This is a first edition in very good condition.  It was published by Bloomsbury in 2002.

'Set in a parallel world, where Italy is called Talia and Venice is called Bellezza, the narrative follows Lucien, who in our world is very ill.  Given a marbled notebook to help him communicate when his throat hurts too much to speak, the notebook is the means that transports Lucien to this magical, dangerous new world set in an alternative sixteenth century, and thrills to the delight of political intrigue and danger of assassination attempts both foiled and successful.  The parallel Venice is astonishingly evoked, with the silks and velvets, the sensuousness of the food and the elegance of the city and its waterways all beautifully and powerfully described.  The world of Talia is unforgettably and convincingly real.'

This is a 1st Edition / 1st Printing (The number string is: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1).

Condition:

Book - Very Good - rubbing/bumping/wear to the corners and edges, a spine lean, slight marking to the page edges, a slight wave to the page block and soft tanning to the pages.

Dust Jacket - Very Good - rubbing/bumping/wear to the corners and edges and slight marking, discolouration and creasing.

The DJ is not price clipped.

The DJ is in a protective plastic sleeve (non-adhesive).

 

Photos/scans are always of the actual book for sale, and more can be supplied upon request.