Venice remembered

A friend reminded me of a novel I happily gobbled up a couple of summers ago. I figure any novelist who picks Venice as her locale is inspired to begin with. Sarah Dunant brings the city alive In the Company of the Courtesan. Fiammetta is the determined and clever courtesan of the title, escaping tragedy in Rome in 1527. Her company is Bucino, a devoted and equally intelligent servant. He is also a dwarf deeply in love with his employer. This novel was a one day, no stop, eat toast for dinner summer blowout.