The Falcon of Palermo
by Maria R. Bordihn
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Description
The Falcon of Palermo opens with the nations of modern Europe just beginning to take shape, while the papacy clings to its temporal power. Into this era of shifting borders and alliances steps a leader who will become legendary -- the brilliant maverick, Frederick II. After losing his parents, Emperor Henry Hohenstaufen and Queen Constance, by age four, a young, neglected Frederick runs among the urchins in the Muslim quarter while German warlords overrun Sicily. To restore order the Pope show more sends Archbishop Berard, a warmhearted man who gradually develops a deep bond with the gifted boy. Fluent in Arabic and strongly influenced by Muslim culture, Frederick aims to return Sicily to her former glory. However, when elected Holy Roman Emperor in a surprise move by the German princes, his vision grows. Once established as the unchallenged ruler, Frederick works to create an empire equal to that of Rome. Marked by his struggle with the Papacy for the domination of Europe, his glorious feats in battle, his recapturing of the Holy Land, his falconry, and the passions that led him to wives, mistresses, and one enduring love, Frederick's life is a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal period in medieval history. show lessTags
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by bookfitz
Member Reviews
I came across this novel in a charity shop when I had been reading The Normans by Lars Brownworth, otherwise I would most likely to have passed it by. I hadn't read anything about Frederick II before, which made this book interesting, and of course his life was varied. However, as historical fiction, I thought this book was pretty weak: trying to cover everything in Frederick's life it felt like the book had to keep up a gallop through the years and events, and felt unfocused and lacking in depth and real understanding of its protagonist.
Stupor Mundi. What a life! Fascinating, although at times I was a bit impatient with the pace of this novel. The sheer improbability of this man's life kept me going, and it was worth it.
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Published Reviews
ThingScore 88
"Bordihn renders vivid descriptions of the medieval era (bejeweled costumes, bloody battles, the pomp of the royal court) in this engrossing account of a legendary ruler both revered and reviled."
added by bookfitz
"Much of the content here is generic. But Bordihn does create a world, and does keep us interested in its nicely evoked color and turmoil."
added by bookfitz
Author Information
2 Works 85 Members
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Falcon of Palermo
- Original title
- The Falcon of Palermo
- Original publication date
- 2005
- People/Characters
- Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor; Archbishop Berard; Bianca Lancia; Pope Innoncent III; Manfred Lancia; Aquinas, Thomas, 1225-1274 (show all 8); Francis of Assisi; Hermann von Salza
- Important places
- Sicily, Italy
- Important events
- Crusades
- Dedication
- For Zell,
with Love and Gratitude - First words
- The executioner raised his ax.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"I wonder," Richard said, tilting his head, "if it is a smile of satisfaction that, after all, God's justice has prevailed?"
- Original language
- English
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 83
- Popularity
- 382,497
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.71)
- Languages
- English, German, Italian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 3
