Customer Reviews

Prince of Foxes

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It seems as though swashbuckling, adventure, and intrigue, reached their all time highs in the Renaissance Italy of Samuel Shellabarger's novel, The Prince of Foxes. Frome the moment we meet the hero, Messer Andrea Orsini, in the workshop of a famous artisan with an order from the Pope, his charm and guile are evident. Having a sympathetic hero ( or rather heroes, if one chooses to include Camilla Borglione and Mario Belli in that elite group), is one of the strengths of this book. And Orsini is not the only one capable of holding attention, as Shellabarger weaves a veritable net of notable secondary characters.
The historical accuracy of the novel is doubtful, but because of the subtle atmosperic touches and use of Italian Renaissance vocabulary it is very easy to insert oneself into the action. In fact, the descriptions of the clothing of the period are so vivid, I found myself envying the beautiful gowns and jewelry.
This book was a quick read, as the action kept a steady pace and the plot took unexpected twists and turns. But I can't tell you anymore, lest I spoil the adventure. And so....."To a clatter of hoofs on the drawbridge, a ruffle of drums, a flourish of trumpets, a grounding of halberds....." I'll leave you to the Prince of Foxes.

In the finest tradition of historical romance writers Rafael Sabatini and Alexandre Dumas, Prince of Foxes is Shellabarger's masterpiece. More exciting and cheerful than his other works, including Captain from Castille or Lord Vanity, the author uses Prince of Foxes to weave a rich historical tapestry while carefully mapping the transition of a human heart from greed to love, self-interest to nobility. The captivating and increasingly admirable character of Andrea Orsini, Shellabarger's Renaissance Man, delights the reader with his wit and charm, while warming the heart with his loyalty and courage.

Although I have found Rafael Sabatini's writings to be generally superior to those of Shellabarger, this is without a doubt the best novel I have ever had the privilege of reading.

Woo-hoo! After years of hoarding the two old library-discard copies of Prince of Foxes my grandmother gave me (one to read, one apparently to keep locked up in case something horrible happened to copy number one), it's finally available again! Now I can recommend with impunity...

Wonderful book, no matter your interests. Now all we have to do is get Lord Vanity back into print.

My father handed me his old worn copy of Prince of Foxes, without even a cover, and told me that I'd like it. Well, he was more than right. If you like action, intrigue, romance, and who doesn't, this is a great book. Believe me, order it now, you won't be sorry!

I heartily agree with other readers who have given Prince of Foxes 5 stars. This novel is fast-paced, informative, believeable, beautifully written and a fantastic blend of history and fiction. Mr. Shellabarger manages to educate the reader about the warring Italian city states of the period while holding their attention with a wholly credible depiction of people and places of the time. The characters in these pages are not the stick figure cartoons of so many bodice-rippers, but display actual psychological development and manage to engage the reader into caring about them - a rare occurrence in much of what passes these days as historical fiction. Once I got past about the first two chapters, I couldn't put this one down. There are no contrived coincidences to spoil the plot development, none of the artificial saving of the day that too often destroys believability. This has to rate as one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time, not to mention, has captured my attention to the extent that I now want to learn more about the Borgias and the times they lived in. Highly recommended. (As an aside, I was disappointed to find that the Tyrone Power/ Orson Welles Hollywood film based on the book is not available on any of the DVD sites I checked. Maybe just as welll, as my own mental images of the characters remain unspoiled.)

I read this book when a was a teenager, years and years ago, finding the hardcover from the original publication in a trove of an older siblings books. It made an indelible impression on me then, and, re-reading it, it still does. Pagentry, politics, emotional angst, it's all here. The book made such a vivid impression on me, that when I travelled to Italy years later, one of the most exciting experiences I had was to go to the Castel Saint'Angelo outside Rome. Not only is it the site where Tosca jumps to her death in the opera, but it's the setting for the very atmospheric scene in "Prince of Foxes" where Andrea goes to the secret audience with Borgia and is worried about being assasinated. That's how concrete that scene was. They don't write books like this anymore. For years, I was upset over the fact that I have thick thumbs, like Angela Borgia!
The movie that was made in the 1950s (Tyrone Power as Orsini, Orson Welles as Borgia and Wanda Hendrix as Camilla) does not do the book justice, for all that there are some nice scenes actually filmed on location in Italy. Oh, and Tyrone Power does look great in tights. Check him out in the wedding scene at the end.

A master of deception and disguise, Andea Orsini plays his hand well, rising from the place of a simple peasant blacksmith, first to General and then to Lord! He thwarts the venemous Ceasar Borgia on every turn, befriends a man with the look of Judas, and serves as the protector of a true lady - all the while fighting his own physical and spiritual battles and growing in character along the way.

A clever and decidedly well written story of both heroic deeds and great deceptions, true love and the pride of men. You won't be wasting your time on this book, it's five-star material.

I became interested in this book after watching the 1950s movie with Tyrone Power. The movie was so-so, but the story got my attention. It is a fantastic tale of the times, pageantry, personalities, and politics of medieval Italy when Europe was in the process of nation forming. The vocabulary and flow of the story are elegant without being the least overdone or tedious. You are transported to a different time, yet find that you may already know some of these people.

More than just a story of a Renaissance Man, this is a tale of a young, talented but materialistic and opportunistic man who pulls himself out of poverty by selling himself to the highest bidder. There are many parallels to the challenges facing today's young men who live in our inner cities. After an encounter with Saint Lucia, the man questions his motivations and finally becomes a more mature and fulfilled individual, at peace with himself and his formidable artistic talents. Also, this book was made into a GREAT movie in the 1950's (I think). I think Virginia Mayo as Camilla, Rex Harrison as one of the Borgia brothers, and Cliff Montgomery as Zoppo/Andrea??

What can I say? This was a favorite of mine back when I was a kid and I'm so happy to see that it is back in print.

The Prince of Foxes has all pageantry and drama that you would hope in historical fiction from this time period - the Renaissance- but I once again admire the rise and near fall of its hero. The intrigue, and details of the court and the Borgias. All good elements of storytelling.

It was written in the 1940s, but it deserves to read again. I loved the Tyrone Power movie, but agree that it didn't begin to show the intricate plot of real and imagine characters in this satisfying read.