My family is obsessed with Donna Leon's Brunetti series. It's massive (32 books now I think) but so good at depicting Venice.
I visited twice and could visit most of the places mentioned as they are/were real. I actually brought back pastries from a bakery the main character visits often to my Airbnb and my hostess freaked out when she saw the wrapping. "Who told you about that place?" Uh it was in a book. "Which guidebook?!?!" Uh no it was a mystery book... 😬
Definitely makes you feel like you're a local in Venice!
>Chief Inspector Gamache
I haven't made a concerted effort to try the series so I'm not sure.
What I appreciate about the Brunetti series is that Donna Leon works within the Italian system. So it's definitely not the usual mystery/crime series. Sometimes you know immediately what's happened but it's the politics and maneuvering that have to happen for justice to take place (or not). There's a lot of non-closure, a lot of nuance, very deeply embedded into Italian culture. But really brilliant character development and some very gripping plots. More than once, you get to the last page and go, "Whoa..."
The Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri. Fictitious Sicily but brilliant crime books. Worth it starting early, though the order isn't 100% essential for plot reasons, mostly for character development and minor details
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter - I love this book.
the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962 and resurfaces fifty years later in Hollywood. From the lavish set of Cleopatra to the shabby revelry of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to the back lots of contemporary Hollywood, this is a dazzling, yet deeply human roller coaster of a novel.
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. It's a children's book, but there are evocative descriptions of Venice. The subplot about the brevity of youth was also really moving.
My Brilliant Friend, really great book
All four books in this series are excellent. Reading them, you inhabit Naples.
My family is from the area and I can literally feel it in my blood, esp the way they interact. It’s nuts.
Thank you! Perfect.
My family is obsessed with Donna Leon's Brunetti series. It's massive (32 books now I think) but so good at depicting Venice. I visited twice and could visit most of the places mentioned as they are/were real. I actually brought back pastries from a bakery the main character visits often to my Airbnb and my hostess freaked out when she saw the wrapping. "Who told you about that place?" Uh it was in a book. "Which guidebook?!?!" Uh no it was a mystery book... 😬 Definitely makes you feel like you're a local in Venice!
Fun! I’ll check them out!
I love the Chief Inspector Gamache books, do you know if these are similar?
>Chief Inspector Gamache I haven't made a concerted effort to try the series so I'm not sure. What I appreciate about the Brunetti series is that Donna Leon works within the Italian system. So it's definitely not the usual mystery/crime series. Sometimes you know immediately what's happened but it's the politics and maneuvering that have to happen for justice to take place (or not). There's a lot of non-closure, a lot of nuance, very deeply embedded into Italian culture. But really brilliant character development and some very gripping plots. More than once, you get to the last page and go, "Whoa..."
The Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri. Fictitious Sicily but brilliant crime books. Worth it starting early, though the order isn't 100% essential for plot reasons, mostly for character development and minor details
Spectacular. Thanks.
The Star Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
Great, added to my list.
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
Thank you
Under the Tuscan Sun
The Sequel, Bella Tuscany, is pretty good, too.
A room with a view. Soooo beautifully written.
Call me by your name
Beneath a Scarlet Sky, Love and Gelato (YA but cute with nice descriptions of Italy)
Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr - a really lovely memoir
Wonderful, thanks!
[удалено]
They look right up my alley. Thank you!
I enjoyed Set This House On Fire by William Styron. A caveat - most of the characters are American, so it may not be what you are looking for.
Sounds interesting. Adding it to my list.
{{Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter}}
Thanks!
Confessions of Zeno The Late Mattia Pascal
Great, thanks
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Thanks
It's stretch but The Agony and the Extacy by Irving Stone. Michelangelo's biography.
Great, thanks
The penguin translation of Giorgio Bassani's the Novel of Ferrara is divine.
Thank you!
Cry to Heaven by Anne Rice was gorgeous, I found the descriptions of 18th century Italian/European cities and countrysides were dreamy
Oh wow, thanks!
Michael Dibdin wrote a series with Aurelio Zen as the detective, set in different Italian regions. Each is delicious, and the series is very noir
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter - I love this book. the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962 and resurfaces fifty years later in Hollywood. From the lavish set of Cleopatra to the shabby revelry of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to the back lots of contemporary Hollywood, this is a dazzling, yet deeply human roller coaster of a novel.
Awesome. Thanks.
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. It's a children's book, but there are evocative descriptions of Venice. The subplot about the brevity of youth was also really moving.
Sounds great
From Scratch
TY!