Synopses & Reviews
Through the eyes of a Spanish architect in Rome, the dark period surrounding the rise and fall of Fascism roars to life, as the architect, a passionate young librarian, and an Italian prince become entangled in a web of intrigue, love, and deceit involving a fateful map whose secrets are powerful enough to destroy them.
Rome, 1952a JosA(c) MarA-a isalike Europe itselfastruggling to recover from the chaotic and character-defining events that transpired during the previous fifteen years, events that haunt him still. He and his wife, Montse, attempt not to dwell on their past, until the day they read about a mysterious death by decapitation of an old acquaintance, and JosA(c) MarA-aas memories come surging back.
And so our narrator begins his talea] It is 1937, in the thick of the Spanish Civil War. JosA(c) MarA-a and Montse are two of a group of Spaniards thrown together, forced to wait out the war in refuge at the Spanish Academy in Rome. Unlike the rest of his compatriots, JosA(c) MarA-a has no strong feelings either way about the Fascist or Nationalist ideologies that are causing such bloodshed in his home country; it is only the beautiful and bookish Montse who ignites his passion. When Montse and JosA(c) MarA-a sell a sixteenth century text discovered in the Spanish Academyas forgotten library, they unwittingly become embroiled in an underground Nazi plot to collect mystic artifacts for the practice of the black arts. The most powerful artifact soughtathe one most coveted by the FA1/4hrerais the Creatoras Map, a legendary document depicting the power centers of the universe, said to be penned by God himself.
When the handsome and sinister Prince Junio, a wealthyItalian Fascist and Nazi sympathizer who is in pursuit of the map, appears to take a romantic interest in Montse, she is recruited to spy on him. As WWII blazes into full force, the idealistic Montse becomes more and more deeply involved in espionage, as does JosA(c) MarA-a, for his own reasons.
Covering the most tumultuous and fascinating period of recent historyafrom the beginning of the Spanish Civil War to the end of World War IIaThe Creatoras Map brilliantly recreates the dark intrigue, romantic entanglements, and divided loyalties of a war-torn Europe. Long after the war is over, the destinies of these characters will continue to be shaped by the devastating repercussions of this tumultuous time.
Review
" An intricately plotted, compelling read that vividly conjures up the Rome of World War II."
-Juan G=mez-Jurado, author of God's Spy
" A narrative that combines the historical novel and the espionage thriller . . . a story whose stylistic and thematic beauty surpasses the expectations of even the most demanding of readers . . . a stunning work of fiction."
-ABC (Spain)
Synopsis
Covering the most tumultuous and fascinating period of recent history--from the beginning of the Spanish Civil War to the end of World War II--this work brilliantly re-creates the dark intrigue, romantic entanglements, and divided loyalties of a war-torn Europe.
Synopsis
A beautiful librarian pursued by the Nazis must protect a mysterious document said to be penned by God's own handEmilio Calderón is a true master of the historical novel, able to infuse a specific time and place with clarion detail and an aura of magic. In The Creator's Map, he vividly re-creates the shadowy schemes, romantic entanglements, and divided loyalties of a Europe torn apart by World War II. Told from the perspective of José María, a Spanish architect in Rome, The Creator's Map brings to life the harrowing days surrounding the rise and fall of fascism as he, along with a passionate young librarian and an Italian prince, become entangled in a web of intrigue, love, and deceit involving a fateful map whose secrets have the power to destroy them.
About the Author
Emilio Calderón is a historian, editor, and author. He is the founder of Editorial Cirene, a publishing house in Spain. In 1995 he began writing young adult fiction. In 2003, Calderón received the Valle-Inclán Fellowship of the Spanish Royal Academy in Rome. The result was his first novel for adults, The Creator’s Map, the translation rights to which have been sold in more than twenty countries.