11 September 1683, Rome. The citizens of the city wait anxiously for the outcome of the battle for Vienna as Ottoman forces lay siege to the defenders of Catholic Europe. Meanwhile, a suspected outbreak of plague causes a famous Roman tavern to be placed under quarantine. One of its detainees, the mysterious Atto Melani, a spy in the service of France, discovers a secret passage leading deep into the Roman underworld. A plot to assassinate the pope and plans to use the plague as a weapon of mass destruction in the battle between Islam and the West are discovered. Meticulously researched and brilliantly conceived, 'Imprimatur' contains startling revelations that have been concealed for centuries, drawing on original papers discovered in the Vatican archives. A thriller in the vein of Umberto Eco s 'The Name of the Rose', this novel sheds new light on the power struggles of 17th-century Europe, the repercussions of which are still felt today. First published to great controversy in Italy in 2002, Imprimatur was boycotted by the Italian press and publishing world. Despite this, the novel has gained European bestseller status; it has been translated into 20 languages with editions published in 45 countries. Over 1 million copies have been sold to date.
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Review
A gripping novel --Le Monde
Entertaining and exciting --El Pais
a literary page-turner that could deliver what Eco could not: a genuinely new discovery which was guaranteed to set the cat among the Vatican pigeons. --The Herald
Entertaining and exciting --El Pais
a literary page-turner that could deliver what Eco could not: a genuinely new discovery which was guaranteed to set the cat among the Vatican pigeons. --The Herald
About the Author
Rita Monaldi was born in 1966 and is an expert in the history of religions. Her husband Francesco Sorti was born in 1964 and has a background in musicology. Both Rita and Francesco have worked as journalists, but in recent years they have collaborated on several historical novels including 'Imprimatur' and its sequels 'Secretum' and 'Veritas'. They live with their two young children in Vienna and Rome.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a little reluctant to write a review, as I have never done one before and am worried about making a fool of myself. However I loved this book so much that I feel that I must say something to encourage others to read it. I came across it by chance and knew nothing about the authors or its background. I was intrigued enough to buy it, as I enjoy historical thrillers and within reading the first few pages I was hooked. Initially I did struggle to get to grips with all the different characters in the inn and in the end I wrote myself a list of them with a short description of each one. This helped immensely and I was even able to dispense with it after a few more chapters. I was happy to invest a little effort in reading this book, as I was well rewarded. In fact I found by doing this, I became more involved in the story - I even got out my tourist map of Rome to follow where the events were happening - (N.B. I do feel a bit silly confessing this.) Some may criticise this book, but for me, its slight imperfections make it even more endearing and I count it as one of my favourite books of all time.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of the best book I have ever read. Totally accurate and fascinating in the same time. There are very few books like this from recent writers. You get to know many details from this period of Europe's history but also many new secrets how things were really going back then. If you interested Europe's history of the 17th century...you cant miss this book!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you have a historical bent, or want to get away from the here and now, read Imprimatur before it is turned into a film. You will find youself cooped up in a seventeenth-century Roman inn, barred and bolted from the outside by the authorities, because of a death within, put down to plague. The cast of characters includes a castrato turned secret agent, a grandee fallen from power, a courtesan, a religious maniac, a drunken innkeeper. The guests' predicament is at first survival, but comes to turn upon a political intrigue at the highest levels of society. They seem to be shut in but an escape is found which only offers further risk and entrapment. The narrative is long but never dull. The improbable story is developed with skill and conviction. The authors - who write as a single voice - have done a good deal of research into the beliefs and science, or pseudo-science, and not least the politics of the time. There are some startling transformations, including that of Louis XIV's pious and placid Queen, but this is fiction and it is vigorous and fun and an escapist read. Apparently the re-publication of Imprimatur was blocked in Italy because of its final take on Pope Innocent XI. Whatever the truth of this rumour or story, it summarises the spirit of the book and underwrites its appeal.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
A slog from beginning to end
Why this became a best-seller I can not understand. It is a 'block-buster' sized book with many long turgid passages listing everything from ingredients of medical treatments,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by R Parr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Something to chew on
I have now read both Imprimatur and Secretum, as after Imprimitur I needed more. Indeed, it is a little heavy at times; I quite enjoyed it but if it bothers you skim over it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. T. Miller
3.0 out of 5 stars
Confusing
I found the historical details and descriptions of this book very interesting but the story was so disjointed I found it difficult to follow.
Published 3 months ago by Toothfairy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intrigue and a real sense of life in 17th century Rome
This novel has been constructed in a fashion suitable for presenting circumstantial evidence that undermines the generally accepted understanding of the political history of late... Read more
Published 6 months ago by P. McCLEAN
4.0 out of 5 stars
Flawed masterpiece
i started this book with great expectations, some of which were met. However on completing it, I would not agree with the description by "The Herald" on the back cover of the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Byzantium
2.0 out of 5 stars
Monaldi & Sorti's half-baked pretender
Many critics/reviews have compared Imprimatur favourably to the work of Umberto Eco. Here's one from the back cover, courtesy of The Herald: `A literary page-turner which delivers... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2011 by mad_mushroom
4.0 out of 5 stars
Imprimatur
I'm trying to decide if this book was a historical 'whodunit' or if it was trying to be a factual historical account of the political situation throughout parts of northern Europe... Read more
Published on 8 July 2010 by N. A. Spencer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Grpping suspense
This is a well written thriller, in a literary sense much better than Dan Brown. Highly recommended
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by Jhe Van Der Starre
3.0 out of 5 stars
A little tedious!
I was interested to read this book, but I found that the authors did rather go on in places. At least the first third of the book was devoted to the physician Cristofano. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by Pen pal
2.0 out of 5 stars
ho hum...
I had high hopes for this book set in a fascinating period of European history, but i had to force myself to finish it. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2009 by Sholto Spradbury
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