A Brightness Long Ago is a historical fantasy novel[1] by Canadian writer Guy Gavriel Kay published in 2019 by Viking Press.

[2] It is inspired from the events of 15th-century Italy leading to the Italian Wars,[2] and particularly the feud between Federico da Montefeltro and Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta.

[5] It begins as a narrative recollection by Guidanio Cerra, an aging councillor nicknamed Danio who in his youth was admitted to a prestigious school despite being a tailor's son.

[5] From Danio's recollection the plot shifts attention to a healer named Jelena, and subsequently to a political conflict between Folco Cino d’Acorsi, who is the uncle to Adria, and Teobaldo Monticola di Remigio.

[1] Adria and Cino conceive a plan for her to reside in a farmhouse near the city, which eventually brings her to the attention of Uberto, known as "The Beast" for his sexual and murderous proclivities.