- Hardcover: 337 pages
- Publisher: Faber and Faber; First Edition edition (Dec 1960)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0571039553
- ISBN-13: 978-0571039555
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 725,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Venice: New and revised Edition
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Product Description
Review
Here, revised and introduced by the author, is Jan Morris's portrait of La Serenissima, published 50 years ago and still without equal. She cherishes every cranny: the city's 3,000 alleyways, its jails, its waterways and its buildings decaying like 'dukes in threadbare ermine'. She presents its past, its art and its language, which Byron called 'sweet bastard Latin'. A suitably respectful narration with an Italian flourish. --Rachel Redford, The Observer
If you are going to Venice this summer, and even if you are not, Jan Morris's Venice makes excellent listening. Newly revised, it is introduced by the 84-year-old Morris herself, then the dulcet voice of Sebastian Comberti takes over narration. It opens historically but takes in architecture, culture, practicalities (the boats of the fire, police and ambulance services, the rubbish collectors who are slowly creating a whole new island) and the mysteries of death. Morris fell in love with Venice when there during the Second World War, and her accumulation of memories is heartfelt, personal, quirky and enlightening. Perfect for a leisurely approach by Eurostar and night train to Venice, but just as good for whiling away the dull hours commuting to work. --Christina Hardyment, The Times
'I was in my 20s when I wrote this,' says Morris in the introduction to her best known travel book, 'and I like to think that its faults are the heady faults of youth.' What faults? Fifty years on, it is still the best all-round guide to a city that, despite the ever-present hordes of tourists, remains the most magical destination on earth. Listening to this equally magical audio made me long to go back and check out all those less touristy bits that so enthralled young Morris the alley too narrow for Browning to open his umbrella, the crypt allegedly containing Mary Magdalen's finger, the fish market 'laden with sleek wriggling eels, still pugnaciously alive, beautiful little red fish packed in boxes like shampoos, heads upwards . . . soft bulbous octopus furiously injecting ink . . . a multitude of sea matter . . . sliding, sinuous, shimmering, flabby, spongy, crisp, all lying aghast upon their fresh green biers dead, doomed or panting like a grove of brilliant foliage among the tundra of Venetian stone.' Yes, the descriptions do go on a bit, but that s part of the charm. It was written, says Morris, 'in a rush of enthusiasm like the splurge of a love affair'. The enthusiasm is infectious. Venetian history, culture, religion, food she relishes them all, from the glory years between the 12th and 15th centuries when La Serenissima controlled the trade routes between east and west, to the nuns at one of the more fashionable convents claiming their right to supply a mistress for the new papal nuncio, to the notice on the Grand Canal: 'It is forbidden to spit on the swimmers.' Don't go to Venice without it. --Sue Arnold, The Guardian --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
If you are going to Venice this summer, and even if you are not, Jan Morris's Venice makes excellent listening. Newly revised, it is introduced by the 84-year-old Morris herself, then the dulcet voice of Sebastian Comberti takes over narration. It opens historically but takes in architecture, culture, practicalities (the boats of the fire, police and ambulance services, the rubbish collectors who are slowly creating a whole new island) and the mysteries of death. Morris fell in love with Venice when there during the Second World War, and her accumulation of memories is heartfelt, personal, quirky and enlightening. Perfect for a leisurely approach by Eurostar and night train to Venice, but just as good for whiling away the dull hours commuting to work. --Christina Hardyment, The Times
'I was in my 20s when I wrote this,' says Morris in the introduction to her best known travel book, 'and I like to think that its faults are the heady faults of youth.' What faults? Fifty years on, it is still the best all-round guide to a city that, despite the ever-present hordes of tourists, remains the most magical destination on earth. Listening to this equally magical audio made me long to go back and check out all those less touristy bits that so enthralled young Morris the alley too narrow for Browning to open his umbrella, the crypt allegedly containing Mary Magdalen's finger, the fish market 'laden with sleek wriggling eels, still pugnaciously alive, beautiful little red fish packed in boxes like shampoos, heads upwards . . . soft bulbous octopus furiously injecting ink . . . a multitude of sea matter . . . sliding, sinuous, shimmering, flabby, spongy, crisp, all lying aghast upon their fresh green biers dead, doomed or panting like a grove of brilliant foliage among the tundra of Venetian stone.' Yes, the descriptions do go on a bit, but that s part of the charm. It was written, says Morris, 'in a rush of enthusiasm like the splurge of a love affair'. The enthusiasm is infectious. Venetian history, culture, religion, food she relishes them all, from the glory years between the 12th and 15th centuries when La Serenissima controlled the trade routes between east and west, to the nuns at one of the more fashionable convents claiming their right to supply a mistress for the new papal nuncio, to the notice on the Grand Canal: 'It is forbidden to spit on the swimmers.' Don't go to Venice without it. --Sue Arnold, The Guardian --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Product Description
In 2010, the 50th anniversary of the first publication of Venice is celebrated one of the finest travel books on the worlds most famous tourist destination! This book has been slightly updated without disturbing its period flavour, and is being celebrated by Faber, the book publisher. In the intervening years, Jan Morris has proved to be one of the finest observers of history seen through contemporary eyes, with a string of superbly written books, including the trilogy on the British Empire. Venice is perhaps Jans supreme achievement though, and remains, for many, the best book on a city without compare. To be heard on the way to Venice, whilst there, and on return
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jan Morris's book makes the perfect companion for a trip to Venice, completely counterbalancing the arid information of a standard guide. Morris is discursive, witty, tangential - the book considerably enriched my experience of this fabulous city and was very entertaining. Strongly recommended - even if you aren't in Venice!
79 of 81 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've never been to Venice, something that I intend to put right in a couple of months time. And so I thought I'd better have a look at 'Venice', it being one of the few Morris books that I hadn't read. To call this a masterpiece would be an understatement.
Here we have the story of the life of Venice told in the most engaing way: the history of the place; details of the Venician personality; reflections on great faded glory' the memories of someone who used to call Venice home and - not unlike her work on Wales - some lovely, dreamy thinking about how Venice could, once again, find her proper role and place in the world.
This is not a travel guide or the account of a journey, but something altogether more satisfying. Forget the Lonley Planet guide, start you research here ...
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful book which catches the flavour of Venice and is beautifully written. Jan Morris is one of the most individual and memorable of all travel writers, and this city is one she knows well and loves greatly ; that is evident on every page. The visual descriptions are precise and quirky, the little stories from Venetian myth and legend add character to the book and her knowledge of the history and culture of the place, worn lightly and always enlightening, never intrusive, make this a fine book. Above all she is a marvellous writer.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Can't put this book down!
I purchased this book because I am due to take a trip to Venice in the Summer. It won't be my first visit, in fact I have been twice before, although not for a few years. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lizzie
Venice in depth.
Anyone who is going to Venice or who loves Venice should read this book. It is a brilliant book beautifully written which explores the history ,atmoshpere and magic of this amazing... Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. Parker
Great book but ...
This would be 4 stars, possibly even 5, except that the publisher forgot to employ a proof reader. Not as bad as some, but enough errors to be annoying.
Published 8 months ago by duffer
Probably the best book on Venice of the twentieth century
There is good reason that this book has remained in print and, after fifty years, is still one of the classic texts on Venice. Read more
Published 9 months ago by moby-dick
Rather flowery but interesting
I first read this many years ago before my first proper trip to Venice - the first time I was en route elsewhere and our train stayed in the Venice station for 10 mins). Read more
Published 10 months ago by James Lizard
Fascinating, personal and full of information
This review is based on the Kindle version of this book.
Having only had the pleasure of visiting Venice on a grey, stormy day I am longing for the day when I can return... Read more
Having only had the pleasure of visiting Venice on a grey, stormy day I am longing for the day when I can return... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ms. T. M. Williams
Venice
A beautiful and well written account of one the world's most romantic cities. Funny, insiteful and fascinating. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Fenster
My wife, a retired librarian, was very pleased with these CDs
My wife who is going to Venice for a week's holiday, was very pleased with the CDs. She listens to them in the car, whilst driving. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. James R. Taylor
Marvellous book
Have just been to Venice and wanted to learn more. This book is packed with fascinating facts and draws you in from the first page with its entertaining style. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Alison
ian morris: venice
Venice: New and revised Edition
The book arrived in perfect order, I'm quite happy with it. Read more
The book arrived in perfect order, I'm quite happy with it. Read more
Published 22 months ago by jonneke krans
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