The Italian Letters: A Novel

by Linda Lambert

Overview

The Italian Letters lies in the sensuous curvature of ancient, 20th and 21st century Italy. The sequel to The Cairo Codex follows the adventures of anthropologist Justine Jenner after she is expelled from Egypt in the wake of discovering the diary of the Virgin Mary. Exiled into Tuscany, Justine finds herself embroiled in three interwoven stories of discovery: the long-lost letters of D. H. Lawrence to her great grandmother, Isabella; an ancient tomb revealed the origin and migration of an ancient people pre-dating Rome; and the genealogy of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. While shaken by the frank revelations in Lawrence's letters and the intimate relationship between the primeval Etruscan's and Jesus' mother, Justine must confront her own sexuality and yearning for personal freedom. The second in a trilogy, The Italian Letters is riveted with literary, religious, and archeological history and international politics, each narrative magnifying and altering the meaning of the others.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781933512495
Publisher:	West Hills Press
Publication date:	09/22/2014
Series:	Justine Trilogy
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	826 KB

About the Author

Linda Lambert is professor emeritus at California State University, East Bay, and a full-time author of novels and texts on leadership. During her extensive career, she has served as a social worker, teacher, principal, director of adult learning programs, university professor, and state department envoy to Egypt. She lives in The Sea Ranch, California.

Editorial Reviews

The Italian Letters further captivates and enchants the readers of Lambert’s second novel in her trilogy. The Cairo Codex led us through the winding alleys and crypts of Egypt, now her new novel converges around three provocative discoveries: an ancient Etruscan tomb, the lost letters of D. H. Lawrence, and the genealogy of The Virgin Mary. A riveting read.
—Daniel Jacobs, author of The Eyes of Abel

A good novel should be entertaining as well as instructive and The Italian Letters meets both tests. The characters are vivid and, if you have already read The Cairo Codex, feel like family. If you have not read The Cairo Codex, it is a good stand-alone piece in its own right. It is obvious that the author has done a substantial amount of research which she has cleverly woven into the story. Part of the reason I began reading The Cairo Codex was because I knew a little bit about that great city. I found myself liking the book characters more. Part of the reason I began reading The Italian Letters was because I knew a little bit about Tuscany and liked it. I found myself liking the book characters more. Next stop, Taos.
—Seymour Collins, author of Travels with the Gods and The Wandering Jew

Linda Lambert's The Italian Letters treats us to a beautifully-evoked feeling for Italy and all its charms. Dr. Justine Jenner faces her many challenges with both tough mindedness and gentle heart. The author incorporates ancient history, suspense, and romance with versatility and knowledge of her subject.
—Linda Luckenbach, former owner of Snoop Sisters Mystery Bookstore

I have read and loved Linda Lambert's The Cairo Codex and find it uniquely enjoyable that Lambert has carried many of the interesting characters from her earlier novel into this second one, The Italian Letters. I had been sorry to let them go when she moved her central character to Italy for another adventure in discovering ancient times and artifacts. Lambert's novels are more interesting to me than are Dan Brown's because they are more sensual and her characters are so fully realized that we keep them with us long after the plot has played itself out. While her novels are real page-turners, they also satisfy me on an intellectual level with what I learn and explore via her characters and locations. Because Lambert's characters often refer to wonderful other books, I have followed the breadcrumb trail and been introduced to other worthy books. I'm looking forward to the third novel in her trilogy. It's fun for me to find an author whose writing reliably fulfills.
—Beverly Mays Raymond, retired Independent TV and Film Producer

I was hooked into the The Cairo Codex by Linda Lambert because it has everything I am looking for in a book. A great story line, interesting history, and a setting in another land. The Italian Letters takes us to Italy (ahh) and is just as good as the first. Even with more romance thrown in. It follows a 20 something young woman on a quest — to prove a historical theory, to uncover secrets from her families past, and to leave the nest and venture out on her own. Remarkable writing. I am looking forward to the third book in this series.
—Catherine M. Miller, professor and scholar of the works of D. H. Lawrence

The Italian Letters is the second novel in Linda Lambert's trilogy. I loved every minute of reading it!!! It's a fabulous continuation of the story in her first novel, The Cairo Codex. The book is an incredibly rich tapestry of people, places, and events as Lambert weaves together history, archeology, an ancient Etruscan tomb, the fate of the Virgin Mary, D. H. Lawrence, and Italian cuisine. If I didn't know this was a work of fiction I would swear that the amazing letters were written by Lawrence himself. Lambert really entered the soul and psyche of D. H. Lawrence. And one more thing — I often find book endings to be disappointing. Not so with this book. The ending was a wonderful surprise and left me anxiously awaiting the third book in the trilogy.
—Judy Vandegrift, Santa Cruz, CA

From the Publisher