Shawn Callon's Blog, page 9

Enthralling Read

A really enthralling read full of historical facts about Renaissance Italy, the big split in the Roman Catholic Church, the introduction of printed books, the capture of Constantinople by the Turks, Savanarola's pyramids of book burnings and the wonderful references to the Greeks and the Romans. The author's style is entertaining and at times amusing, holding my attention throughout the book. I learned so much!
The novel takes us through the life of Vespasiano as he grows to be recognized as the king of the world's booksellers. Florence's bankers and wool merchants brought untold wealth into the city and that abundance encouraged magnificent architecture, sculpture, painting and literature. Vespasiano's skill lay in seeking out the original manuscripts written by the ancient Greeks and Romans and then creating his own beautifully adorned copies for his rich clients throughout Italy. We learned that he had to be very careful how he handled his clients because Italy in those days was full of warring parties jostling for power. At times his bookshop became known as "a political nexus, a listening post for the subversive and the disaffected."

As printed books became more popular throughout Italy, demand for Vespasiano's skilled craftsmanship began to wane. In 1480 he retired and moved away from his beloved city. The author includes a great quote from Vespasiano that is still relevant today - "All evil is born from ignorance; yet writers have illuminated the world, chasing away the darkness."

The Bookseller of Florence: The Story of the Manuscripts That Illuminated the Renaissance

Police Procedural

My spouse read this novel and here's her review:

This novel is a police procedural with a few interesting twists. Anthony is a Chief Superintendent at New Scotland Yard. He is also the ninth Baron of Wellegrave. Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield comes from a distinctly different background but is determined to make a good career in the Police Service despite rampant discrimination from her boss and colleagues. Thrown together on a high profile case, they learn more about each others worlds.

This review was edited and written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy.

Ice Blue

Too close to home

A complex thriller involving an addicted daughter gone missing, a ruthless assassination team and the two sons of a dying cult leader determined to keep their inheritance intact.
The central characters, Simon and Ingrid, are the parents of their missing daughter Paige. She's an adult who has been in and out of recovery, so far as we know, without success; it appears that Ingrid has given up wanting to find her and has asked her husband to stop searching. Then one day he spots her singing and playing a guitar in NYC (he had paid someone to let him know where and when he could see her). Paige is friendly with a rather unsavory character, Aaron. Simon pleads with his daughter to return to recovery but as she runs away Aaron confronts her father; Simon ends up punching Aaron and getting into trouble with the police. The story becomes very exciting and complex after that opening.
The author handles the raw detail of drug addiction brilliantly and reminded me of what our family experienced when our younger son left home suddenly at the age of 18 and became an addict. (To this today he has not been sober. Theft from us and our friends, lies, promises to figure it out, refusals to undergo therapy or try recovery, loss of all his teeth due to meth - and so the list goes on.)
The many layers of the plot are unraveled expertly, revealing unknown links with many of the characters. The book held my interest all the way through; I must admit though that if I had been Simon in real life, the ending would've really caused me considerable heartache.

This review was written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy.

Run Away

Extraordinary Teenagers

The three girls in this book couldn't be described as ordinary by any stretch of the imagination. Their bravery, determination and resilience were inspiring. They rescued and harbored Dutch Jews, ferried weapons, took part in assassinations of Nazis and their Dutch collaborators, placed explosives and defied the Nazis and their Dutch black shirt supporters at every opportunity. The two survivors, Truss and Freddie, didn't receive any recognition once WW2 had finished; they were ignored - mainly because their violent actions of resistance caused cruel reprisals from the Nazis. Many of the Dutch population understandably wanted to get back to normal life as soon as possible and didn't want to be reminded of the deprivations, torture and persecution handed out by the Nazi invaders. It wasn't until many years later that all three women were commemorated properly. Here's a heartfelt summary from Freddie.Three Ordinary Girls: The Remarkable Story of Three Dutch Teenagers Who Became Spies, Saboteurs, Nazi Assassins–and WWII Heroes
“We had to do it,” said Freddie. “It was a necessary evil, killing those who betrayed the good people. I never felt pity. One does not shoot a human but the enemy, a traitor.”

I would have given the book five stars except that it was written in an historical, documentary style
that was rather dry at times. There was very little dialogue to make the author's style more lively.

This review was written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy. (less)
Three Ordinary Girls: The Remarkable Story of Three Dutch Teenagers Who Became Spies, Saboteurs, Nazi Assassins–and WWII Heroes

A Killer in the Hive

The Hive is a complex thriller with multiple plots running simultaneously throughout the narrative. The detective Lindsay is investigating two deaths (one recent, the other some years back) linked to the beauty business belonging to Marnie at Spellman Farms; she and her Hive of five enablers have made a fortune selling a range of cosmetics with a special bee additive. At the same time Lindsay is recovering from the unexpected death of her long-term partner Alan - he committed suicide leaving a wife and son behind. All the characters are linked inextricably in this exciting novel.

There are some wonderful descriptions of Marnie's approach to business "Marnie collected women who didn’t mind simply basking in her glow; women who could accept that the reflection of greatness was in itself a worthy purpose " and "She used them, coddled them, abused them, loved them. With Marnie in the room, there was no way of knowing what might happen next. The followers who stayed longest were not only true believers but adrenaline junkies. Marnie was the fix they needed to thrive. It was, most ended up thinking later, a one-sided trade". Even before Lindsay meets Marnie she appears to be smitten by her products "Even while she told herself it was all nonsense, if not flatly offensive, the more time she spent with it, the more Lindsay found herself wanting whatever it was Marnie was selling" and " Again and again, as Lindsay pored over online images of her (researching her case, she told herself), Lindsay
marveled at her. Her beauty really was a light, a radiance that came from somewhere deep inside her. How could she not have drawn people to her?" I began to wonder whether the detective was losing her objectivity.

The book is long, some might say too long; Olsen uses a lot of historical narrative to give the reader a feel for the sad and sometimes acrimonious relationships between his characters. These conversations reveal hidden family ties, secret connections and ultimately the reasons for all three deaths - Alan, Calista and Sarah.

This review was written by Shawn Callon ,author of The Diplomatic Spy
The Hive

Shanghai Girls

My spouse read this novel and here's her review:

This novel is a meaty read. It's a tale of two young women that stretches from Shanghai, China to San Francisco. Born into relative wealth the girls enjoy a life of ease and privilege until their father loses all his money. He decides to "sell" them both to two Chinese Americans looking for Asian brides. While this deal is happening, the Japanese invade China. Eventually, May and Pearl arrive in the USA but find themselves condemned to a life of poverty and discrimination - not what they were promised.

The very realistic descriptions of war can be tough to read but they are highly relevant to the story. There's a lot of political information (American and Chinese) that puts the characters' actions into perspective. I learned a lot from this well-written, sensitive book. I highly recommend it.

This review was edited and written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy

Shanghai Girls

Hedonism

Edward White's biography of Van Vechten shows a complex man who challenged most of his "very proper" upbringing in the nineteenth century Iowa with its strict adherence to religious beliefs, hard work and the appearance of wholesome family life. Starting with his move to Chicago, followed by NY and then Hollywood he demonstrated his brilliance and intelligence firstly as a less than truthful crime reporter, then a music and literary critic, essayist and finally as a novelist.
White makes you feel Van Vechten's passion, energy and intelligence as he strives to promote himself and his work; but beneath his palpable charisma and charm there's an alter ego driven by hedonism, promiscuity, self-absorption and alcohol. Van Vechten collected and promoted fellow artists (black, female, gay etc.) but made sure he was always the center of attention; he would cut off friends for the slightest rebuff and typically would show little remorse for friends and lovers who had passed away.
One of the most telling comments was his accidental meeting with his first spouse, Anna Snyder. She had left him years before due his predilection for young gay men. Meeting her in Paris he described Anna as "haggard, overweight and altogether disgusting". After 50 years of marriage to his second spouse, Fania, who had learned to put with his promiscuity, he described their marriage as "Fania's intelligence is great; her opinions worthless".
The author wrote an entertaining biography showing his dry wit and some sympathy for his subject but he portrayed Van Vechten rightly or wrongly as an unlikable person who really pushed the envelope when it came to artistic expression.
The Tastemaker: Carl Van Vechten and the Birth of Modern America

The Beach House Hotel

My spouse read this novel and here's her review:

This story is a lovely light read - perfect for the Summer, on the beach or round the pool.
The lead character Ann is newly single, wondering where her life will go now. Her daughter Liz is at University and her ex-husband Roger has their home up for sale! Liz suggests a short break to Florida to stay with her friend Angela and her mother Rhonda.
Ann and Rhonda form an unlikely friendship despite the differences between the two women. They plan to convert Rhonda's beautiful beach-front home into an exclusive hotel.
There are many twists and turns for the pair - destructive weather, an uncooperative neighbor and guests with issues. Through it all though, they grow in confidence and enjoy their new lives. All that's needed to achieve perfection would be a partner to share it with.
The novel is comfortably predictable and has some great plot lines. A most satisfying light read!

This review was edited and published by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy.

Breakfast at the Beach House Hotel

The Lying Game

My spouse read this novel and here's her review:

The novel tells an intriguing story that gradually pulls the reader further into the web of lies that entangles four young women who all come from very different backgrounds. They all meet on the first day at Salten (a remote boarding school). Issa was sent there as her mother battles with cancer. Thea was expelled from other schools, acting out to get the attention of her remote parents. Fatima is the daughter of two doctors who are volunteering as medics in Pakistan for one year. Lastly, Kate is the daughter of Ambrose the art teacher. Kate lives locally with her father and half-brother, Luc.

All four girls are now full-grown women making their way in the world. They've moved on from their childhood game of lying. Suddenly a message arrives from Kate, bringing them back to Salten and resurrecting the consequences of their behavior seventeen years before.
A body has been discovered on the beach - but who is it and what happened?
The pace of the book quickens as the story twists and turns. It was hard to put down.

This review was edited and written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy
The Lying Game

Lady in Ermine

A good insight into the life and times of one of the few, probably the only, female Renaissance artists to achieve recognition. Most of the story is fiction with some factual reference to actual historical events that took place in Italy and the Spanish court. The author emulates the florid, verbose style of courtly greeting and conversation that the ruling class used at the time; she does a good job describing Sofi's early isolation at court and her loveless first marriage to Fabrizio who fortunately for her died at sea.
What's was lacking in the novel was some idea of Sofi's artistic process and her development as an artist - we are told that she wants all her paintings to reflect the soul of her subjects and she's always seeking 'invenzione' or inspiration but there's little detail on her unique skills.

There are some interesting asides that appealed to me: she is advised that at court “You must learn a thing or two about court culture, Sofonisba, so that you can protect yourself and your
reputation. First, never contradict your betters. Avoid possessing any unflattering information about them unless you can utilize it. And don’t explain yourself to your inferiors. When your image is secure, your freedom will be too".
Also I laughed when she came across the Bishop of Burgos' servant was delighting his master with a heavy session of fellatio!
This review was written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy.Lady in Ermine — The Story of A Woman Who Painted the Renaissance: A Biographical Novel of Sofonisba Anguissola