This is quite a dark book. It's set in Italy in some vague renisance period. It is told from the point of view of a dwarf who is a servant in the king's castle. The dwarf believes he is of another race, not human. As such, he views humanity as beneath him and struggles to make sense of our morality. Is the dwarf evil? Are we all evil? Perhaps the dwarf is that disconnected part of us that views our neighbors dispassionately, that steps outside of emotion. I liked this. It read incredibly fast. Also, it reminded me of a simplified version of Crime and Punishment. ( )

The story is narrated by a dwarf at an Italian court during the Renaissance period. The narration is interesting as it is both limited in omniscience and unreliable, but giving a great insight into the Dwarf’s character, his limitations and hang-ups. The story itself is full of interesting observations on human nature and the relationship of good and evil. It is all set on the background of love, deceit and intrigue, and played out by typical characters of the period. ( )