Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bantam (1985), Paperback, 256 pages
Description
Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance, this alternate history takes place in a world where real faith-based magic exists. Our hero is Damiano Dalstrego. He is a wizard's son, an alchemist, and the heir to dark magics. But he is also an innocent, a young scholar and musician befriended by the Archangel Raphael, who instructs him in the lute. To save his beloved city from war, Damiano leaves his cloistered life and sets out on a pilgrimage, seeking the aid of the powerful sorceress Saara as he walks the narrow path between light and shadow, accompanied only by his talking dog. But his road is filled with betrayal, disillusionment, and death, and Damiano is forced to confront his dark heritage, unleashing the hellish force of his awesome powers to protect those he loves. The further volumes of this tale are Damiano's Lute and Raphael.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
It had been years since I read the book, but I remembered they lyrical language. When it became affordable on Kindle, I got it. I finally sat down to re-read it, holding my breath, hoping it was as good as I remembered. I was not disappointed.
The writing is at least as good as I remembered. Now
Besides, Damiano, the important questions involve not the intent of God toward us but the soul’s own duty, and you know that clearly, don’t you?
We live our lives bound by our little tasks and possessions and never know how free we could be unless God sees fit to pry us away from them.
To be damned is only not to love.
If you enjoy an alternate history fantasy that includes a heavy dose of Christian background (appropriate for Renaissance Italy), then I think you would enjoy it. Be aware that the Christianity presented is from an alternate history and may not align always with your beliefs. Still the story is quite good and I enjoy philosophical fiction.
The writing is at least as good as I remembered. Now
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that I am older and have my own little dog, I find the Damiano and his little dog to be even more fascinating. I cried for Damiano as he encountered evil and rejoiced at the simple faith his dog had in him. I found Raphael to be a complexly drawn being. I stopped several times to think about what was written. My favorite quotations are below.Besides, Damiano, the important questions involve not the intent of God toward us but the soul’s own duty, and you know that clearly, don’t you?
We live our lives bound by our little tasks and possessions and never know how free we could be unless God sees fit to pry us away from them.
To be damned is only not to love.
If you enjoy an alternate history fantasy that includes a heavy dose of Christian background (appropriate for Renaissance Italy), then I think you would enjoy it. Be aware that the Christianity presented is from an alternate history and may not align always with your beliefs. Still the story is quite good and I enjoy philosophical fiction.
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LibraryThing member Carol_W
I did enjoy reading this book although I think it may be aimed at younger readers. I enjoyed the historical setting of this alternate-history fantasy and found the main character, Damiano, appealing. I thought the talking dog was priceless. This is very much a fantasy since, besides a talking dog,
The added magic seemed to me to pose a bit of a problem since it wasn't explained where it came from. MacAvoy wisely doesn't bring God into the story as a character. An all-powerful being is a problem as it can undermine the conflict because an all-powerful being can potentially fix anything, anytime it wants to. At the same time, not having God in play, means that the angel had to step in instead and I ended up feeling as if God didn't really care about the main character. If the angel is willing to appear to a human and doesn't have a problem with intervening, why doesn't God appear or intervene? This kind of dilemma is a big reason why I don't generally like stories that use Cristian beliefs as fantasy elements. That I enjoyed the story as much as I did in spite of these issues is a tribute to MacAvoy's skill as a storyteller.
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it includes the angel Raphael and Satan as characters. In addition to these supernatural beings and their powers, there is also magic in this world that humans can wield and that seems independent of the powers of the Christian mythos. Excuse me that I call it "mythos", but that is how it's used in this story since summoning angels and talking to Satan aren't part if our everyday experience.The added magic seemed to me to pose a bit of a problem since it wasn't explained where it came from. MacAvoy wisely doesn't bring God into the story as a character. An all-powerful being is a problem as it can undermine the conflict because an all-powerful being can potentially fix anything, anytime it wants to. At the same time, not having God in play, means that the angel had to step in instead and I ended up feeling as if God didn't really care about the main character. If the angel is willing to appear to a human and doesn't have a problem with intervening, why doesn't God appear or intervene? This kind of dilemma is a big reason why I don't generally like stories that use Cristian beliefs as fantasy elements. That I enjoyed the story as much as I did in spite of these issues is a tribute to MacAvoy's skill as a storyteller.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I have loved this series for years and it doesn't lessen it's impact every time I read it.
Sweet series of novels involving Damiano a witch from Italy and what happens when his world is consumed by war.
Sweet series of novels involving Damiano a witch from Italy and what happens when his world is consumed by war.
LibraryThing member threadnsong
Another book I've had on my shelf for far too many years unread. I finally delved into it and couldn't put it down. The character of Damiano, his desire to save his town from history's forgetfulness, and the warmth of the character of Archangel Raphael are all well-woven and interesting characters.
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Plus, having a central character in the middle ages who is also near-sighted is an interesting way to show his all-too-humanness. The ending was surprising and got me to find the second two books in the trilogy, if only to find out how the battle with Lucifer turns out. Show Less
Awards
Mythopoeic Awards (Finalist — 1985)
Original publication date
1984-01
Physical description
256 p.; 6.93 inches
ISBN
0553171542 / 9780553171549
Local notes
Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance this alternate history takes place in a world where real faith-based magic exists. Damiano Dalstrego is a wizard's son, an alchemist and the heir to dark magics. But he is also an innocent, a young scholar and musician befriended by the Archangel Raphael, who instructs him in the lute. To save his beloved city from war, Damiano leaves his cloistered life and sets out on a pilgrimage, seeking the aid of the powerful sorceress Saara as he must walk the narrow path between light and shadow, accompanied only by his talking dog.