Another book about Venice...

From amazon:
"A unique tour behind the exquisite facade of the world's most beautiful historic city Taking the fire that destroyed the Fenice theatre in 1996 as his starting point, John Berendt creates a unique and unforgettable portrait of Venice and its extraordinary inhabitants. Beneath the exquisite facade of the world's most beautiful historic city, scandal, corruption and venality are rampant, and John Berendt is a master at seeking them out. Ezra Pound and his mistress, Olga; poet Mario Stefani; the Rat Man of Treviso; these are among the intriguing and eccentric characters whom Berendt skewers with his elegant pen. With his background in journalism, Berendt is perfectly poised to gain access to private and unapproachable people, and persuade them to talk frankly to him. The result is mischievous, witty, compelling - and destined to be the non-fiction success d'estime of the year."

I've found "The City of Falling Angels" much alike "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil": a beautiful city, a colourful bunch of caracters and a crime (or crime investigation). But it's not so good as Berendt's bestseller. Why? It's difficult to say something new and fresh about Venice, most of the caracters are rich and cultivated ex-patriates and the crime is not a murder. It's a copy of a previous success formula, funny, well written and well researched, but without surprises.

For more reviews, go to Amazon.co.uk

And now, a bookray!

Bookray rules
- Please make a journal entry when you receive the book, then read, enjoy, review and release the book within one month of receiving it, to keep it going.
- When ready to release the book, send a PM to the next person on the list asking for their address.
- Enjoy your reading!

Participants
- Virgulina (Portugal)
- BettyBoekwurm (Portugal, Europe prefered)
- lisatam (Portugal)
- Karenlea (USA, USA prefered)
- LaRue (USA, USA prefered) asked to be skiped
- cinnycat (USA, USA only)
- alrescate (USA)--- has the book
- BoosterJ28 (USA, USA prefered))

And here it goes to Virgulina. Enjoy!

Arrived! Thanks Quico and Virgulina.

I admit that the only reason this book had caught my attention was because of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", which I had enjoyed very much. So, of course, I tend to compare this one to the other. And, even though I did enjoy "Garden", I think I actully prefered "The City of Falling Angels". As non-fiction, it seems more realistic and documental. When I was reading "Garden", I couldn't help thinking that there was a bit of fiction going on there. Maybe it was because of the bizarre characters...

My favourite chapter was "The Man Who Loved Others". A lovely story, and an amazing character. One that seems almost taken out of novel.

Thanks for this quico. Sent to Lisatam

Acabei de receber! Vou tentar ser breve. Obrigada pela partilha!

A very nice document about Venice. I could almost see myself back in its streets and channels.

It was already mailed to Karenlea (USA). Hope she enjoys the book as much as I did.

Thanks for sharing!

Caught. I have one ring ahead of it, but I should be able to start it within the week. Thank you!!!

I like Berendt's unique style and focus on a single city and it's inhabitants. He seems to have a knack for meeting quirky people and getting interesting stories.

I liked this book, but not half as much as "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." I tried not to compare them, but it was difficult. This book just didn't catch my interest as much and I think it was due to the subject matter. Venice just wasn't as interesting as Savannah.

Thank you to Quico for sharing this book. I will mail it out to the next reader this weekend.

I'm an idiot. I bought a copy of this at a library book sale two days before this got to me in the mail! argh. Where is my mind? So I will just send this copy to the next reader to move it along. Sorry! thanks to Quico for the opportunity and karenlea for sending it!

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent this today! Sorry for the wait!

I got this in the mail yesterday! I'm looking forward to reading it soon but I have one other ring/ray in front of it. (Not to mention the fact that I've been so busy that I haven't had time to read! Now that's too busy!)

What a wonderful, wonderful book! (I am fascinated with Venice so I love picking up fiction or non-fiction about the city.) I enjoyed this view of Venice...it was written so well that I almost felt I was reading a novel and not non-fiction at all. Of course the fact that I blow glass made the sections on the glass artists of Murnano even more delightful. This was a book full of "gossip" but of the "tell-me-what-happened-then" type.

This ray has come to an end but the book travels on! I am sending this to a friend I think might enjoy it.

Received from my friend, alrescate. Good guess...I did, indeed, like this book. I bought it last year, the day it came out in hardcover. ;) But I will be sure to pass it on to a friend. Thank you! And thanks for thinking of me.

Passed this on to a friend today at lunch.