IN THE COMPANY OF THE COURTESAN

In the courtesan business love is the worst thing that can happen. The sacking of Renaissance-era Rome forces beautiful Fiammetta Bianchini and her dwarf companion, Bucino, to flee for their lives to the safety of Venice. Stephen Hoye lovingly renders this episodic story with a slow and even pace that mesmerizes the listener with drama and luxurious description. Hoye’s accents and characterizations replicate the skills of a great Shakespearean actor--always human but presented on a grand stage. The wonderfully descriptive language is best highlighted in a scene in which a character falls into the murky waters of the city and nearly drowns. While love is a bane to the courtesan, listeners are guaranteed to fall in love with this tale of art, beauty, and loss. R.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]