In 1505 AD we follow Serafino as he is apprenticed to one of the city’s leading artists, Master Filargiro before his art sees him travel across Italy with its feuding states, unaware of the threat and jealousy from the in-demand masters of the Renaissance. In 2008 we meet Parker, an American with artistic flair who moves with his family to Florence and is keen to immerse himself in Italian culture. Alongside Serafino and Parker’s artistic study we see them take a path of self discovery, uncovering secrets and finding love along the way.
The switch from modern to historical timelines and the focus on classical art throughout Serafino da Ferrara by Paolo G. Grossi gives the whole book a timeless feel. Having read ‘The Tiergarten Tales’ by this author I was familiar with his writing style and was pleased to see the transportative nature of his stories demonstrated in a longer piece of fiction. Although there were similarities between Parker and Serafino I found the coming of age themes in both narratives were handled well, with differences that I felt authentically represented each time period. Serafino da Ferrara manages to balance both character and Italian history to create an enjoyable and immersive read.
Ferrara, 1505 AD. Talented Serafino is apprenticed to Mastro Filargiro, one of the city's leading artists. Serafino finds love, but his mastery takes him on a perilous journey across Italy's feuding city-states, unaware that his virtuosity is a threat to the pre-eminence of the hitherto unchallenged masters of the Renaissance. His life must take a dramatic new turn in the hope of escaping their enmity. Washington DC, 2008. Parker’s first year at Georgetown High is coming to an end. His father is appointed Consul General in Florence. Parker enthusiastically embraces his new life and befriends handsome Beppe. But almost everyone around him has been keeping secrets. And the fifteenth-century palazzo where his family now lives unexpectedly reveals its long-buried mysteries. Separated by five hundred years, yet united by their talent, Serafino and Parker embark on similar journeys of discovery while fellow artists, assassins, princes and envious classmates rage and scheme around them.
