Schedule:

April 18th - May 2nd - Part I
May 2nd - May 16th - Part II
May 16th - May 30th - Part III + end

Discussion Part I May 2nd
Discussion Part II May 16th
Discussion Part II + end May 30th

Karin

About Arthur Japin

Arthur Japin is one of the Netherlands best loved and best selling authors. On publication his historical novels The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi and In Lucia’s Eyes shot to the best selling lists and haven’t left them since. His latest, The Big World had a first printing of 813.000 copies.

He studied Dutch Language and Literature at the University of Amsterdam and drama at The Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and the Amsterdam Theatre School. He has acted on stage, screen and television for many years, at one point even singing as a soloist at the Dutch National Opera.

Japin has also written award winning stage and screenplays and has published two volumes of short stories, of which the first Magonla has being made into film.

As writer in residence he has taught at Hull, Sheffield and Cambridge Universities, the University of Central London and New York University.

His work is published in over 20 countries and has been awarded many prestigious prizes, including the
2005 Libris award. The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi has been adapted for the stage several times in Europe and Africa. In 2007 it will be seen both as a feature film by Oscar winning director Marleen Gorris and an opera by British composer Jonathan Dove.

2008 will see the British publication of The Lion Dreaming, a novel set in Rome featuring Italian filmdirector Federico Fellini, with whom Japin found himself caught up in an unlikely love triangle.

Book Description

Amsterdam 1758, and a man is artfully seducing a woman. He is, to all appearances, Monsieur le Chevalier de Seingalt, a French government envoy selling shares to the Dutch; she is a courtesan, wellknown in Amsterdam for the fact that she never removes her veil. He sets her a challenge: if she can find a woman who has suffered after falling in love with him, she is entitled to resist his charms; if not, she should succumb. What Seingalt doesn't know is that he has already met the veiled woman many years ago, in another life. What Lucia doesn’t know is that Seingalt will go down in history as one of
the world’s greatest lovers, Casanova. The inspiration for this perfectly plotted, wonderfully romantic historical novel lies in Casanova’s memoirs, and a tiny reference to the woman he fell in love with at seventeen, but later met, hideously disfigured, in an Amsterdam brothel. Arthur Japin has expanded this anecdote into a deliciously entertaining and moving story of innocence and experience, love and sacrifice - all seen through eyes of the woman who first broke Casanova’s heart. His cunning narrative takes the reader on an entrancing journey from the canals of Amsterdam to those of Venice, painting a glorious portrait of the eighteenth century with all its contradictions of reason and instinct, wit and sensuality, head and heart.

Reviews

“Enthralling . . . Packed with the color of 18th-century life . . . A complex examination of thwarted love . . . A marvelous reversal of hunter and prey, with a soupcon of Dangerous Liaisons . . . Lucia’s slightly arch voice throbs with as much searching intelligence as sexual passion . . . What makes In Lucia’s Eyes so fascinating is its melding of disparate veins: It’s a painful story that arrives at profound insights about the nature of love, but it’s spiked with bodice-ripper suspense and humor; it’s an intensely private testimony of one woman’s peculiar survival, but it’s laced with a fascinating survey of 18th-century intellectual history. Brace yourself with all the skepticism you want, you’ll still be seduced.”
–Ron Charles, Washington Post Book World

“An irrisistible subject . . . Lucia is a prostitute with a 24-karat intellect. By the end of a novel that consistently pits reason against emotion, she has found the means to satisfy each.”
–Kathryn Harrison, New York Times Book Review

“Japin has done his historical homework . . . A mesmerizing look into a Europe of long ago.”
–Condé Nast Traveler

“A dark intrigue . . . Vivid . . . Startlingly poignant . . . unfolding in intricately plotted flashbacks and divan-rattling love scenes . . . Through Lucia, we’re able to discern firsthand the secrets of Casanova’s success.”
–Megan O’Grady, Vogue

"Inspired by a character in Giacomo Casanova's History of My Life–a once beautiful girl disfigured by small pox whom the great seducer meets again in the brothels of Amsterdam–Arthur Japin spins an enthralling tale on the mystery of first love and its endurance in the face of a lifetime of hardships."
–Andrea Di Robilant, author of A Venetian Affair

"To see the world through Lucia's eyes is to see it in the fullness of wonders and dangers most never notice."
–Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist

I'm excited about reading this book! It sounds lovely!
And you make me want to read The Seventh Scroll!!!
Thanks Karin! Have a good day!

Thanks for the schedule Karin. I'm going to pick this one up at B & N before we start. Looking forward to sharing.

Lori

Hey Karin,

I had to order the book from B&N and they just called telling me its in. I'm going to pick up tonight.

Thanks again for the schedule.

Dee

Woohoo, I CAN keep my promise to myself...found a neighboring library that has ILE and they are going to ship it here for me.

Lori

How do you like the book so far? I ordered my copy today!

quote:

Originally posted by Book Girl:
~Karin~

I'm in. I started reading ILE with the Book Buddies and got about two-thirds of the way through. The discussion wasn't taking off over there so I never finished the book (I also knew at this time that we would be discussing the book over here at RGG sometimes towards/in the summer). So I plan to finish the book with ya'll and enjoy further discussion.

Anne

Oh, and isn't he cute?

OK, I ordered the book in. This gives me enough time to get it from the library system.

(I still don't have the Wilbur Smith book - guess I'd better skip that discussion)

quote:

Originally posted by Zorro:
Anne, The BookBuddies discussion questions for People of the Book are really hard to answer too. And it feels so formal there. I really liked PotBook

~MaryZorro~

People of the Book sounds really good. I can't wait for the paperback or get my hands on a cheap copy of the hardcover.

I tried to get to the library on Wednesday to see if I could get a copy. But I need to stop by the bank first (to change my name to my married name!) and my mom and sister needed to go so they came with. Then they wanted to go to the library with me cause they knew I wanted to go. Mary M is so impatient I can't imagine being in the library with her. LOL So I missed again. I wonder if they will give my a library card still? My drivers license was Dorchester County but I changed it to where I live when I changed my name on it.

I think the thing with the Book Buddies is that it is a blog so it seems more formal than posting on a board. I know I feel a need to have better spelling/grammar/editing and "smart/good" sounding content when posting there. I think online book clubs work better on forum from what I've seen so far.

Anne

quote:

Originally posted by Carly:
Oh, and isn't he cute?

OK, I ordered the book in. This gives me enough time to get it from the library system.

(I still don't have the Wilbur Smith book - guess I'd better skip that discussion)

~Carly~

Don't feel like you can't still read River God if you want to. I just started reading, Cindy is still waiting for her copy as well, and my friend Ang ordered the book too. So we'll have a small group of late readers.

Anne

I can get a copy of ILE at the local library without a hitch. I will be reading ahead of schedule I think. Then back on track with M's choice in May. Gotta order that one right now.

Barb