Taking the fire that destroyed the Fenice theatre in 1996 as his starting point, John Berendt creates a unique and unforgettable portrait of Venice and its extraordinary inhabitants. Beneath the exquisite facade of the world's most beautiful historic city, scandal, corruption and venality are rampant, and John Berendt is a master at seeking them out. Ezra Pound and his mistress, Olga; poet Mario Stefani; the Rat Man of Treviso; or Mario Moro - self-styled carabiniere, fireman, soldier or airman, depending on the day of ...
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Taking the fire that destroyed the Fenice theatre in 1996 as his starting point, John Berendt creates a unique and unforgettable portrait of Venice and its extraordinary inhabitants. Beneath the exquisite facade of the world's most beautiful historic city, scandal, corruption and venality are rampant, and John Berendt is a master at seeking them out. Ezra Pound and his mistress, Olga; poet Mario Stefani; the Rat Man of Treviso; or Mario Moro - self-styled carabiniere, fireman, soldier or airman, depending on the day of the week. With his background in journalism, Berendt is perfectly poised to gain access to private and unapproachable people, and persuade them to talk frankly to him. The result is mischievous, witty, compelling - and destined to be the non-fiction succes d'estime of the year.
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Add this copy of The City of Falling Angels to cart. $12.68, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2006 by Penguin Books.
My only complaint about John Berendt is that he is not writing books fast enough. This is a wonderful book that takes you on a grand adventure in the city of the Grand Canal. Living in Venice, John gains access to the citizens of Venice, their stories and their palaces. While there, he tries to solve the mystery of who would deliberately set the famed Opera House on fire, destroying its multi-million dollar restoration progress. His sleuthing does not always seem to go anywhere but the journey is marvelous. This is the book to read when you come home from Venice and wish you were still there. Berendt makes you feel like you are in Venice again in the most wonderful way--as a insider and not a tourist.
deederbrennan
Apr 26, 2007
He Does it Again
John Berendt has done for Venice what he did for Savannah - brought it life. The places, the people, the happenings weave an intriguing story.
