y separately published work icon The Memory Cathedral : A Secret History of Leonardo da Vinci single work   novel   historical fiction   fantasy  
Issue Details: First known date: 1995... 1995 The Memory Cathedral : A Secret History of Leonardo da Vinci
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'The Memory Cathedral is the secret history of Leonardo da Vinci, adventurer, traveller, inventor, and lover of Lorenzo the Magnificent's mistress. Based on Leonardo′s own notebooks, this expansive, multi-layered novel is ostensibly about Leonardo′s flying machines. But it is really a magical exploration of the man, his drives, his loves, his friends, and fabulous inventions. It takes place in the Florence of Lorenzo de Medici and in the fabled, mythical east. Indeed, there is real evidence that Leonardo travelled to Egypt and Persia under the protection of the Devatdar of Syria, Lieutenant of the Sacred Sultan of Babylon. Imagine what would happen if Leonardo de Vinci had been given the chance to put his fabulous inventions to use - his bombs and machine guns and submarines and tanks and flying machines. Imagine Leonardo and a young Niccolo Machiavelli flying in a balloon over Egypt. Imagine Leonardo′s closest friend Sandro Botticelli being exorcised in Florence and riding through deserts with the Caliph of Egypt. Imagine living in the dangerous day to day world of the Renaissance and knowing intimately the greatest personages of the age. That is the experience of reading The Memory Cathedral'. Source: publisher's website.

Australian Popular Medievalism

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Reference: Direct
Importance: High

Notes

  • Parts of this work also appeared, combined with new material, in the novella Da Vinci Rising.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • New York (City), New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,
      :
      Bantam Books ,
      1995 .
      Extent: xiii, 485p.p.
      Description: map.
      ISBN: 0553096370
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Flamingo , 1997 .
      Extent: xiii, 485p.p.
      Description: map.
      ISBN: 0732257190

Works about this Work

Scanners Bruce Gillespie , 2010 single work review
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , August no. 80 2010; (p. 40)

— Review of Distress Greg Egan , 1995 single work novel ; Crosstown Traffic 1993 anthology short story ; The Memory Cathedral : A Secret History of Leonardo da Vinci Jack Dann , 1995 single work novel ; Dark House : Stories Compiled by Gary Crew 1995 anthology short story
The Memory Cathedral : Eros, Magic and Myth Jack Dann , 1999 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Fantastic Self : Essays on the Subject of the Self 1999; (p. 10-18)
The Art of Rewriting History Patricia Rolfe , 1998 single work biography
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 27 January vol. 117 no. 6107 1998; (p. 68)
Flights of Fantasy Inspire Author Pamela Ruskin , 1997 single work biography
— Appears in: The Australian Jewish News (What's On) , 30 May 1997; (p. 1,4)
God's Hand Lifting Christopher Bantick , 1997 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 194 1997; (p. 35)

— Review of The Memory Cathedral : A Secret History of Leonardo da Vinci Jack Dann , 1995 single work novel
Scanners Bruce Gillespie , 2010 single work review
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , August no. 80 2010; (p. 40)

— Review of Distress Greg Egan , 1995 single work novel ; Crosstown Traffic 1993 anthology short story ; The Memory Cathedral : A Secret History of Leonardo da Vinci Jack Dann , 1995 single work novel ; Dark House : Stories Compiled by Gary Crew 1995 anthology short story
Books Read Recently Bruce Gillespie , 1996 single work review
— Appears in: Scratch Pad 18 , July 1996; (p. 4-6)

— Review of Distress Greg Egan , 1995 single work novel ; The Memory Cathedral : A Secret History of Leonardo da Vinci Jack Dann , 1995 single work novel ; Permutation City Greg Egan , 1994 single work novel ; Eccentrics : The Scientific Investigation David Joseph Weeks , 1988 single work essay ; Old School Tie Paul Thomas , 1994 single work novel ; Lilian's Story Kate Grenville , 1985 single work novel ; Dark Places Kate Grenville , 1994 single work novel
God's Hand Lifting Christopher Bantick , 1997 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 194 1997; (p. 35)

— Review of The Memory Cathedral : A Secret History of Leonardo da Vinci Jack Dann , 1995 single work novel
Flights of Fantasy Inspire Author Pamela Ruskin , 1997 single work biography
— Appears in: The Australian Jewish News (What's On) , 30 May 1997; (p. 1,4)
The Art of Rewriting History Patricia Rolfe , 1998 single work biography
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 27 January vol. 117 no. 6107 1998; (p. 68)
The Memory Cathedral : Eros, Magic and Myth Jack Dann , 1999 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Fantastic Self : Essays on the Subject of the Self 1999; (p. 10-18)

Awards

1998 finalist Benalla Award for Audio Book of the Year
1997 shortlisted Ditmar Awards Best Novel
1996 joint winner Aurealis Awards for Excellence in Australian Speculative Fiction Fantasy Division Best Novel Joint winner with Sara Douglass's two shortlisted novels, Starman and Enchanter.
Last amended 23 Jun 2016 16:39:06
Subjects:
  • Florence,
    c
    Italy,
    c
    Western Europe, Europe,
Settings:
  • 1400-1499
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