I am not sure how many people have a spaghetti squash lying around but it seems I am buying one each week. We LOVE spaghetti squash. This recipe is INCREDIBLE!!!! I made a few changes based on what I had at home – all purpose flour and changed the cheese (parmesan and whatever Trader Joe stuff I had). I also added a little more cheese (duh!) and some garlic to the onion. Y’all…seriously, this stuff is good!!!! I bet some chicken added to it would make it even better…
Ok…so I know that some think that “florentine” does not mean from Florence, Italy; however, I came across this blogger who gave a little history of the term so…yea…
To the book…
Here is the summary:
Deep in the Tuscan countryside, a long-held feud between two aristocratic families ends in tragedy, leaving only one young girl alive.
Years later, amidst the winding streets and majestic facades of Florence, two murders are not all they seem. As Onorio Celavini, commander of the Medici police force, investigates, he is horrified to find a personal connection to the crimes, and a conspiracy lurking beyond.
Poignant and compelling, The Phoenix of Florence is a richly told and cleverly crafted tale of a struggle for identity and a battle for justice in an Italy besieged by war.
This book was suggested on Diane Setterfield’s twitter page (by Setterfield herself). When I first started the book, I really thought this guy paid her to suggest his book. However, the book progressed and became very interesting. I looked up the bio of Philip Kazan. He apparently specializes in medieval history, so it makes perfectly good sense that this book was very engaging regarding that time period. I did not like the use of the f-word in the book. I know he is an expert in that time period but not sure if that word was used during that time…and if it was, can a book ever be written without the use of that word?!!??
I really do not want to give away the gist of the book (if I talk too much about it, I am afraid I will ruin it for you). However, I will give you a few thoughts I had…
1) I am thankful as a female in the United States today, I have freedom to be whatever I want to be – a teacher, an engineer, law enforcement, military, etc. I know this is sadly not true in many countries around the world. The caste and class systems are still strong today as they were in years past…
2) I am thankful that, as a female, my only job does not focus on getting married and having kids.
3) I am thankful that, in the U.S., if the Lord calls a female to a life of singleness or no children, you are still valued as a person!!!!!
4) I am thankful that as a female in the U.S., if you fall on hard times, you do not have to live in fear as if all hope is lost (yes, I know homelessness and poverty is an issue…however, if you read this book or research 1500s versus today, you will see the difference)
No. I am not a feminist (and proud to say I am not a feminist)…but… I think it is ok to say that I am thankful that I live in today’s time than in the 1500s.
If you also wonder why I kept putting “in the U.S.,” it is because, sadly, many countries do not value women if they do not produce children or males or marry. Also, sadly, prostitution, in many countries, is the only “hope of survival” that women resort to if they fall on hard times or are disowned by their families. So yes, there is a reason why I put “a female in the U.S.”
And one last little tidbit that maybe I should have known but didn’t (and understand a lot better after reading this book)… every time I study about wars during this time, I am always thinking about how large armies are raised. I never once thought about how many of these men were basically paid mercenaries, moving place to place, getting paid to fight wars/battles/conflicts they have no interest in. I know some people may say that our military is like that but I would argue that it isn’t. I believe patriotism is the key difference between the two. Anyhoo…
If you are easily bothered by harsh reality stuff, you may not like this book. However, if history interests you and “Joan of Arc” type stuff, you may enjoy this book. If you choose not to read this book, at least make the recipe. You will not regret it!
