Don Tarquinio

by Frederick Rolfe

Don Tarquinio is a historical novel written by Frederick William Rolfe, also known as Baron Corvo, that was first published in 1905. The book tells the story of a young Italian nobleman named Don Tarquinio who lives during the Renaissance period. Don Tarquinio is a passionate and intense character who is obsessed with his own beauty and the beauty of the world around him. He is also deeply religious and believes that he is destined for greatness.The novel is set in Italy and follows Don Tarquinio as he travels through various cities and interacts with different historical figures such as Michelangelo and Pope Julius II. Along the way, he becomes involved in various political and romantic intrigues, which ultimately lead to his downfall.The book is written in a highly stylized and ornate prose that reflects the author's own eccentric personality. It is also heavily influenced by the author's interest in Catholicism and his fascination with the beauty and decadence of the Renaissance period.Overall, Don Tarquinio is a complex and intriguing novel that explores themes of beauty, passion, religion, and power. It is a unique work of historical fiction that is sure to captivate readers who are interested in the Renaissance period and the Italian nobility.We stood up, openly looking at him as though we were astounded at his for, in starting, he had knocked down the double-cross, golden, which leaned against the pedestal of the ivory faun near him, nor did he attempt to replace it. Indeed, his. eyes began to glare like those of one who unadvisedly had looked upon a cluster of hobgoblins. His knees also began to bend like those of one pressed downward by an incubus, gently, irresistible.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Fiction

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1905

About the author

English writer, novelist, artist, fantasist and eccentric. Rolfe is also known as Baron Corvo. His best known work is the novel Hadrian the Seventh.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

short novel about one day in the life of a young italian renaissance gentleman who finds favour with a cardinal, and ultimately pope alexander VI, via an adventure with cesare borgia. it works quite well as a companion to rolfe's borgia history book, since this is basically a single fictional character getting involved around the edges of some of the political intrigue covered in that book. the style is baroque and full of ornate and sometime made up words, as in rolfe's other 'historical' books, and the framing device of it being a translated manuscript allows rolfe to put in cute little footnotes explaining things. quite nicely written overall but it feels a bit slight because of how short it is.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't someone have to decency to adapt this, instead of that Showtime atrocity? The cloak and dagger plot with Cesare and Pietrogorio should be cinematic enough.

[Katherina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly entertaining adventure of a young man.