Synopses & Reviews
Dalessius is twenty when he comes to work for one of the Enlightenments most famous minds, the author and philosopher Voltaire. As the great mans calligrapher, Dalessius becomes witness to many wonders—and finds himself in the middle of a secret battle between the malevolent remnants of the all-but-dead Dark Ages and the progressive elements of the modernage. The calligraphers role in this shadowy conflict will carry him to many perilous places— through the gates of sinister castles and to the doors of a bizarre bordello; toward life-and death confrontations with inventive henchmen, ingenious mechanical execution devices, poisonous fish, and murderous automatons. As the conspiracy to halt the Enlightenments astonishing progress intensifies, young Dalessiuss courage—as well as Voltaires unique cunning and wit—are put to the ultimate test as they strive to ensure the survival of the future.
Review
"[E]very sentence conveys a passion for manuscripts....This is a (mischievously) historical novel, a thriller and a philosophical novel too, but above all, it is a novel of adventures." Rolling Stone, Buenos Aires
Synopsis
The acclaimed author of "The Paris Enigma" is back with new novel, this one set during the height of the 18th century's Enlightenment, in pre-revolution France, where the skilled, yet fading, craft of a renowned calligrapher is at the heart of a breathless steampunk mystery.
Synopsis
“Richly reminiscent of Umberto Eco, the headlong pace of this dark fantasy—combining elements of mystery, historical fiction, horror and the splinter genre clockpunk—will let readers swallow the entrancing story in a single gulp.” —
Kirkus ReviewsPablo DeSantis, the internationally acclaimed author of The Paris Enigma, is back with a wonderfully inventive, deliciously sinister thriller set in the chaos and opulence of 18th century Paris, where the malevolent remnants of the Dark Ages battle the progressive elements of the modern age. Anyone wondering where to turn after Neal Stephensons Anathem and The Baroque Cycle or Matthew Pearls The Dante Club will thrill for the exquisite language and deep intrigue of Pablo De Santis Voltaires Calligrapher.
About the Author
A journalist and comic-strip creator who became editor in chief of one of Argentina's leading comic magazines, Pablo De Santis is the author of five critically acclaimed novels, one work of nonfiction, and a number of books for young adults. He lives in Buenos Aires.