnieszka.”
Close Your Eyes is a triumph of literary craft and emotional depth. This is a story that deserves to be savoured, remembered, and shared.
“I closed my eyes."
January 7, 2023
Beautifully written novel that spans through the ages. The exquisite way Chris Tomasini wove the present and past through the journals and letters draws the reader even closer to the story. I enjoyed reading this incredible story and it left me wanting just one more journal entry. 😊👍🏼📖
November 25, 2022
One of the best things I did in 2022 was focus on reading books that are not at the top of the NYTimes best seller list and/or heavily pushed by Amazon. Part of that was signing up for NetGalley, which has enabled me to read books that I may never have come across. I've gotten to read so many beautifully written books by authors who are dedicated to their craft. It's been so refreshing to read books that surprise me in a positive way, instead of being disappointed that something so popular turns out to be poorly written or contrived (or just clearly angling to be optioned for TV).
"Close Your Eyes" is one of those books. I knew nothing about it, nor about the author, but I was intrigued by the description and by the high Goodreads reviews. "Close Your Eyes" is essentially a fairytale, with a deep meditation on storytelling at the heart of it. The narrator struggles to decide how and where to begin, and how to explain what happened. The story is told through journal entries, stories-within-stories, and letters from a wicked man of the cloth. It was both surprising and touching. It's best to go in with an open mind and little knowledge about the book, so I'll leave it there, except to say that I highly recommend this charming, beautifully written work. I look forward to more from this author.
Thank you for the advance copy in return for this honest review.
"Close Your Eyes" is one of those books. I knew nothing about it, nor about the author, but I was intrigued by the description and by the high Goodreads reviews. "Close Your Eyes" is essentially a fairytale, with a deep meditation on storytelling at the heart of it. The narrator struggles to decide how and where to begin, and how to explain what happened. The story is told through journal entries, stories-within-stories, and letters from a wicked man of the cloth. It was both surprising and touching. It's best to go in with an open mind and little knowledge about the book, so I'll leave it there, except to say that I highly recommend this charming, beautifully written work. I look forward to more from this author.
Thank you for the advance copy in return for this honest review.
February 20, 2023
"One has the courage to write what you will, for it is easy to believe your words will never be known."
•
I was so lucky to be given this ARC by Chris Tomasini. I have never loved a historical fiction this much. The last one I read was The Book Thief, and it put me in such a reading slump. So you can imagine how happy I was to find one that I enjoyed this much.
•
"Which is better - to die for a cause or to live without one?"
•
This story is set in the Medieval Times, the Dark Ages, and the Holy Roman Empire. It is the story of a storyteller. Samuel the court jester tells the story of his friends Tycho, the storyteller, and Agnieszka, the cook, who fled Gora and its king’s services. Samuel studies the journals and letter Tycho left behind to uncover secrets about his friends and the castle. He learns how love was the motive for their escape, and how ghosts roam the halls of the castle at midnight.
•
"Is love so beautiful and precious a thing that you would sacrifice your life to it, though the love be not your own?"
•
Let me start this off by saying that Tycho was definitely my favorite character in the entire book. He is known for having a reckless yet lovable personality; however, he is also know for his many relationships with castle females. I found his character to be hilarious and quite intriguing. Even though the story was told from Samuel’s perspective and understanding of things, I grew to like Tycho more than Samuel himself. To avoid giving any spoilers, I’ll just say that I wished Tycho’s love story ended much definitely. Maybe that’s why I hope that the book will have a sequel that will do Tycho much more justice. I also really loved the allusions that were made throughout the book to Eleanor of Aquitaine and Jeanne d’Arc. Fun fact actually, I am currently studying such historical events in history class, so it was really nice to read them in the form of a story. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book very much, and would love to get the chance of reading another piece of Chris Tomasini’s work.
•
"Can humanity evolve if it does not have a battle? Does the war against evil, or perceived evil, not give humanity a cause, and is the pursuit of a cause hit the most glorious way to spend a life?"
•
I was so lucky to be given this ARC by Chris Tomasini. I have never loved a historical fiction this much. The last one I read was The Book Thief, and it put me in such a reading slump. So you can imagine how happy I was to find one that I enjoyed this much.
•
"Which is better - to die for a cause or to live without one?"
•
This story is set in the Medieval Times, the Dark Ages, and the Holy Roman Empire. It is the story of a storyteller. Samuel the court jester tells the story of his friends Tycho, the storyteller, and Agnieszka, the cook, who fled Gora and its king’s services. Samuel studies the journals and letter Tycho left behind to uncover secrets about his friends and the castle. He learns how love was the motive for their escape, and how ghosts roam the halls of the castle at midnight.
•
"Is love so beautiful and precious a thing that you would sacrifice your life to it, though the love be not your own?"
•
Let me start this off by saying that Tycho was definitely my favorite character in the entire book. He is known for having a reckless yet lovable personality; however, he is also know for his many relationships with castle females. I found his character to be hilarious and quite intriguing. Even though the story was told from Samuel’s perspective and understanding of things, I grew to like Tycho more than Samuel himself. To avoid giving any spoilers, I’ll just say that I wished Tycho’s love story ended much definitely. Maybe that’s why I hope that the book will have a sequel that will do Tycho much more justice. I also really loved the allusions that were made throughout the book to Eleanor of Aquitaine and Jeanne d’Arc. Fun fact actually, I am currently studying such historical events in history class, so it was really nice to read them in the form of a story. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book very much, and would love to get the chance of reading another piece of Chris Tomasini’s work.
•
"Can humanity evolve if it does not have a battle? Does the war against evil, or perceived evil, not give humanity a cause, and is the pursuit of a cause hit the most glorious way to spend a life?"
March 4, 2023
It’s no secret that I love stories about storytelling. Similarly, as much as I love a good action-packed epic, slow stories have their own unique virtues. Close Your Eyes: A Fairy Tale is such a slow story about stories—and in particular, how the stories we tell about ourselves and one another shape our choices in life. Chris Tomasini uses the backdrop of fifteenth-century Europe and crafts a small, memorable cast of characters. I enjoyed the time I spent in this world and mostly enjoyed the story even though its coda confers sour notes, for me, to its themes. Disclosure: The author provided me with a review copy.
More a frame story for a series of vignettes, Close Your Eyes bounces around the first decades of the fifteenth century. Europe is at war. (OK, when isn’t Europe at war?) After decades of papal schism, there’s a new ecclesiastical sheriff in town. And in a small, fictional kingdom named Gora, its heartbroken widower monarch wanders the halls of his castle. Our narrator, Samuel, is a little person and a court jester. He writes to us about his former companions at the castle, including a storyteller named Tycho and a cook named Agnieszka. Samuel laments his own lack of literary ability, but he is determined to muddle through to do justice to the events he wants to share. As Samuel bounces from story to story, he seems to be searching for meaning, trying to understand not only why Tycho left Gora but how he himself can move on in the face of all the change he has endured in recent years.
Don’t expect a ton of action or even dialogue here—the book is strictly epistolary, mostly description, yet this works well with the story structure and conceits. Tomasini’s primary challenge is conveying as much of the wider world of Gora/Europe in the 1430s as he can given the limitations of Samuel’s own knowledge. Samuel’s ignorance is useful at times, for it helps Tomasini restrict the reader’s field of vision in interesting and narratively significant ways; at other times, it can be a hindrance. That’s no doubt why Samuel includes excerpts from Tycho’s journals, along with letters from the disgraced bishop dispatched to Gora by Pope Martin V. Through these different perspectives, mediated by Samuel’s curatorial presence always lingering over our shoulder, we start to see what’s going on.
This is predominantly a story about the way that love and grief are intertwined. As one loses one’s loves, grief solidifies from an abstraction to a constant companion. King Pawel is, of course, the most overt example in this book, but we see it reflected in other characters as well. Each of the chapters of Close Your Eyes meditates, in some way, on how we love, why we love, or what we might do for love.
For the most part, I enjoyed Samuel’s stories. The foolishness of Beauvais. The rambunctious flirtatiousness of Tycho. The confident faithfulness of Agnieszka. Tomasini’s characters are just a tiny bit larger than life in a way that makes them leap off the page, keeping things interesting in spite of the constraints of the epistolary form. Close Your Eyes is an easy book to read.
Alas, I didn’t like the ending—or to be specific, the epilogue. Let’s see if I can talk about it without getting into spoiler territory.
Samuel’s final part of his epilogue is a meditation on his own loneliness and lack of romantic or sexual connection, contrasted by Tycho’s almost farcical prowess in the bedroom and Agnieszka’s successful, apparently happy marriage. He declares, “I can still write that I have never known love in my own life, only its absence.” I think he’s wrong.
In the same section, Samuel recoils from the idea that Princess Alexandra might be doomed to a similar fate, that her unrequited love for another might result in her unwittingly following in Samuel’s footsteps. He says, “surely the pains of unrequited love are preferable to the hollow ache of a chest void of any emotion at all.”
I think it’s very apparent from the pages that precede this epilogue that Samuel’s life has been steeped in love, and from what he utters after those words, he will continue to be surrounded by love into the old age he imagines for himself. That his love isn’t the romantic, all-consuming fire of the tales he has been raised on is irrelevant—it’s still love. For the book to end on such a trite and arophobic idea that a life without romantic love is lesser is very disappointing. It’s also so avoidable—seriously, had I stopped reading prior to this very last section, I would have finished the book thinking, “Well, that’s a tidy and sensible ending.”
So in that sense, the book in its final moments let me down. Nevertheless, Close Your Eyes is lovingly crafted, clever, cozy. I enjoyed the afternoons I spent with it and would read more from Tomasini.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
More a frame story for a series of vignettes, Close Your Eyes bounces around the first decades of the fifteenth century. Europe is at war. (OK, when isn’t Europe at war?) After decades of papal schism, there’s a new ecclesiastical sheriff in town. And in a small, fictional kingdom named Gora, its heartbroken widower monarch wanders the halls of his castle. Our narrator, Samuel, is a little person and a court jester. He writes to us about his former companions at the castle, including a storyteller named Tycho and a cook named Agnieszka. Samuel laments his own lack of literary ability, but he is determined to muddle through to do justice to the events he wants to share. As Samuel bounces from story to story, he seems to be searching for meaning, trying to understand not only why Tycho left Gora but how he himself can move on in the face of all the change he has endured in recent years.
Don’t expect a ton of action or even dialogue here—the book is strictly epistolary, mostly description, yet this works well with the story structure and conceits. Tomasini’s primary challenge is conveying as much of the wider world of Gora/Europe in the 1430s as he can given the limitations of Samuel’s own knowledge. Samuel’s ignorance is useful at times, for it helps Tomasini restrict the reader’s field of vision in interesting and narratively significant ways; at other times, it can be a hindrance. That’s no doubt why Samuel includes excerpts from Tycho’s journals, along with letters from the disgraced bishop dispatched to Gora by Pope Martin V. Through these different perspectives, mediated by Samuel’s curatorial presence always lingering over our shoulder, we start to see what’s going on.
This is predominantly a story about the way that love and grief are intertwined. As one loses one’s loves, grief solidifies from an abstraction to a constant companion. King Pawel is, of course, the most overt example in this book, but we see it reflected in other characters as well. Each of the chapters of Close Your Eyes meditates, in some way, on how we love, why we love, or what we might do for love.
For the most part, I enjoyed Samuel’s stories. The foolishness of Beauvais. The rambunctious flirtatiousness of Tycho. The confident faithfulness of Agnieszka. Tomasini’s characters are just a tiny bit larger than life in a way that makes them leap off the page, keeping things interesting in spite of the constraints of the epistolary form. Close Your Eyes is an easy book to read.
Alas, I didn’t like the ending—or to be specific, the epilogue. Let’s see if I can talk about it without getting into spoiler territory.
Samuel’s final part of his epilogue is a meditation on his own loneliness and lack of romantic or sexual connection, contrasted by Tycho’s almost farcical prowess in the bedroom and Agnieszka’s successful, apparently happy marriage. He declares, “I can still write that I have never known love in my own life, only its absence.” I think he’s wrong.
In the same section, Samuel recoils from the idea that Princess Alexandra might be doomed to a similar fate, that her unrequited love for another might result in her unwittingly following in Samuel’s footsteps. He says, “surely the pains of unrequited love are preferable to the hollow ache of a chest void of any emotion at all.”
I think it’s very apparent from the pages that precede this epilogue that Samuel’s life has been steeped in love, and from what he utters after those words, he will continue to be surrounded by love into the old age he imagines for himself. That his love isn’t the romantic, all-consuming fire of the tales he has been raised on is irrelevant—it’s still love. For the book to end on such a trite and arophobic idea that a life without romantic love is lesser is very disappointing. It’s also so avoidable—seriously, had I stopped reading prior to this very last section, I would have finished the book thinking, “Well, that’s a tidy and sensible ending.”
So in that sense, the book in its final moments let me down. Nevertheless, Close Your Eyes is lovingly crafted, clever, cozy. I enjoyed the afternoons I spent with it and would read more from Tomasini.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
July 1, 2023
It is the story of many stories - a jester, a storyteller, a cook, a king and his children. It is also the story of cursed love and letters, a diary, and a lot of memories. It is historical fiction and it is, maybe, the story that a writer has dreamt and put on paper to talk about how love can take different forms.
February 3, 2023
My first book for February is a historical romance fiction set in the 1400s in Europe. The book starts with a short description of the Gora kingdom and its king, Pawel. The greatest in-depth account of his powers makes one believe that he is the story’s protagonist.
Samuel, the king's court jester, returns to Gora years later to visit the room he shared with his best friend, Tycho. He collects the king's advisor, Ahab's scrolls, with the promise of writing his story to the world.
As someone who had never experienced the feeling of being loved, he acknowledges every form of love around him.
In this story, Sam narrates the love between Pawel and his wife, Kristina and how it kept their kingdom thriving. He talks about how love had taken over the king's senses when Kristina departed, and everything in the palace became cursed. He talks about Alexandra, the princess and her unrequited love for a flawed man which made him believe that love is the most extraordinary power.
Sam writes about Tycho, his wanderer friend and a self-proclaimed Romeo for whom girls kept lining up, bewitched by his storytelling. This 16-year-old storyteller who could get any girl he wanted falls head over heels for Agnieszka, who barely even acknowledges him. But Tycho goes beyond his way to do the unimaginable for her, which reignites Samuel's lost hope in love.
Then there is the story of Agnieszka’s past, which is more complicated and heart-wrenching than anyone’s story. She must return home safely for the sake of love. This is the story of a storyteller who had never known a happy ending love story but goes on to give someone the ending they deserved.
I enjoyed most aspects of the book, including the crisp detailed chapters, Tycho's magical storytelling capabilities, Agnieszka and Alexandra's love and Samuel's observations. I also liked the part where the confessions of a pastor were written in the first-person voice. Though the ending was predictable, the narration was soothing and impactful. The only thing I disliked about the book was the over-description of the physical aspects of all the female characters, which felt like a typical man writing about women.
My review: 4/5
Samuel, the king's court jester, returns to Gora years later to visit the room he shared with his best friend, Tycho. He collects the king's advisor, Ahab's scrolls, with the promise of writing his story to the world.
As someone who had never experienced the feeling of being loved, he acknowledges every form of love around him.
In this story, Sam narrates the love between Pawel and his wife, Kristina and how it kept their kingdom thriving. He talks about how love had taken over the king's senses when Kristina departed, and everything in the palace became cursed. He talks about Alexandra, the princess and her unrequited love for a flawed man which made him believe that love is the most extraordinary power.
Sam writes about Tycho, his wanderer friend and a self-proclaimed Romeo for whom girls kept lining up, bewitched by his storytelling. This 16-year-old storyteller who could get any girl he wanted falls head over heels for Agnieszka, who barely even acknowledges him. But Tycho goes beyond his way to do the unimaginable for her, which reignites Samuel's lost hope in love.
Then there is the story of Agnieszka’s past, which is more complicated and heart-wrenching than anyone’s story. She must return home safely for the sake of love. This is the story of a storyteller who had never known a happy ending love story but goes on to give someone the ending they deserved.
I enjoyed most aspects of the book, including the crisp detailed chapters, Tycho's magical storytelling capabilities, Agnieszka and Alexandra's love and Samuel's observations. I also liked the part where the confessions of a pastor were written in the first-person voice. Though the ending was predictable, the narration was soothing and impactful. The only thing I disliked about the book was the over-description of the physical aspects of all the female characters, which felt like a typical man writing about women.
My review: 4/5
October 9, 2023
True to its name, it definitely is an adult fairytale. A book so easy to get lost in. Perfect to escape the real world. I loved how it had all the comforting elements of a fairytale yet didnt feel like a childish whimsical story too hard to believe in.
Usually when books have a story broken into many parts for all the many timelines it leaves me a little confused and overall makes the book feel tiresome. But i didnt have that problem reading this one. The story flows so smoothly. The characters were so charming that i actually wanted to somehow be a part of this story. Live in this world. Get to know tycho and samuel more. Celebrate festivals with these people. Be a part of the traditions and the ways of the land of gora. Ive never read a story as charming as this one. The correct word to describe this book is 'charming'. It has some irresistible charm. One cant help but fall in love with everthing and everyone in this tale.
Complex well developed characters. I loved how the characters were so different from each other, how they each had a role to play and did so in their own way but none of them really ever felt like side characters. They had a story of their own going on. A destiny of their own that i as a reader got to witness. I really liked that i ended up feeling connected to even the side characters.
The writing style kinda reminded me of wilkie collins beacuse of the justification of how the story came into existence. One of the reasons it didnt just feel like a story one reads like any other and forgets is because that justification gave the story a stern reason to exist and be told which made it way more memorable. The story almost felt important. Like it is something one must not miss out on. Sad that i dont usually get to read a lot of books nowadays where the writing of the story is justified and explained within the story because i love how well rounded it feels when authors do that.
Ive read many classics and good books this year but this one tops all of them. Ill prolly end up re-reading this book every year. Maybe its too soon to say but i think this is gonna be one of my all time favourite books. And im definitely gonna be eargerly waiting for any other book chris tomasini writes.
10/5 stars!!!!!
Usually when books have a story broken into many parts for all the many timelines it leaves me a little confused and overall makes the book feel tiresome. But i didnt have that problem reading this one. The story flows so smoothly. The characters were so charming that i actually wanted to somehow be a part of this story. Live in this world. Get to know tycho and samuel more. Celebrate festivals with these people. Be a part of the traditions and the ways of the land of gora. Ive never read a story as charming as this one. The correct word to describe this book is 'charming'. It has some irresistible charm. One cant help but fall in love with everthing and everyone in this tale.
Complex well developed characters. I loved how the characters were so different from each other, how they each had a role to play and did so in their own way but none of them really ever felt like side characters. They had a story of their own going on. A destiny of their own that i as a reader got to witness. I really liked that i ended up feeling connected to even the side characters.
The writing style kinda reminded me of wilkie collins beacuse of the justification of how the story came into existence. One of the reasons it didnt just feel like a story one reads like any other and forgets is because that justification gave the story a stern reason to exist and be told which made it way more memorable. The story almost felt important. Like it is something one must not miss out on. Sad that i dont usually get to read a lot of books nowadays where the writing of the story is justified and explained within the story because i love how well rounded it feels when authors do that.
Ive read many classics and good books this year but this one tops all of them. Ill prolly end up re-reading this book every year. Maybe its too soon to say but i think this is gonna be one of my all time favourite books. And im definitely gonna be eargerly waiting for any other book chris tomasini writes.
10/5 stars!!!!!
November 10, 2022
*** Four and a half shiny stars
A beautiful and lyrical story, with an unusual writing style and more than a hint of magic and lore.
Told mainly in the first-person voice of Samuel of Cologne, Sam’s story is augmented by the journals and letters of secondary narrators, criss-crossing back and forth in time to present day. An observant and sensible dwarf, (characteristics seemingly at odds with his position as Court Jester), Sam is an entrenched member of the household entourage of the early fifteenth-century warrior King Pawel, in the fictional/historical worlds of Gora, a tiny kingdom near Prussia (modern-day Germany).
As Samuel spins his intricate yarn, we are introduced to a wonderful cast of characters, including but not limited to :
Tycho - a lad of sixteen, a story-teller and a wanderer. Tycho is adored by the ladies, his seemingly mystically-endowed imagination and charm both infamous and unparalleled in the Kingdom of Gora. A weaver of a “silken necklace of dreams” featuring love in all its forms, Tycho is, perhaps (along with Samuel), nonetheless one of the loneliest characters you will meet between the pages.
Bishop Tonnelli - a greedy, lustful symbol of the Holy Roman Church, Tonnelli is an deeply repugnant reminder of the hideous power of institutionalized evil.
Beauvais - a Teutonic Knight, defender of the weak and agent of the rapacious Holy Roman Church, Beauvais is willing to die for the freedom to serve honorably, enslaved by the pursuit of his ill-conceived mission.
Amidst these dissonant strains of yearning/lust, religion/corruption, freedom/enslavement, and of course, love/alienation, the story that emerges is captivating, interesting, tragic and heart-warming, teaching this reader a thing or two about European medieval history (and the always-fascinating Joan of Arc) along the way.
A fantastical journey, rich with detail both historical and imaginative, this is a wonderful, thoughtful read, guaranteed to both entertain and tug at any reader’s heart-strings.
A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
A beautiful and lyrical story, with an unusual writing style and more than a hint of magic and lore.
Told mainly in the first-person voice of Samuel of Cologne, Sam’s story is augmented by the journals and letters of secondary narrators, criss-crossing back and forth in time to present day. An observant and sensible dwarf, (characteristics seemingly at odds with his position as Court Jester), Sam is an entrenched member of the household entourage of the early fifteenth-century warrior King Pawel, in the fictional/historical worlds of Gora, a tiny kingdom near Prussia (modern-day Germany).
As Samuel spins his intricate yarn, we are introduced to a wonderful cast of characters, including but not limited to :
Tycho - a lad of sixteen, a story-teller and a wanderer. Tycho is adored by the ladies, his seemingly mystically-endowed imagination and charm both infamous and unparalleled in the Kingdom of Gora. A weaver of a “silken necklace of dreams” featuring love in all its forms, Tycho is, perhaps (along with Samuel), nonetheless one of the loneliest characters you will meet between the pages.
Bishop Tonnelli - a greedy, lustful symbol of the Holy Roman Church, Tonnelli is an deeply repugnant reminder of the hideous power of institutionalized evil.
Beauvais - a Teutonic Knight, defender of the weak and agent of the rapacious Holy Roman Church, Beauvais is willing to die for the freedom to serve honorably, enslaved by the pursuit of his ill-conceived mission.
Amidst these dissonant strains of yearning/lust, religion/corruption, freedom/enslavement, and of course, love/alienation, the story that emerges is captivating, interesting, tragic and heart-warming, teaching this reader a thing or two about European medieval history (and the always-fascinating Joan of Arc) along the way.
A fantastical journey, rich with detail both historical and imaginative, this is a wonderful, thoughtful read, guaranteed to both entertain and tug at any reader’s heart-strings.
A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
August 21, 2023
I always believe that some books are meant to be read at a certain time, a time were you need most. I am glad that I read it in the right time. It not only narrates romantic love, but also the love that a father has for his children, a love that is found in friendship, a love of a family that is not tied by blood. At times people forget that the romantic love is not the only type of love that it exists, even I from time to time forget it, but this book remains you of it. It also describes the ugly part of love; the obsessiveness, the loneliness. All in all, it's a beautiful fairytale that I think everyone need to read at least once in their life.
September 21, 2022
Everyone knows I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings. The King of Gora is not a man to be reasoned with, when he finds a talented person, he forces them into service. Here we get the story of several of those servants in their quest to find happiness in their current place and their quest for freedom. Samuel is a little person who is forced into service as a court jester he is telling us the story of his friend Tycho the great storyteller and womanizer who would do anything to woo Agnieszka, the cook. Agnieszka is newly married when she is pressed into one year of service and she longs to return home. Tycho tells the most captivating stories but in the tradition of Grimm, they never end as you would expect.
This story takes place in the 1400s which is an era I haven't delved into much, so I was happy for a new setting and while it took a bit to get oriented, it served almost as a character for me. The characters themselves were quite rich in their motivations and often surprised me with their thoughts and actions. It was equally hopeful and heartbreaking. This was a quick but immersive read that I would recommend to any fan of light fantasy or fairy tales.
Thanks to author for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.
This story takes place in the 1400s which is an era I haven't delved into much, so I was happy for a new setting and while it took a bit to get oriented, it served almost as a character for me. The characters themselves were quite rich in their motivations and often surprised me with their thoughts and actions. It was equally hopeful and heartbreaking. This was a quick but immersive read that I would recommend to any fan of light fantasy or fairy tales.
Thanks to author for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.
April 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! The beginning was a little slow to me, but it picked up and I couldn't put it down. This is such a unique story, with likeable characters who made my heart feel for them. Like tycho, who masks his loneliness behind stories and laughs.
May 7, 2023
This book is the well-deserved winner of The Historical Fiction Company’s 2022 Historical Fantasy award, as well as a five-star “highly recommend” rating. I’ve not seen much buzz surrounding this charming tale and that’s unfortunate, because I found it a delight to read.
Set in the early 15th century in the fictional country of Gora, the tale is narrated by Samuel, King Pawel’s court jester, bringing this world to life in a tale reminiscent of Chaucer. Within the castle walls live Samuel, Tycho the storyteller, Agnes the cook, and Ahab, the astronomer. Although living a life many would envy, they are all prisoners of the King, unable to leave by an unspoken agreement that to flee Gora means forfeiting their lives. This arrangement is fine for all but Agnes, who only agreed to be in service for one year and wishes to return to her husband. Ultimately, in helping Agnes, each friend, but in particular Tycho, must decide if security is more important than love and freedom.
At its heart, this is an ode to love. Love between friends, carnal love, unrequited love, and lost love that spawns ghosts and creates prisoners. The characters are all remarkable; from sensitive Samuel who despairs of ever finding romantic love; to Tycho, the teenage bard prodigy who can spin tales out of stardust; to Agnes, who loves her charges but yearns for home; to the exiled Bishop, who finds himself in an atheist land and unwittingly becomes the catalyst for Agnes and Tycho’s escape.
This is such a beautifully crafted novel and not at all what I’d been expecting, which, to my chagrin, was along the lines of dragons and princesses locked in towers. Instead I found loyalty, lust, loss, and dreams. The kind of dreams that you’ll sacrifice your own happiness and risk death for.
I have to echo The Historical Company’s highly recommended rating on this one. It’s truly magical.
4.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐+
Set in the early 15th century in the fictional country of Gora, the tale is narrated by Samuel, King Pawel’s court jester, bringing this world to life in a tale reminiscent of Chaucer. Within the castle walls live Samuel, Tycho the storyteller, Agnes the cook, and Ahab, the astronomer. Although living a life many would envy, they are all prisoners of the King, unable to leave by an unspoken agreement that to flee Gora means forfeiting their lives. This arrangement is fine for all but Agnes, who only agreed to be in service for one year and wishes to return to her husband. Ultimately, in helping Agnes, each friend, but in particular Tycho, must decide if security is more important than love and freedom.
At its heart, this is an ode to love. Love between friends, carnal love, unrequited love, and lost love that spawns ghosts and creates prisoners. The characters are all remarkable; from sensitive Samuel who despairs of ever finding romantic love; to Tycho, the teenage bard prodigy who can spin tales out of stardust; to Agnes, who loves her charges but yearns for home; to the exiled Bishop, who finds himself in an atheist land and unwittingly becomes the catalyst for Agnes and Tycho’s escape.
This is such a beautifully crafted novel and not at all what I’d been expecting, which, to my chagrin, was along the lines of dragons and princesses locked in towers. Instead I found loyalty, lust, loss, and dreams. The kind of dreams that you’ll sacrifice your own happiness and risk death for.
I have to echo The Historical Company’s highly recommended rating on this one. It’s truly magical.
4.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐+
November 30, 2023
“Close your Eyes” is set in the Middle Ages, complete with kings, princesses, knights, storytellers and fools. But despite the title, it is not really a fairy tale, so much as a tribute to love. Yet it is not a Romance. The narrator of the tale is the court fool who tells the history of the many loves at the Castle in Gora. He tells the stories of a King’s lost-love and his selfish love for his children; a woman’s love for her distant husband, the philanderer who cannot truly love, and the man who cannot ever hope to find any. Chris Tomasini employs descriptive imagery that will transport the reader to the cold, damp castle in centuries past. He weaves the story from the viewpoint of the fool who attempts to tell the story of his friend the storyteller and from the diary and letters that are now in his possession. He manages to weave together three points of view and two timelines in a clear easy to follow fashion.
I received a review copy of this book courtesy of the publishers and Netgalley, but that did not influence my opinions. I recommend this fantastic novel to lovers of historic fiction.
I received a review copy of this book courtesy of the publishers and Netgalley, but that did not influence my opinions. I recommend this fantastic novel to lovers of historic fiction.
October 17, 2023
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this novel.
Tomasini’s enthralling “fairy tale” unfolds in the fictive kingdom of Gora, the only remaining autonomous kingdom in fifteenth-century Central Europe. The author’s fascination with medieval and renaissance history is revealed in the historical details, while he imaginatively sketches in the full contours of the tale told by the King’s dwarf, Samuel. This is really a “tale within a tale,” in that Samuel is the ostensible storyteller, but most of the story he tells has to do with the most celebrated storyteller in the kingdom, young Tycho.
Pawel, King of Gora, was not born to the throne. His story is also the stuff of fairy tales, where one man possessed with military skill, a talent for strategy, fortitude and sheer will, ends centuries of conflict between warring tribes that no longer even remember the purpose of their warring. This is Gora. The King marries his beloved Kristina, and they are soon blessed with two children, Princess Alexandra, and the Crown Prince Krysztoff. Both children possess the beauty and intelligence of their parents.
The King, an unusually open-minded and progressive monarch, wants his children to grow up safe, especially against the Crusaders slaughtering “heathens,” which he and his subjects avowedly are, and so makes Gora’s boundaries impenetrable from any who would enter or leave without his sanction. Samuel, part of a renowned traveling comic duo visiting Gora, accepts the King’s offer to become an official court jester. His job is not to entertain the courtiers, however, but solely to amuse and thereby educate the King’s children. The poor orphan boy Tycho, another itinerant, a famous storyteller in a time when talented storytellers were revered, joins him to that end. The King also hires the skillful and infinitely caring cook Agnieszka, on the promise of a year’s service in return for great wealth and permission to go back to her village and the man she had only just married after a year has elapsed. The interaction between these three, who become the closest of friends (with romantic and sexual tensions barely contained), is the center of the story that Samuel recounts, though Tycho is the professional storyteller.
As in all fairy tales, the King’s attempts to “seal” his domain cannot permanently keep out suffering. Kristina dies, and Pawel is so wrecked by grief and yearning that he spends more time imagining her presence—she visits his dreams every night—and stalking the palace halls in search of her ghost, than attending to his kingdom and his children. Much loved by the Queen, Samuel also grieves terribly at her death, and as Pawel becomes increasingly distanced and depressed, he functions more as the royal children’s father figure and mentor than their personal clown.
The irrepressible, mischievous, and promiscuous Tycho, meanwhile, often acts the part of the court jester, as the lonely, grieving, and heart-sick Samuel becomes increasingly serious and reflective. Agnieszka, with her unbounded loyalty to her friends and the children given to her care, represents the power of steadfast love. When the King reneges on his promise to release her, her love for her husband and home, and her friends’ love for her, initiate a dangerous plan for her escape.
This fairy tale captures the very real pangs of loneliness and love both within reach and beyond reach, of the thin veils that separate dreams and realities, and of the very human need for connection. Tomasini’s writing is lyrical, exactly as a fairy tale should be, his characters are carefully configured, and the setting and narrative are at once whimsical and historically-based. I didn’t know what to expect from the title, but this story really drew me in. A novel that is all about stories, storytelling, and storytellers really deserves to be “heard” as well as read. We need an audiobook version immediately!
Tomasini’s enthralling “fairy tale” unfolds in the fictive kingdom of Gora, the only remaining autonomous kingdom in fifteenth-century Central Europe. The author’s fascination with medieval and renaissance history is revealed in the historical details, while he imaginatively sketches in the full contours of the tale told by the King’s dwarf, Samuel. This is really a “tale within a tale,” in that Samuel is the ostensible storyteller, but most of the story he tells has to do with the most celebrated storyteller in the kingdom, young Tycho.
Pawel, King of Gora, was not born to the throne. His story is also the stuff of fairy tales, where one man possessed with military skill, a talent for strategy, fortitude and sheer will, ends centuries of conflict between warring tribes that no longer even remember the purpose of their warring. This is Gora. The King marries his beloved Kristina, and they are soon blessed with two children, Princess Alexandra, and the Crown Prince Krysztoff. Both children possess the beauty and intelligence of their parents.
The King, an unusually open-minded and progressive monarch, wants his children to grow up safe, especially against the Crusaders slaughtering “heathens,” which he and his subjects avowedly are, and so makes Gora’s boundaries impenetrable from any who would enter or leave without his sanction. Samuel, part of a renowned traveling comic duo visiting Gora, accepts the King’s offer to become an official court jester. His job is not to entertain the courtiers, however, but solely to amuse and thereby educate the King’s children. The poor orphan boy Tycho, another itinerant, a famous storyteller in a time when talented storytellers were revered, joins him to that end. The King also hires the skillful and infinitely caring cook Agnieszka, on the promise of a year’s service in return for great wealth and permission to go back to her village and the man she had only just married after a year has elapsed. The interaction between these three, who become the closest of friends (with romantic and sexual tensions barely contained), is the center of the story that Samuel recounts, though Tycho is the professional storyteller.
As in all fairy tales, the King’s attempts to “seal” his domain cannot permanently keep out suffering. Kristina dies, and Pawel is so wrecked by grief and yearning that he spends more time imagining her presence—she visits his dreams every night—and stalking the palace halls in search of her ghost, than attending to his kingdom and his children. Much loved by the Queen, Samuel also grieves terribly at her death, and as Pawel becomes increasingly distanced and depressed, he functions more as the royal children’s father figure and mentor than their personal clown.
The irrepressible, mischievous, and promiscuous Tycho, meanwhile, often acts the part of the court jester, as the lonely, grieving, and heart-sick Samuel becomes increasingly serious and reflective. Agnieszka, with her unbounded loyalty to her friends and the children given to her care, represents the power of steadfast love. When the King reneges on his promise to release her, her love for her husband and home, and her friends’ love for her, initiate a dangerous plan for her escape.
This fairy tale captures the very real pangs of loneliness and love both within reach and beyond reach, of the thin veils that separate dreams and realities, and of the very human need for connection. Tomasini’s writing is lyrical, exactly as a fairy tale should be, his characters are carefully configured, and the setting and narrative are at once whimsical and historically-based. I didn’t know what to expect from the title, but this story really drew me in. A novel that is all about stories, storytelling, and storytellers really deserves to be “heard” as well as read. We need an audiobook version immediately!
October 13, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. It’s an unusual love story, told from the POV of Samuel, a court jester and a dwarf who has never experienced love. Although initially presented as the story of Tycho, Samuel’s best friend the official storyteller of the castle in Gora, it soon becomes apparent it’s about so much more than that. Tycho is always referred to as “the boy” even though most of his actions prove he is not. Tycho, who has slept with almost every woman in the city, claims not to know what love is, but through his actions, he shows that his heart is full of it. In fact, he is searching for something that he carries within himself. The stories he tells, which Samuel relates to the reader, are initially love stories with morose endings. Over time, his stories morph into happy love stories. And although most believe his stories are divinely inspired, you can’t help but wonder how his stories manage to reflect some of his inner turmoil.
The story is packed with a variety of different love stories—love lost through death, unrequited love, desperation, sacrifice, and loyalty. Samuel relates all of this, in honor of his friend the storyteller, as one who has never experienced love but longs for it. He uses scrolls from Tycho himself and the bishop, a detestable man who plays a role in the crux of the story—when Tycho and the cook escape from the castle and leave the city. As we learn over the course of the story, Pawel the king has forbidden anyone to leave because he wants to ensure his children’s happiness.
Early on, Samuel describes the struggle involved in writing. “This business of writing, it is like being cast into a blackened dungeon, with your arms bound behind your back, and then ordered to sound out the dimensions of the room by bashing your head against the walls.”
Pawel is a tragic figure who features heavily in the story. Originally a warrior of great acclaim who takes over the city and rebuilds it, he enters an arranged marriage and they fall in love. Then he loses his wife after only five years of marriage and spends the rest of his life in misery. Samuel observes, “Of all the accomplishments of Pawel of Gora, a man who had created a city and a Kingdom, it was this creation of a world to house his love, erected upon a foundation of utter sorrow, that I most admire.” Samuel has already been affected by the grief felt by Pawel, and further states, “While Pawel lost his wife, I lost my hope. I felt that love had been discredited, and I collapsed as though deprived of breath, my heart feebly gasping in a hollow void from which it would never rise.”
Since the events take place in the 1400s, it reflects the superstitions of the people at that time. I loved Samuel’s description of his breath as if it were his spirit: “...as I shuffled my feet cold in the snow, my arms wrapped about my body, the ghost of my being escaping my lips with each breath…”
Tycho’s final words reflect his mature understanding of the nature of love: “I know that love can be a blessing, or a curse, and that this inherent gamble of love is one that no one will refuse to play, for the alternative, as Sam and I can attest, is to be empty, to have a void in the center of your chest, to feel as though the greatest story of your life is plucked from your soul before it has a chance to be told.” Win or lose, love is taking a chance of something uncertain, realizing it can destroy you, yet if you find it and keep it, it will enrich your life in ways that exceed your expectations.
The storytelling is engaging and includes memorable, fully-formed characters who enact the tragedies wholeheartedly. Although it would seem that few achieve the ultimate goal of lasting romantic love, they realize the value of the friendships they have and the love they feel for one another. Sometimes, that’s the best one can hope for.
The story is packed with a variety of different love stories—love lost through death, unrequited love, desperation, sacrifice, and loyalty. Samuel relates all of this, in honor of his friend the storyteller, as one who has never experienced love but longs for it. He uses scrolls from Tycho himself and the bishop, a detestable man who plays a role in the crux of the story—when Tycho and the cook escape from the castle and leave the city. As we learn over the course of the story, Pawel the king has forbidden anyone to leave because he wants to ensure his children’s happiness.
Early on, Samuel describes the struggle involved in writing. “This business of writing, it is like being cast into a blackened dungeon, with your arms bound behind your back, and then ordered to sound out the dimensions of the room by bashing your head against the walls.”
Pawel is a tragic figure who features heavily in the story. Originally a warrior of great acclaim who takes over the city and rebuilds it, he enters an arranged marriage and they fall in love. Then he loses his wife after only five years of marriage and spends the rest of his life in misery. Samuel observes, “Of all the accomplishments of Pawel of Gora, a man who had created a city and a Kingdom, it was this creation of a world to house his love, erected upon a foundation of utter sorrow, that I most admire.” Samuel has already been affected by the grief felt by Pawel, and further states, “While Pawel lost his wife, I lost my hope. I felt that love had been discredited, and I collapsed as though deprived of breath, my heart feebly gasping in a hollow void from which it would never rise.”
Since the events take place in the 1400s, it reflects the superstitions of the people at that time. I loved Samuel’s description of his breath as if it were his spirit: “...as I shuffled my feet cold in the snow, my arms wrapped about my body, the ghost of my being escaping my lips with each breath…”
Tycho’s final words reflect his mature understanding of the nature of love: “I know that love can be a blessing, or a curse, and that this inherent gamble of love is one that no one will refuse to play, for the alternative, as Sam and I can attest, is to be empty, to have a void in the center of your chest, to feel as though the greatest story of your life is plucked from your soul before it has a chance to be told.” Win or lose, love is taking a chance of something uncertain, realizing it can destroy you, yet if you find it and keep it, it will enrich your life in ways that exceed your expectations.
The storytelling is engaging and includes memorable, fully-formed characters who enact the tragedies wholeheartedly. Although it would seem that few achieve the ultimate goal of lasting romantic love, they realize the value of the friendships they have and the love they feel for one another. Sometimes, that’s the best one can hope for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews