I was truly relieved when I finally reached the end of this book. Listening to it on audio was quite a tiresome task, and I suspect it would have been the same if I had read it in print. The author relocates to Venice and then manages to infiltrate the worlds of the locals. Through this, we gain a wealth of knowledge about various aspects such as the burning of the Fenice opera house, Ezra Pound's estate, and the everyday life in Venice. I found it interesting to learn that in Venice, everyone walks as there are no cars. However, I felt that the author delved into far more detail about the Fenice fire than was necessary for me. It was rather difficult to maintain my interest throughout. Nevertheless, I hate not finishing a book. Overall, the book was well-written, but I would only recommend it if you have a profound and unwavering interest in Italy or Venice.

Title: The City of Falling Angels - Nevis
Author: John Berendt
ISBN: 143036939
ISBN13: 9780143036937
Pages: 414
Publication Year: 2005

This book, "The City of Falling Angels - Nevis" by John Berendt, is a captivating work that takes readers on a journey through the enchanting city of Nevis. With its unique charm and rich history, Nevis comes alive on the pages of this book. Berendt's vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling make it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the beauty and mystery of the city.
The book is filled with fascinating characters and their stories, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. From the locals who have witnessed the city's transformation over the years to the visitors who are drawn to its allure, each person has a tale to tell.
With 414 pages, this book offers a comprehensive look at Nevis, covering everything from its architecture and art to its culture and traditions. Whether you are a history buff, a travel enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, "The City of Falling Angels - Nevis" is sure to delight and inspire you.

Oh, man! I truly needed this book at this very moment.

I'm not certain whether my extremely shortened attention span is because of the gradual approach of old age, the influence of the Internet, the lingering effects of COVID fog, or perhaps a delicious and creamy combination of all of the above. But lately, I just haven't possessed the patience or focus necessary to power through long books.

Books that, in the past, would have taken me only hours to read now consume days, weeks, or even months...or end up unfinished, becoming part of the pile of unread books at the base of Mount To Be Read. This is especially true for nonfiction books.

Thankfully, there's "The City of Falling Angels", which is part travelogue, part history, part mystery, part gossip column, and part love song to and about the city of Venice. It was factual enough that I felt as if I was acquiring knowledge, and yet light and frothy enough to sink into like a warm bath.

Finally, I managed to finish a book again in a somewhat timely manner! Hooray for John Berendt! Okay, it wasn't as captivating as "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", but then again...that would have been an extremely difficult feat to achieve.

There isn't much new I can say about this non-fiction tour through a cast of Venetians in the 1990's.

It is extemporaneously set against the backdrop of the burning of their famous opera house, La Fenice.

The destruction and rebuilding of La Fenice wasn't supposed to be part of the book. But it burned to nothing but a shell just a few days before Berendt arrived to start work on his book.

Surprisingly, this event saved the book by providing a more interesting context than any of the locals could have provided on their own.

The title takes its name from a construction sign that warned passers by, "Beware of Falling Angels." This sign nicely describes the lives highlighted here.

This book is not a lyrical, atmospheric reflection on Venice. Instead, Berendt "once again captures the marvelous seamy side of midnight society."

It is a "deeply human portrait of Venice" with a diverse cast including poets, arsonists, poison makers, glass blowers, questionable ex-pats, and performance artists.

It is a detective story, a book of puzzles, a comic tale of sorrow, and a poignant narrative of absurdity.

All these descriptions are true. However, it's really hard to care about the wealthy winers, and there are far too many pages about Ezra Pound.

Thankfully, the lives of some others are fascinating. For example, the celebrated glassmaker from a centuries-old family of glassmakers watched La Fenice burn all night from his living room window.

The next day, he awakened to create his finest masterpieces, with colors that changed as the fire burned through various materials of the opera house.

But unfortunately, 2 of his sons completely screwed him out of his very name and the authenticity of his creations.

Or consider the judge responsible for evaluating whether La Fenice was a victim of arson. His first job in law revealed the existence of a covert, high-level paramilitary army.

If you can get past some of the more boring hangers-on in the book, you'll find some intriguing folks to hang out with.

Compelling reporting and fascinating anecdotes make this book a captivating read.

However, the summary on the back of the book can be a bit misleading. In fact, a significant portion, approximately 75% of the book, is dedicated to other stories about Venice and its Venetians. It doesn't solely focus on uncovering the mysteries of the Fenice fire as one might have anticipated.

Nevertheless, the author has done extensive research and the writing is of high quality. It offers a rich and detailed exploration of various aspects of Venice and its people.

Although my initial expectations were not fully met, I still found the book to be a very enjoyable read. It led me into some unplanned studies about Venice, and I have no regrets about it.

The book provides a unique perspective and offers a wealth of information that enriches one's understanding of this beautiful and historic city.

Venice is a city full of interesting facts and fascinating characters.

The canals, the gondolas, and the beautiful architecture make it a truly unique place.

There are stories of love, mystery, and adventure that have been passed down through the ages.

However, as I was reading about these things, I found that the stories never seemed to come together.

I kept losing sight of the why of the book.

Was it supposed to be a history of Venice? A collection of fictional tales? Or something else entirely?

I'm not sure, but it left me feeling a bit confused and unsatisfied.

Perhaps if the author had done a better job of tying the different elements together, I would have had a more enjoyable reading experience.

Nonetheless, I still found the individual facts and characters to be quite interesting, and I will continue to explore the wonders of Venice in other books and sources.

I'm not entirely certain what to express regarding this.

I absolutely adored his initial book, namely "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Although I gleaned a great deal of knowledge about a town that I previously knew nothing about, I discovered that certain parts of this were rather arduous.

I had no inclination towards the socialites mentioned throughout, yet I found the story of Archimede Seguso, the renowned Murano glassblower, to be extraordinarily captivating.

Despite their claim of uncovering how the Fenich was set ablaze, I'm not convinced that they charged the appropriate individuals or even conducted their investigation to the utmost of their capabilities.

All things considered, I believe I would prefer to read a distinct history of Venice.

Perhaps there are other accounts that can offer a more comprehensive and accurate portrayal of this enchanting city.

I'm eager to explore different perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of Venice's rich and complex past.

Maybe then, I'll be able to form a more definitive opinion about this particular subject matter.

This was truly an extremely wonderful read.

I had known very little about Venice, not even about the fire at the Fenice Opera House. However, this book delightfully filled in that gap.

It consisted of a fascinating group of vignettes that centered on different characters (real people) in Venice. It highlighted various aspects of Venice, both past and present, such as politics, culture, art, and history.

It was very interesting and well-written.

The only possible thing that could have enhanced it further was the inclusion of photos. If not of the people, then at least of the buildings described. As a result, I ended up having to search for a lot of information on Google!!

Overall, it was a great book that provided a wealth of knowledge about Venice.

The book is written by the same author who penned one of my all-time favorite books, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil".

The story of the burning of the Fenice is presented from the perspectives of various individuals. The writing is truly beautiful, painting a vivid picture of the events and the emotions involved.

As I read, I couldn't help but find myself longing for the long walks and the amazing culture that Venice has to offer.

The author's words made me feel as if I was right there in the city, experiencing everything firsthand.

"Do you know what it means to be a Venetian? Venetians are very tough...." This quote really stuck with me, highlighting the resilience and strength of the people who call this unique city home.

The book is not just about the burning of the Fenice, but also about the people, the history, and the spirit of Venice. It's a captivating read that will transport you to a world of beauty, mystery, and tragedy.

I truly wish that John Berendt had penned a distinct book regarding Venice. One that delved deep into the lives of the actual inhabitants and their daily routines. Venice is that kind of place where the myths, exclamations, and romanticism of tourists overshadow the simple fact that for some, it's just home.

There are certain pluses, like the fact that the last train to the mainland departs at 9 pm, and the prohibitively expensive hotels in the city mean that the majority of tourists vacate for the night. However, there are also minuses, such as those tourists and their unwavering obsession with the pigeons in Piazza San Marco. But, if nothing else, its geography gives rise to many unique aspects.

At the outset, I had thought this was the very book Berendt had written. He began by discussing the fire that ravaged the Fenice Opera House shortly before his arrival in Venice to commence writing this work. This led to an interlude about a master glassblower who was inspired to create pieces that represented what he witnessed as he watched the building burn.

I was even with Berendt when he initiated conversations with the expatriates from whom he rented his apartment. Although the couple was somewhat irritating, they did offer an interesting perspective on the city and its idiosyncrasies, a sort of insider-outsider's view. But from this juncture onwards, the entire book took a turn that didn't captivate me. The individuals Berendt conversed with and wrote about were often not native Venetians, but rather prominent and extremely wealthy.

The kind of things I relish hearing about are how Venetians always embellish, and if you don't do the same, they'll first be suspicious and then grow bored of you. On the other hand, things like someone having a replica of Casanova's gondola made for their personal use don't interest me. Something interesting is that Venice is a challenging city for the elderly due to the significant amount of walking, including up and down bridges, that is necessary. However, details like how many doges some count has had in his family are not so interesting.

It's interesting to ponder why people's feelings about Venice manifest in a desire to "save" it, as one person aptly put it, "Why does everyone want to save Venice? Why don't they want to save Paris?" Conversely, the infighting on the board of the Save Venice organization and whose name tops a plaque is not engaging. The family of long-term expatriates (spanning multiple generations) who own a palace managed to strike a balance, although I think I would have been more interested in hearing about them if the focus hadn't been on so many other fabulously wealthy individuals.

And throughout all these stories, Berendt repeatedly returns to the fire at the Fenice, with the narrative revolving around who set the fire (or if it was an accident, but let's face it - it's clearly arson). That story could have made a rather engaging article, but it was stretched out to fill the entire book. Towards the end, I began to wonder if Berendt had started the fire himself just to have something to write about. My advice: pick up some other book on Venice. I'm not sure which one, but definitely another one.

It's over!!!

This book was a real slog to get through. I had high hopes for an eye-opening perspective on Venice, but unfortunately, this book fell far short of the captivating descriptive language that Berendt used in his first book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Just to be clear: I read that one when I was around 14, so maybe my tastes have simply evolved.

I found numerous parts of this book to be dreadfully boring, including the rather lackluster story line (did it even have a proper ending?), the underdeveloped characters (seriously, how many were there? 56?), and the uninteresting portrayal of Venice.

I can't say that I would recommend this book over anything else I've read lately. However, perhaps my feelings will mellow with time...

Who knows? Maybe upon a second reading, I'll discover something I missed the first time around.

But for now, I'm left with a sense of disappointment and a longing for a more engaging read about the beautiful city of Venice.

I really enjoyed this book when I initially started reading it. The beginning was engaging and held my attention. However, as I got closer to the end, it felt like a bit of a chore to get through. I found myself having no interest whatsoever in all of the characters and their backstories. I understood that the thread tying everything together was the burning of the Fenice. But unfortunately, it seemed to take a back seat and was not as prominent as it should have been. The whole book ended up feeling rather messy and discombobulated. Maybe this was the author's intended point, to create a sense of chaos and confusion. But for me, it just didn't work. I happened to not like it. Which is a real shame because I had really enjoyed Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I was hoping for a similar experience with this book, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.