Customer Reviews

The Lover's Path: An Illustrated Novel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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.

THE LOVER'S PATH is a visual and literary feast. It's a beautiful object, a full-colour illustrated picture book for adults, enclosing a very moving love story set in Renaissance Venice. The star-crossed lovers are a celebrated courtesan's virginal and over-protected young sister and a cardinal's illegitimate son. Scattered throughout the book are envelopes that open to reveal love letters and Tarot cards, maps and alchemical symbols. The pages are edged in gilt. The lovers in the book are linked mythically and thematically to the archetypal lovers on the Lover's Path: Dante and Beatrice, Isis and Osiris, Tristan and Isolde, Orpheus and Eurydice, and ultimately Eros and Psyche. It's a timeless love story presented in a beautiful package that can live on your coffee table forever. It reminded me a lot of Erica Jong's Serenissima except without the explicit sex--and the eros is more haunting in that it remains in reader's imagination. If you love Venice and women's history, you're in for a treat.

Artist/author Kris Waldherr has gifted her readers with a world of mythic proportions in this work. You will feel that you are in sixteenth century Venice, walking along side the famous courtesan Tullia Ziani, and her talented younger sister Filomena - the Nightengale.

Woven into this feminist tale are the romantic myths of Beatrice and Dante, Danae and Zeus, Tristan and Isolde, the swan maiden, Psyche and Cupid, Orpheus and Eurydice, and Isis and Osiris.

Through well written words, stunning graphics, maps and letters - we enter another world, one of beauty and grace, but one that is also inhabited by sorrow and tragedy. As for those letters - in a very unique device, Waldherr presents us with several envelopes containing the letters referred to in her story, as part of the book. The reader is also gifted with the cards drawn for Filomena in a Tarot reading.

From the superb quality of the illustrations, to the gilt edged pages, the wonder maps, and the depth of thought presented here - this is a "must have" book for all who would follow the Lover's Path!

The story is simple and romantic, but the illustrations and production are beautiful! I bought this book as a gift for my artist son/DIL who live in Brooklyn, where the illustrator lives.

There's nothing I enjoy more than reading about 16th c Venice. But Imagine reading a book written by a person who actually lived in those days! Filamena Ziani (or Filamela: nightingale) was a female artist of 16th c Venice. This is the first actual English publication of her work , which was at the time, dedicated to her patroness, Felicita Lando. As a female musician-singer-writer, Filamena's work never received the recognition due. Kris Waldherr, through her enchanting illustrations has magically recreated this written work of art, by the nightingale and `Virtuosa' of the times- someone who actually existed back then and even has a palazzo named after her!

This story or `fiabla' of forbidden love, is about a young Filamena who is raised by her older sister Tullia, a notable Courtesan. Tullia wants to shield Filamena from the world's cruelties and the pain and torments that love can bring. One evening while her sister is entertaining noble society gentlemen, Filamena is invited to sing in the background. There she spots the man who was to become the love of her life...her forbidden love.


This novel is so beautifully created that you can just get lost in the splendor of the artwork. Every single page is designed to enchant. There are letters carefully tucked in envelopes and beautiful historical maps, card-size illustrations (the basis for the Love Tarot series) that can all be found within this splendid book. But not only is this book breathtaking and fulfilling to the senses as is, the story itself is incredibly captivating.


At the beginning, I read along for the sake of romance and getting lost in a world of a different era...but as I kept reading, I discovered that this was not an ordinary love story. I was surprised to find mystery, intrigue, and a twist of fate that I really did not expect. I enjoyed this book through and through and the fact that the story was written by someone who actually lived in a place and time that fascinates me makes me feel like I found a treasure.

In addition, the prelude to the Lover's Path is writen by Marina Rossetti, the curator of 'Museo di Palazzo Filomela (curator of the Museum of Filomela's Palace). Here, she briefly describes the life, work, art, and documentation supporting this historical figure, time and place.

Breathtaking, brilliant, interesting, interactive, historical - A splendidly precious creation.

Whether you immerse yourself into the reading, the history, the artwork, or just for the browsing- The Lover's Path is a definite conversation piece. This book is a real gem.

This is one of the most beautiful, clever, and unique books it's ever been my privilege to own. It will transport you into a different world and a different way of viewing the universe.

An enjoyable gift to accompany the Lovers Path Tarot kit. The tale is reflective and nicely told in the soft 'had-I-but-known' charm of romantic fiction.

Since the illustrations for the Lovers Path are so rich, even a simpler tale could have been told and sustained by the art alone.

Very beautiful and charming experience to enjoy and keep.

Hope you have similar delight in this romantic tale.

I just finished reading The Lover's path! Illustrations...well it was a given that they would be AMAZING! :-)
and the story...magical & transformational- not only for Filamena but for the reader also.
Much thanks to Kris Waldherr for creating this beautiful and timeless gift to the eyes and for the soul.