Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabeel
Dear All,
I'm thinking of a short trip to Venice later this year: my first visit. Can anyone recommend some fiction that would help me understand what I'm seeing?
I've already read Donna Leon, who I quite like, but any other recommendations would be welcome.
Thank you,
Nabeel
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Two books immediately spring in the mind. One is
One Summer in Venice by
Nicky Pellegrino. An enjoyable book that transports the reader to present day Venice. This is a story of a family restaurant owner in London who visits Venice. She describes the day-to-day city, as she shops for food, makes friends, ambles down the narrow streets and ponders her life back in England.
Another is
Dead Lagoon by
Michael Dibdin. Aurelio Zen returns to his native Venice, to investigate the disappearance of a rich American who has been living in the city. He is not officially working the case, he is just doing so as a favour, but soon he uncovers details he has no choice but to pursue. An excellent way to explore the city, as Zen navigates the city of his birth you see the dark and the light side of Venice, its beauty and its eeriness.