Books set in Italy and Alaska
The Lover of No Fixed Abode by Franco Lucentini
Gregory Dowling (translator)
Published February 20, 2024; Bitter Lemon Press
Genre: travel, Venice, art history, romance, literary fiction
The novel is a love story of a modern day Roman princess who buys art for an auction house and a tour guide, the enigmatic Mr. Silvera, both of whom meet on a flight to Venice. The two share three unforgettable days in Venice, their passionate affair including touring the canals, streets, bridges, museums and palaces of the city.
I loved this unusual book, the art and historical details of Venice that it gives the reader, and the romance between the two intriguing main characters themselves. Mr. Silvera's background is ambiguous and his wandering life is something he cannot escape. Learned in history, art, languages, he tells the princess that he must leave soon and she will not be able to follow him. Jewish himself, Mr. Silvera likens his life to the story of the Wandering Jew, who is condemned to wander till Judgement Day. This gives a certain melancholy to the entire book.
The romance between the two people is both heartfelt and tragic. But the book is also about Italian art, the trading of very costly works and the subterfuges and scams used in buying and selling. But overall, it's also a sophisticated love story of Venice.
The book made me feel as I had visited the city and its surrounding islands in person!
Thanks to Bitter Melon Press and publicist for a review copy
New books from Soho Crime set in Tuscan, Alaska:
The Road to Murder by Camilla Trinchieri, a Tuscan mystery
Published March 5, 2024; Soho Crime
The setting in a little town in Tuscany is a big draw for readers of this mystery series. Local food, people, and customs are highlighted.
Description:
Ex-New York City detective turned amateur chef Nico Doyle is asked by the local carabinieri to help. A woman has been found dead in her home, slumped over her piano, and the sole witness speaks only English. Nico reluctantly agrees to help Perillo with the case.
I've read several of the other books and am looking forward to this one too.
Big Breath In by John Straley, former Writer Laureate of Alaska
Publication: November 12, 2024; Soho Crime
Setting: Alaska
Description: Delphine, is a retired marine biologist, and a terminal cancer patient. However, she is determined to carry on with life as usual, and sets out to find the missing mother of a young child whom she had observed being harassed by an unknown man. What ensues is a rescue mission across the Pacific Northwest.
I'm eager to get to the chase, but I'm first reading the first part of the book, which is all about sperm whales and their habitat and habits.
Straley's wife Jan is a marine biologist who specializes in studying humpback whales, while he is a well known writer of Alaska mysteries.
What new books or programs are you reading/watching this week?
Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves
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I must look for The Lover of No Fixed Abode. My sister didn't want to visit Venice when we traveled to Italy, and I always regretted that decision. I'd love to visit via a book, and this one sounds like a perfect one for me.
ReplyDeleteI got the paperback from the publisher but then bought the Kindle ebook so I could access Wikipedia by clicking on the Italian buildings, places, bridges, islands and historical artists named in the book. I'm happily re-reading with this resource!
DeleteThe Road to Murder with a Tuscan setting would be great!
ReplyDeleteLove Italy though I've only seen Rome and Florence.
DeleteAny book set in Venice sounds good to me! I've always wanted to go there. Maybe someday. :D
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit Venice too.
DeleteI am planning another trip to Italy for next year and have been looking for novels set in both Venice and Tuscany, so this post is perfect. Lover of No Fixed Abode sounds particularly good--hope the translation holds up. Thanks for two book recommendations I will be trying out for sure.
ReplyDeleteThese books are perfect to ready for your trip.
DeleteI loved visiting Venice and the Venice set book sounds like just my kind of read! Thanks for sharing about these books.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to read this book!
DeleteI really enjoy stories set in Alaska (Venice too!). Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteAlaska is always fascinating.
DeleteVenice andbTuscany settings. Take them any day.
ReplyDeleteMe too
DeleteThe Lover of No Fixed Abode sounds like fun, I'll have to keep an eye out for it!
ReplyDeleteIt's not in my library, being an Italian book in translation.
DeleteGreat looking books!
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteI'm just about to start 'Napoleon in Egypt' by Paul Strathern. After that will be a buddy re-read 'The Dispossessed' by Ursula K LeGuin.
ReplyDeleteA buddy re-read sounds like a fun thing.
DeleteIt is! I've been enjoying re-reading the Sherlock Holmes books with a Blog-buddy of mine. This SF re-read is with a different buddy though. It was my 3rd or 4th read of 'The Dispossessed' but his 1st. It'll be interesting to see what he makes of it.
DeleteThese all sound really good. The Lover of No Fixed Abode grabbed my attention. I'll have to look for it. Enjoy your reading.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do get that book. It's not in my library.
DeleteI've wanted to go to Venice since I was a little girl.
ReplyDeleteI'll want to go until I finally get there.
DeleteThe last one sounds very promising. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteStraley is an excellent writer.
DeleteI love the setting of The Lover of No Fixed Abode, but I think The Road to Murder would be more my kind of story. Hope you enjoy all your books!
ReplyDeleteThe Tuscany mysteries are enjoyable.
DeleteThese look great, and I love the different settings :)
ReplyDeleteFor me, the setting is half the enjoyment of the book
DeleteGreat books this week! I have ever read a book set in Venice. Hope you enjoy your week.
ReplyDeletehttps://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2024/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-aug-19.html
Makes me want to see Venice in person.
DeleteI’m putting The Road to Murder in my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. Hope you like the series.
DeleteI love whales so maybe I should check that one out. I read Whalefall last month which is about a diver who gets eaten by a whale and has to figure out a way to get out. Hope you enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteWhalefall sounds like fun. I'll look it up.
DeleteI see that you are into Soho Crime published books. I have been a fan of Soho for a long time now because of how many of their books consistently catch my eye. I got to the point where I felt confident that one of theirs would never let me down, and that's pretty much turned out to be true. I'll be curious to hear what you have to say about these.
ReplyDeleteThese all sound really good. I don't recall ever reading a mystery set in Italy so The Road to Murder is most intriguing of all. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Tuscan mysteries are entertaining.
DeleteDonna Leon has at least 32 detective novels set in Italy
Try Donna Leon’s detective novels set in Italy. At least 32 of them.
ReplyDeleteI've been fortunate to visit Venice, Tuscany, and Alaska so these all appeal to me. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and the sound of the first book. It looks wonderful! I need to add The Road to Murder to my TBR. It also looks like a great read. I hope you're having a great week!
ReplyDelete