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memphisholli's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kake's review against another edition
DNF: I read to the end of the Kindle sample, but there was too much infodumping for my taste, and the main character seemed really judgy.
paulmslima's review
2.0
A historical researcher takes a job in her hometown of Venice looking into the material a composer and bishop has left behind for two cousins who think there is a fortune to be claimed... And I am not sure where the story goes from there... Seriously. I was so bored and confused I barely skimmed the pages. I got to the end, so in theory I can say that I read it, but that would be a least a white lie. I thought it was going to be the unravelling of a historical mystery, and maybe it was, but much time was spent in the present doing I'm not sure what. Pass.
wc4's review against another edition
3.0
A non-Commissario Brunetti book by Donna Leon, but still set in Venice. The author's love of the city is still evident in this book. The pace of the book is quite languid, as it follows a researcher who was hired to look into the newly-discovered papers of a baroque composer. I have no interest whatsoever in opera and musicology, but this book is still a good atmospheric read.
canadianbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first of her books I've read that isn't part of the Commissario Brunetti series, and I enjoyed it. Food wasn't as prevalent here as in the Brunetti books, but it still gets a mention every now and then.
Here we have musicologist Caterina Pellegrini, as the main character. Caterina has a love for song, but knew she wasn't of the caliber to go far in a singing career. She tried law, and was unsatisfied so decided to go into the study of music, specializing in baroque opera. Unfortunately for her, jobs were not in abundance and she ended up in a university in England. Thanks to a contact there, she has found a short-term contract position back in her home town of Venice, going through the papers in two trunks belonging to a 17th century composer, right in her time period.
The men that hired her are after a treasure they believe was hidden by the composer, and the lawyer serving as intermediary may have his own agenda. Caterina is an interesting woman, passionate about her chosen field, and a good researcher, fluent in many languages. She has a good relationship with her family and maintains contact with them despite the distance sometimes between them. The composer was also a bishop and Caterina finds herself thinking about religion a bit more than usual.
This book has intrique, humour, and a good story. I'd sure love to see Caterina again. The reader for the audiobook did an amazing job, using a lovely Italian accent throughout, making me feel like I was there in Venice. Like all her books, this one really brings Venice to life. Really loved the ending.
Here we have musicologist Caterina Pellegrini, as the main character. Caterina has a love for song, but knew she wasn't of the caliber to go far in a singing career. She tried law, and was unsatisfied so decided to go into the study of music, specializing in baroque opera. Unfortunately for her, jobs were not in abundance and she ended up in a university in England. Thanks to a contact there, she has found a short-term contract position back in her home town of Venice, going through the papers in two trunks belonging to a 17th century composer, right in her time period.
The men that hired her are after a treasure they believe was hidden by the composer, and the lawyer serving as intermediary may have his own agenda. Caterina is an interesting woman, passionate about her chosen field, and a good researcher, fluent in many languages. She has a good relationship with her family and maintains contact with them despite the distance sometimes between them. The composer was also a bishop and Caterina finds herself thinking about religion a bit more than usual.
This book has intrique, humour, and a good story. I'd sure love to see Caterina again. The reader for the audiobook did an amazing job, using a lovely Italian accent throughout, making me feel like I was there in Venice. Like all her books, this one really brings Venice to life. Really loved the ending.
nachtschreck's review against another edition
3.0
Geheimnisvolle Truhen, uralte Briefe, stundenlanges Suchen in der Bibliothek nach dem entscheidenden Hinweis - wer so etwas mag, wird an Himmlische Juwelen sicher seinen Spaß haben. Mit einem richtigen Kriminalfall hat man es hier allerdings nicht zu tun. Eine Musikwissenschaftlerin bekommt von zwei zerstrittenen Cousins den Auftrag, den Nachlass ihres Vorfahren, dem Barockkomponisten Steffani, nach Wertvollem zu durchforsten und herauszufinden, wem der beiden das Erbe nun zukommt. Sie vertieft sich sogleich in Steffanis Papiere und in sein Leben - für den Rest des Buches.
Mir erschien die ewig lange Recherche oft etwas ziellos, und ich musste teilweise überlegen was jetzt eigentlich gesucht wurde. Ein Testament? Oder doch ein Schatz? Und Steffani (der wirklich gelebt hat): war er gläubiger Katholik oder nicht? Ein Kastrat? Ein Mörder? Da blieben leider einige Fragen offen.
Wirklich gestört hat mich an dem Roman aber nur eins: Egal ob Staat, Kirche, Recycling, Sportzeitungen, Psychopharmaka - Donna Leon hat eine Meinung dazu und legt sie ihren Figuren in den Mund, auch wenn es sie wie die versnobtesten Schwätzer der Welt erscheinen lässt und absolut nichts mit der Handlung zu tun hat.
Mir erschien die ewig lange Recherche oft etwas ziellos, und ich musste teilweise überlegen was jetzt eigentlich gesucht wurde. Ein Testament? Oder doch ein Schatz? Und Steffani (der wirklich gelebt hat): war er gläubiger Katholik oder nicht? Ein Kastrat? Ein Mörder? Da blieben leider einige Fragen offen.
Wirklich gestört hat mich an dem Roman aber nur eins: Egal ob Staat, Kirche, Recycling, Sportzeitungen, Psychopharmaka - Donna Leon hat eine Meinung dazu und legt sie ihren Figuren in den Mund, auch wenn es sie wie die versnobtesten Schwätzer der Welt erscheinen lässt und absolut nichts mit der Handlung zu tun hat.
mepitts's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, but took a long time to get where it was going.
nancyallen's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, not so appealing as her Brunetti books, although there are sections where Leon displays the same playful humor and insightful descriptions of her characters as shown in her Brunetti series, and the same talent for vividly recreating the streets and shops and buildings of Venice. But those sections were all too few and brief.
Most unfortunately, much of this book is taken up with the central character's musings about the subject of her research and the Catholic Church hierarchy, throughout history and particularly in the 17th century. Nothing deep or profound, or even coherent, sometimes surprisingly immature, it sounded more as though her ruminations were ideas the author wanted to get off her chest and the book was written to get it out of her system. A disappointment, given how much I've enjoyed her other books.
Most unfortunately, much of this book is taken up with the central character's musings about the subject of her research and the Catholic Church hierarchy, throughout history and particularly in the 17th century. Nothing deep or profound, or even coherent, sometimes surprisingly immature, it sounded more as though her ruminations were ideas the author wanted to get off her chest and the book was written to get it out of her system. A disappointment, given how much I've enjoyed her other books.
stephend81d5's review against another edition
3.0
easy going read about missing will of a 17th century composer and the research to find the jewels of paradise loved the sting in the tale at the end though.
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