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Forgiveness.

It’s a sweet treat with a bitter taste. How can that be? I’m not sure that I’ve yet mastered the art. There are times that I hold a grudge, one that would rival the Hatfield and the McCoys.     In the book The Gondola Maker, young Luca learns a terrible lesson when he makes a mistake that he can never take back.

One could hardly blame Luca for his anger. He was old enough to see what was going on in his family yet powerless to do anything about it. When he became assertive, even furious, his actions take over before his mind can catch up.  The story takes place in the late 1500’s in Venice; Luca is the son of the gondola maker.

Much of the book is filled with details about living in Renaissance Italy.  Although I wasn’t particularly captivated by the boating terms, I can see how the rich history was researched by author Laura Morelli.  The beautiful coming-of-age story is sharpened by the stark cultural differences between modern times and the 16th century.  However, some things never change. The need to forgive, for example, is one that resonates through every page of this book.  It’s not forgiveness of others so much as forgiving oneself.  By learning to forgive himself for his rash actions, Luca learns to become a true man of honor.