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racheldrazzle's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty good book. It is set in the 1400s or so, and spans a few centuries. I enjoyed the historical part of it. It is not for the faint of heart, as there is child abuse in the book, and not mild abuse either. It is not graphic, but still implied.However, I did like the book, but I also felt once you find out the mystery at the end it was a huge letdown. It had been eluded to the whole book, so it was rather anti-climatic.
j_me_lyn_g's review against another edition
3.0
I did like it, but I found it to get a little slow half way through. I loved the first 250 pages or so. I don't think I would recommend this to any of my friends. But I don't think any of my friends would read anything like this to begin with.
theoliveprincess's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting concept. It left me wanting to know more about this part of history. I wanted a little more...magic? Resolution? I don't know. It left me wanting more. :)
simmonsmry's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live to be 180 years old? If given the chance to experience such longevity, would your ambitions, goals and pursuits change or would your priorities remain the same? Does a long life necessarily mean it will be richer, happier and more fulfilling?
These questions and more are addressed in the historical novel, 'Immortal,' by first-time author Traci L. Slatton as she explores the city of Florence in the 14th and 15th centuries through the eyes and voice of Luca Bastardo, a rare individual who ages at an extremely slow pace.
As the story opens we are made aware of the fact that Luca is reflecting on his unusually long life as he awaits his death. He is not relaying his life experiences to be vain or boastful; instead he is offering them, "to those whose souls long to know the soul of the world. From almost two centuries of living may be learned what matters in life, what is truly valuable upon this earth, and in what music the voice of the Laughing God leaves behind irony and becomes immortal song."
The tale is not merely a fantastic chronicle of an ageless, near-immortal man. What makes it so endearing is the character of Luca himself, who is not a brilliant philosopher, artist or poet. Although his life is touched by people who could be described as all three, the protagonist is a very ordinary man living in extraordinary circumstances. He longs for love, acceptance and familial relationships. He is at times frustrated, cynical, angry and immature; all human reactions to the situations in which he finds himself.
In Luca, Slatton has created a memorable character who will stay with you long after you have finished reading his story. This is a book which refuses to be put on a shelf and ignored. You will find yourself wanting to return again and again to Luca's world, marvelling at the friendships he forms and the wisdom he finally achieves.
These questions and more are addressed in the historical novel, 'Immortal,' by first-time author Traci L. Slatton as she explores the city of Florence in the 14th and 15th centuries through the eyes and voice of Luca Bastardo, a rare individual who ages at an extremely slow pace.
As the story opens we are made aware of the fact that Luca is reflecting on his unusually long life as he awaits his death. He is not relaying his life experiences to be vain or boastful; instead he is offering them, "to those whose souls long to know the soul of the world. From almost two centuries of living may be learned what matters in life, what is truly valuable upon this earth, and in what music the voice of the Laughing God leaves behind irony and becomes immortal song."
The tale is not merely a fantastic chronicle of an ageless, near-immortal man. What makes it so endearing is the character of Luca himself, who is not a brilliant philosopher, artist or poet. Although his life is touched by people who could be described as all three, the protagonist is a very ordinary man living in extraordinary circumstances. He longs for love, acceptance and familial relationships. He is at times frustrated, cynical, angry and immature; all human reactions to the situations in which he finds himself.
In Luca, Slatton has created a memorable character who will stay with you long after you have finished reading his story. This is a book which refuses to be put on a shelf and ignored. You will find yourself wanting to return again and again to Luca's world, marvelling at the friendships he forms and the wisdom he finally achieves.
mkatkat's review against another edition
1.0
Really interesting premise and several passages showed real promise, but ultimately the story fell flat.
ldockham's review against another edition
3.0
Some excellent historical fiction with a very interesting twist. Set in Florence in the 1300s it spans the life of Luca, who lives almost 200 years in search of his origins and the mystery of his long life. There is some wonderful art history in the book as Luca befriends Giotto and Leonardo da Vinci, and has powerful friends among the infamous Medici's family.
jasbah's review against another edition
2.0
Shitty book with ridiculous characters who say things like, "I have a feeling that in the future, people will admire my art." Thanks, da Vinci; apparently you were psychic as well as a great artist. Thank God Slatton filled us in on that one.
pastchicago's review against another edition
4.0
I hate historical fiction. This one was surprisingly decent. I actually enjoyed it.
joellie's review against another edition
2.0
Florence - 13th century - beautiful setting, but I think the author got tired of writing. The main character lives for over a hundred years and part of the story is that he doesn't age and is often accused of sorcery. But the author would skip entire decades of his life as if nothing ever happened, so that he's always recalling the same two or three people from his past. What's the point of an immortal character if you're going to write on only a few years and not even use the others for background?
The second premise of the book is that he can meet his one true love, but he'll lose her and shorten his life, or he can choose to live even longer. Of course, he chooses love; but the meeting and falling in love, etc. is so boringly written. He just keeps rapturing over her hair and smell - nothing of the relationship. Even when she dies, it's pretty much "Oh, she died. I went insane."
The third premise - the enemy that follows him through life - just fades away, which I guess may be more realistic, but give the impression that the author ran out of ideas of what to do with him.
The second premise of the book is that he can meet his one true love, but he'll lose her and shorten his life, or he can choose to live even longer. Of course, he chooses love; but the meeting and falling in love, etc. is so boringly written. He just keeps rapturing over her hair and smell - nothing of the relationship. Even when she dies, it's pretty much "Oh, she died. I went insane."
The third premise - the enemy that follows him through life - just fades away, which I guess may be more realistic, but give the impression that the author ran out of ideas of what to do with him.
anthroxagorus's review against another edition
3.0
I will say first that I don't usually read historical fiction, but the setting seemed really interesting. Come on, art, alchemy and Italy? Score! Plus the whole immortality thing was a neat premise - I could dig the whole Forrest Gump in Italy rump. For that, I think it was interesting.
As for the main character, I didn't care for him. I suspect a lot of that is just from bad writing. The story was interesting, but the execution was lacking. Near the middle, the story felt a little dry. First this, then this, then this... I cared at first when he went from the streets to brothel. Soon after, a lot of things happen because of him and I jusg seriously disliked him for antagonizing all those things. Why didn't he leave Italy?!?
I also have zero interest in the Cathar deal. That whole Dan Brown Da Vinci Code deal is frankly boring to me. (Isn't reality far more exciting?) For it to show up here was irritating. I found the story far more interesting when there was mystery - because life seems mysterious. Solving his immortality at the end entirely cheapened the fun. This might've been personal preference.
I also didn't like the women in here. Maddalena was a wonderful character, for sure. I loved seeing someone who was assertive, curious, and loyal. (I appreciate so much her loyalty to her husband) The rest were all love interests who's sole purpose was to fall for Luca. Sure, that makes sense. Yet so many accomplished men were in this book, where were the women? (Am I asking too much here?)
Nevertheless, I read it all the way through and will think about the people I met through "Luca's" eyes. What Sutton does achieve is that we, like Luca, have been through a lot, have seen a lot, and feel the weight of immortality (of many lives lived). We see all the areas Luca was involved in with people, politics, science, art and such (and I probably missed a lot more). Maybe if I reread it, I'll appreciate it far more.
As for the main character, I didn't care for him. I suspect a lot of that is just from bad writing. The story was interesting, but the execution was lacking. Near the middle, the story felt a little dry. First this, then this, then this... I cared at first when he went from the streets to brothel. Soon after, a lot of things happen because of him and I jusg seriously disliked him for antagonizing all those things. Why didn't he leave Italy?!?
I also have zero interest in the Cathar deal. That whole Dan Brown Da Vinci Code deal is frankly boring to me. (Isn't reality far more exciting?) For it to show up here was irritating. I found the story far more interesting when there was mystery - because life seems mysterious. Solving his immortality at the end entirely cheapened the fun. This might've been personal preference.
I also didn't like the women in here. Maddalena was a wonderful character, for sure. I loved seeing someone who was assertive, curious, and loyal. (I appreciate so much her loyalty to her husband) The rest were all love interests who's sole purpose was to fall for Luca. Sure, that makes sense. Yet so many accomplished men were in this book, where were the women? (Am I asking too much here?)
Nevertheless, I read it all the way through and will think about the people I met through "Luca's" eyes. What Sutton does achieve is that we, like Luca, have been through a lot, have seen a lot, and feel the weight of immortality (of many lives lived). We see all the areas Luca was involved in with people, politics, science, art and such (and I probably missed a lot more). Maybe if I reread it, I'll appreciate it far more.