Ardor: A Novel of Enchantment
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Book Overview
When a lonely olive grower, Arcadio Carnabuci, sows his love seeds, he cannot imagine the chaos his magic fruit will bring. While Fernanda Ponderosa, the voluptuous woman of his dreams, evades his spell, Gezabel, a hardworking middle-aged mule, falls head over hooves in love with him. And, as Gezabel discovers, she is not the only one whose stars cross as the olive grower's ardor casts its magic over the region. Suddenly, the butcher and the baker are thinking murder, the village doctor and his nurse are driven to distraction, and a newborn is transformed into an angel. As the villagers alternate between love and war, remarkable phenomena add to the fevered atmosphere, making passions surge higher than the soaring temperatures of summer. A wildly imaginative fairy tale for adults, Ardor celebrates the lovely landscape of Italy and the eccentricity of its inhabitants in a narrative full of twists and unexpected delights. This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0060527897
ISBN13:9780060527891
Release Date:July 2005
Publisher:Ecco Press
Length:240 Pages
Weight:0.50 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"
Related Subjects
Contemporary Fantasy Fiction Literature & Fiction Romance Science Fiction & FantasyCustomer Reviews
3 ratings
Great fantasy romantic read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
This is one of those books that is uniquely different and so enjoyable. The book reminds me of Shakespears "Mid-summers night eve" not that the book is on the same par. It is a delightful read definitely worth picking up if you are going to be in a long car ride or train ride.
Hmmmm......
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
How to describe Ardor? The only other author I've read who's as quirky - quixotic - imaginatively creative - as Lily Prior is Jasper Fforde, but the 2 are quite different. Having read La Cucina, I had some idea of what to expect from Ardor. At first it was difficult to accept the premise of mule as narrator, but I gradually became quite fond of Gezebel. The female lead, Fernanda, is introduced as powerful and mysterious and remains so throughout the story. There is also a (human) baby who flies! Prior does a good job of conveying something of the Italian personality and lifestyle without resorting to stereotype. If you like Italy, strong characterization, potent but not blatently graphic sexuality, AND can suspend the need to be bound by reality, you will probably enjoy Ardor.
Fun, frolicking fantasy of a different order!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Gezabel, a mule who carries a nurse to and from patients everyday, falls head over heals for the local olive farmer, Arcadio, after he plants seeds of love. Yes, Gezabel is a mule. Everyone in town is falling in love with someone else. Passion is running amuck. Animals and people are victims of the seeds, although only Gezabel falls for a human being! Poor Arcadio, in love with a woman who arrives in town, is not receiving a response. The energy of everyone's lust is making the town crazy. This is such a fun book. It does not become too strange, even with Gezabel suffering her unrequited love for the hard-working Arcadio. The story is full of all of the senses. It is passionate. It is crazy. It is so much fun! I highly recommend this, if you are looking for something very unusual. You have to let your mind just fall open to accept it, but it is utterly enjoyable to do so! I haven't read anything like it before. You have to hang on just to see if poor Gezabel ever finds true love!
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