Venice: Amazon.co.uk: Jan Morris: Books

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.

Product Description

The classic evocation of Venice, acclaimed as one of the finest books ever written about the city.

'Entertaining, ironical, witty, high spirited and appreciative . . . Both melancholy and gay and worldly, I think of it now as among the best books on Venice; indeed as the best modern book about a city that I have ever read.' Geoffrey Grigson

'One of the most diverse and diverting books ever written about Venice . . . A taut and personal report, wholly absorbing, quickened by vivid prose and astringent humour.' Sunday Times

'For those of whom Venice is a memory, a treat in store, or even a dream, the broad canvas of this book covering a thousand years in the life of one of the most complex, original, and active communities the world has ever seen, is a work of lasting interest.' Guardian

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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

A Different Dimension to Travel Writing 7 May 2003

By Booksthatmatter

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!

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79 of 81 people found the following review helpful

Still Stunning After All These Years! 24 Jan 2003

By Andrew Howell

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

the real Venice - a personal view, but very evocative 20 Dec 2005

By Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane TOP 50 REVIEWER

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.

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

Published 12 months ago by Ms. T. M. Williams

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

Venice [Paperback]

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