Map of a Hungry Heart, Marco Polo's World Paperback – April 1, 2026

In Venice, a legend whispers through the ages: mysterious, haunting Chinese melodies flood the Million courtyard where Marco Polo's palazzo once stood. A recent excavation revealed the remains of a thirteenth-century Chinese woman, dressed in royal attire.Money, power, or love—what do you truly desire?For Marco Polo, the answer shaped his destiny.Desperation consumes Marco as he languishes in a Genoa prison, captured after Venice’s defeat at the Battle of Curzola in 1298. Hoping for a quick release, he dictates his remarkable journeys to Rustichello de Pisa, but at night, introspection shatters his peace. He sees himself in the mirror of his father’s choices—paths he intended never to follow yet did nonetheless.Now, as Marco sits behind bars, he reflects not on riches or war but on Li, the Song princess left isolated in Venice. In a land foreign to her, she bears the weight of suspicion and discrimination, her only companions the loyal servant Guo Yu and the hope held in Marco’s promise to return.Map of a Hungry Heart, Marco Polo’s World transports readers to the marvels of thirteenth-century Asia through vivid, descriptive writing. It traces Marco Polo’s adventures as it unravels the legend of his forbidden love and the ambitions that defined his epic life.Carlene crafts her narrative through multiple perspectives: Marco Polo, whose journeys illuminate the vibrant world of thirteenth-century Asia; Li, the Song princess who invigorates both Venice and Kublai Khan’s court; Kim Chin-hae, a Goryeo general whose perspective reveals the struggles of his subjugated homeland; and Lis, his Miao shaman wife, gifted with dream-walking powers. Their interwoven stories explore adventure, warfare, discovery, forbidden love, and enduring friendships—showcasing the human compass as a symbol of self-determination.Carlene's riveting historical fiction brims with adventure, lesser-known histories, and mystical elements, unearthing a love story buried deep by time. Her work leaves readers spellbound, holding them in the grip of an unforgettable tale. Read more