The Lover's Path: An Illustrated Novel [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Kris Waldherr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2006

Filamena Ziani is the much younger sister of the most famous courtesan in sixteenth-century Venice, Tullia Ziani. Orphaned as an infant, Filamena has come of age bent like a branch to her sister's will, sheltered and lonely in the elegant but stifling confines of their palazzo by the sea. Then a dark-haired stranger offers a gift that will change the course of her life forever: a single ripe plum, and an invitation to walk along the lover's path, wherever it may lead.

The Lover's Path, a moving tale of forbidden love, is a feminist epic told in multiple layers. Through a novel combination of Filamena's narrative, famous allegorical love stories from history and mythology, sumptuously ornate illustrations, and "actual" letters to and from Filamena that must be opened to be read, Filomena's path is beautifully described and, finally, stunningly revealed.

Praised by The New York Times Book Review for her "quality of myth and magic," Waldherr brings to life a remarkable period in Venetian history. Her glorious celebration of romance, the feminine spirit, and the power of love to transform will inspire and move readers everywhere.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kris Waldherr is an artist, illustrator, writer, and designer. Her many books include The Book of Goddesses, Embracing the Goddess Within, Persephone and the Pomegranate, and Sacred Animals. Waldherr is also the creator of the best-selling The Goddess Tarot and The Lover's Path Tarot. Her paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the U.S., including the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. She lives and works in Brooklyn, with her husband, anthropologist Thomas Ross Miller. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• ISBN-10: 0810957876
• ASIN: B000IOEWQQ
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #745,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kris Waldherr is an author, illustrator, and designer whose art has been exhibited in the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She is the author of Doomed Queens, The Lover's Path and The Book of Goddesses, and creator of The Goddess Tarot. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice combination of a pretty story and beautiful art, January 14, 2006

By 

H. Savino - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lover's Path: An Illustrated Novel (Hardcover)

I like this book. No, it's not the deepest thing you'll ever read, nor is it what I would call great literature, but it is a fun and engaging story. It is a historical romance set in sixteenth-century Venice with the kinds of exotic elements I love, like beautiful palazzos, walled gardens, and forbidden love. But what makes the book particularly enjoyable and worthwhile is its premise. There is a prologue supposedly written by the curator of a museum housed in the heroine's former palazzo. The museum is dedicated to the life of this woman and the story is put forth as a reissue of a book that was written by the protagonist in her lifetime. Now, for the fun part - the book is full of things like little letters that you can open and read, some tucked inside pretty little envelopes that are glued into the book. There are maps and supposed portraits of the book's main characters, all of which are supposed to be facsimiles of items in the museum's collection. Besides all of this, the book itself is beautiful, full of the author's illustrations. The pages have gilded edges and marbled borders. It is truly a work of art, which gives the book far more value than does the story alone. The book is a light, quick read, but it is these unique features and the lovely art that will make me treasure it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book fit for kings and queens, February 18, 2007

By 

Preraphaelite47 (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lover's Path: An Illustrated Novel (Hardcover)

You may have seen images from The Lover's Path, and read descriptions of it, but that won't prepare you for the impact of holding and opening this astonishing object for the first time. I've never seen anything like this book before. It's so much more than the sum of its parts - and heaven knows, the parts are absorbing enough in themselves. Far more than an illustrated book, it offers its reader an experience that's not just literary, not just visual, but tactile as well. Reading the book involves not only attending to the words and images on the page, but physically unfolding a letter inserted among the pages, or removing Tarot cards from an envelope. And these things feel so right in their context. As I read, I'm conscious of the feel of the pages and the curiously solid, comforting weight of the book, in a way that isn't distracting but seems an integral part of the process - an imaginative extension of the reading experience. It's intensely personal. I know that this is a commercially produced book; but it feels like a hand-crafted private press book feels. It sings quietly in the hands.

I found the book invited me to linger over the illustrations and the beautifully designed pages, rather than rush through the story. I read it slowly, only a chapter at each sitting, immersing myself not only in the world of 16th century Venice, but in the luxurious physical presence of the book and its contents. To own this book is the kind of privilege that once only kings and queens could have known. Here, today, it can be had by anyone for a few dollars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful in more ways than one, September 27, 2006

By 

Sheila Martin (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lover's Path: An Illustrated Novel (Hardcover)

This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen, one of the most romantic, and at the same time contains strong female characters and historical accuracy. As a visual artist myself I know what went into this--years of meticulous research, endless revisions, and a huge wallop of talent. The reproduction is exquisite, leather-bound, gold stamping, and amazing extras like envelopes that open with separate letters that come out. In addition to the gorgeous artwork the story itself is compelling, both sad and hopeful, a moment of respite in our jaded world. Illustrated novels of this quality are hard to find. Take my advice and buy this book; you'll enjoy it and it makes a great present.