Review--The Scribe of Siena

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The Scribe of SienaThe Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An outstanding debut novel, which is being compared to Outlander. Like that novel, Scribe is hard to classify: It's a time-travel historical with a strong romantic interest, which means I ended up shelving it on three or four spots in my lists.

Beatrice Tovato is a NYC neurosurgeon who gives in to her brother's entreaties to visit him in Siena, Italy. He's a historian and the two share many common interests, and Ben's her only living relative. But when she arrives, it's to close up her brother's estate following his death. Beatrice is drawn to Ben's work, and the more she tries to uncover the mystery he was researching, the more she's drawn in until it becomes literal: Beatrice finds herself in the 14th century...and any student of European history knows what happens in Europe in the 14th century.

Winawer skillfully weaves in the daily life of the Tuscans, the difficulties of a modern, professional woman 600 years in the past, and a budding love story. It will appeal to readers looking for a solid summer getaway, one that will keep them engrossed until the last page.


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