A Brightness Long Ago

Bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay returns to his unique, alternate fantasy Europe, this time telling the tale of late medieval Italy. Danio Cerra is looking back on his life, telling his story by recounting the highs and lows. He describes the incredible people he has met and the wonderful times he has had. The son of a tailor, Cerra’s ability and intelligence got him into a prestigious school. From there he went on a journey, and through a series of unexpected events, he befriends a ruling count and gets the opportunity to pay witness to one of the most remarkable horse races in history. Then there is Adria Ripoli, a woman of great beauty and brilliance who he gets to know from some time in his life and interacts with on multiple occasions. This woman has touched his life, and he will never forget.

Kay, like many of his other novels, has created another magical tale that feels both like a piece of history and like a wondrous fairytale at the same time. The language is colorful and descriptive, the pace constant and fulfilling. A Brightness Long Ago is another enchanting novel by a brilliant author that should be added to one’s collection.