We are in Venice, in the second half of Eighteenth century. The young Caterina Dolfin, belonging to an aristocratic family fallen, has recently lost his beloved father who had a love for literature, philosophy, the arts. With the death of a parent poverty falls in her home. The mother, a woman cold, greedy, cruel, forces her to marry a man she detests. Catherine would like the carefree, freedom, love. And then one night participate in secret by his mother at a party in the building of a British consul. Here he meets Andrea Tron, a powerful politician, a descendant of one of the most important Venetian families, on which all bets on the future Doge. Tron, seduced by the beauty of Catherine, her daring bold proposal: abandon her husband to become his mistress. In the exchange offer economic security and freedom to conduct their lives however you like. Catherine thirsting for independence and in turn fascinated by Andrea, accepts the cynical pact. Thus becomes master of himself, ignoring the scorn of society and family who see it as a no-good, Cecil bear the hatred of Zen, in love with brother Andrew Tron, which strives to separate the two lovers. Catherine and Andrew eventually discover they love each other more than you think and decide together amid many contrasts, to get married. The story reminds me a little 'to Emma Bovary, Marguerite Gautier, but also Cinderella. Caterina Dolfin (real character existed, as well as all other players in the story) is a girl who realizes how beautiful life, and therefore decides to grab her and make her his own, determined to live the way down the emotions that it can offer, regardless of the chatter a company who looks too much about appearances.
Although I expected something more from a book with a title so intriguing, I think that reading is enjoyable. The style is smooth and the characters are well defined. The author is Carla Maria Russo (pictured right) , Molise by birth but that always lives and works between Milan and Tuscany. Graduated in Modern Literature, has a past as a teacher of Italian and Latin in high schools. She gave up teaching to devote himself to historical research. He has published several novels. The lover of the Doge with gives us a story destined to steal the hearts of romantic dreamers but also of those who believe that love and life does not have limits. RATING: 3 / 5
Title: The lover of the Doge
Author: Carla Maria Russo
Publisher: Piemme (fiction series)
Year: 2008