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The Gentle Infidel
Schoonover's well-told story of a young Venetian lad, accidentally inducted into the elite Janissary troops of the Grand Turk, who finds that love is not all sweet, and betrayal can be received from both lovers and military foes.
381 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 1950
About the author
Lawrence Schoonover
21 books15 followersLawrence Schoonover (1906–1980) was an American novelist.
Born in Anamosa, Iowa, Schoonover attended the University of Wisconsin, then worked in advertising before becoming a novelist.
Lawrence Schoonver had four daughters with his wife, Gertrude Hedwig Bonn: Judith Hedwig (1940), Mary Elizabeth (1942), Caroline Grace (1944–2005), and Virginia (1946).
Writing mostly historical fiction, his attention to detail and historical accuracy won him great praise by his contemporaries. Among his many well-known books are The Queen's Cross, The Burnished Blade, Gentle Infidel, The Spider King, and The Prisoner of Tordesillas.
Born in Anamosa, Iowa, Schoonover attended the University of Wisconsin, then worked in advertising before becoming a novelist.
Lawrence Schoonver had four daughters with his wife, Gertrude Hedwig Bonn: Judith Hedwig (1940), Mary Elizabeth (1942), Caroline Grace (1944–2005), and Virginia (1946).
Writing mostly historical fiction, his attention to detail and historical accuracy won him great praise by his contemporaries. Among his many well-known books are The Queen's Cross, The Burnished Blade, Gentle Infidel, The Spider King, and The Prisoner of Tordesillas.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 13, 2009
Schoonover's well-told story of a young Venetian lad, accidentally inducted into the elite Janissary troops of the Grand Turk, who finds that love is not all sweet, and betrayal can be received from both lovers and military foes.
Michael the archer participates in the siege and overthrow of Constantinople, the last capital of the Roman Empire. During the battle, he is shocked by the revelation of his earlier life by his childhood friend, now a woman desperately seeking a way back to Venice.
Lawrence_Schoonover sold millions of books in his career. He was my great-uncle, and I am publishing new editions of his classic best-sellers, which were translated into eight languages. The first two have been released in 2008 (Queen's Cross) and 2009 (Gentle Infidel). Available commercially and online.
Excerpt:
Bells in Turkey
Outside, the cold wind from Russia blew the sound of bells across the strait from Europe. The thousand churches of Constantinople were ringing the hour of vespers. Their music sounded far away, curiously soft and sweet, rising and falling like a tide, riding the wind. Nicolo crossed himself reverently. Joseph bowed his head slightly, out of politeness, and waited for the sound that he knew would instantly follow.
Very close, from a Christian church below on the Turkish side, three harsh, tuneless, unbeautiful notes burst over the fields in the twilight and echoed among the foothills of Bulgarlhu Dagh. Boom! for the Father; Boom! for the son; and Boom! for the Holy Ghost, and that was all that was permitted in Turkey. Christian noises must not disturb the faithful who, at sunset, were also at their prayers. Christian churches must be only one story high: no Gavour steeples must look down upon a mosque. And the Koran forbade religious bells. The three notes came from a large, half-inch-thick slab of cast iron, called by the Greeks the hagiosidere. It was slung by ropes from the roof of the modest little church. The Christian priest beat it with a long-handled leather mallet, and thanked God that even so much was allowed
Nicolo scowled and grumbled. "We live a dreary, confining life here, Joseph. In Venice this hour is glorious."
"Is it, Nicolo?" He chuckled. "Not for me, my friend."
"That's different."
"Here the Turks allow you people a church. Imagine a synagogue in Italy!"
"I can't."
Michael the archer participates in the siege and overthrow of Constantinople, the last capital of the Roman Empire. During the battle, he is shocked by the revelation of his earlier life by his childhood friend, now a woman desperately seeking a way back to Venice.
Lawrence_Schoonover sold millions of books in his career. He was my great-uncle, and I am publishing new editions of his classic best-sellers, which were translated into eight languages. The first two have been released in 2008 (Queen's Cross) and 2009 (Gentle Infidel). Available commercially and online.
Excerpt:
Bells in Turkey
Outside, the cold wind from Russia blew the sound of bells across the strait from Europe. The thousand churches of Constantinople were ringing the hour of vespers. Their music sounded far away, curiously soft and sweet, rising and falling like a tide, riding the wind. Nicolo crossed himself reverently. Joseph bowed his head slightly, out of politeness, and waited for the sound that he knew would instantly follow.
Very close, from a Christian church below on the Turkish side, three harsh, tuneless, unbeautiful notes burst over the fields in the twilight and echoed among the foothills of Bulgarlhu Dagh. Boom! for the Father; Boom! for the son; and Boom! for the Holy Ghost, and that was all that was permitted in Turkey. Christian noises must not disturb the faithful who, at sunset, were also at their prayers. Christian churches must be only one story high: no Gavour steeples must look down upon a mosque. And the Koran forbade religious bells. The three notes came from a large, half-inch-thick slab of cast iron, called by the Greeks the hagiosidere. It was slung by ropes from the roof of the modest little church. The Christian priest beat it with a long-handled leather mallet, and thanked God that even so much was allowed
Nicolo scowled and grumbled. "We live a dreary, confining life here, Joseph. In Venice this hour is glorious."
"Is it, Nicolo?" He chuckled. "Not for me, my friend."
"That's different."
"Here the Turks allow you people a church. Imagine a synagogue in Italy!"
"I can't."
June 12, 2011
This is a favorite I read when in high school and was delighted to find a copy in a library book sale (the place to find goodies). Schoonover was one of those great adventure writers of the mid 20th Century who told a good story plus accurate history. I also found a copy of his The Burnished Blade which I had never read and hope to soon.
The conditions behind the walls of Constantinople, the class system, the politics are all woven in an enjoyable tale of the last days of that great city. Granted there's not many of us who enjoy medieval/renaissance historical fiction but try it.
Want some other writers from the same era? Try Thomas B. Costain, Frank Yerby and of course Raphael Sabatini. Without him there would have been no Captain Blood!
The conditions behind the walls of Constantinople, the class system, the politics are all woven in an enjoyable tale of the last days of that great city. Granted there's not many of us who enjoy medieval/renaissance historical fiction but try it.
Want some other writers from the same era? Try Thomas B. Costain, Frank Yerby and of course Raphael Sabatini. Without him there would have been no Captain Blood!
July 2, 2008
Marvelous story about the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
September 5, 2010
I'm amazed to find this book here. When I was about 11 - 16 or so, I read this book eleven times. I counted them. Enjoyed it immensely. Maybe it's time to read it again.
September 18, 2012
Interesting background. Lacking in the development of the love story component, as usual in Schoonover's books. Needs more of the Yerby treatment overall.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews