Blog Archives
Blending the Past with the Present
Rome’s Last Noble Palace follows the lives of two women living over a century apart who are connected through a shared location of an attic room in the Palazzo Brancaccio. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The Palazzo Brancaccio is a real monument in Rome. I was inspired to write the story after moving beside this palace and, one night, seeing a ghostly light and what seemed like a hand adjusting a window of one of the attic rooms. This image, combined with the real-life story of the American princess who married into an Italian noble family and used her wealth to build the Brancaccio Palace, sparked my imagination for this story.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing all of my characters, but I always find myself fascinated by the past, so I was truly drawn into Isabelle’s story in fin de siècle Rome – such an exciting time, in the “new” capital of a newly united Italy. Rome was a heady mix of new ideas in art, music, literature, art and urban planning – and I loved creating my character in the midst of this optimistic time.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
As always with my historical fiction, I love to draw parallels between the past and the present, and to create connections between characters in our contemporary world and those who came before us. This novel also includes themes of self-realization, resilience, embracing change and overcoming hardships, and the strong female friendships that help us through our greatest challenges.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I switch between historical and contemporary fiction (the latter requiring a lot less research!) My next, out in spring 2024, is a sequel to my first, contemporary novel, Three Coins. It’s been four years since Emma, Annarita and Tiffany threw their coins in Rome’s Trevi Fountain and cemented a friendship that would change their lives, in more ways than one. Emma has departed Rome for the charming Umbrian village of Todi. where she’s busy managing the Three Coins Inn, while Annarita and her husband run the hotel’s cooking classes. When a new set of hotel guests descend on the idyllic property, eager to recharge and leave their problems far behind, will the inn manage to work its magic on them?
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
American Isabelle Field has been shipped off to Rome to live with her aunt, Princess Elizabeth Brancaccio. Isabelle’s aunt and mother share a common goal – replicating Elizabeth’s success by marrying Isabelle off to a European nobleman.
But Rome in 1896 is on the cusp of a new century and Isabelle longs for more than a titled husband. She secretly designs costumes for Rome’s burgeoning theatre environment and dreams of opening a fashion atelier. Can she gather the courage to forge a life for herself, even if it means going against expectations?
Over a century later, doctoral candidate Sophie Nouri can’t believe her good fortune when she is selected to intern in Rome’s Near Eastern Art Museum. Even better, the position includes an attic apartment in the spectacular museum property, the Palazzo Brancaccio.
Overseeing a major exhibition is stressful, but tension alone can’t explain the disturbing nighttime presence in the deserted hallways of the grand palace – especially one no one else can sense. Almost as if a spectral being is trying to communicate with Sophie directly. Or warn her.
Rome’s Last Noble Palace
Rome’s Last Noble Palace by Kimberly Sullivan is a captivating work of fiction rooted in the enchanting city of Italy. In this narrative, we follow Sophie Nouri, who, after a lengthy twelve-year absence, bravely confronts the ghosts that have barred her from Rome, her former home. Accompanied by her son from Vermont for a conference engagement at the Palazzo Brancaccio—the museum that not only served as her previous workplace but also as her residence—Sophie’s journey stirs a cascade of personal recollections. These memories intertwine with the history of another inhabitant of the palazzo from over a century ago. In 1896, this noble estate was rocked by a dark misfortune. The story teases us with a question: Will Sophie uncover the truth about the mysterious woman who once resided in the attic room of the palazzo?
The book’s narrative structure is particularly compelling, weaving between the present-day experiences of Sophie and the life of Isabelle in the late 19th century. As a reader who appreciates both contemporary and period narratives, I found the alternating chapters between the two time periods to be an effective technique for maintaining my engagement. The suspense built around the outcomes of these parallel lives, separated by more than a hundred years yet connected by shared geography, is a strong narrative hook.
The contrasting depictions of Rome’s evolution from the 1800s to the present are vividly rendered, allowing one to traverse time through Sullivan’s evocative scenery. The friendship dynamics—between Sophie and Martina and Isabelle and Stefania—add a heartfelt layer to the novel, culminating in a satisfying resolution to Sophie’s harrowing tribulations.
While the journey through the dual timelines was intriguing, a more intertwined revelation of their connection earlier in the novel could have enriched the reading experience. I enjoyed the story, but I thought specific segments of the narrative, particularly Isabelle’s discussions with Stefania’s cousin, Lamberto, might benefit from more variety to avoid repetitiveness. I felt that the debates over personal ambitions versus familial expectations, while essential to Isabelle’s character development, occasionally retread familiar ground.
Readers with an affinity for suspenseful historical fiction and evocative dual narratives will likely find Rome’s Last Noble Palace a rewarding read. The author has crafted a story that, while traversing through time, captures the essence of Rome and the perennial human struggle for self-determination.
Pages: 388 | ASIN : B0CJY89NQT
LITERARY TITAN 