Great books About Venice
Nov 25th, 2005, 07:03 AM
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Great books About Venice
Looking for books to read in preparation for a visit to Venice. What novels or non-fiction would give me a good sense of place and understanding about the history and struggles faced by the people.
I don't go on many guided tours and like to know as much as I can when wandering around a new place.
I don't go on many guided tours and like to know as much as I can when wandering around a new place.
Nov 25th, 2005, 07:13 AM
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How about Francesco da Mosto's Venice, the book that accompanied the excellent TV series, unfortunately not released on DVD.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/056...s&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/056...s&v=glance
Nov 25th, 2005, 07:25 AM
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One of the best novels set in Venice, with vivid descriptions of scenery and fabulous character sketches, is "The Tears Of Tearney," by Barbara Binkins Battlemarge. It is about an American waitress (slaving away at Olive Garden) who saves her tips to take a dream vacation to Venice. She is soon involved with a married nobleman (Count de Fore), who is also a hitman for the Mafia. There is a thrilling scene were Tearney is turned away from Florian for wearing jeans and white Keds, only to be saved from ridicule by a gay French fashion guru--who takes pity on Tearney--and offers her the use of his floor-length Blackglama mink to cover her fashion faux pas. Tearney is then readmitted to Florian and becomes a darling of the international jet set who congragate there. To make a long story short, Tearney then becomes drunk on Krug and is soon swept up in a world of drugs, Mafia kingpins, Chanel earrings, and dwarves in Gucci sunglasses. FANTASTICO!!!
Nov 25th, 2005, 07:49 AM
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Hi Cato ~
I have very much enjoyed this non-fiction piece, "Italy, Out of Hand" by Barbara Hodgson. She covers thirteen Italian cities (including Venice). It is a rather interesting read giving you a kind of behind the scenes history lesson. I really enoyed it. Although found in the guide book section of the bookstore, it is not your typical guidebook. Kind of an 'off the beaten path' guidebook, ha ha.
She also co-wrote Paris Out of Hand if you enjoy her style.
Safe journey, Tiff
I have very much enjoyed this non-fiction piece, "Italy, Out of Hand" by Barbara Hodgson. She covers thirteen Italian cities (including Venice). It is a rather interesting read giving you a kind of behind the scenes history lesson. I really enoyed it. Although found in the guide book section of the bookstore, it is not your typical guidebook. Kind of an 'off the beaten path' guidebook, ha ha.
She also co-wrote Paris Out of Hand if you enjoy her style.
Safe journey, Tiff
Nov 25th, 2005, 08:14 AM
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ThinGorjus, that novel sounds hysterical. I have to get it. 
Cato, "A Thousand Days in Venice" by Marlena De Blasi, a modern true story of an American who meets and falls in love with a Venetian man gives an amazing account of what it's like in Venice now.
The new book "The City of Falling Angels" by John Berendt (author of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" about Savannah). I haven't read it yet but have heard it's great.
Cato, "A Thousand Days in Venice" by Marlena De Blasi, a modern true story of an American who meets and falls in love with a Venetian man gives an amazing account of what it's like in Venice now.
The new book "The City of Falling Angels" by John Berendt (author of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" about Savannah). I haven't read it yet but have heard it's great.
Nov 25th, 2005, 08:21 AM
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I'm currently reading "City of Falling Angels" and certainly wish I could have gotten hold of a copy before my visit to Venice a few weeks ago. I highly recommend reading this one before you go. I can hardly put it down.
I also enjoy Donna Leon's crime novels that take place in Venice. They are fun to read while you are there since you can retrace the scenes of the crimes yourself.
I also enjoy Donna Leon's crime novels that take place in Venice. They are fun to read while you are there since you can retrace the scenes of the crimes yourself.
Nov 25th, 2005, 09:40 AM
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"Miss Garnet's Angel": word of mouth was fabulous for this book, a sleeper hit in England. Somebody recommend this book in this forum years ago and I am more than glad to passed it on. A retired schoolteacher spends six months in Venice with strange encunters, a bit of intrigue, romance, lots of history, just a great read.
I just started "The Sixteen Pleasures" in case you are looking for Florence recs.
I just started "The Sixteen Pleasures" in case you are looking for Florence recs.
Nov 25th, 2005, 10:37 AM
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As others have recommended...
Francesco da Mosta's Venice - a fabulous coffee table tome
A Thousand Days in Venice
Anything by Donna Leon (I read them with a map close by to be able to track down and visualise exactly where Brunetti is going... sad or what?!!!)
Miss Garnet's Angel
Dont Look Now by Daphne du Maurier (short story and subsequently an excellent and atmospheric film)
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (a thriller for older children, but very evocative, readable and enjoyable nonetheless)
Venice by Jan Morris
Venice for Pleasure by J G Links
You will be able to find all these books on amazon. Have a great trip.
Francesco da Mosta's Venice - a fabulous coffee table tome
A Thousand Days in Venice
Anything by Donna Leon (I read them with a map close by to be able to track down and visualise exactly where Brunetti is going... sad or what?!!!)
Miss Garnet's Angel
Dont Look Now by Daphne du Maurier (short story and subsequently an excellent and atmospheric film)
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (a thriller for older children, but very evocative, readable and enjoyable nonetheless)
Venice by Jan Morris
Venice for Pleasure by J G Links
You will be able to find all these books on amazon. Have a great trip.
Nov 25th, 2005, 11:23 AM
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julia, you're not alone. I use my laminated Venice map as a bookmark for all my Donna Leon books because I refer to it so often. I did the same with Ms. Garnet's Angel and now I'm using it with City of Falling Angels, too.
I did the same with Ms. Garnet's Angel and now I'm using it with City of Falling Angels, too.
Nov 25th, 2005, 12:04 PM
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Nice to hear from you Statia!
Miss Garnet's Angel was the book that finally truly inspired and motivated me to go to Venice the first time. I was so disappointed when I got to Campo dell Angelo Raffaele to find the church inacessible, swathed in scaffolding and sheets of plastic, as I had so wanted to see the Tobias panels. On my next trip I was hampered by a temporarily wheelchair-bound child and just couldn't get across Venice. However we had all read the Thief Lord and had fun searching for the Star Palace and other locations featured in that book!
PS... Cato, Miss Garnet's Angel is written by Salley Vickers. Hemingway also wrote about Venice, and Patricia Highsmith wrote The Talented Mr Ripley, which is set in part in Venice. There's the film starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law, also the 70s film Death in Venice, set on the Lido with Dirk Bogarde - can't remember who wrote the original book - actually it was Thomas Mann.
Miss Garnet's Angel was the book that finally truly inspired and motivated me to go to Venice the first time. I was so disappointed when I got to Campo dell Angelo Raffaele to find the church inacessible, swathed in scaffolding and sheets of plastic, as I had so wanted to see the Tobias panels. On my next trip I was hampered by a temporarily wheelchair-bound child and just couldn't get across Venice. However we had all read the Thief Lord and had fun searching for the Star Palace and other locations featured in that book!
PS... Cato, Miss Garnet's Angel is written by Salley Vickers. Hemingway also wrote about Venice, and Patricia Highsmith wrote The Talented Mr Ripley, which is set in part in Venice. There's the film starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law, also the 70s film Death in Venice, set on the Lido with Dirk Bogarde - can't remember who wrote the original book - actually it was Thomas Mann.
Nov 25th, 2005, 02:52 PM
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I too happen to be reading A Thousand Days in Venice, by Marlena di Blasi. Some of her critics have been harsh about this book (on Amazon.com); however, the readers who like this story give her high marks.
It's a relatively short story, and so far, I'm enjoying it.
It's a relatively short story, and so far, I'm enjoying it.
