The Medici Curse by Matt Chamings

Posted by: laughlikepontianak on: 23 November, 2007

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The book has been categorised as a novel for teenagers, but I find it a very interesting read for adults as well. The Medici Curse is a unique blend of mystery, romance, supernatural, adventure, humour and a tad of horror all in one. This sounds like a handful of genre in one book, but Matt Chamings has gelled them together quite successfully.

There isn’t a single boring moment in the book, as he cleverly keeps the momentum going. I could see in my mind’s eye the sword play, dramatic scenes and haunting experiences that Maria went through.

The novel starts with an 18th century setting in Florence, Italy, when talented artists are respected and paid well for their work. It was also a time when aristocrat families had great power and commanded much of the law in the cities.

The main character, Arnaldo, wakes up from a bad dream and prepares for his mission. Arnaldo is a student of Andrea del Verrochio, a renowned artist who also set up a school for apprentices. One of them being Leonardo da Vinci.

Arnaldo is sent to paint the protrait of Lorenzo Medici, the most influential man in Florence. He goes to Medici’s house with his assignment and revenge in mind. However, all his plans are turned upside-down when he sees Lorenzo’s beautiful daughter, Alessandra, whom he is to paint. Sounds like a typical love story? Think again.

Many of the characters mentioned in the story are real people and even the architecture, descriptions of the city are accurate to the real thing. In fact, much of this historical relevance still stands to this day and can be seen in Florence.

However, this is but a side attraction for art and history buffs. What I really enjoy is how Chamings pulls me into the mystery, chapter by chapter. I came to realise that there are two tales told in the same book. Each chapter alternates from two centuries ago to the present-day.

The leading character in the present-day story is Maria, a half-English, half-Italian teenage girl, who visits Italy with her family for the holidays. Little does she know that she would become involved in unraveling and resolving the curse of the Medici that follows Arnaldo’s painting of Alessandra – a Renaissance painting worth millions.

Just as how the painting of the beautiful Alessandra enchants and lures men into her very soul, Chamings lured me deeper and deeper into the plot without my realising. Soon I was so engrossed that I could not wait to find out the truth and the ending.

Eventually, the tales of the two centuries intertwine and meet in the present. I actually breathed a sigh of relief with Maria as the mystery comes to a close and the curse is removed.

Chamings is good in creating suspense. I am usually good at guessing the conclusion of movies and stories, but this time I had no idea how this one would end. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised.

It is wonderful how Chamings brings the characters to life, including even the minor characters. He does this with an economy of words that I find impressive. The novel is a rather thin one, yet he is able to create empathy for each character as the two parallel stories develop.

I was able to feel all of the main characters’ emotions – their anger, fear, frustration, joy. His clever use of words is very entertaining, especially when he brings out the quirkiness of Leonardo da Vinci, which actually made me laugh out loud.

The Medici Curse is the second book published by Matt Chamings. His first book Time Switch is also along the same genre as The Medici Curse.

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