The Blind Contessa's New Machine: A Novel - Hardcover

Wallace, Carey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 067002189X ISBN 13: 9780670021895

Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books, 2010

Synopsis

An iridescent jewel of a novel that proves love is the mother of invention

In the early 1800s, a young Italian contessa, Carolina Fantoni, realizes she is going blind shortly before she marries the town's most sought-after bachelor. Her parents don't believe her, nor does her fiancé. The only one who understands is the eccentric local inventor and her longtime companion, Turri. When her eyesight dims forever, Carolina can no longer see her beloved lake or the rich hues of her own dresses. But as darkness erases her world, she discovers one place she can still see-in her dreams. Carolina creates a vivid dreaming life, in which she can not only see, but also fly, exploring lands she had never known.

Desperate to communicate with Carolina, Turri invents a peculiar machine for her: the world's first typewriter. His gift ignites a passionate love affair that will change both of their lives forever.

Based on the true story of a nineteenth-century inventor and his innovative contraption, The Blind Contessa's New Machine is an enchanting confection of love and the triumph of the imagination.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Carolina Fantoni, a young contessa in nineteenth-century Italy, is going blind. But nobody believes her: neither her parents, nor her fiancé, the town's most sought-after bachelor. Only her friend Turri, the eccentric local inventor, understands. But as darkness erases her world, Carolina discovers one place she can still see - in her dreams. In them, she can not only see, but fly, exploring new worlds in her own mind. Losing her sight isolates Carolina. Even writing letters with pen and ink proves almost impossible - until Turri invents a new machine: the world's first typewriter. His gift ignites a passionate love affair that will mark both of their lives forever. Based on the true story of the blind woman who inspired the invention of the typewriter, The Blind Contessa's New Machine is an iridescent jewel of a novel that celebrates the triumph of the imagination and proves that love is the mother of invention.

About the Author:

Carey Wallace grew up in a small town in Michigan. She has worked as a waitress, art studio manager, private biographer, and lady's maid to an automotive heiress. The founder of The Hillbilly Underground-a retreat that draws international artists to rural Michigan-she lives in Brooklyn, New York. This is her first novel.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 067002189X
• ISBN 13: 9780670021895
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 207