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Loading... States of Grace: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain (St. Germain)by Chelsea Quinn YarbroLibraryThing recommendationsMember recommendationsLoading...
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Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0765313928, Paperback)Franzicco Ragoczy di Santo-Germano is a successful merchant in Venice. His lavish lifestyle and rumored cache of magnificent jewels have attracted the wrong sort of attention, and without Santo-Germano’s noble—and papal—connections, he might be imprisoned, his property confiscated. Also under surveillance is the vampire’s mistress, the lovely and talented musician Pier-Ariana Salier. Elsewhere, Ragoczy’s publishing business is being investigated by the Inquisition. Erneste van Amsteljaxter, a writer whose intelligence Ragoczy finds attractive, is tarred with the brush of heresy. Ragoczy is trying to help her, when he learns that Pier-Ariana has disappeared. Back in Venice Santo-Germano finds that his fortune has been embezzled, and that he is accused of kidnapping, and possibly murdering, a young man who had been spying on the vampire and his mistress. Another spy has discovered Santo-Germano’s true nature and intends to kill him before he can feast on all of Venice! (retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:12 -0400) The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details. |
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Saint-Germain is not portrayed as a typical vampire. He requires blood to live but only a small amount, which many of his "victims" (usually female) offer voluntarily. His other victims are usually visited in their sleep, and he can take their blood without awakening them, leaving them with an erotic dream. Unlike traditional vampires, he is discomforted by direct sunlight and by running water, but is only damaged by them when seriously weakened; keeping a layer of his native earth inside his shoes allows him to navigate these hazards with minimal discomfort, and he always imports his native earth to build the foundations of his many homes. The character was inspired by an actual historical Count Saint-Germain, a mysterious figure in 18th century France.
One might want to brush up on history in order to get the book in context; if you have no recollection whatsoever of when the printing press and movable type burst on the scene, and what the issues surrounding Gutenberg's press were, and don't remember a thing about Martin Luther and the 95 Theses, you might want to find a history-notes web site and refresh yourself on these issues.
One can accustom oneself to a great many things, given time and reason enough; not all of them need be onerous.
Book Details:
Title States of Grace: A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain
Author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Reviewed By Purplycookie (