The Legacy of Grazia dei Rossi

Parks's strong sequel to The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi tells the story of Grazia's son, Danilo, and his clandestine affair with Saida, a daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent. In Istanbul at the height of the Ottoman Empire, Judah del Medigo, Grazia's husband and the sultan's physician, learning that his wife has perished at sea and their son was captured by pirates. Danilo is ransomed and returned to his father, and the sultan offers the boy a place at the harem school for royal children, where he meets Saida. Their close friendship blossoms into romance, but they must part%E2%80%94Danilo for the sultan's exclusive school for pages and then as a member of his entourage, and Saida for the harem and preparations for an arranged marriage. An epistolary section of the novel is by far the richest, as Danilo recounts to his father his efforts to entertain the sultan with stories of Alexander the Great. The story deepens as the romantic story line mingles with personal and political intrigue. Rich in historical detail, though perhaps weaker in characterization, this love story is a must-read for Parks's fans. Agent: Michael Levine and John Pearce, Westwood Creative Artists. (Mar.)