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The Politics of Washing: Real Life in Venice Paperback – 29 Mar 2013

by
Polly Coles (Author)
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Polly Coles (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars 81 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd (29 Mar. 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0719808782
  • ISBN-13: 978-0719808784
  • Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 2 x 21.1 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 74,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

'More cerebral than most Venetian travelogues or fictions....Coles clearly has ample knowledge but also the wit to have travelled light' --The Spectator

'Eloquent' --The New York Times

'A riveting account of ordinary life in an extraordinary place, packed with charming anecdotes that will have readers hooked on Venetian life.' --Woodbine Independent

About the Author

Polly Coles grew up in London and also went to school in Australia. She studied English at Oxford University before becoming a primary school teacher working in in inner-city London. In 1990, she completed a Masters in Anthropology at the LSE, after which she started writing full-time. Polly writes fiction and about art, as well as abridging for BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime and Book of the Week. She was closely involved in the recording of the complete Arkangel Shakespeare for Pacificus Productions and, most recently, has written texts to accompany two exhibitions at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford. She and her partner, the violin maker Andrea Ortona, have four children and divide their time between Italy and England.

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starseseential reading
By Moriarty on 23 May 2013
Format: Paperback
Don't even think about visiting Venice without reading this book. Polly Coles offers a thoroughly readable and highly intelligent collage of reflections and sketches providing a series of satisfyingly well-informed insights into the arcane and baffling ways of the endangered world of Venice. I loved reading this warm, wise and refreshingly honest book: I felt I was there in Venice with Polly, and I thoroughly enjoyed her company.
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4.0 out of 5 starsUnusual book about Venice - written from a (short-term) resident's viewpoint
By The Cats' Mother on 25 Sept. 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. It's well written, amusing at times and conjures up an excellent picture of what it is like to live in Venice. The author describes the fishbowl feeling of being photographed whenever she went out, of not being accepted by true Venetians, and feeling 'neither flesh nor fowl'. She also felt alien from the numerous Eastern Europeans who go to Venice to work (or beg). The day to day difficulties of living in a city which is a museum, where there are no cars and getting from one part of the city to another takes forever are well described, and the effect it had on her children is interesting. She talks very little about her (Italian) husband, so how much help he was in adjusting to life in Venice is indeterminate. Don't get me wrong, though, there were definitely parts of life there that she absolutely loved, but I get the feeling that leaving was not too much of a wrench after a year. Overall, a very readable and informative book. I shan't look at Venetians in their home city in quite the same light in the future.
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3.0 out of 5 starsVenice experienced.
By Jenny Shaw-Browne on 7 Aug. 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This book takes you to live in Venice for a year with Polly and her family. I was looking forward to getting to know the various members of the family and hearing their thoughts on the experience. However, the book is surprisingly light on the motives for the move and we are only given brief glimpses into the children's lives and thoughts. Alberto the husband is almost never mentioned we never get to hear about his motivation or participation in the day to day family life. There is a great deal of discussion on modern Venice versus past Venice. Venetian versus tourist. However, the book lacks the human intimate touch which its title promises.
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1.0 out of 5 starsA disappointment.
By C. R. Vallee on 21 Feb. 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I wanted a better understanding of the real life of Venice. What I got was an insider-by-marriage's statement of hatred for the tourist trade. Really? This is the best that we can take away from Ms. Cole's temporary residence in the city? A sort of "don't even think you'd ever be welcome here?" I could persevere with the book, but I can't find sufficient reason to overcome my distaste for the underlying smugness.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThe real stuff
By George on 3 Feb. 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
We have all of us been to Venice (some even perhaps, heaven forfend, on board of a monstrous floating tower block of a cruise ship) and those of us who have not yet visited will do so sooner or later. It seems to be law of nature. To show us around the astounding and beguiling Serenissima innumerable publications guide us through the enchanting canals and streets and in and out of museums and churches to help us revel in the breathtaking art and architecture. But Polly Coles' book does something quite different, rare and fascinating. Written by someone who has lived in Venice and who has had to cope with the demands of a young family, complicated bureaucracy, a rich cast of sometimes grumpy neighbours, unforgiving teachers, irate professors or tradespeople and occasionally flooded squares, 'Politics of washing" gives us a realistic feel of what living in Venice means to an intelligent and highly observant person.

The book's 206 pages are divided into 14 chapters, comprising the twelve months of the year, a prologue and an epilogue. Chapter subheadings tell the reader what the beguiling, ironic and witty prose will describe. There are no purple descriptions or rose tinted spectacles, but a realistic account of pleasures and tribulations Polly has experienced. Despite some critical passages, her love of the place and her respect for, and fascination with, the Venetians and empathy with their problems, shines steadily through the easy to read text. This is a book about Venice like no other and can be read and re-read with pleasure before, during, or after a visit. If, dare I say it, you are experiencing a slight surfeit of Gothic and Renaissance, the 'Politics of washing' will refresh and energise you and amuse you all at the same time. An essential item for your luggage.
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4.0 out of 5 starsPolitics of Washing
By Charlotte on 19 April 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
A really good insight into modern life in Italy. Definitely related to the main character, we experienced the same when moving to Italy.

Would definitely recommend this book as a must read to anyone who is thinking of moving to Italy just so they know what they are getting into. Anyone going there as a tourist should read this too.
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2.0 out of 5 starsSabbatical in Venice
By smk001 on 9 Oct. 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
So to summarise, Venetians hate tourists, their teachers are too rigid for Polly's free-spirited children and landlords prefer to get more money by renting to foreigners - presumably many of these landlords are also Venetian but don't expect a discussion of conflicted loyalties here. Many of the author's anecdotes seem to involve other expats so I am not sure how embedded in the culture she became. We then finish with the inevitable description of Polly as a Venetian by a tame native, bless.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

very good

Published 27 days ago by david bartlett
1.0 out of 5 starsdisjointed, blinkered, smug, pompous, middle class polemic about...

If you want to extend or revisit your own fond memories of a visit to Venice, this diatribe about the city's descent into a tourist-infested Hell on Earth is probably not the book... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsA lovely book. I read it while in Venice ...

A lovely book. I read it while in Venice on an extended stay and saw the place through different eyes.

Published 3 months ago by Helen Blundell
1.0 out of 5 starsTurgid, one to avoid.

I started out thinking that this was a cleverly written paradox to put tourists off visiting Venice which having been there several times I would agree is overrun. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Peter D
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

I love Venice - so love reading about it very well written and shows the truth of living there.

Published 10 months ago by Sunny
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

As expected

Published 11 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Really enjoyed reading this book, great story.

Published 11 months ago by roscar
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent!

Excellent, speedy delivery, thanks!

Published 14 months ago by Jill Bell
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

VERY EYE OPENING

Published 17 months ago by Jeano
3.0 out of 5 starsInteresting picture of Venice

An interesting and enjoyable picture of day to day Venetian life. Often, as a tourist I see people going about their daily lives and wonder "what is it like to live here". Read more

Published 18 months ago by A Garrison

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