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In the Company of the Courtesan (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 11,590 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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 final page.
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"Sarah Dunant clearly knows her Italian history, and it shines through in this book, as in her others, as she writes about life in Renaissance Italy. Through her characters we relive the sack of Rome in 1527, and then see, smell, taste and almost touch Venice as the courtesan Fiammetta and her dwarf companian Bucino reestablish themselves there. They are compelling people, and it's easy to get drawn into their story, wanting to see what will become of them."
— Antonia (4 out of 5 stars)
In the Company of the Courtesan Listener Reviews
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" This book should be a film and Peter Dinklage should star in it. I could envision every scene. "
— Sharon, 2/16/2014 -
" Sex, history and an engaging cast of characters combine to make this a truly enjoyable and memorable read. "
— Kerri, 2/13/2014 -
" I really liked this book, as much as Birth of Venus. The research she does is amazing. The story was never predictable. My only reservation is there is someone giving abortions to the Courtesans of Venus and there is no discussion of the religious implications for someone who raised truly catholic with no other values available. And it makes no sense why she would keep the bones - especially with the way they must have smelled. "
— Lissa, 1/30/2014 -
" While Dunant's writing is just as stunning as it was in Birth of Venus, I found the story less interesting. The plot seemed to take ages to gain momentum, and by the time I was truly interested, it was drawing to a close. I felt the story was imbalanced and while the characters were interesting, never became "real." Still well-written, but not up to a historical fiction buff's snuff. "
— Letitia, 1/28/2014 -
" This book really isn't about much -- the author is an art historian, I believe, and she chooses a painting and invents a story and characters around it, based on what is known of the culture in that place and time. For that, it's very well fleshed out and a good read. This one is about a courtesan and her dwarf companion who flee the sack of Rome for Venice. I spent a couple of days in Venice, and it was nice to revisit the city through her eyes, in another time. "
— Laural, 1/22/2014 -
" It is good for once to read a story about someone from another person, who's not supposed to be the main character, yet he lived and described "her" in a true way. "
— Kytheria, 1/16/2014 -
" I read this book because I am a sucker for Venice. I liked the history part of the book. The story was just ok. It is an adult book. Not to graphic but there were a few things. "
— Heather, 1/15/2014 -
" Pales so much in comparison to The Birth of Venus. So disappointed. "
— K., 1/15/2014 -
" What a wonderful find! I loved this book and am thrilled to find such a fantastic writer to enjoy. I found myself not wanting to rush through the book so I could savor and enjoy the words. "
— Natalie, 12/31/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel about the fall of Rome. There characters are quite unusual, and the story has some unique twists. The history was also very interesting. "
— Mary, 12/23/2013 -
" Did not finish. Not my cup of java. "
— Teddy, 12/14/2013 -
" Interesting fiction about a dwarf and the prostitite he works for fleeing Rome and setting up shop in Venice. Good read for those who love books set in Italy. "
— Isobel, 10/31/2013 -
" Did not finish her first book, but really liked this one. Would make good book club pick. "
— Laura, 10/23/2013 -
" A far more rewarding and intelligent read than the write up might suggest "
— Robert, 8/19/2013 -
" It was slow moving in the beginning and the plot didn't really pick up until the final 4 chapters. "
— Kathryn, 7/17/2013 -
" At first reading I was bored but then I went to Venice and decided to try again and I loved it! Read it with a huge large sacle street map of Venice spread ut on the floor beside me. "
— Simon, 6/28/2013 -
" At least Birth of Venus had a semi-interesting story with a little historical fiction. I did not see the point of this book--and could not wait for it to end. "
— Sapna, 2/10/2013 -
" This was a complete and utter waste of my time. "
— southpaw285, 7/28/2012 -
" This really is a book to savour - I found myself deliberately slowing down to absorb it better, and it's definitely worth the effort. "
— Wendy, 6/29/2012 -
" This was a fun read about a prostitute and a dwarf. The story was engaging. "
— Delight, 6/10/2012 -
" For the $1.50 I paid at the humane society thriftshop, it was an alright book. Interesting look at Venician society of the mid-15th century...and having been to Venice, it was interesting to think of living in buildings connected only by canals and waterways. "
— Marilyn, 6/1/2012 -
" If you read this AND watch the movie "Dangerous Beauty" you will be transported to Venice completely... "
— Lisa, 2/29/2012 -
" I really like Sarah Dunant's writing. She tells a great tale as well as paints a vivid picture of a period in history. This was a good read with surprises. "
— Jill, 11/17/2011 -
" Interesting story of a dwarf that is a partner of a high-class prostitute in the 16th C. Venice. Just very interesting what happens, his observations and the interesting perspective that the author chose to write. "
— Jan, 8/26/2011 -
" I found this book to start off slow, but very quickly to turn into a very interesting book to listen too. I must say I didn't enjoy this book as much as Birth of Venus. "
— Wendy, 8/1/2011 -
" Even though I liked all three Renaissance Italy books written by this author this was by far my favorite - I absolutely loved this narrator's "voice". "
— Elaine, 5/14/2011 -
" The characters were memorable. By the end of the book I felt I had lived during the 1500's and had a glimpse at a very different life. I also appreciated the author's research. "
— Bonnie, 5/8/2011 -
" Not what i was expecting but still a good read. "
— Lissette, 5/4/2011 -
" I did not like this at all; not even a plot to keep me in it. "
— Mary, 5/3/2011 -
" Incredibly interesting piece of historical fiction about the sack of Rome told from the perspective of a famous courtesan and her constant companion. "
— Evelyn, 4/12/2011 -
" This really is a book to savour - I found myself deliberately slowing down to absorb it better, and it's definitely worth the effort. "
— Wendy, 4/3/2011 -
" Actually audio book. I enjoyed it and gave a good sense of the times in the 1500s in Venice. "
— Debbie, 4/2/2011 -
" Eh, it was OK. Fine to read if you have nothing else to read but not my favorite. "
— Claudette, 3/15/2011 -
" Starts slow but worth reading for the moving ending, this historical and sensuous novel takes a look at a courtesan and her dwarf businesspartner escaping the sack of Rome by Lutherans in favour of decadent Venice. Thee are very dry, slow parts but equally emotional and enjoyable ones. "
— Lily, 3/4/2011
About Sarah Dunant
Sarah Dunant is the author of the international bestsellers The Birth of Venus and In the Company of the Courtesan, Sacred Hearts, and Blood and Beauty, which have received major acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Her earlier novels include three Hannah Wolfe crime thrillers, as well as Snowstorms in a Hot Climate, Transgressions, and Mapping the Edge.
About the Narrators
Richard Grant is a British journalist, author and television presenter living in Mississippi. He is the author of four non-fiction books and also writes articles for magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times, the Guardian, and more. He is the writer and presenter of American Nomads, a documentary for the BBC based on his first book.
Richard E. Grant is a British Swazi actor, screenwriter, and director. A prominent figure on television and film since the 1980s, he achieved international recognition as John Seward in the 1992 blockbuster film Dracula.