dwarfs, courtesans, sardines

Have you ever lay awake nights wondering what life would have been like for a prostitute and her dwarf companion in 15th Century Venice? I sure have. Luckily, this novel by Sarah Dunant has the answer to that question and more. In one scene, the lovely Fiametta declares that she would sell her virginity for sardines fried with sugar and oranges. The day after I read this passage, I saw fresh whole sardines for sale at Central Market. Since this was the only item for which I did not have to fight a crowd of overachieving Type-A foodies (the cheese section was b-a-n-a-n-a-s), I gave it a whirl. The dish was good, but in this market, I would have wanted more for my virginity.