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Books

Grove Press
Atlantic Monthly Press
Atlantic Monthly Press

My Venice and Other Essays

by Donna Leon

“Leon . . . takes both loving and jaundiced looks at Italy and the United States, music, men and many other subjects in My Venice.” —New York Times Book Review

  • Imprint Grove Paperback
  • Page Count 240
  • Publication Date November 11, 2014
  • ISBN-13 978-0-8021-2280-3
  • Dimensions 5.5" x 8.25"
  • US List Price $16.00
  • Imprint Atlantic Monthly Press
  • Page Count 240
  • Publication Date December 03, 2013
  • ISBN-13 978-0-8021-2036-6
  • Dimensions 5.5" x 8.25"
  • US List Price $26.00

About The Book

Donna Leon’s wildly popular novels starring Venetian Commissario Guido Brunetti have been praised for their intricate plots and gripping narratives, but also for their insight into the culture, politics, family life, and history of Venice, one of the world’s most treasured cities and Leon’s home for over thirty years. My Venice and Other Essays is a treat for lovers of Italy and La Serenissima. Collected here are over fifty funny, charming, passionate, and insightful essays that range from battles over garbage in the canals to troubles with rehabbing Venetian real estate. Leon shares episodes from her life in Venice, explores her love of opera, and recounts tales from in and around her country house in the mountains. With poignant observations and humor, she also explores her family history and former life in New Jersey, and the idea of the Italian man.

Praise

“Cheerfully opinionated . . . An intriguing glimpse at the strong views of an exceptionally interesting and entertaining novelist.” —Adam Woog, Seattle Times

“[Leon] introduces you to the Venice insiders know.” —USA Today

“Leon’s books shimmer in the grace of their setting.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Leon’s ability to capture the social scene and internal politics [of Venice] is first-rate.” —The Baltimore Sun

“Leon . . . takes both loving and jaundiced looks at Italy and the United States, music, men and many other subjects in My Venice.” —Joshua Hammer, New York Times Book Review

“Donna Leon is . . . a practiced writer of sharply observed commentary. . . . Leon clearly loves her adopted city, but she is not so pie-eyed as to overlook–and report to often hilarious effect–its idiosyncratic imperfections. . . . Savoring these short and engaging pieces is akin to sharing a latte at a Venetian café with an entertaining, opinionated, intelligent friend.” —Robert Weibezahl, BookPage

“Entertaining [and] unapologetically opinionated.” —Suzanne MacNeille, The New York Times

“Leon . . . is literate, witty and contentious, with a ready sense of humor and an eye for the absurd. I’d love to have a cappuccino with her.” —Kathy Weissman, Bookreporter.com

“Absorbing. . . . My Venice and Other Essays . . . provide[s] morsels of wit and sharp observations.” —Janice Floyd Durante, New York Journal of Books

“Well known as the author of the Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery novels, American Donna Leon has lived in Venice for 30 years and knows its vagaries and delights in and out. The essays in My Venice are filled with her pointed observations, humor and insight. . . . Leon’s great intelligence and wit come through in every one. . . . A lively collection.” —Shelf Awareness

“So keenly observed that they almost make me homesick for a city I’ve only visited . . . [Leon’s essays] have the kind of friendly intimacy of a letter from a friend far away” —David Lyon, Boston Globe

“Leon . . . is synonymous with Venice.” —The Sunday Times (London)

“[Leon] never fails to explore the periphery of her topic, deepening her theme and giving it context and nuance.” —Booklist