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Art of Loving Italy

Art of Loving Italy

Art & Beauty are all around us.

“Waking Isabella” New novel about Italy set in Arezzo by Melissa Muldoon

December 11, 2017 by Melissa Muldoon 1 Comment

waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon
Photo Credit: Art Loving Italy

It is here! My newly published novel set in Arezzo, Italy called
“Waking Isabella” is now available on Amazon in print and e-book.

When Isabella woke that morning with intentions
of washing her long dark hair, she hadn’t imagined
she would be dead before it was dry.

…and so begins the story of my next adventure in Italy. Join my protagonist Nora as she journeys from San Francisco to Tuscany, following the ghost of Isabella de’ Medici, and discovers more about the Renaissance princess who was murdered by her husband in the hunting lodge at Cerreto Guidi.

waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon
Illustration Credit: Melissa Muldoon

The story is set in Arezzo, a small Tuscan town, south of Florence. Against the backdrop of the city’s ancient jousting festival and antique market, Nora is caught up in the mystery of what happened to a portrait of Isabella and her mother Eleonora, that was lost during the war years when Hitler ransacked and confiscated artwork from all over Europe. Nora becomes obsessed not only with the fifteenth-century Medici princess but also with the stories of Margherita and her father Bernardo Lancini who owned an antique store in Arezzo during the 40s, as well as with that of Federico Donati, the Italian artist who escaped from Paris with smuggled paintings from the Louvre.

Isabella de’ Medici
Follow Nora to Arezzo, Italy, and fall in love with the
city and the joustas she awakens a princess and
solves the mystery of a hidden masterpiece.


Story Synopsis

Waking Isabella is a story about uncovering hidden beauty that, over time, has been lost, erased, or suppressed. It also weaves together several love stories as well as a few mysteries. Nora, an assistant researcher, is a catalyst for resolving the puzzle of a painting that has been missing for decades. Set in Arezzo, a small Tuscan town, the plot unfolds against the backdrop of the city’s antique trade and the fanfare and pageantry of its medieval jousting festival. While filming a documentary about Isabella de’ Medici—the Renaissance princess who was murdered by her husband—Nora begins to connect with the lives of two remarkable women from the past. Unraveling the stories of Isabella, the daughter of a fifteenth-century Tuscan duke, and Margherita, a young girl trying to survive the war in Nazi-occupied Italy, Nora begins to question the choices that have shaped her own life up to this point. As she does, hidden beauty is awakened deep inside of her, and she discovers the keys to her creativity and happiness. It is a story of love and deceit, forgeries and masterpieces—all held together by the allure and intrigue of a beautiful Tuscan ghost.

waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon

“Waking Isabella”
follows my debut novel
“Dreaming Sophia.”
Both books are available on Amazon in
print, e-pub and Audiobook

Dreaming Sophia” is the story of Sophia, an artist who makes her way to Florence. Being an imaginative thinker through her daydreams, she meets important historical figures—the titans of Italian language, art, and culture: Sophia Loren, Dante, Eleonora de’ Medici, Lorenzo de’ Medici, Michelangelo, and Brunelleschi to name a few. It is a story of turning dreams into reality and Sophia learns to adapt to the language and the Italian culture.

After completing “Dreaming Sophia,” I discovered how much I enjoy writing fiction and setting my characters in Italy. It is a pleasure for me to develop plot lines that allow me to draw the reader into a world in which I can illuminate them about local Italian festivals and traditions, as well as explore music, language, and art.

“Dreaming Sophia” is loosely based on my own experiences of falling in love with Italy that lead me to learn the language. The story of  “Waking Isabella,” on the other hand, was inspired during one of my stays in Arezzo. It happened during a visit to Vasari’s house. Vasari was the first Art Historian, who collected the stories of contemporary artists, such as Michelangelo and Leonardo. He was born in Arezzo and worked for Cosimo I de’ Medici in Florence. One of his most important commissions was painting the inside of the cupola in the Duomo in Florence. In Arezzo, he designed the magnificent Loggia in the Piazza Grande. As I walked through Vasari’s home, I came upon a portrait of Isabella de’ Medici and was caught by expression in woman’s eyes. Similar to my character Nora, I quickly became curious to learn more about the Medici princess…and just like that—the idea for my second novel was born!

waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon
Photo Credit: Art Loving Italy

Continuing my research, I was further inspired by Iris Origo’s Diario, “War in Val d’Orcia in which she records life in Tuscany during the war years and the partisan activity in the area around Montepulciano. Of course, having lived and worked in Arezzo, the city itself was a huge inspiration, and I consider it a protagonist in my story. How could I resist the romance of the medieval jousting festival, the antique market, and the town’s churches, and artwork? In Arezzo, you will find Piero della Francesca’s frescos in the church of San Francesco and Cimabue’s cross in the church of San Domenico. Plus the city is bursting with local legends, and the allure of the Roberto Benigni’s—“La vita è bella”—that was filmed in Arezzo.

waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon
Photo Credit: Art Loving Italy
waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon
Photo Credit: Art Loving Italy
waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon
Photo Credit: Art Loving Italy

I am completely enamored with Arezzo and through the pages of “Waking Isabella” I invite you to fall in love with the town too.

waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon
Photo Credit: Art Loving Italy
Purchase your copy of Waking Isabella here

waking-isabella-new-novel-italy-arezzo-melissa-muldoon
Photo Credit: Art Loving Italy

Writing a novel is a thrilling process—engaging, time-consuming, at times frustrating, and at other times invigorating—but oh, so rewarding. Aside from the long, late-night hours spent all by myself writing, re-writing, and revising…along the way to realize “Waking Isabella” I also met a lot of fascinating people. I couldn’t be more pleased with the team of first readers, editors, and proofreaders who provided valuable assistance.

Elizabeth Bosch was with me, once again, from the concept idea to the finished book. During the past year, she fearlessly and eagerly read the story over and over again, in all its various stages, and watched it evolve into the final version, which I now invite you to read. Thanks also to my editor Robert Schirmer, proofreader Kate Sullivan and ebook formatter Deborah Stocco. I send my love and undying gratitude also to Deborah Fallon who stepped in at the final hour to review and polish the apple one last time before the book went to press. Last but not least—ringrazio di cuore gli amici Italiani ad Arezzo—thanks to my friends in Arezzo who answered my many questions about the joust and Aretino history: Paula Testi, Roberto Bondi, Monica Brizzi, Signori Carlo & Matteo Badii, Roberto Turchi, Giampiero Bracciali and Gianmaria Scortecci. Baci and abbracci a tutti!

Praise for “Dreaming Sophia”

Sheri Hoyte for Blog Critics: Author Melissa Muldoon presents spellbinding artistic expression in her delightful story, Dreaming Sophia. Not your typical Italian romantic adventure, Dreaming Sophia is a wonderful multifaceted story that pushes through several genres, with layers and layers of exquisite entertainment. The development of her characters is flawless and effortless, as is her ability to draw readers into her world.  

Dianne Hales, author of “La Bella Lingua”: In Dreaming Sophia, Melissa Muldoon weaves many strands of Italian culture into a delightful blend of fantasy, romance, art, and history. With an artist’s keen eye and deft touch, she brings to life the titans of Italian culture in a touching tale of a young woman reeling from loss who discovers that “Italy is the answer.” The many Italophiles who share her belief will revel in the adventures of this kindred spirit.

If you liked this post you might like these too:

Arezzo 2017: Youtube Video – Highlights from our Fall Italian Language Program

Giorgio Vasari pittore e primo storico dell’arte – Painter and First Art Historian

Con antico ardore: 2017 September Joust in Arezzo

Dreaming Sophia novel about Italy and Florence by Melissa Muldoon: Just published

2018 Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo Language Program

La Giostra del Saracino! Travel back in time to Arezzo

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Filed Under: Melissa Book News Tagged With: Arezzo, Melissa Muldoon, Novel Italy, Waking Isabella

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Ho una confessione – ho presa una cotta per Dant Ho una confessione – ho presa una cotta per Dante! 

I have a confession - I have a big crush on Dante!

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Fall in Love with Dante!  Fall in love with Italy, its culture and its language! Join Melissa, la Studentessa Matta in Italy to learn Italian and dive deeper into Italian culture.

The dates for 2023 Matta Italian Language Programs are:

2023 Matta and Arezzo Italian Language Program: June 11 - 23, 2023

2023 Matta and Lucca Italian Language Program: Aug 24 - Sept 2, 2023

2023 Matta September Arezzo Joust Weekend: September 2 - 4, 2023 

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Ciao! Sono Melissa! Are you learning Italian? Do y Ciao! Sono Melissa! Are you learning Italian? Do you often come across things in the Italian grammatically that confuse you?
 
For instance, the other day a student of mine was a bit perplexed and wanted to know what the phrase “Oggi in Italia si festeggia San Giuseppe.” 

Today in Italy we celebrate San Giuseppe — or father’s day. She was confused by the use of “Si” in this phrase.

This is the Italian impersonal construction. As in English you use the impersonal construction to speak in generalities. For instance to render the generic English expressions “one thinks,” or “one does” or “people say” Italian uses the pronoun “si” plus the third person singular of the verb.

This use of “si” here is not be confused with the third person reflexive pronoun “si”. 

I bet, even if you are a new student, you’ve used the impersonal construction before to ask how is something said in Italian: “come si dice in Italiano?”

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First, imagine being in one of the most charming cities in Tuscany, surrounded by stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and friendly locals. Now add to that the excitement of a medieval festival where the town’s four neighborhoods compete in a jousting tournament!

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Read my review on the StudentessaMatta.com website in Italian and English.

È una storia incantevole che ti porterà direttamente da New York alla Sicilia! Preparati a ridere, piangere, arrabbiarti e innamorarti... e scappare in Italia! 

It is a delightful story that will take you directly from New York to Sicilia! Get ready to laugh, cry, get angry and fall in love… and escape to Italy! 

It is easy to put yourself in the protagonist's shoes as she searches for love and prince charming. In this case, Prince Charming, who the protagonist Lexi Wood dubs “Mr. Perfect” (an Italian from Sicilia), seems to be the perfect candidate for her. 

When he informs her that he must return to Sicily because of her mom, Lexi accompanies him, hoping to meet her tender future mother-in-law to get to know her well. But right from the beginning, after the two meet and exchange looks, a great hatred arises between them that Lexi didn’t expect, the cause of which mystifies her. 

Instead of a kind mother-in-law, welcoming and ready to hug her, she discovers a monster that, if a viper bit her, it would die of poison! 

Al posto di una gentile suocera, disponibile e pronta ad abbracciarla, scopre un mostro, che se una vipera la mordesse, morirebbe di veleno!

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For information about online language lessons with Melissa, the Studentessa Matta or to learn more and to sign up for one of the Matta 2023 Italian Language Immersion programs visit the www.StudentessaMatta.com website. Links in bio.

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Love Italy!?!? Love the language? Do I have an ide Love Italy!?!? Love the language? Do I have an idea for you! 

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Montepulciano is a beautiful town located in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is known for its picturesque landscapes, historic architecture, and delicious food and wine. The town has a rich cultural heritage and is home to numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year.

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For more information and to sign up for the September Matta Montepulciano program find links in bio.

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The best way to keep up with your Italian is by li The best way to keep up with your Italian is by listening to audiobooks in Italian. There are lots of good books on Amazon Audible! 

Here are my latest listening stats: In the last four months, you pressed play on 23 titles, listened for 9,138 mins, averaged 76 min/day, and devoured 327 min on Feb 12. 

Il modo migliore per stare a passo con il tuo italiano e ascoltare gli audiobook. Ci sono tanti libri su amazon Audible! 

Buon ascolto! Buona lettura.

Happy listening! Happy reading!

Find Italian novels and audiobooks on the Matta Amazon Italian Page - Books, gifts & more!

Link in bio to my Amazon store page

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