The Foodtaster: The Story of My Incredible Life - Hardcover

Difonte, Ugo

3.48

547 ratings by Goodreads

9781579620479: The Foodtaster: The Story of My Incredible Life

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1579620477 ISBN 13: 9781579620479

Publisher: Permanent Pr Pub Co, 2002

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When the starving peasant, Ugo DiFonte and his eleven-year-old daughter Miranda are snatched from their farm by the despot Duke Federico Basillione DiVincelli, Ugo thinks life can't get any worse. He is sadly mistaken. The Duke orders Ugo to be his new foodtaster, a hazardous job made even more so by the Duke's many enemies.

Ugo quickly acquaints himself with the tools of his profession: poisons, antidotes, and every type of cuisine. Thus equipped, and with his own much needed wit, imagination, and, most of all, coraggio (guts), he attempts to survive a series of deadly intrigues, all the while trying to protect his strong-willed daughter from her own adolescent desires and the lustful cravings of powerful and dangerous men.

Veering from sumptuous descriptions of the food Ugo must taste but cannot enjoy, to lavish portraits of the court and its residents, Ugo's first person narrative gives us a finely detailed account of the High Renaissance from a peasant's perspective. He also shows us the little seen underbelly where poverty, disease, and cruelty are the order of the day.

Filled with moments of tenderness, unexpected humor, and painful candor, The Foodtaster is the story of a man rising to the occasion, and in doing so, finds his true purpose in life.

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Review:

"'Hugely endearing...a sparkling tale of love, intrigue and dodgy food. I enjoyed every minute of it... Peter Elbling begins where [Patrick] Suskind left off. He has produced a delicious novel which should tickle the dullest palate' David Robson, Sunday Telegraph 'Delicious historical intrigue.' Mail on Sunday 'A high Renaissance romp, casually cruel and ripely romantic... Umberto Eco crossed with a tale of Boccaccio and optioned by Spielberg on a Disney kick - a fairytale for grown-ups' lain Finlayson, Saga 'Brilliantly done... Buy it.' Daily Mail"

About the Author:

PETER ELBLING is a writer, actor and director who has worked in television, film and theatre. He lives in Venice, California. www.peterelbling.com

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