Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “The City of Falling Angels was a very accurate portrayal of life in Venice. It is not from a tourist’s perspective. John Berendt lived in Venice for a number of years conducting interviews to write this book about the true venetians in this gorgeous city. The novel was centered on the fire that...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It“I wanted to like it. I love Venice. I enjoy "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." But by the end I just felt irritated. It purported to be a book about the lives of "real" Venetians but in the end felt more focused on American ex-pats. |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“The City of Falling Angels was a very accurate portrayal of life in Venice. It is not from a tourist’s perspective. John Berendt lived in Venice for a number of years conducting interviews to write this book about the true venetians in this gorgeous city. The novel was centered on the fire that destroyed the Fenice Opera House in 1996. He conducted many interviews so the book felt like it was from an insider’s perspective. I loved this book because I have had the pleasure of spending a week in Venice. Venice is one of my favorite places. The book was much more interesting to me having been to some of the locations that were mentioned, for this reason the book might be more interesting to me than it will be to others. The book is gave me some background knowledge on a truly beautiful and mysterious city. The book held my attention most likely because the city is such a unique place and completely different from the United States. The only complaint I have is that the book jumped around from story to story very quickly usually not giving as much detail as I would’ve enjoyed for each story. If one has any interest at all in Venice it is a must read.”
Julianne R wrote this review Monday, October 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I wanted to like it. I love Venice. I enjoy "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." But by the end I just felt irritated. It purported to be a book about the lives of "real" Venetians but in the end felt more focused on American ex-pats.
Ann T wrote this review Thursday, October 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I also felt very uncomfortable about the quote of words and stories from what felt like public environments rather than "agreed in advance" interviews. I don't think I'd feel safe in the same room as Mr Berendt.”
“love any book about Venice... a book of intrigue and mystery... just like Venezia”
Kate S wrote this review Sunday, September 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Really fascinating look at Venice, centered around the 1996 opera house fire. I'm not much of a traveler, but this made me want to go to Italy.”
Curtis H wrote this review Friday, September 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A wonderful book that gives a tantalizing and accurate picture of Venice from an outsider's perspective. It makes me want to abandon my life and go live in Venice. Berendt is a great writer, and this follow-up to his first bestseller shows his prowess just as well or better as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Kathleen D wrote this review Sunday, August 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great writing, interesting story. The stories of the Venetians are intriguing, but don't really come together. Also, I was looking for who actually paid for the Fenice to be burnt down! ”
Tonya D wrote this review Monday, August 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I love Venice and this made me feel I wante to be there again but, tho' the people were interesting as was the story of the fire it didn't quite gel. Maybe a novel based on the fire would have been a better book - theories aren't as easy to read, then, tho' the other people introduced in the book perhaps wouldn't be included in anything else either so maybe it was to flesh out the book? Good, but not brilliant (same as my opinion of Garden...)”
sue c wrote this review Monday, August 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I like books about places that have juicy stories but I think you need to be an insider to really understand what its like living in a city. Venice gets the gossip treatment in a book that promises much but fails to deliver. Some chapters are interesting - eg the Fenice fire and how rich americans are buying up Venice lock stock and barrel but other threads in the narrative are superficial and its like reading some outdated gossip column.”
Selina C wrote this review Saturday, August 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A definite page turner. This book is why I put Venice on my list of places to visit before I die.”
Stephanie B wrote this review Saturday, July 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
