The Measure of a Man
A Novel about Leonardo da Vinci
Marco Malvaldi author Howard Curtis translator Katherine Gregor translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Europa Editions (UK) Ltd
Published:17th Oct '19
Should be back in stock very soon
In The Measure of a Man, Leonardo da Vinci becomes an unlikely detective in a mysterious Renaissance thriller, unraveling secrets in Milan's court.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of October 1493, The Measure of a Man immerses readers in the height of the Renaissance, where Milan thrives under the watchful eye of Ludovico il Moro. Within the castle's storied courtyards, we meet a man in his forties, clad in long pink robes, who often appears lost in thought. This man, Leonardo da Vinci, shares his home with his mother and a playful young boy, navigating life as an artist and inventor. His unique habits, such as writing from right to left and his aversion to meat, add to his enigmatic persona, while his reputation stretches beyond Italy to the French court of Charles VIII, where secret missions intertwine with his innovative designs.
When a mysterious death occurs in the castle's courtyard, Ludovico il Moro turns to Leonardo for assistance. The body shows no signs of violence, yet the circumstances surrounding the death are shrouded in suspicion. As rumors of plague and superstitions swirl, it becomes imperative to uncover the truth. Despite his own challenges, including a lack of payment from patrons, Leonardo must rise to the occasion, accepting the daunting task of investigation.
The Measure of a Man is a masterfully crafted thriller that blends historical detail with a captivating mystery, showcasing Leonardo da Vinci not only as a brilliant artist but also as an astute detective navigating the complexities of his time.
“It demands a degree of chutzpah to make the Renaissance’s greatest genius the central character in a novel, but the Italian Marco Malvaldi succeeds in creating a vivid portrait of Leonardo da Vinci in The Measure of a Man.” -- Nick Rennison * The Sunday Times *
“A refreshing read, combining mystery, history and biography. It certainly had me intrigued.” * Yorkshire Gazette & Herald *
“What a different slant on Leonardo Da Vinci in this whodunit; mystery, historical facts and science all rolled into one . . . a joy for Da Vinci fans out there.” * NB Magazine *
“Da Vinci comments during the novel that ‘the measure of a man’ lies in ‘growing and learning’. That’s what happens to Malvaldi’s characters and his world – and, perhaps, to his readers as well.” -- David Hebblethwaite * European Literature Netword *
“Humourous and engrossing, a historical novel that will immerse its readers in the torbid atmosphere of the Renaissance and allow them to fully appreciate its most luminous figure.” * RAI Letteratura *
“Scientist and mystery writer, Marco Malvaldi is the perfect author to transform Leonardo da Vinci into a detective.” * La Repubblica/Robinson *
“At 500 years from the death of Leonardo da Vinci, the author plays with language, science, history, and crime and gives life to the story by imagining his protagonist’s multi-form intelligence as it grapples with the fragility and the greatness of human destiny.” * La Nazione *
“Malvaldi describes Leonardo’s curiosity, attentiveness, and desire to know everything. But the book also explores the protagonist’s more human side: his idiosyncrasies and distractedness; his love for eccentric clothes and gossip. The result is a rich and extremely enjoyable portrait of a figure who has been too often confined to the role of genius and artist.” * L'Unione Sarda *
ISBN: 9781787701878
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
240 pages