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xavi3r's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Novela policíaca de resonancias poscoloniales. El comisario Brunetti investiga el asesinato de un africano que tiene lugar en Venecia y cuyas ramificaciones le harán descubrir los nuevos métodos con los que las metrópolis europeas pretenden seguir explotando sus ex colonias. Una lectura amena en la que la autora deja traslucir su preocupación por la deriva ideológica neofascista y la corrupción que impregnaba la sociedad italiana bajo el mandato de Berlusconi.
hashtag_alison's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
Brunettti delves into African history with the murder of an African illegal street-peddler, who seems to have been killed by professionals. Donna Leon brings out the culture of Venice with this tantalizing mystery.
usbsticky's review against another edition
2.0
Donna Leon tries to tell a story or illustrate an issue in Italy with every book in the series but this one is just awkwardly done.
Spoilers below.
This book starts with African street peddlers. There are a lot of them, they sell fake goods (sometimes made by the real factories at night who also make the real goods during the day). They are illegal but the police don't bother to catch them and Italian feelings towards them are mixed, ranging from they shouldn't be here to "poor fellows, they are just trying to make a living". The part with Brunetti's daughter also brings up views on racism.
One of the street sellers is murdered in a professional hit, then the book veers into blood diamonds and Italian industry and politicians (all the way up to the top) being complicit in the murder because they want to make mining and natural resource deals with the current African leaders in that nation, so much that they are willing to do anything.
Donna Leon describes real issues and real problems but I'm here to read about Brunetti and police procedurals. I get that this is also part of Donna Leon's writing, so 2 stars for me as a reader of mystery books and many stars for bringing these issues up.
Spoilers below.
This book starts with African street peddlers. There are a lot of them, they sell fake goods (sometimes made by the real factories at night who also make the real goods during the day). They are illegal but the police don't bother to catch them and Italian feelings towards them are mixed, ranging from they shouldn't be here to "poor fellows, they are just trying to make a living". The part with Brunetti's daughter also brings up views on racism.
One of the street sellers is murdered in a professional hit, then the book veers into blood diamonds and Italian industry and politicians (all the way up to the top) being complicit in the murder because they want to make mining and natural resource deals with the current African leaders in that nation, so much that they are willing to do anything.
Donna Leon describes real issues and real problems but I'm here to read about Brunetti and police procedurals. I get that this is also part of Donna Leon's writing, so 2 stars for me as a reader of mystery books and many stars for bringing these issues up.
richardpierce's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably the most overtly political of the books to this point. The hopelessness of hope, the fact that often justice is ousted by greed, and innocentbpeople are made to suffer.
mapgie's review against another edition
1.0
Absolutely dreadful.
A man is murdered.
The Commissario pulls in every favour from every acquaintance he's ever made but still fails to discover who the man was. He is never named. Brunetti also fails to discover the murderers, the motive, or really, anything worthwhile.
In the meantime, the book excessively fetishises black men as essentially looking the same, and all beautiful, like some exotic caged bird.
The story is pointless, with no payoff for the reader at all. Utter waste of time.
A man is murdered.
The Commissario pulls in every favour from every acquaintance he's ever made but still fails to discover who the man was. He is never named. Brunetti also fails to discover the murderers, the motive, or really, anything worthwhile.
In the meantime, the book excessively fetishises black men as essentially looking the same, and all beautiful, like some exotic caged bird.
The story is pointless, with no payoff for the reader at all. Utter waste of time.
jess_segraves's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wieporzellan's review against another edition
2.0
Tatsächlich ist mein größtes Problem mit diesem Band und damit auch der Reihe, dass sich das Buch zu sehr in (Familien-)Essen und einem Streifzug durch die Stadt verliert. Dabei tritt leider der Fall zunehmend zurück. Und der sollte für mein Empfinden bei einem Kriminalroman schon im Vordergrund stehen. Hier kommt hinzu, dass mir gerade die Darstellung des Opfers und dessem Umfeld oft zu plakativ war. So sehr ich die TV-Serie auch mag, in Buchform werden Commisario Brunetti und ich keine Freunde mehr.
lucyknitsandreads's review against another edition
Yep, I'm giving up. I've read 20% of the book and all that happened was Brunetti eating and drinking, family drama and most of the police force saying at least one racist thing. They spend more time contemplating the political situation than the actual crime.
This book is full of stupid stereotypes and almost everyone is racist without realising it...
This book is full of stupid stereotypes and almost everyone is racist without realising it...
celestemarin's review against another edition
3.0
I like Donna Leon's books to listen to on CD because they are light and easy to follow without too much concentration. I like the little details about life in Venice. But I can't stand the guy who reads them, and pronounces Italian words like an English person (which he is), and does British regional accents for the different characters. I'm sure my imagination of an Italian accent reading would be cheesy, but could they not at least teach him which syllable to stress?