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Immortal

by Traci L. Slatton (Goodreads Author)

3.65 of 5 stars 3.65 · rating details · 420 ratings · 90 reviews

In an age of wonderous beauty and terrible secrets,
one man searches for his destiny...

In the majestic heart of Florence, a beautiful golden-haired boy is abandoned and subjected to cruelty beyond words. But Luca Bastardo is anything but an ordinary boy. Across two centuries of passion and intrigue, Luca will discover an astonishing gift—one that will lead him to embrace th...more

Paperback, 528 pages

Published January 29th 2008 by Delta (first published 2008)

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Mar 14, 2008 Michalyn rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical fiction fans, those who love all things having to do with the Italian renaissance

Shelves: historical, fiction, favorites, 2008

I love historical fiction because I'm always fascinated by different times and places. Yet, it's surprisingly hard to find a historical novel with just the right mix of period detail, character development and plot intensity. I picked up Immortal and from the first page I thought "this is what I've been waiting for".

The only life Luca Bastardo has known is life on the cruel streets of Florence. He doesn't yet know that he possesses an incredible gift that gives him great longevity and eternal be...more I love historical fiction because I'm always fascinated by different times and places. Yet, it's surprisingly hard to find a historical novel with just the right mix of period detail, character development and plot intensity. I picked up Immortal and from the first page I thought "this is what I've been waiting for".

The only life Luca Bastardo has known is life on the cruel streets of Florence. He doesn't yet know that he possesses an incredible gift that gives him great longevity and eternal beauty. At least, it should be a gift, but for Luca who endures unimaginable suffering, his gift far too often seems like a curse.

Traci Slatton's writing is spare yet sensual and the world of Renaissance Florence really comes to life. The textures and smells and all the details become immediate through her writing, but she never makes the mistake that so many historical writers do by becoming bogged down in world building. All the major figures and painters make their appearance but the story is about Luca and the focus remains on him throughout a plot that's thrumming with tension. Remarkably for a book that spans almost two hundred years, Slatton manages to make Luca's life seem too short. I kept reading, knowing what was coming and thinking "no, not yet".

One of the things that comes through most strongly in the novel is human cruelty and human limitations but also our potential for good. I feel like part of the tragedy of Luca's story is that he'd suffered so much that he'd come to believe more in the cruelty than the kindness of humans and the divine. Perhaps if he'd been more decisive, and felt more deserving of happiness he could have changed how things turned out.

My only quibble with this book was the portrayal of female characters. Too often I felt they were more representative than three-dimensional. We're told that they're smart and brave but they seemed to be waiting to be saved more than anything else. The author also seemed to struggle at times with the topic of homosexuality and how to present it but it wasn't handled in a way that was unrealistic given the context. Overall I enjoyed Immortal immensely. A sad but also satisfying read. (less)

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Jun 25, 2008 Savannah rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Nobody

Recommended to Savannah by: Nobody

This book was shaped like a U: In other words, a great beginning and a stirring ending (when everything FINALLY gets revealed and tied together), but a sagging middle.

I picked up this book on a scan of the first couple of chapters, expecting a neat story of a homeless ragamuffin sold into slavery who eventually discovers alchemy and becomes, as the title suggests, Immortal.

However, I was shocked to find this a dull read, the literary equivalent of slogging uphill through mud. It was a Da Vinci C...more

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Mar 27, 2008 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2008

I picked this book up on impulse, mostly becuase I liked the cover, and I'm so glad I did. This was an interesting read, full of compelling characters, both good and bad. There were times I could hardly put it down. The plot and characters are well-rounded and well developed.

The story of one man's journey of personal discovery and the quest for what is really important in life. There were some interesting points on morality, and what cost and individual is willing to pay for what they hold most...more

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Dec 23, 2008 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

I found this book a little hard to get into in the beginning. However, once I reached the middle I was starting to become intrigued by what would happen next and the struggles that the main character faced while being faced with a "freakish" condition that was very misunderstood among his peers. All he longs for is his one true love, but he seems to lose just about everything else along the way. I don't want to spoil it for anyone else who may want to read this, but this books seems to really ma...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Sue rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Love Of My (other) Life by Traci L Slatton.

My love of both sci. fi/fantasy and romance novels led me to review this book. A quirky fantasy-romance novel, gentle on the fantasy realm with sufficient helpings of modern day romance.

Tessa is a loveable character, caring for the elderly at her local church, foregoing payment in favour of looking out for those less fortunate. This doesn't curry favour with her landlord who wants her to pay up or kick her out.

Brian has come to Manhattan from a para...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, hist-fic

Immortal is a somewhat contrived novel which requires the reader to accept that the protagonist is immortal, descended from a special race of humans dating back to Biblical times. The story opens during his childhood in 16th century Florence, where he is forced into slavery by a cruel but powerful brothel keeper. When it becomes evident that Luca never seems to age, he becomes the object of official suspicion, and is forced to leave Florence to escape persecution and trace his own origins. Along...more

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Feb 15, 2010 Julie Lovisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is an amazing debut novel! The story of Luca Bastardo who is born of parents he can't remember and sold into prostitution by his best friend, takes place in renaissance Italy. Luca inexplicably discovers that he has a much longer than average life span and wanders through the years searching for the woman he has seen in a vision and who will be his soul's mate. Along the way, he befriends Giotto and DaVinci, works for the de'Medici family, becomes a physician, and learns of his Cathar herit...more

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Jan 04, 2010 Sarah Jan rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the majestic heart of Florence, a beautiful golden-haired boy is abandoned and subjected to cruelty beyond words. But Luca Bastardo is anything but an ordinary boy. Across two centuries of passion and intrigue, Luca will discover an astonishing gift—one that will lead him to embrace the ancient mysteries of alchemy and healing and to become a trusted confidant to the powerful Medicis…even as he faces persecution from a sadistic cabal determined to wrest his secrets for themselves.

But as the B...more

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Jul 01, 2009 Clay rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Traci L. Slatton’s ‘Immortal’ (Delta, $14, 515 pages) can be found in Target – and not to disparage one of my wife’s favorite stores, there’s a reason.

‘Immortal’ is a mass market, little-bit-of-everything product that, though somewhat satisfying, is well below elite status. It’s mostly historical fiction, with some elements of fantasy, periodic philosophical byplay (musings on the nature of god) and a semi-love story. In short, it tries to do too much and winds up doing not quite enough.

We are i...more Traci L. Slatton’s ‘Immortal’ (Delta, $14, 515 pages) can be found in Target – and not to disparage one of my wife’s favorite stores, there’s a reason.

‘Immortal’ is a mass market, little-bit-of-everything product that, though somewhat satisfying, is well below elite status. It’s mostly historical fiction, with some elements of fantasy, periodic philosophical byplay (musings on the nature of god) and a semi-love story. In short, it tries to do too much and winds up doing not quite enough.

We are introduced to Luca Bastardo as a street urchin in Florence in 1324. He is a beautiful boy and is soon hauled off to a brothel where he is trapped for years. There, it is discovered that he does not age as others do, and that he is immune to sickness and heals very quickly.

As it turns out, Luca lives for 180 years, always wondering why he does so, and where his parents are. He encounters a few other long-lived folks who don’t really help him on his quest, and the magical moments in the book are left hanging, and their consequences are unexplored.

In the same way, the historical tour of Renaissance Florence is more surface than substance. The painter Giotto shows up early, Petrach has a few lines, Boccaccio even fewer, and even though Cosimo de Medici gets more space, his character is barely developed. Leonardo da Vinci is Luca’s student for a while, and though he is given the most attention by Slatton, he is more sideshow than center stage.

The discussion of God and his role in human life also doesn’t go quite deep enough. Luca doesn’t think much of how God runs the world, and the Albigensian heresy, promulgated by a group called the Cathars, is given some examination. There is the obligatory Jewish connection (I think it’s a rule in publishing houses that every historical fiction novel must have a Jewish family, almost always with beautiful daughters), and there is persecution and horror.

In the end (don’t read the next three paragraphs if you don’t want to learn the plot), Luca’s great love is given short shrift, and he winds up as one of the victims of religious zealot Savanarola. He is burned at the stake, finally, having found a deus ex machina peace in the last pages.

The reader, however, is left to ponder exactly what has just transpired. Was this a book about historical Florence? Perhaps, but it is hardly complete. Was it a fantasy? Not really, though magic was a consistent theme. Was it about the nature of God? Again, not really, as the deathbed conversion seemed forced, especially as it was the supposed agents of God who tortured and burned the hero. Though I seldom feel books should be longer, Slatton’s many themes might have been better served by two or three books, so she could have developed them enough to justify their inclusion. As it is, ‘Immortal’ is disappointing, for a book that doesn’t dig deep has a hard time offsetting so much pain and suffering.

Finally, it is interesting that Slatton leaves Luca when she does, with Savanarola in command of Florence, and the powers of religious fundamentalists in full bloom. Historically, Savanarola’s time in power was brief, and he too was tortured and burned at the stake – but Slatton, reflecting the concerns of the present day, emphasizes the inescapable power of religious conservatives rather than any hope of redemption.
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May 22, 2012 Lull Wain rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Od samego początku lektury wiemy, że Luca Bastardo umrze. Że umrze w płomieniach. Całą opowieść żyjący od prawie stu osiemdziesięciu lat bękart konstruuje pospiesznie przed śmiercią, której spodziewa się niebawem, skatowany i zamknięty w celi, stale sugerując nam, trop po tropie, jakie będą te jego ostatnie chwile. Powracający od czasu do czasu motyw czerwonego pióra z ciała martwego ptaka, pojawiający się niespodziewanie na drodze Luki potomkowie Silvana (nos i podbródek zawsze takie same - to...more Od samego początku lektury wiemy, że Luca Bastardo umrze. Że umrze w płomieniach. Całą opowieść żyjący od prawie stu osiemdziesięciu lat bękart konstruuje pospiesznie przed śmiercią, której spodziewa się niebawem, skatowany i zamknięty w celi, stale sugerując nam, trop po tropie, jakie będą te jego ostatnie chwile. Powracający od czasu do czasu motyw czerwonego pióra z ciała martwego ptaka, pojawiający się niespodziewanie na drodze Luki potomkowie Silvana (nos i podbródek zawsze takie same - to dzięki nim identyfikujemy czarne charaktery, których po kilkuset stronach boimy się nie mniej niż Bastardo), nawet bezpośrednie konstatacje narratora, ciągłe nawiązania do nieuchronnego, smutnego końca - tak zbudowana powieść nosi tytuł "Nieśmiertelny", co zdaje się być nie tyleż groteskową, co niepomiernie smutną ironią.
Taką ironią, jaką początkowo wydaje się życie złotowłosego Luki.
Luca Bastardo przedstawia się nam jako ośmioletni, osierocony chłopiec z florenckiej ulicy. Okrutnie zdradzony przez towarzysza niedoli, trafia do domu publicznego, w którym spędza osiemnaście lat. Do tych dramatycznych osiemnastu lat Luca wielokrotnie wraca pamięcią. Głęboka rana, jaką w duszy chłopca - a później mężczyzny - pozostawił pobyt u Silvana, nigdy się nie zagoi. Będzie przemierzać wraz z bohaterem kolejne miejsca i przeżywać kolejne lata, niemalże sto osiemdziesiąt, podążać za nim tak samo jak groźba okrutnej śmierci. Będzie mu towarzyszyć już zawsze.
Gdy kroczymy z Luką przez grzęzawisko życia, naznaczonego śmiercią bliskich i własną przedłużającą się młodością, nieustannym strachem przed spaleniem na stosie za rzekome uprawianie czarów i szukającą zemsty rodziną Silvano, boimy się wraz z nim, marzymy wraz z nim, kochamy wraz z nim, aż w końcu umieramy u jego boku. Umierający Luca mówi, że niczego nie żałuje i niczego by w swoim życiu nie zmienił. Zgodnie z wyborem, dokonanym u Gebera, pragnie pozostać wierny miłości do Magdaleny, odebranej mu jak wszystko inne za życia.
Pierwsza część powieści - to znaczy te osiemnaście lat w burdelu - to horror i dramat. Czytamy o gwałconych i torturowanych dzieciach, którym - jak małej Ingrid - pomóc może tylko śmierć; o pięknej przyjaźni z tragicznym końcem, i wreszcie - o zemście. O zemście nierozwiązującej żadnego problemu, a tylko skazującej prawie niewinnego, bezlitośnie potraktowanego przez los chłopca na prawie sto osiemdziesiąt lat udręki.
Tyle że nie jest to tak całkiem udręka, bo odbywa się głównie w pięknej czternasto- i piętnastowiecznej Florencji. Ponieważ Luca jest - a przynajmniej powinien być - nieśmiertelny, ma sposobność - i niezwykłe szczęście - poznania wybitnych artystów florenckich tamtych czasów. Zaprzyjaźnia się z Giottem, poznaje Boccacia, Petrarcę, Botticellego. Tło historyczne, serwujące z dużą dbałością o szczegóły lekcję historii sztuki, zgrabnie komponuje się z opowieścią bękarta i czyni powieść tym bardziej fascynującą w niepopadającej w przesadę wielowątkowości i mnogości postaci, które urzekają różnorodnością postaw i charakterów. Rodzina Żydów, zwłaszcza Rebeka i Rachela, alchemik Geber, tajemniczy Wędrowiec, wzruszający wątek z czasów epidemii dżumy, gdy Luca pracował jako grabarz - wszystkie amalgamaty tworzą symbiotyczną całość, z której nadal da się wyekstrahować pojedyncze elementy, wedle gustu czytelnika, które, rozpatrywane pojedynczo, pozwalają wczuć się w rolę każdego z bohaterów, a przede wszystkim zobaczyć Florencję taką, jaką widział ją Luca na przestrzeni bardzo długiego życia. I to, mimo wszystko, jest piękne.
Wspominam o tej ekstrakcji nie bez powodu. Choć jako całość kronika życia Luki jest piękna, mądra i porywająca, skupienie na poszczególnych etapach jego licznych wędrówek umożliwia nam ujrzenie pewnej głębszej prawdy. Mi szczególnie przypadł do gustu wątek alchemii, podobnie uwielbiam czas w życiu Luki, gdy udzielał on lekcji młodemu Leonardowi da Vinci, a ten obdarzył go uczuciem, za które nauczyciel niemalże go znienawidził. Pierwsza z wymienionych przeze mnie rzeczy olśniewa refleksjami, niekłamaną filozofią, nadającej wyższego sensu i znaczniejszej wartości pozornie nieważkiemu życiu średniowiecznego człowieka, jakoż i człowieka jakichkolwiek innych czasów, także współczesnych, druga natomiast stanowi rewelacyjne studium psychiki skrzywdzonego dziecka. Jak wspominałam, Luca mimo upływu czasu, i to bardzo długiego - z perspektywy człowieka, nigdy nie zatarł w sobie śladu po ogromnej krzywdzie; krzywdzie, która, jakby tego było mało, u samego końca dopadła go jeszcze raz, gdy, zdawać by się mogło, zasłużył na odrobinę ulgi.
Mimo haniebnych czynów, morderstw i kłamstw, Luca jest czysty i niewinny. Piękny jako człowiek, śmiertelny czy nie. Nawet, gdy los stale go krzywdzi, Luca pozostaje człowiekiem, wbrew wszystkiemu, i uczy nas tego - uczy nas człowieczeństwa, choć tak bardzo się od nas różni.
Choć tytułowy Nieśmiertelny w końcu umiera, i nawet poznajemy tajemnicę jego długowieczności, czytelnik widzi go nadal żywego. Luca jest nieśmiertelny w dalszym ciągu - jak sztuka, miłość, prawda i piękno, cztery strony świata, do którego uciekał, gdy życie obchodziło się z nim tak bestialsko, a jednocześnie śmiertelny - jak ludzie, dla których powinien stanowić wzorzec. (less)

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Jul 29, 2011 Mirah W rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing! Luca was a great main character...struggling to understand himself and his blessing/curse of having long life. I loved the intertwining of Luca's life with real people...Leonardo da Vinci, the Medici family, Botticelli...it was very well done and their relationships were believeable. I especially liked the author's depiction of da Vinci...from precocious child to talented artist. Following Luca during his life and path to self-discovery was rich in detail and emotion...some parts were p...more

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Jan 07, 2009 Janelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

"Immortal" spans two centuries to tell the story of a man with an unnaturally long life. Though it takes place in a rich and turbulent period of history that contains several plagues, the rise of the Medici family, and the schooling of Leonardo da Vinci, the book often gives a sense of nothing much happening. Yet it may seem appropriate, since the essence of the book is a meditation on the nature of life in relation to God and the importance of love despite loss. Life is life, and though monumen...more

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Feb 09, 2009 Teija rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoy historical fiction, and this book does not disappoint in that regard. Vivid descriptions of Renaissance Italy, historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci, and a gripping hook -- a main character who has an unnaturally long lifespan.

The beginning of the book caught my attention pretty quickly -- the author did a great job introducing the main character, Luca Bastardo. He's a very likeable character as well, so the need to see what happens to him, and how he handles himself in the situatio...more

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Oct 09, 2011 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was a very good book, one i would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about a different era!It raises a lot of philosophical questions and has a very good and intriguing plot.I literally couldn't get my hands off of it, particularly as i was nearing the end and i was dying to know what will happen.What is more, i really liked how expertly the author weaved into the story the lives of actual well-known persons such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Botticelli. However, i was a little disappointed wi...more

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Nov 16, 2010 Mitzi rated it 1 of 5 stars

The same person who referred me to The Help and Cutting for Stone told me I HAD to read this book. She warned that I would hate it at first, but that it would get better and better. I kept waiting for it to get better, and it never did. I didn't care about the main character, Luca, a decendent from Seth who inheriets an extra-long life span. Despite living for almost 2 centuries, he never seems to learn anything. He has special powers and yet he hardly ever uses them for anything other than kill...more

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Dec 10, 2011 NayNay rated it 4 of 5 stars

The author makes this time period come alive. I thought this was a historical fiction, but it was so much more...it had a mystical element to it and a touch of time travel. This is my first novel by Traci L. Slatton and I enjoyed her writing style. The main character, Luca was wonderful, I even liked all his friends and hated all his enemies he picked up through-out his long life. I found the ending a little difficult, Luca being such a wonderful character deserved better. I would recommend this...more

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Oct 14, 2008 Darlene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Immortal is a historical fiction novel that is rich in language and detail. It takes place in Florence during the Italian Renaissance. Throughout the novel we encounter actual historical people like Leonardo da Vinci, the Medicis and so on. In addition we are taken through historical events such as The Inquisition and The Black Death.

This isn't an easy book to read-it is quite dark really. In the beginning we are introduced to the main character, Luca Bastardo, who had been abandoned as a young...more Immortal is a historical fiction novel that is rich in language and detail. It takes place in Florence during the Italian Renaissance. Throughout the novel we encounter actual historical people like Leonardo da Vinci, the Medicis and so on. In addition we are taken through historical events such as The Inquisition and The Black Death.

This isn't an easy book to read-it is quite dark really. In the beginning we are introduced to the main character, Luca Bastardo, who had been abandoned as a young boy. He survives on the street, scrounging up food, begging and sleeping under bridges. One fateful day he is kidnapped by Silvano and introduced to a life as a child prostitute in a brothel. This was a very hard part of the novel for me to read-just the thought of the horrors Luca suffered there was enough to almost make me turn away from the book. I moved quickly through this part and a few shorter ones like it. Finally Luca escapes the brothel and ends up meeting a wonderful Jewish man who takes him in and teaches him to be a physico-a doctor. He also feels his first taste of what love and a normal sexual relationship can be with Rachel, the physico's daughter. At this time also Luca is introduced to alchemy and healing and seeing into his future.

This novel is full of supernatural elements and of course immortality. Luca's life spans over 180 years. From the beginning we know that Luca will come to a bad end but the book itself is his journey through all of these years. He is looking for the meaning to his life-why was he abandoned, who his parents were or are and why does he possess an ageless beauty. While the world and people around him are aging, Luca is staying the same. He is also looking for his one true love; the one promised him in a vision when he chose this one true love over an endless life. Finally through all the darknesss Luca finally meets Maddelena, his true love and he has several years of happiness. However, as seems to happen in Luca's life, this comes to a bad end too.

I liked Luca's character, I was drawn to him from the beginning and through all of his hardships in life. I enjoyed meeting all the people he met, famous or not. Hearing about the art and the history of Florence was enjoyable and I loved the supernatural elements. The sections on alchemy dragged on and I wasn't too keen on those. I think the book wrapped up in the end in a way that left us satisfied.

Travelling this journey with Luca was an interesting adventure. I did like the book except for the brothel part which I could have done without. I think the book was longer than it needed to be but for the most part a good book. There is talk of a sequel to Immortal and I would be curious to read it.

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Oct 01, 2008 Shana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2008, 15th-century, alchemy, fiction, florence, historical-fiction, italy, male-narrator, medicis, plague, renaissance, time-travel, tuscany, 3-5-stars, art

I went into Immortal thinking it was going to be pretty straight-forward historical fiction. It is so much more than that (which should have been obvious from the title.) There is a mystical, supernatural element to Traci Slatton's debut novel and it flirts with time travel, too. While both require a certain suspension of belief on the part of the reader, I enjoyed the extra dimension they added to the story.

Luca, the 'immortal' main character was extremely well-developed. He was forgiveably fla...more

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Jul 28, 2008 Niama rated it 5 of 5 stars

SLATTON
Niama L. Williams
Copyright 2008
508 words

It is a good book, Father Mine, earthly father and Heavenly Originator, that makes one want to knock the author a good one halfway through for delaying the love story almost past this indulgent reader’s patience. And then, when the beloved finally reappears, she is in a state further forbidding consummation of what we as readers have known as a one-sided passion. I nearly summoned my earthly father from the next room to tell him, “Papa, see whom you...more SLATTON
Niama L. Williams
Copyright 2008
508 words

It is a good book, Father Mine, earthly father and Heavenly Originator, that makes one want to knock the author a good one halfway through for delaying the love story almost past this indulgent reader’s patience. And then, when the beloved finally reappears, she is in a state further forbidding consummation of what we as readers have known as a one-sided passion. I nearly summoned my earthly father from the next room to tell him, “Papa, see whom you can find from your days in South Philly. We got to take this Slatton bitch out.”

But I kept reading. I kept reading because even though the seemingly endless stretch of characters kept expanding, some of them famous historical figures, some of them not; even though Slatton delayed and delayed and delayed the bringing onstage of a condition of love I know so well—unrequited—the delaying tactics were nothing this intellectual, this spiritual intellectual, could gloss over.

Buried in Renaissance discussions of sometimes forbidden ideas about God and space; physics and time; alchemy, Cathars and a possibly immortal red-blond people descended from Biblical Adam’s son Seth is a long, rambling tale of a pain-filled life eventually graced by a great love but pockmarked by what our hero, Luca Bastardo, perceives as cosmic jokes perpetrated by a divided God, one good, one evil. What befalls Luca is indeed so relentlessly nefarious I became angry at every mention that without one of many great tragedies he would never have met his great love.

I met my great love on an ordinary afternoon and would have marked it as no extraordinary occurrence if not for my complete inability to speak upon sight of him. Those who know me even slightly know the fluidity of both my pen and tongue, the easygoing grace of my engaging extrovert personality. Speechlessness had never before visited my countenance, not even on Christmas morning as I contemplated an unusually welcome gift.

The future of my great love still hangs in the balance, and it is the mark of Slatton’s skill that as she ends the novel in Bastardo’s ultimate sorrow, two deaths that drive him mad, I am touched from Immortal’s pages by the fiery deep and abiding love he finally feels from God, and understand that in the end we must all be what we are, my important question answered: do your business, girl; focus on that company you’ve built; his arms and financial freedom not long now.

It is an exceptional book that irritates and annoys us, wears us out and angers us, makes us snappish and yet ultimately communicates that to be all of who you are—even amidst danger—is the finest wine, the headiest elixir.

Immortal is a long, exhausting, irritating, ennobling read. I still want to knock Slatton a good one for grieving her character so, but then I want to look deep in her eyes and see what of her soul glistens and shines, indicating wing.

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Jul 26, 2008 Simmonsmry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bookpleasures-reviews

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 v...more

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Jun 01, 2010 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2010

Set in 14th and 15th century Italy, Immortal is the story of Luca Bastardo, a striking child who grew up orphaned on the streets of Florence. Telling his story from his current predicament - in a cell, freshly tortured and awaiting execution for being a witch and an abomination - Luca recalls the last 180 years or so of his life with vivid detail. He has lived that long, and barely looks to be in his mid-twenties. Growing up without knowledge of who he is or why he ages as he does has left Luca...more Set in 14th and 15th century Italy, Immortal is the story of Luca Bastardo, a striking child who grew up orphaned on the streets of Florence. Telling his story from his current predicament - in a cell, freshly tortured and awaiting execution for being a witch and an abomination - Luca recalls the last 180 years or so of his life with vivid detail. He has lived that long, and barely looks to be in his mid-twenties. Growing up without knowledge of who he is or why he ages as he does has left Luca thirsty for knowledge, and truth.

Tracing a life of forced child prostitution, a friendship with a dying alchemist, training to be a physic with a Jewish family, fleeing Florence and then returning to be the childhood tutor of Leonardo da Vinci, aiding the mighty de Medici family control the city and, finally, falling in love with the beautiful Maddalena - it is a rich life Luca shares with us, one of art and alchemy, beauty and ugliness, horror and passion; and yet it is an empty and lonely life for the most part. In his travels and hunt for his parents, he questions God and faith, meets a wide host of historical figures who impart their wisdom to him, and wonders whether he really is an abomination. He makes lifelong enemies and close friends, but lives only for Maddalena.

This is an enjoyable premise and certainly a great way to delve into the art and history of 14th and 15th century Florence. It's an ambitious novel, and for the most part pulls it off. It did take me the entire month of May to read, though; mostly because my interest would wane. The problem is Luca himself. He narrates, and for someone who has lived as long as he has and seen and done the things he has, he comes across as immature, whiny, sulky, uncontrolled - a perpetual teenager. The overuse of exclamation marks in the dialogue, Luca's dialogue, only emphasises this. I would have expected to see greater character growth, especially considering all the different occupations he's had, the people he's met, the places he's seen. There is a period of several decades, skimmed over in the novel, when he is adventuring because of enemies in Florence - but he hasn't changed, when we meet up with him again.

If Luca isn't a strong narrator, he is still a sympathetic character. If at times I was irritated with his peevish ways, his demanding manner, I still kept reading because I, too, wanted to finally meet this special woman he saw in a vision, the woman he was destined to fall in love with. And to be fair, Luca isn't the only annoying character. He comes off better when in the company of the young Leonardo, whose precociousness and smarty-pants ways was rather sickening. I know Leonardo is considered a genius, a visionary, an immensely talented artist and inventor - but was he really that much of a little shit as a kid? His charm, which we are told he has, doesn't come across; a different kind of personality does, but not the one intended. Still, it was fun, and I felt sad for Leonardo, whose own great love was Luca himself - a man he could never have.

The characters discuss several big philosophical questions of the day, namely the meaning of life, love and religion; but everyone was just a bit too smug, a bit too "Oh Luca, you twit, you just don't get it - when you're our age..." I guess I like people who know doubt, who don't sound so self-righteous and pleased with themselves. And the ones who knew the truth about Luca's origins and existence, but wouldn't tell him - it wasn't long before I simply didn't care anymore. The tension, the suspense, the wanting to know, had been scoured from the pages.

For a visit to 14th century Florence, it's an interesting story. There's some great detail that brings it alive, but Luca's narration doesn't get flowery; on the downside, the simplistic descriptions failed to really bring the city to life for me.

Overall, there're good things and not so good things about this novel; and since, at the very very end, I did cry for Luca, I guess that's evidence that I really did sympathise with him, and empathise too. It may have been a somewhat disappointing read, for me, but I won't forget Luca and his incredible story.(less)

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Mar 14, 2008 Sarah Sammis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: released, review-copy

Luca Bastardo doesn't remember anything beyond his early life on the streets of Florence in 1330. His first person tale covers the next 167 years. In this time he looks for love, tries to better himself and find the secret behind his apparent eternal youth. Although he has a chance to learn the secrets of life he is still the lonely and scared street urchin hoping to find his family.

Immortal is the debut novel by Traci L. Slatton. It the sort of book that is perfect for curling up in a comfy spo...more

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Jul 26, 2010 Katrina rated it 3 of 5 stars

I agree that this book was a gigantic "U". The beginning and end was interesting but the middle was really boring and long and unneeded. And the alchemy and God relationship portion in the middle was really just a huge longer version of the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Despite feeling a great potential from this book in the beginning, in the end it is not all that original and I was ultimately disappointed. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read another version of the The Alche...more

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Nov 30, 2008 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Christine by: Sam birchall

I wasn't as engaged in this book as I thought I would be from reading the back. It wasn't bad, but the foreshadowing and morals of the story were too heavy-handed for me. I didn't even cry when his wife (love of his 175 year life) and child died. I wasn't moved. The conflict between characters which kept him out of Florence for so long wasn't resolved for him to move back, but didn't affect him once his protection was lifted and decided to live there anyway. There was no explanation, but the thr...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Liz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008

This is the author's first novel and it was absolutely excellent. I would whole heartedly recommend this book for anyone who

a) Likes the Italian Renaissance period

b) Liked the DiVinci Code (as fiction of course) and would like a deeper, yet somewhat parallel version of events

c) Is interested in Alchemy and unexplained theories and ideas

Excellent novel. I wish all the books I read where this compelling and perfectly descriptive, and original.

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Mar 31, 2009 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

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.

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Mar 25, 2013 Kiirsten rated it 2 of 5 stars

Boring, whiny, doesn't move along well.

The amazing way Slatton writes Renaissance Florence is great. But the main character, Luca Bastardo, bumbles around and you get frustrated with him on many levels.

You also get very frustrated with what happens to him.

As a reader, you have to push through Part One to get to the more interesting things that go on in the book; push through, it will get okay.

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Mar 10, 2009 Elana rated it 4 of 5 stars

The beginning third of the book was a little disturbing to read and I think took too long to "get on with it already." But the story eventually grew on me. I looked forward to joining Luca Bastardo in his journey each night. A strange book and probably not one that I would necessarily recommend, but an engaging read if you don't mind murder, the black plague, child rape, and witchcraft.

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Jul 30, 2011 Laurie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Some excellent historical fiction with a very interesting twist. Set in Florence in the 1300’s 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 Medicis family.

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May 15, 2011 Therubynest rated it 3 of 5 stars

I did think the depth of research that went into this book was quite interesting (despite some of the language that did not quite seem to fit the period). Also, it is a fascinating storyline but, beware...the descriptions of the tortured children are beyond unsettling. A good read for someone with a very strong stomach.

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About Traci L. Slatton

Traci L. Slatton, author of FALLEN and COLD LIGHT, is a graduate of Yale and Columbia. She lives in Manhattan, and her love for Renaissance Italy inspired her historical novel IMMORTAL and her contemporary vampire art history mystery THE BOTTICELLI AFFAIR. FALLEN is the first in a romantic trilogy set during the end times; COLD LIGHT, the middle book of this dystopian romance, furthers the tale. D...more

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Quotes from Immortal

“Boy, the solid things you can hold in your hands are never all you've got. They're the least of what belong to you. The qualities inside you, those are what you've really got to defend yourself with.” — 13 people liked it

“Don't men read books and take from them what is already in their own hearts?” — 1 person liked it

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