In her first major novel for five years, award-winning Lisa St Aubin de Terán returns with a magical story set against a period of turbulent Italian history.
 
The palace is the vision of the idealistic Gabriele del Campo, a young man tossed aside by fortune during Garibaldi's unification of Italy.
A poor peasant, he has fallen in love at first sight with the rich and beautiful noblewoman Donna Donatella. A grand palace will be his life's work for her.
As del Campo languishes in prison, he takes the first steps towards his dream. His cellmate, Giovanni, a nobleman, educates him in the ways of the world. While in his mind elaborate plans for the palace's construction are already taking shape.
 
Then comes the fateful chance in which he had always believed. Twice escaping execution, del Campo emerges from prison to find riches - as a fearless gambler in the corrupt underworld of Venice. At last he might win her love. All he can do now is wait for her...
 
Threading passion and idealism through the colourful backdrop of history, The Palace is an exotic and dazzlingly perceptive fable from a truly gifted writer.