First published 1980
Ludovico Ariosto sits in his study in Ferrara, quill poised above parchment as he struggles to complete his epic poem Orlando Furioso. The year is 1532, and the poet faces mounting pressures from his patron Duke Alfonso d'Este, who demands entertainment for his court while political upheaval threatens the Italian city-states. Ariosto must navigate the treacherous waters of Renaissance politics, balancing his artistic vision against the practical needs of survival in a world where poets depend on noble patronage. His personal relationships suffer as he becomes consumed by his work, torn between his duty to create lasting art and his obligations to family and friends. The weight of creating a masterwork that will define his legacy presses down on him as external forces conspire to interrupt his creative process. Yarbro explores the inner life of the artist caught between inspiration and responsibility, showing how great works emerge from the tension between personal desire and social obligation.
Genres: art, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, biographical-fiction
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: artist-struggle, creative-process, duty-vs-desire
Setting: Ferrara
Period: 1532
361 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Pocket