Oh man, but 1/2 way thru the darn book I forgot what the storyline was.
so'n'so didn't show up so the author has to explain *that* too! He describes wandering the streets of Venice and describes several strolls and how it's hard to remember how to get around. He not only mentions every single person he meets, he DESCRIBES them, their history, and if the information led up to being a culprit in the fire then that might be acceptable but this guy lists ALL the people he meets and describes each and every one of them in long and tedious detail, and he describes the lunch dates with several of them, but.
Loved the historical parts of this book, Venice and Italy and the catholic church etc, but wow oh wow does this book become the biggest soap opera ever. Unfortunately, the City of Venice did not have a pleasant reaction to the publication of this book, characterizing it as 'nasty gossip', since many of its prominent citizens are painted rather uncharitably, and unlike Savannah has no need of an American book to make it a popular tourist destination, it has and will continue nevertheless to see visitors inspired by their perusal of this work. In fact, the last pages deal with the reopening of the Fenice after 8 years of reconstruction, in 2004.
Berendt is thorough in tracking down witnesses and others who might have information regarding any of these plot points and seems to have spent years investigating and collecting material for this book. There is quite a bit of name-dropping throughout. The other subplot regards a fight for prominency amongst the leadership of the Save Venice charitable organization. This couple also seems to have had a suspicious relationship with Peggy Guggenheim at the end of her life. In addition to this theme, there are a couple of sub-plots, one involving the late mistress of Ezra Pound and a shady-seeming couple who befriend her and pretty much steal all of the memorabilia of her relationship with Pound as well as other important ephemera she has in her possession at the time of her death as well as the last years of her life. Berendt introduces us to the investigators of the disaster, possible suspects and also important bystanders and witnesses. Berendt has a true talent for making a place come alive through both description of setting and introduction of character.The nominal main story of this work revolves around a destructive fire at the Fenice Theater in 1996. Used Very Good (2 available) Used book that is in excellent condition.This book produced the same sensation in me as a reader as Berendt's previous work, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil did, which is make me desperately desire to travel to the city in question.
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