War. Pestilence. Famine. Heresy. It is a time of great marvels and a time of desperation and despair. Fourteenth century Europe is about to drag itself into the brilliance of the Renaissance; already there are glimmerings of new ideas, new hope. But the present is enmired in war, famine, superstition and pestilence. Some turn frenziedly to bastard religions, enacting pagan rites and orgies by flickering firelight in the dead of night. Others seek to reform the crumbling social and economic order, against those who seek to keep it intact by cruelly repressing insurrection. The institution of the church itself is under threat. And there are those, like the thief Jacopo and his cat Scimmi, who have always lived by their wits and must continue to do so, whether conjuring demons in a friar's travelling show, escaping death on a plague ship, or scaling the walls of a rich merchant's mansion. Richard Lunn has produced a vibrant, unflinching and beautifully written tale of a period of history when it seemed that God had forgotten his Creation and every aspect of the natural order of the world was undergoing change. Both a vivid piece of historical writing and a parable for the present, Feast of All Souls is an extraordinary and compelling novel of resilience and hope. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Richard Lunn has previously published a book of poetry and two collections of short stories. He currently teaches Creative Writing at the University of Western Sydney. SELLING POINTS: * If you loved Eco's The Name of the Rose, you will love Feast of all Souls. A rich and compelling novel that is both a vivid piece of historical writing and a parable for the present. * Helen Daniel, editor of Australian Book Review and reviewer for the Melbourne Age has long been a fan of the manuscript of Feast of All Souls, and will be sure to support the book through Australian Book Review. * Great reviews for Richard's last book, a collection of short stories entitled The Taxidermist's Dance, published by A&R Collins in 1990: 'as powerful and inevitable as the execution of K in The Trial' 'a fascinating book which often strays into brilliance' Katherine Cummings, Sydney Morning Herald 'I think Richard Lunn is one of the most exciting and inventive short story writers in Australia ... compelling and magical' 'Much of Lunn's work is exciting ... some of it is brilliant' Helen Daniel, The Age 'full of excellent commencements that develop into surprising ends' Peter Pierce The Canberra Times * Wide review mailing, which will be accompanied by selected sacred objects, such as those you received at the sales conference.