Tourists overwhelm Venice!
356647
Polly Coles presents an inside view into present day life in Venice, and it's rather sad. Fascinating as the numerous insights into present day life in this once glorious city are, one is left with a feeling of disillusionment about the overwhelming effects of the massive numbers of tourists on the lives of Venetions who try to live their day to day lives with some spence of normality.  Not only are Venetians threatened by tourists, but they must deal with the disastrous effects of high tides which threaten their livelihoods and inconvenience their lives.
The book contained many fascinating stories, but left me feeling guilty for having been a day tripper to Venice.  Although the story was told about a family, it somehow lacked warmth and a real voice, so I would only give it three stars. It is, however, well worth reading for anyone who has been to Venice.
3252456
OK, you've gone to Italy a bunch of times, you LOVE Italy...and Venice, of course, is beautiful, only...well..the FOOD is just...not as good as in other cities. None of those classic moments of Baedeker - less bliss: "we were walking down the street, and we found ourselves in front of this really OLD trattoria, and I said to her "let's try it, what do you think?" and, well, there was nobody there who spoke English, and Grandma was in the kitchen, and we had the BEST _______ we've ever...". In Venice? Uh - uh. No chance. SO...If you don't buy this book, don't come crying to me! You have only yourself to blame.

Every restaurant Venetian friends have ever taken me to, telling me that this is a REAL Venetian place, where REAL Venetians go, is in this book. And Michela's no snob. Hey, even the Hard Rock Cafe's in here! Not that I'll ever go there. But she presents cogent reasons why you might! (why YOU might...) or...(why you MIGHT...).

Her writing is charming, witty and to the point. When you go almost anywhere that's not in this book it just isn't as good as what is. What higher praise can a guidebook get? In the interest of fairness, I'll say that I didn't LOVE every one of her suggestions that I tried. But none of them were bad, and some were amazing.
661638
This detective story set in Venice will keep you interested from start to finish.  Lots of action and interesting characters.
284562
As a devoted fan of Commissario Brunetti I have long wished to have a street plan to follow him on his cases as well as his frequent stops at bars and restaurants, visits to family and other personal errands.
Toni Sepeda makes it alsmost possible to have a coffee or un ombra with my hero or to buy a bouquet of blue Irises at Bianacat to take home to Paola when he feels guilty or even when he simply wants to please her.
Sepeda frequently reminds us of the context in which certain episodes have occurred by citing shorts passages from Donna Leon's stories.  The street plans help us to pinpoint the exact corner of Brunetti's own apartment building with those excruciating ninety-one steps to the top floor, up which every bottle of wine or water, not to mention all the groceries must be carried.  Sepedia's knowledge of art history infuses the book to enhance Donna Leon's own interest in the mesmerizing beauty of the Venetian architectural, pictorial and sculptural heritage.
However, despite all the praise I would like to bestow on BRUNETTI'S VENICE, I must admit to being deeply disappointed by the fact that (1) there is no overall street plan of the entire city, and (2) that this book lacks an index.  It is impossible to find any of the discussed places in Venice which one would like go back to after having quickly noted them in this volume or read in Donna Leon's 18 books.  It is essential for a book of this sort to have an INDEX.
3858648
Rarely can I not finish a book.  I bought this thinking it would be fun to read about Venice before my trip there, but the book as soooo slow I stopped reading it.
2038691
For a film that impeccably recreates 18th century Venice with such dazzling exteriors, sumptuous costumes and beautiful Baroque music, it seems a shame that the story at the center is just a frothy, mechanical series of mistaken identity situations and contemporary-pitched comedy (I groaned when one character actually says during a chase scene in a carriage, "This is the last time I travel coach!"). After the lethargic family tensions of "An Unfinished Life", director Lasse Halstrom chooses to lighten up considerably with this fanciful account of the legendary lover, Giacomo Casanova. It seems that he is going for a "Shakespeare in Love" vibe but misses the depth of that film.

For a while, the farcical elements are entertaining, but as the 2005 film goes along, it refuses to congeal into anything that takes advantage of its historical period or sheds any light into the title character beyond the formulaic romance. While he has the looks and wit to carry off the role, Heath Ledger is the most interior of actors and fundamentally cannot emit the joie de vivre that Casanova must have, something a more magnetic swashbuckler like Errol Flynn had in spades. A similar problem exists with Sienna Miller, who has the Katharine Hepburn role of a proto-feminist writing about women's rights under a male pseudonym. She is certainly pretty and intelligent enough but somehow does not register memorably as Francesca. Luckily, there are some fun sideline performances with Oliver Platt as the pasty-faced lard magnate Paprizzio, Lena Olin as Francesca's socially ambitious mother and Jeremy Irons especially over-the-top as the dastardly bishop Pucci.

The actors, however, cannot escape the galloping momentum Hallstrom generates to produce the central halcyon of comedy shenanigans because screenwriters Jeffrey Hatcher and Kimberly Simi do not seem as interested in developing full characters. Regardless, there are some lovely scenes just to take in, even the obviously green-screened hot-air balloon ride amid fireworks over the Venice. Special credit especially needs to go to Alexandre Desplat's music score which mixes original compositions with Baroque masterworks from Vivaldi, Rameau, Albinoni and of course, Handel. The 2006 DVD contains a standard package of extras - an informative commentary track by Hallstrom, a brief making-of featurette, even briefer shorts on the costumes and Venice and an extended deleted sequence which goes into more specifics about the burgeoning love between Casanova and Francesca.
1515193
I requested this book because the synopsis was intriguing. The pace was a bit slow for me, but it was interesting. Once the pace picked up, boy did it! You have murder, magic, Egyptian mythology... INTRIGUE! BLOODY INTRIGUE!

The setting of Venice is beautifully described. I don't tend to like books that have flashbacks, but this was so well done and it's rare that the author gets it so right. It was amazing to see the thought process that went into everyone's decision making, leading them to any particular moment.

Lucy is an amazing character and she's a total badass. I loved her, even though at times she frustrated me. Carlos may have been my favorite character. There was something so pure about him, it made yippy want to protect him from all the dangers in the world. I'm still deciding on how I feel about Octavia. I loved her because she's realistic, but I hate her because she's realistic. Sign of great writing.

I can't wait until the next installment!
3061314
I attempted to read one of Donna Leon's books of Commissario Guido Brunetti and for some reason just couldn't get into it.  I don't even remember the title it was so long ago.  However, this offering of Death in a Strange Country  was different and maybe because it involves Americans as well as the Venetian police, politicians, and citizens.

Guido is summoned early one morning to a scene where there is a body.  No surprise there---it's part of his job!  Only this is a young man found in one of the canals and he has knife wounds.  Further investigation of his clothing and pockets reveals that he has American money as well as identification which leads to the nearby American military installation at Vincenze.  When a young Captain from the base comes to identify the body, the story starts to become more than just a routine stabbing and dumping of a body.  And the captain also happens to be a woman.  And she is visibly distraught at the sight which is unusual because she is a medical officer and has seen any number of bodies.  So what's the connection?  Guido is puzzled and curious at this behavior and decides that this needs more attention.  Of course he meets a lot of obstruction from his superiors, namely Pazzi who is very politically connected, concerned with upsetting tourists, and wants this case solved pronto!  Even if it means overlooking certain evidence!

Having Americans involved also makes the case more complicated because there are jurisdiction and diplomatic considerations.  There is also underlying prejudice among the Venice citizenry even with Guido Benetti and very definitely with his communistic leaning spouse, Paola.  Americans are looked upon as rude, vulgar, and arrogant.  There is also this certain attitude on Guido's part of encountering a military female captain---he  displays a certain "macho" attitude which is hard for him to overcome.

There are levels of Venetian society that are at one end the nobility-----like Paola's family who live in one of the Palazzos.  There are also the wealthy who live outside the law and this is part of what is going on in this case.  And the people that try to challenge them usually end up at the bottom of one of the canals or as victims of a "contrived" death.  And soon more deaths occur.

It was interesting to me to not only be intrigued by this particular mystery, but to read of the descriptions of Venice----it's many alleys and streets that one can easily lose themselves in.  The customs, the buildings, the food.  And like all European countries and the U.S. as well to try to adapt to all the changes that a global economy has created!
4627145
I loved this book.  One of those gotta keep the pages turning.  Very amusing, deft characterisation, great descriptive passages.  Yep, I'm ready to go to Venice now.  This was a very good story, loved the touches of humor combined with information about Venice.  Great swordfights and the alternating "man" problems between the 17th century and the 21st only confirms my long-held belief that everything changes yet stays the same.  I think the author leaves ample room for a sequel and I would love to see how Claire "gets her groove back."  Read this!
3362827
Fantastic menagerie of exciting poetry. Ms. Velascos poem Venice evokes strong feelings from past writers offering a bridge between flower children from the sixitiea day todays contemporaries. Absolute read!
4374846
We were in Venice for 6 days, and this book was a big help.
3974120
I bought this guide in a real hurry. Now I know why the publisher did not make images available online. This is a guide written for the timid tourist who likes shopping more than meeting the locals. This guide advises one to do things like go shopping on Market Street where all the large chain stores are like Old Navy and Macy's. Why wouldn't I do that at home before the trip? Is there not an Old Navy in New Jersey or Missouri? It also told us to avoid the Museum of Modern Art -- overrated is the snarky comment the guide gives. Well, what a mistake that would have been. It was arguably one of the best moments of a week in San Fran -- a week full of best moments. Even the pull out map only covered the smallest slice of the city.

This is THE guide for those Americans who are scared to get out of their cars once they leave the suburbs. For the rest of us, it doesn't do this multifaceted gem of a city any justice.
983129
This is an unusually serious book for a mystery.  Followers of Donna Leon will enjoy revisiting Venice with Commissario  Brunetti, although her picture of the environmental disaster facing this beautiful city is highly disturbing. Beautifully written; a bit depressing.
4880707
Want to enjoy Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding areas to the fullest? Buy this book, and you'll  know more, and possibly will see more in a few days than many residents who've been here for many years.

Why?  Karen Bartlett, who's been here for many years, has the curiosity of a travel writer (she has been one for years, too!) and the energy of the Energizer bunny for ferreting out fun, unusual, and unique activities and location in SW Florida.

Whether you're an octagonarian or a pre-teen, there's much to choose from. I thought I was pretty savvy after living in Naples for 22 years, however I've never done many of the fun things in this book!

Take the Naples Trolley to see the sights by land, and the Water Shuttle to go by sea. Hungry for food or photo ops? Hit one of the Farmers Markets.  Did you know which sightseeing boat lets kids go for free?  See Naples by Segway or jet boat, if a bicycle or boat rental is not your way to go!

Go for an air boat ride, see the rare Ghost Orchid, or take a selfie in front of the smallest Post Office in the US of A.

I highly recommend buying this book-it adds an amazing depth of knowledge and variety of experiences for any visitor or "local", of any age.

 Now that I have my copy, I'm making up for lost time!
1593238
I personally couldn't put this book down. 700+ pages whilst on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, I almost missed a lot of sights because i chose to remain on the ship to read this book! We were in Florence as I was reading about all the places mentioned in the book. Quite exciting to get  a double history of the exact location we were walking through.
3347209
My husband and I visited Italy for the first time -- my sister was our tour guide, since she travels to Rome quite frequently.  The food was awesome, and the shopping was even better (especially in Florence). The Colluseum and St. Peter's were just breathtaking -- Borghese Galleries was wonderful, although we had to walk there in a rainstorm.  My sister took us to the Pasta Museum -- not worth the $$.

The only item I would add to this video is that Rome is very hard to get around, and our impression of Rome is that it is very dirty -- lots of graffiti and garbage and cigarettes!!  Very disappointing that the citizens of Rome would allow this to happen to their otherwise beautiful city!
1110289
This is awsome.  I wonder why there is so much hue and cry about the Borgias. Everyone was doing what they wanted for power and cash