Paolo, an Anglo-Italian writer, has been invited to work on the memoirs of Julius Aventinus, a renowned English Renaissance art historian. To facilitate the work, Julius invites Paolo and his French wife, Sylvie, to stay with him and his family in his Medici villa near Florence.

While Paolo spends his days buried in the library, Sylvie, with little to occupy her time, grows increasingly frustrated. Excluded from Julius’s after-dinner discussions on Renaissance art, she decides to turn the tables on the two men. What begins as an act of revenge becomes a deeper exploration of language and intellect.

Immersed in the villa’s rich cultural ambiance, Sylvie delves into the nuances of the English language, uncovering its sophisticated layers through metaphors, academic terminology, allusions, dry wit, shaggy-dog stories, and idioms. Her journey becomes a subtle yet powerful transformation, challenging the dynamics between her, Paolo, and Julius.

Set against the backdrop of the Tuscan countryside and steeped in Renaissance history, An Illusory Space is a tale of intrigue, intellect, and the unexpected paths that lead to self-discovery.