In the Company of the Courtesan

A Novel

By: Sarah Dunant

Narrated by: Richard E. Grant

"My lady, Fiammetta Bianchini, was plucking her eyebrows and biting color into her lips when the unthinkable happened and the Holy Roman Emperor's army blew a hole in the wall of God's eternal city, letting in a flood of half-starved, half-crazed troops bent on pillage and punishment."

Thus begins In the Company of the Courtesan, Sarah Dunant's epic novel of life in Renaissance Italy. Escaping the sack of Rome in 1527, with their stomachs churning on the jewels they have swallowed, the courtesan Fiammetta and her dwarf companion, Bucino, head for Venice, the shimmering city born out of water to become a miracle of east-west trade: rich and rancid, pious and profitable, beautiful and squalid.

With a mix of courage and cunning they infiltrate Venetian society. Together they make the perfect partnership: the sharp-tongued, sharp-witted dwarf, and his vibrant mistress, trained from birth to charm, entertain, and satisfy men who have the money to support her.

Yet as their fortunes rise, this perfect partnership comes under threat, from the searing passion of a lover who wants more than his allotted nights to the attentions of an admiring Turk in search of human novelties for his sultan's court. But Fiammetta and Bucino's greatest challenge comes from a young crippled woman, a blind healer who insinuates herself into their lives and hearts with devastating consequences for them all.

A story of desire and deception, sin and religion, loyalty and friendship, In the Company of the Courtesan paints a portrait of one of the world's greatest cities at its most potent moment in history: It is a picture that remains vivid long after the last word.

©2006 Sarah Dunant (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Lush and intelligent....Dunant is the kind of writer a reader will follow anywhere, trusting completely in her ability both to bring a time and place to life and to tell an enthralling story." (Booklist)
"Through Bucino's sharp-eyed, sharp-tongued narration, Dunant crafts a vivid vision of Venetian life....Dunant's characters...are irresistible throughout their shifting fortunes." (Publishers Weekly)

Enjoyed

Loved the details and writing style of the story. I love Sarah Dunant’s style - there is an intimacy in the people and their roles.

Richard Grant should read more!

What made the experience of listening to In the Company of the Courtesan the most enjoyable?

Richard's performance was brilliant. He took me on an amazing adventure. The story too was also amazing and believable with great detail.

What did you like best about this story?

It's a woman's story with grit and heart.

What about Richard E. Grant’s performance did you like?

Richard is amazing! His characterizations so real I had to remind myself it was just one man.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I would finish my commute and then keep listening!

Any additional comments?

More please!