Sarah Dunant

In the Company of the Courtesan

Colleen

1.5 Stars

*A well-researched historical fiction with nothing going for it other than the lush setting*


I’m always on the lookout for Historical Fiction set in time periods other than WWII. So when someone gave me a copy of In the Company of the Courtesan, I was intrigued. The story started out with the sacking of Rome. In the Company of the Courtesan, is about a famous courtesan and her dwarf sidekick fleeing the destruction then reestablishing themselves in Venice. Unfortunately, that first scene was the most exciting thing in the entire book.

The writing style was underwhelming. There wasn’t anything terrible about it; I just did not find it engaging. I’m never a fan of present tense novels, but the overall writing never engaged me. The flowery descriptions were offset by crude language. On top of that, the characters were boring, and the plot was mostly them whining. I expected wily machinations and driven women fighting for dominance. Instead, I found long winded descriptions of their pity parties. The characters were oblivious bordering on incompetent. And the plot was basically just them stumbling along screwing up their own lives.

It was just so drawn-out and boring. Since I had zero interest in the main characters and their weird relationship, what little plot existed was boring. I could tell the ending was meant to be this big emotional reveal, but I spend through it just wanting it to be over.

I’m only rounding up to two stars because it was well researched. Unfortunately, the thorough historical setting was not enough to revive this story. And now I’m torn because I also have a copy of Dunant’s The Birth of Venus. I’ve heard it is a better story, but I am extremely dubious about reading it after how disappointing In the Company of the Courtesan.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 2 Stars
Writing Style: 1 Star
Characters and Character Development: 1 Star
Plot Structure and Development: 1 Star
Level of Captivation: 1 Star
Originality: 2 Stars

In the Company of the Courtesan

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