Breathing into Stone

by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick

Father Furio Novia hates his employer, the Archbishop of Modena; almost as much as he hates Italian master sculptor, Antonio Lisi. When Novia discovers that Lisi uses his beautiful daughter’s likeness in nearly every figure he carves, the priest realizes he can make accusations to the Archbishop that the sculptor has an incestuous knowledge of his daughter, Anoria. Novia begins to haunt their lives, and every family in their village of Resceto, not because he believes they have sinned, but because he desires Anoria for himself.
For two years their lives twined around one another’s, destined to clash in Rome; Novia, committing murder to stay free of the church; Anoria, nearly killing him to escape his lust.
(some adult oriented content)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

376 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2010

About the author

Joel lives with his lovely wife and two boys in Southwest Colorado. His first four published novels are: Harmony's Passing, Caraliza, Breathing into Stone, and Shared

His most recent work When America Slew Her King is a troubling look at America's own History, from use of the most incredible lie that can be told about it.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spellbinding work of fiction. The characters come alive on the page and become real; the reader is a spectator watching their lives unfold. I feel like I know the little town of Resceto and would be able to find my way from Anoria's house to Pia and Tito's house. I could see the sculptures in the garden and in front of the church. In fact I would love to visit. When I reached the last page, I felt it was time to say goodbye to friends... I didn't want it to end. Anoria was so real and so enigmatic that I wanted to be able to follow her life for ever.
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick has documented the lives of fictional characters, but in doing so he seems to have created another world somewhere back in time, a captivating and enchanting world that welcomes the reader and takes them far away.
Antonio Lisi is a master sculptor. He is said to breathe life into stone when he creates angels and religious sculptures and other work that is commissioned. Many of his sculptures look like his daughter, Anoria. Particularly the sculpture of The Lady which stands outside the church in Resceto. The author allows us to glimpse into the world of this master sculptor, shrouded in mystery and superstition. For years, Antonio has not allowed his daughter to watch him work. He has his reasons, but in keeping her away from the marble she loves, he has kept her in an arrested state, almost as if she were a piece of his marble not yet transformed to life. Anoria is blessed with the same talent as her father of being able to see the figures in the stone work before they are created, but more so; she seems to have an understanding of marble that no one else possesses. Her beauty captures the heart of a priest, Novia, who has become bitter and angry and is now feared by all. Novia tries to plot against Antonio Lisi with the aim of fleeing the church which he feels has kept him captive, when his unhealthy obsession with Anoria takes over his mind.
You will find drama, humour and wisdom within the pages of 'Breathing into Stone.' Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick has created a masterpiece. His characters may breathe life into stone when they chip away at marble, but Kirkpatrick breathes life onto paper when he writes.

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open this book and you're opening a door to the eighteenth century. You'll step into Anoria's world, where the best sculptors breathe life into the marble they carve. Anoria is the daughter of renown Italian sculptor Antonio Lisi. She has been raised amongst the beauty of marble. But she longs to touch the marble with her own hands and create her own beauty, a job that typically belongs to a man. Anoria is a modern day feminist. She knows no boundaries.

This story has many layers; love and relationships, passion, intrigue, humor, heartache, suspense and mystery. The setting is vivid and I felt as if I was experiencing life in this Italian village. The characters beckoned me into their world with a subtle pull, then held me still as their world became mine.

Breathing into Stone is not a fast paced adventure. This one is meant to be savored.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anoria is the daughter of a renown Italian sculptor. Antonio Lisi. She has been raised among the beauty of marble. Anoria longs to touch and create beauty with her own hands. She is a modern day feminist.When i started reading this story i felt as if i was experiencing life in this Italian village. There is many layers to this story,love, passion, relationships, humour, heartache, suspense, mystery and intrigue. This is one book i would diffently take with on a vacation, or just a long lazy weekend. It is not meant to be rushed through. it is meant to be savored and enjoyed.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathing into Stone (Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick)

Set in 18th century Italy in a small town, this is the story of Anoria Lisi and her father Antonio. Antonio is a talented sculptor, he is noted all over Italy. Anoria lost her mother at an early age and all she has is her father, he never allows her to watch him turn his marbles into masterpieces. But she is so curious.

He sends her to a family friends for a while there the wife becomes a mother figure and a mentor to young Anoria. Being sheltered her whole life she is innocent and a bit naive, but yet she is strong willed for that era.

When Furio Novia, a priest with a grudge against her father arrives he has a plan including Anoria. He desires her and wants her for his own. But Anoria is repelled by him and will do what ever she can to stay out of his clutches.

Well written story with vivid detail, I felt transported back in time to that small village. I felt as if I was watching Anoria grow as a woman, and was eager to learn the secrets her father held for so long.

I loved :Caraliza by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
And look forward to readingShared&Harmony's Passing

[LAWonder10 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting tale. I discovered how some artists and countries feel about sexuality however I disagrees with those philosophies.
This would not be recommended for YA audiences.
This was an informative story of stone masons dealing in marble and friends who own the local marble quarry.
How a talented, young woman also longed to be a part of that man's world.
This is also the story of a widowed father and his daughter's relationship plus the need for both male and female parents in a youth's life.
The plot was very dragged out and was quite repetitive.
There were also parts to the novel a little to explicit.
I gave it three stars primarily because of acceptable plot, mostly clean language, and although sexually questionable there were not too many intimate details.

[Karen Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book is as good as Caraliza, then I will be up very late tonight!
Well, I've finally finished and it was just as great as I thought that it would be. Loved Anoria and Pia! Maybe someday I will actually get to travel to Italy.............