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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
3.5***
Berendt is perhaps best known for his nonfiction exploration of the intricacies behind an infamous crime in Savannah GA - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - which spent an unprecedented (and still unbroken) record 216 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List.
On the heels of that success he arrived in Venice for a holiday – just a few days after fire engulfed and destroyed the famous Fenice Opera House, where five of Verdi’s operas had their premier. The conspiracy theories and counter theories, the gossip, innuendo, half-truths and downright lies surrounding this event captured Berendt’s attention and gave birth to his second book.
Berendt’s writing puts the reader right at the scene. You feel the warmth of summer sun, bathe in the glow of a beautiful sunset, smell the salty air, taste the champagne and are dazzled by the cacophony that is Carnival. Like Venice itself, the book is peopled with plenty of colorful characters, each with an opinion (and some with facts) about the fire and the restoration efforts. Competing factions seems to care more about coming out on top than about actually rebuilding the opera house. It’s a fascinating and interesting look at one of the world’s most recognizable cities.
Berendt is perhaps best known for his nonfiction exploration of the intricacies behind an infamous crime in Savannah GA - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - which spent an unprecedented (and still unbroken) record 216 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List.
On the heels of that success he arrived in Venice for a holiday – just a few days after fire engulfed and destroyed the famous Fenice Opera House, where five of Verdi’s operas had their premier. The conspiracy theories and counter theories, the gossip, innuendo, half-truths and downright lies surrounding this event captured Berendt’s attention and gave birth to his second book.
Berendt’s writing puts the reader right at the scene. You feel the warmth of summer sun, bathe in the glow of a beautiful sunset, smell the salty air, taste the champagne and are dazzled by the cacophony that is Carnival. Like Venice itself, the book is peopled with plenty of colorful characters, each with an opinion (and some with facts) about the fire and the restoration efforts. Competing factions seems to care more about coming out on top than about actually rebuilding the opera house. It’s a fascinating and interesting look at one of the world’s most recognizable cities.
funny
informative
medium-paced
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Midnight is a lot faster and more linear, this one takes an aptly Mediterranean approach. I've never really thought about Venice before and this definitely sparked interest. My favorite character was De Luigi. Both sides seem very flawed in the Save Venice dispute, but Bob Gutherie is definitely upholding the role of a sociopathic surgeon. The high society drama is the strongest throughline between the two books. Strongest from chapter 9 onwards. I really liked Stefani would have liked to feel his presence beyond the one chapter. Many of the deaths hit hard and feel unjust. The prose is expert, no pen marks to be found. The description is precise, though I'd highly recommend searching for visuals of buildings and art for your own enjoyment.
Since we all can't pack up and move to Venice for months or years, sit around in cafes talking to colorful residents, attend swanky parties and hobnob with those who make a career out of either being or appearing to be rich and famous, John Berendt's The City of Fallen Angels is the next best thing. His writing (and subject choices) reminds me of what Dominick Dunn's is supposed to be when his 'personal diary' runs in Vanity Fair, but with a tad less sychophantism.
I'm ready to go back to Italy after finishing this one! An interesting look at Venice following the fire that destroyed the Fenice opera house in the mid-1990s. The author introduces us to the city through the people who live there and those who adore it. At first, I felt like the chapters were like short stories, not necessarily connected. By the end, the stories blend together.
sad
slow-paced
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
I wish I had read this book before visiting Venice... oh well I guess I will have to go back now that I have a much greater understanding and appreciation for the city and its inhabitants. What a great read!
