The God of Love

"The God of Love" by Justin H. McCarthy is a historical fiction that whisks readers away to Florence during a vibrant May Day festival, where the charismatic Lappo Lappi reminisces about his freewheeling youth while he considers the more solemn life path of his friend, Messer Guido Cavalcanti. Love, friendship, and bitter rivalries begin to show as the possibility of Monna Beatrice becoming the May Queen sparks romantic dreams and schemes amongst the Florentine people. The story opens with Lappo amidst the May Day revelries, but as Messer Guido shares word of Monna Beatrice, anticipation and political unrest enters their carefree discussions, hinting at future emotional battles. Dante Alighieri, now separated from Lappo's blithe spirit, struggles with years-old feelings for a mysterious child, adding to the novel's sense of longing for a future in a world that is quickly changing.