Dante's Gift

Fiorenza mio amore

 

  SPOILER ALERT: 

this post includes details which reveal

plot elements of Dante's Gift

The Dove was begging for a sequel; although it was not planned from the outset, it became clear while I was writing. The story did not end with the executions of the Goodmen and women and with Sibilia's escape. Others fled and carried their message abroad, the Goodmen's religion survived at least into the following century and their fate was possibly caught up with that of other persecuted groups such as the Templars. 

Bonshommes being banished from Carcassonne in 1209; some of those who survived would have fled to communities in northern and central Italy

Although Sibilia's mission would not be described in detail, it also seemed necessary to trace her legacy. There was the added temptation of transferring the sequel to Italy and Florence, and of introducing a protagonist I have revered for many years. I confess I hesitated to include him at all: it seemed impertinent at best and hubris at worst. Perhaps I have committed hubris, but it has been a great adventure doing so!

Sandro Botticelli's portrait of Dante Alighieri, 1495