Product Description

Visitors to Venice might hope to find a Venetian friend who will guide them through the narrow streets, explaining a bit of history here, a story from his youth there, perhaps grumbling about the tourists, occasionally stopping for a glass of prosecco or to gossip with friends..."Brunetti's Venice" does all these things as it moves through the famous city with Commissario Guido Brunetti, the much loved Venetian detective of Donna Leon's bestselling novels. Presented as a series of walks through Venice and featuring atmospheric extracts from relevant parts of the novels, it is woven together by a commentary that links Brunetti's emotional and visual responses to places he has known all his life with the inquisitiveness of the visitor.The first walk starts at La Fenice Opera house - where the very first Brunetti novel began - and ends at the iconic Rialto Bridge. Each consequent route weaves interlinking paths through Venice and catches the secrets, sounds, sights and smells of Venice past and present. Along the way we visit Brunetti's favourite eateries around the Rialto bridge, walk with him from his home in San Polo to the Questura in Castello where he works, cut through Piazza San Marco and accompany him on the vaporetti out to more remote parts of Venice. There are reflections on the art and architecture of Venice, as well as the impressions of writers from Shakespeare and Goethe to Thomas Mann and Jan Morris. Enchanting and practically useful, "Brunetti's Venice" is both a walking guide and an evocative narrative of the life of this most magical city for any Brunetti fan.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7728 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

From the Back Cover
Visitors to Venice might hope to find a Venetian friend who will guide them through the narrow streets, explaining a bit of history here, a story from his youth there, perhaps grumbling about the tourists, occasionally stopping for a glass of prosecco or to gossip with friends…

Brunetti’s Venice does all these things as it moves through the famous city with Commissario Guido Brunetti, the much loved Venetian detective of Donna Leon’s bestselling novels. Presented as a series of walks through Venice and featuring atmospheric extracts from relevant parts of the novels, it is woven together by a commentary that links Brunetti’s emotional and visual responses to places he has known all his life with the inquisitiveness of the visitor.

The first walk starts at La Fenice Opera house – where the very first Brunetti novel began – and ends at the iconic Rialto Bridge. Each consequent route weaves interlinking paths through Venice and catches the secrets, sounds, sights and smells of Venice past and present. Along the way we visit Brunetti’s favourite eateries around the Rialto bridge, walk with him from his home in San Polo to the Questura in Castello where he works, cut through Piazza San Marco and accompany him on the vaporetti out to more remote parts of Venice. There are reflections on the art and architecture of Venice, as well as the impressions of writers from Shakespeare and Goethe to Thomas Mann and Jan Morris.

Enchanting and practically useful, Brunetti’s Venice is both a walking guide and an evocative narrative of the life of this most magical city for any Brunetti fan.

About the Author
Toni Sepeda, born in 1942, has been teaching literature and art history at the University of Maryland for more than fifteen years. She has also given guided tours through Commissario Brunetti's home city - the only tours authorised by Donna Leon. She has co-authored an American guide to Venice. Her latest university lecture series is dedicated to Brunetti's Venice.

Customer Reviews

A really good read
Thoroughly enjoyed it,didnt want the walks to end!!Amost useful,interesting book for someone not knowing Venice,and for someone quite familiar with it I have been 10 times and read all 18 novels-it conjures up sights and atmospheres vividly-it is a magical place -cant wait for the next novel!!!

A book for enthusiasts
I would highly recommend this book to Donna Leon's Brunetti fans; particularly those who have been to,or are about to visit Venice.
Likely real places, buildings and eateries for Donna Leon's fictions will add lots of satisfying glimpses of Brunetti's beloved Venice.
My wife is even re-reading 'Death at la fenice' again with Mr Sepeda's book by her side. The guided walks are a delight in themselves. they provide an admirable itinerary for a stay in the city.

Tried it, liked it, but bring a map.
My wife and I have just returned from Venice and took this book to inspire our walks. The book contains good, detailed maps to go with each walk. Main complaint is that where the route is shown over a street it all but obliterates the street name. Needless to say this is a bit tricky. You end up guessing the street name by what's left top and bottom, or by nearby streets. Therefore it's helpful to have another - and detailed - street map to help out at times.
As for the walks they took us to parts of Venice we would otherwise miss and of course if you are familiar with Brunetti then they are all the more special. Tried a few of the bars and restaurants mentioned and liked them.
You don't need to be a Donna Leon fan to enjoy the walks in this book. It quotes relevant passages from books to match each area so is quite self-contained as a guide-book.
Walks around Accademia were lovely and peaceful compared with the hectic San Marco area.