Damiano's Lute

by R.A. MacAvoy

Book Overview

Guided by the Archangel Raphael, Damiano runs from his own demonic powers in this alternate Italian Renaissance of wizards, witches, and faith-based magic. This novel is a sequel to Damiano. Set... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553241028
• ISBN13: 9780553241020
• Release Date: April 1984
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A very satisfying book, great trilogy

Saara turned, and her green eyes widened. "You" she whispered, half to herself. "Dark boy. Damiano!" One hand, small, pink and slender, made a circling gesture. And the lute player knew her as well: Saara of the Saami, barefoot girl who was the greatest witch in all the Italies. Damiano knew her powers as well, having hoth suffered them and stolen them. But now all the strength was hers and he had none at all. Damiano felt himself step closer to the witch, though he did not know how he did it, not having a body with which to step. "I knew you would come at last, Dami" said Saara softly. "Part of your soul is waiting here." He reached out one doomed, immaterial hand. "Saara," he whispered. "Pikku Saara. You should not be so beautiful."I found Damiano's Lute very absorbing. The author's ability to bring to vivid life the general background of this period of history, and yet interweave it with the type of fantasy which was actually accepted in that day of positive faith is truly amazing. I really found this book to be more compelling than the first. The scenes of the Black Death dreadful as they were, come through as if taken from eyewitness accounts." -Andre Norton

Lyrically written fantasy

It is difficult to categorize this book, and its companion volumes "Damiano" and "Raphael." Each is a "period piece," focused on Europe during the years of the Black Death, and written as an inside look at alternate history. The author's gift for bringing one into the story makes this trilogy suitable for any and all readers. Damiano is a paradox, an apprentice magician who believes in God and speaks with the archangel Raphael. This juxtaposition is made possible by his avocation, playing the lute-- which apparently pays the bulls better than sorcery. He meets a variety of medevial characters throughout the story, some fanciful and some mundane, some historical and some used as historical samples of everyday life, and all richly portrayed. Damiano's humanity is his best weapon in the fight to survive the fourteenth century, a chaotic period brought to life in non-fiction by Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror." His guardian angel provides a superb counterpoint to his earthly concerns, and reminds the reader of the purity of spirituality. This trilogy is an unconventional, utterly captivating look at the conflict between good and evil, told in a style that makes all of the characters easily accessible to any reader.Enjoy.