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The Falcon of Palermo: A Novel
The Falcon of Palermo opens with the nations of modern Europe just beginning to take shape, while the papacy clings to its temporal power. Into this era of shifting borders and alliances steps a leader who will become legendary — the brilliant maverick, Frederick II. After losing his parents, Emperor Henry Hohenstaufen and Queen Constance, by age four, a young, neglected Frederick runs among the urchins in the Muslim quarter while German warlords overrun Sicily. To restore order the Pope sends Archbishop Berard, a warmhearted man who gradually develops a deep bond with the gifted boy. Fluent in Arabic and strongly influenced by Muslim culture, Frederick aims to return Sicily to her former glory. However, when elected Holy Roman Emperor in a surprise move by the German princes, his vision grows. Once established as the unchallenged ruler, Frederick works to create an empire equal to that of Rome. Marked by his struggle with the Papacy for the domination of Europe, his glorious feats in battle, his recapturing of the Holy Land, his falconry, and the passions that led him to wives, mistresses, and one enduring love, Frederick's life is a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal period in medieval history.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2005
40 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 3, 2013
Dobar istorijski roman o Fridrihu Barbarosi... Nažalost, Laguna je potpuno zaboravila na autora... A ima novu knjigu...
April 17, 2014
The Falcon of Palermo made me fall in love with Frederick II. As great as he himself was, I felt that the book's structure wasn't to my taste. It was quite choppy, and skipped alot of emotion and just hurriedly summarized Frederick's life. It seemed as though Bordihn just went through a timeline of events during Frederick's life and went "Check, check, did I incorporate that? Oh, check." I felt there was no real closure at the end, and no real ending to an already ambiguous plot. Although, that's what biography based books are mostly like perhaps.
May 28, 2012
Certo il personaggio contribuisce a far apprezzare questo libro scritto bene. Una lettura piacevole, istruttiva e ... estiva!
Federico II , il suo pensiero e la sua vita. E ancora una volta la Chiesa nella sua massima espressione ne esce con le ossa rotte.
Belle le immagini della Sicilia multietnica del 1200.
Federico II , il suo pensiero e la sua vita. E ancora una volta la Chiesa nella sua massima espressione ne esce con le ossa rotte.
Belle le immagini della Sicilia multietnica del 1200.
July 26, 2017
I made it just over a quarter of the way. But I couldn't get into the characters, and the gratuitous sex scenes were too much for me. Too bad.
February 9, 2014
Bel libro su un grande personaggio, chiaramente troppo avanti per i suoi tempi. Lettura piacevole e istruttiva allo stesso tempo.
Nice book about a great character, obviously too far ahead of its time. Pleasant and instructive at the same time.
Nice book about a great character, obviously too far ahead of its time. Pleasant and instructive at the same time.
August 18, 2015
Stupor Mundi. What a life! Fascinating, although at times I was a bit impatient with the pace of this novel. The sheer improbability of this man's life kept me going, and it was worth it.
August 19, 2022
I feel very full after reading this book, there was so much in it! I picked it up because I so enjoyed visiting Sicily and seeing the imprint of all the different conquerors on the island, making it very multi-cultural. I wanted to learn more history about that unique history of Sicily. I didn't know that the lower half of current Italy was also part of the Kingdom of Sicily and that there was such a close association with the Holy Roman Emperor, who was the ruler of what is now mostly Germany and parts of Northern Italy. I learned so much history and I wanted to learn more, so went back to an old history book to put more of the pieces together. I also didn't expect to learn so much about the conflicts in the middle ages, pre-reformation, between the papacy and various monarchies... especially that of the Holy Roman Emperor. Interestingly, I was also reading a biography of Hitler at the time, and Hitler was so impressed with Frederick II's grandfather and the territorial gains he made to the East of Germany that he named his invasion of Russia after him (Operation Barbarossa).
Although the book is a work of fiction, and most of what Frederick II thought cannot really be known, I felt that Bourdihn made him and many of his compatriots lifelike. He lived a fast paced and fascinating life, which was very difficult to capture in a novel. As a result, the second half of the book has a faster pace with short chapters that cover big events. It would have been too long if she tried to give it more depth through the whole story, but it did make it feel a bit choppy. All but one of the women he has an affair or marriage with in this novel is in the historical record, clearly stated at the end, and I liked the way the author showed his human side in each love story. One had a significant effect in his life and was often just out of reach.
I knew nothing about Frederick II, but was impressed with how many modern ideas he promulgated in his reign and how he was ahead of his time, namely the Rennaisance. I was most impressed with his ideas of religious tolerance, separation of church and state, equal protection under the law for even the lowliest serf, and setting up a university separate from the church to educate statesmen to run government (a role usually going to priests and bishops). He also re-took Jerusalem by negotiation instead of bloodshed during a crusade. Diplomacy! He had a vision to rebuild the Roman Empire and although he did not succeed as much as he had hoped, he did rule over a period of expansion and relative prosperity. It is interesting we don't learn more about this fascinating ruler in our history books. Thanks Maria Bordihn for enlightening us.
Although the book is a work of fiction, and most of what Frederick II thought cannot really be known, I felt that Bourdihn made him and many of his compatriots lifelike. He lived a fast paced and fascinating life, which was very difficult to capture in a novel. As a result, the second half of the book has a faster pace with short chapters that cover big events. It would have been too long if she tried to give it more depth through the whole story, but it did make it feel a bit choppy. All but one of the women he has an affair or marriage with in this novel is in the historical record, clearly stated at the end, and I liked the way the author showed his human side in each love story. One had a significant effect in his life and was often just out of reach.
I knew nothing about Frederick II, but was impressed with how many modern ideas he promulgated in his reign and how he was ahead of his time, namely the Rennaisance. I was most impressed with his ideas of religious tolerance, separation of church and state, equal protection under the law for even the lowliest serf, and setting up a university separate from the church to educate statesmen to run government (a role usually going to priests and bishops). He also re-took Jerusalem by negotiation instead of bloodshed during a crusade. Diplomacy! He had a vision to rebuild the Roman Empire and although he did not succeed as much as he had hoped, he did rule over a period of expansion and relative prosperity. It is interesting we don't learn more about this fascinating ruler in our history books. Thanks Maria Bordihn for enlightening us.
December 11, 2018
I was disappointed in this book and stopped reading at Palermo,September 1224, about halfway through the book. I wanted history, not a formulaic novel. Granted, I did learn some history. The gratuitous sex scenes seem to be inserted just to get readers to turn pages until the next sex scene.
Also, the book begins with "Prologue" and there are no separation pages between chapters. The chapters are named by location and date, eg., Cologne, November 1212; Palermo,September 1224. Kind of weird.
Also, the book begins with "Prologue" and there are no separation pages between chapters. The chapters are named by location and date, eg., Cologne, November 1212; Palermo,September 1224. Kind of weird.
March 2, 2018
A very enjoyable book about a figure of history I had not studied. A little too much romance for me, but the basic facts are solid. I felt that the contemporary gestalt was applied a little too much for a figure from the 13th century. I am not sure we can ever truly understand the impact of religion a 900 years ago.
September 9, 2018
A fine read.
A well written book. The words read as smoothly as if spoken. For me it was a page turner. I loved the history, the simple yet vivid descriptions, and if course the character of Emperor Frederick himself.
I'll look for other works by this author.
A well written book. The words read as smoothly as if spoken. For me it was a page turner. I loved the history, the simple yet vivid descriptions, and if course the character of Emperor Frederick himself.
I'll look for other works by this author.
January 24, 2022
Interesting book about an interesting person, about whom I knew nothing! It just wasn't overly engaging, hence the lower rating. I have to wonder how Frederick's enemies/opponents would have spun his story.
October 24, 2023
Amo in modo particolare la storia e, di conseguenza, i romanzi storici soprattutto quelli dedicati a influenti personaggi. In questo caso, emerge in tutta la sua potenza la figura di Federico II, lo stupor mundi. Letto tutto d'un fiato
November 4, 2025
Fascinating story of Frederic 2 of THE holy Roman Empire from his early years running barefoot in town with his.muslim play mates to his death by poison. He had several wives and one great love, the sister of his best friend.
December 18, 2018
I enjoyed this very much, actually. Frederick II is a new subject for me!
May 30, 2023
I've read this book several times in a span of, I think, ten years - both in Italian and in English.
At almost 800 years after his death, Emperor Frederick II is still a fascinating and controversial figure, still admired here in Italy and a great protagonist of legends and outdated myths, so it's not so strange to find so many reviews in Italian, until 2010 it was easy to find this book in various libraries or stands and receives various acclaims.
As someone has already written, I could split this novel into two parts: the first part alone might be worth five stars, as a perfect example of good storytelling and with all elements that a work of historical fiction should have. Unfortunately, this is not the same thing I could say for the second part.
The break occurs with the born of Frederick's favorite child, Manfred, and the end of the Sixth Crusade: if the first part has a good balance between the description of the events, characterization of the protagonists, and narrative rhythm, the second unfortunately start to run too fast between important political and pivotal moment not only to Frederick's public life but also to the overall history of the time, dedicating to them only two lines if we are fortunate (considering how much importance was given to the context at the start of the novel, this detail seems completely forgotten at the end, creating incongruence with the author's narrative choices).
Instead, to me, the second part gives too much importance to the love story of Frederick and her (future) morganatic wife, which it's not a big problem if we consider that this book is, in the end, a novel, with some fictional elements and dedicated to the general public.
The problem is that in the pages in which we could have read a better or at least coherent explanation of important events (like the Siege of Parma of 1248) or the motives behind the actions of some characters (for example, the supposed betrayal of Pier Delle Vigne or the imprisonment of King Enzo, two highlights which were narrated in two lines even if had an enormous impact to the end of Frederick's reign, appeared in the story out of nowhere and without much sense given) we spend more than 50/60 pages to read the (truly pathetic) mental gymnastics of one of the most powerful men on Earth for a woman, which - historically speaking - all we have of her are posthumous legends: we don’t even know if her name was really Bianca, in which part of Italy and which family she was from, and most important where she is buried (fact: it's true that in Frederick's sarcophagus it was found a women's body, but has been certified that belongs to a girl in her teens or early 20s, who died very much time after the Emperor, so the story proposed in the book, although very beautiful, could be easily debunked. Also, it's hard to believe that Frederick, described also in supportive chronicles as an unsentimental and indifferent man*, could think to be buried with somebody in the same tomb, just see how he managed to bury his still beloved first wife in contrast to his grave) *(Matthew Paris and other contemporaries narrated only two times in which the Emperor could have publicly wept: the death of his son Henry VII and the betrayal of Pier Delle Vigne).
I found really hard to believe that Frederick, in the last years of his reign, when all of the work he created in his life started to crumble, used much of his mental and physical energy and time to cry about Bianca and we have to read it, know it, suffer for it, while the rest of the events are described in scarce details and the characters besides Frederick don't have the minimum of depth, first with Bianca herself (I was more sympathetic and involved by far with the first and third wife). Like, entire pages of fanfic with some glimpses of historical parts, in which major historical events that covered three-four years are described poorly, and we return to the fanfic part.
It's a shame if we consider that, for the first part - the perfect one, we have fictional pages with romantic plots mixed very well with historical details.
I think the author projected herself onto Bianca's pov, giving her much space and importance in spite of other female characters.
In the end, it's an enjoyable and not difficult read to a controversial and interesting figure of our 13th century, in which I think it's hard to find other fictional work, maybe because Frederick's life is pretty complicated to tell and, at least, The Falcon of Palermo try to offer its version.
At almost 800 years after his death, Emperor Frederick II is still a fascinating and controversial figure, still admired here in Italy and a great protagonist of legends and outdated myths, so it's not so strange to find so many reviews in Italian, until 2010 it was easy to find this book in various libraries or stands and receives various acclaims.
As someone has already written, I could split this novel into two parts: the first part alone might be worth five stars, as a perfect example of good storytelling and with all elements that a work of historical fiction should have. Unfortunately, this is not the same thing I could say for the second part.
The break occurs with the born of Frederick's favorite child, Manfred, and the end of the Sixth Crusade: if the first part has a good balance between the description of the events, characterization of the protagonists, and narrative rhythm, the second unfortunately start to run too fast between important political and pivotal moment not only to Frederick's public life but also to the overall history of the time, dedicating to them only two lines if we are fortunate (considering how much importance was given to the context at the start of the novel, this detail seems completely forgotten at the end, creating incongruence with the author's narrative choices).
Instead, to me, the second part gives too much importance to the love story of Frederick and her (future) morganatic wife, which it's not a big problem if we consider that this book is, in the end, a novel, with some fictional elements and dedicated to the general public.
The problem is that in the pages in which we could have read a better or at least coherent explanation of important events (like the Siege of Parma of 1248) or the motives behind the actions of some characters (for example, the supposed betrayal of Pier Delle Vigne or the imprisonment of King Enzo, two highlights which were narrated in two lines even if had an enormous impact to the end of Frederick's reign, appeared in the story out of nowhere and without much sense given) we spend more than 50/60 pages to read the (truly pathetic) mental gymnastics of one of the most powerful men on Earth for a woman, which - historically speaking - all we have of her are posthumous legends: we don’t even know if her name was really Bianca, in which part of Italy and which family she was from, and most important where she is buried (fact: it's true that in Frederick's sarcophagus it was found a women's body, but has been certified that belongs to a girl in her teens or early 20s, who died very much time after the Emperor, so the story proposed in the book, although very beautiful, could be easily debunked. Also, it's hard to believe that Frederick, described also in supportive chronicles as an unsentimental and indifferent man*, could think to be buried with somebody in the same tomb, just see how he managed to bury his still beloved first wife in contrast to his grave) *(Matthew Paris and other contemporaries narrated only two times in which the Emperor could have publicly wept: the death of his son Henry VII and the betrayal of Pier Delle Vigne).
I found really hard to believe that Frederick, in the last years of his reign, when all of the work he created in his life started to crumble, used much of his mental and physical energy and time to cry about Bianca and we have to read it, know it, suffer for it, while the rest of the events are described in scarce details and the characters besides Frederick don't have the minimum of depth, first with Bianca herself (I was more sympathetic and involved by far with the first and third wife). Like, entire pages of fanfic with some glimpses of historical parts, in which major historical events that covered three-four years are described poorly, and we return to the fanfic part.
It's a shame if we consider that, for the first part - the perfect one, we have fictional pages with romantic plots mixed very well with historical details.
I think the author projected herself onto Bianca's pov, giving her much space and importance in spite of other female characters.
In the end, it's an enjoyable and not difficult read to a controversial and interesting figure of our 13th century, in which I think it's hard to find other fictional work, maybe because Frederick's life is pretty complicated to tell and, at least, The Falcon of Palermo try to offer its version.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2021
~ Ponekad su putevi gospodnji nedokučivi ali pravedni.~ Berard
~ Čitava njegova pojava odisala je egzotičnom veličanstvenošću. Samo modrozelene oči nisu bile oči orijentalnog vladara. To nisu bilr oči nasleđene od njegovih nemačkih predaka, niti oči koje se uklapaju u istočnjačku raskoš oko njega; bile su samo njegove. ~
~ Uz svete reči i pokrete, pripasaše mu mač, pomazaše mu grudi, leđa, ramena i čelo, ogrnuše mu krunidbeni plašt i krunisaše ga. Staviše mu šar i žezlo u ruke. Potom ga sveštenstvo otprati do gornje galerije, da ga posadi na presto Karla Velikog, jednostavno sedište od četiri ploče belog parskog mermera požutelog od starosti. Posle mise, dok je hor intonirao Te Deum, Fridrih side sa galerije. Svi klekoše na kolena. Iz grla im se izvi drevni hvalospev Hristovoj pobedi - Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat!, kojim nemački narod izražava poštovanje prema svom novokrunisanom kralju. ~
~ Čitava njegova pojava odisala je egzotičnom veličanstvenošću. Samo modrozelene oči nisu bile oči orijentalnog vladara. To nisu bilr oči nasleđene od njegovih nemačkih predaka, niti oči koje se uklapaju u istočnjačku raskoš oko njega; bile su samo njegove. ~
~ Uz svete reči i pokrete, pripasaše mu mač, pomazaše mu grudi, leđa, ramena i čelo, ogrnuše mu krunidbeni plašt i krunisaše ga. Staviše mu šar i žezlo u ruke. Potom ga sveštenstvo otprati do gornje galerije, da ga posadi na presto Karla Velikog, jednostavno sedište od četiri ploče belog parskog mermera požutelog od starosti. Posle mise, dok je hor intonirao Te Deum, Fridrih side sa galerije. Svi klekoše na kolena. Iz grla im se izvi drevni hvalospev Hristovoj pobedi - Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat!, kojim nemački narod izražava poštovanje prema svom novokrunisanom kralju. ~
February 11, 2023
Mi era già capitato di desiderare un libro difficile da trovare, trovarlo dopo un bel pò (usato) ed essere soddisfatto dell'attesa, questo quanto è successo col libro della Bordihn.
Non è la prima vita di Federico II di Svevia che leggo, ma questo mi è piaciuto per il modo in cui descrive la vita e l'epoca di questo grande protagonista del Medioevo.
Il racconto è certamente romanzato, ma molto ben dipinto, descrive l'Imperatore dal suo lato umano e le vicende storiche sono descritte con attenzione. Un piccolo appunto è che è poco sottolineata tutta la parte "organizzativa" dello stato, della giustizia e dell'economia che Federico ha fatto prima nel meridione d'Italia e poi nell'impero europeo, ma il resto è descritto così bene che si può anche perdonare di avere solo accennato all'altro aspetto.
Un bel libro, che si legge bene e si fà leggere, sulla vita e sul periodo centrale del Medioevo, un MUST per chi, come me ama il Medioevo.
Non è la prima vita di Federico II di Svevia che leggo, ma questo mi è piaciuto per il modo in cui descrive la vita e l'epoca di questo grande protagonista del Medioevo.
Il racconto è certamente romanzato, ma molto ben dipinto, descrive l'Imperatore dal suo lato umano e le vicende storiche sono descritte con attenzione. Un piccolo appunto è che è poco sottolineata tutta la parte "organizzativa" dello stato, della giustizia e dell'economia che Federico ha fatto prima nel meridione d'Italia e poi nell'impero europeo, ma il resto è descritto così bene che si può anche perdonare di avere solo accennato all'altro aspetto.
Un bel libro, che si legge bene e si fà leggere, sulla vita e sul periodo centrale del Medioevo, un MUST per chi, come me ama il Medioevo.
May 10, 2012
A wonderful and engrossing read. Bordihn gives a broad but detailed recreation of the life and times of Frederick II in this novel. I know very little of the 13th century and this book gives a good background of the religious, political and economic states of the period. It was fascinating to know that Frederick II was not only an innovative leader but an architect and poet as well. It was also noteworthy that he didn't let religion cloud his reign, that, in fact, he gave equal consideration to both Christianity and Islam, giving importance to science, legal codes, and social and religious tolerance. The trivia Bordihn put here and there in the narrative was interesting also. They added much more to Frederick's personality. The emperor is quite a memorable character.
August 31, 2015
The book was was entertaining and informative filling in a gap in my knowledge of German history particularly the Holy Roman Empire up to Frederick II.
I would have liked the author to provide primary research sources and recommendations for further reading. When reading historical fiction I also want authors to point out substantive differences in representations and conclusions from other historical writers. Sharon Kay Penman is an example of a historical fiction author who thoroughly documents her wonderful books on mid evil English history
I would have liked the author to provide primary research sources and recommendations for further reading. When reading historical fiction I also want authors to point out substantive differences in representations and conclusions from other historical writers. Sharon Kay Penman is an example of a historical fiction author who thoroughly documents her wonderful books on mid evil English history
July 5, 2011
Wonderful read, exciting history of the 1200's. Frederick was really ahead of his time. To bad the church was so in love with power at that time thus sending the work into a time of intellectual stagnancy.
June 29, 2009
It's pretty entertaining historical fiction. Interesting examinination of Frederick II's rise to power and struggles for control of a dying empire.
Read
March 31, 2010I liked this 13C novel because it gives you a idea of the history, the diversity of the culture, and tolerance of the Sicilian people in the time of Frederick II.
February 8, 2011
Just ordered my Hardcover copy. Can't wait to read a "fictional" account of Frederick II, I'm sure it's going to be a lot more exciting than the biography I read a long long time ago.
December 31, 2015
Brings this much-maligned monarch to vivid life..
August 5, 2015
Dragged a little
June 24, 2015
I enjoyed this, despite not knowing much at all about Frederick II.
January 8, 2016
Excellent historical fiction. Emperor Fredrick II. A renaissance man before his time. This novel made me want to learn more about Fredrick and the times in which he lived.
March 4, 2016
Good historical novel about Frederick who was the Holy Roman Emperor in the 13th century. Interesting man.
September 6, 2020
Me ha parecido una gran novela de un periodo de tiempo y de un personaje fascinante. No le pongo 5 estrellas porque creo que mejoraría con un mayor enfoque en otros personajes
May 23, 2017
I originally picked up this book because I was interested in medieval Sicily. Unfortunately, though the book starts there, it doesn't spend much time in Palermo, the city I was most interested in. It's far more about politics and Fredrick's love life/wives. The city wasn't its own character, as I was so hoping it would be. I can't picture the streets or imagine what any of it looks like. We don't get many other points of view except the upper class and that leaves a lot lacking. I get that the book was centered around Frederick and it's not right for me to expect a book to be something it's not, but it just wasn't atmospheric enough for me and too much of the book focused on fairly boring things. There wasn't enough that really happened to justify this word count. It ended well, if a bit suddenly, and made me glad I had stuck with it. It might have been four stars if there was less of a focus on Fredrick's women.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews