A feminist Shakespeare in Love reimagined for Cervantes, acclaimed journalist Ana Veciana-Suarez’s lush historical romance is perfect for fans of Marie Benedict and Geraldine Brooks.
Dolça, mistress, muse, and a lifelong love of Miguel de Cervantes de Cortinas, paints her story against the rich backdrop of Spain as she travels from Barcelona to Madrid at the behest of her dying paramour.
Young Dolça was besotted with the dashing author from their first meeting. Despite Miguel’s entreaties, Dolça, with her love of luxury and her devotion to her art, refused to upend her life for him, although she always welcomed his attentions on her own terms. However, when Miguel renders her as the lowly Dulcinea in his great Quixote, creating a scandal and revealing their association, he commits an unforgivable offense and their decades-long affinity is severed until he reaches out to her one last time.