City of Masks is the first book of the Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman. Lucien Mulholland is the main character. A Talian Tale is the corresponding short story for City of Masks.[2] It takes place during the year 1577[3].
“ | ...he felt Dad slip the little notebook into his hand. And he began to dream of a city floating on the water, laced with canals, and full of domes and spires... |
” |
—City of Masks, Chapter 1: The Marriage with the Sea |
Synopsis[]
Lucien is very sick: he struggles just to sit up in bed, plagued with exhaustion brought on by the treatment for his cancer. But a mysterious gift from his father changes all that. Whenever Lucien holds the beautiful Italian journal, his mind is swept away to an enchanting Venice-like city called Bellezza while his earthly body sleeps peacefully. During his many visits to the city, which become more and more real, Lucien learns that he is a Stravagante, capable of traveling between two worlds. But as his body begins to follow his mind to this other world, there is always the chance that Lucien may be caught on the other side of time and not be able to return. The first of six incredible adventures to this land of Italian enchantment in Stravaganza.
Contents[]
- Prologue: Reading the Future
- 1. The Marriage with the Sea
- 2. The Scuola Mandoliera
- 3. A Garden in the Air
- 4. The Stravaganti
- 5. Lagoon City
- 6. Doctor Death
- 7. Where Beauty Wears a Mask
- 8. A Jar of Rainbows
- 9. Twelve Towers
- 10. A Bridge of Boats
- 11. The Hand of Fortune
- 12. Two Brothers
- 13. A Death Sentence
- 14. The Bridge of Sighs
- 15. The Language of Lace
- 16. The Glass Room
- 17. Death of a Duchess
- 18. Viva Bellezza!
- 19. Between Worlds
- 20. Out of the Shadows
- 21. The Man in Black
- Epilogue: Carnival
- A Note on Stravagation
- A Note on Talia
Characters[]
- Lucien Mulholland, the protagonist, a 15 year old boy bedridden from cancer.
- Arianna Gasparini, a plucky girl from the lagoon islands who seeks adventure in Bellezza. Lucien's first friend in Talia.
- The Duchessa, the ruler of Bellezza.
- Rodolfo Rossi, Lucien's mentor, a powerful Stravagante and a distinguished senator in Bellezza.
- William Dethridge, the first Stravagante, an Elizabethan era scientist from Lucien's world.
- Rinaldo di Chimici, the ambassador from the di Chimici family.
- Enrico, a spy employed by Rinaldo.
- Vicky Mulholland, Lucien's mother, a violin teacher.
- David Mulholland, Lucien's father, an architectural salvager.
- Leonora Gasparini, Arianna's aunt who lives in Bellezza.
- Valeria Gasparini, Arianna's mother.
- Gianfranco Gasparini, Arianna's father, a museum curator on Torrone.
- Tommaso Gasparini, Arianna's eldest brother, a fisherman on Merlino.
- Angelo Gasparini, Arianna's older brother, a fisherman on Merlino.
- Guido Parola, a young man hired to assassinate the Duchessa.
- Egidio Rossi, Rodolfo's eldest brother, a stationery shop owner.
- Fiorentino Rossi, Rodolfo's older brother, a restaurant owner.
- Giuliana Massi, a young woman hired to secretly act as the Duchessa's body double, Enrico's fiancee.
Cover Gallery[]
Books City of Masks · City of Stars · City of Flowers · City of Secrets · City of Ships · City of Swords | |||
Short Stories A Talian Tale · A Sting in the Tail · An Impossible Task · Sugar Fox · The Fourth Wise Man · Under the Walls |
Notes and References[]
- The cover of City of Masks was changed
- ↑ This is the first book in the series so it is not preceded by anything
- ↑ stravaganza.co.uk
- ↑ City of Masks
Books City of Masks · City of Stars · City of Flowers · City of Secrets · City of Ships · City of Swords | |||
Short Stories A Talian Tale · A Sting in the Tail · An Impossible Task · Sugar Fox · The Fourth Wise Man · Under the Walls |