Venice: A Literary Guide for Travellers (Literary Guides for Travellers)

Marie-Jose Gransard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1780769830 ISBN 13: 9781780769837

Publisher: I.B.Tauris, 2016

Memory's images, once they are fixed in words, are erased," Marco Polo said. "Perhaps I am afraid of losing Venice all at once, if I speak of it, or perhaps, speaking of other cities, I have already lost it, little by little.
Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities

Venice, 'La Serenissima', is one of the most breathtaking cities in the world. A floating labyrinth; the world's greatest museum, frozen in time; a cultural jewel, slowly sinking into the lagoon from which it rose; tourist-trap, irresistible muse. From its earliest beginnings in the 7th century, Venice has been a magnetic centre of trade and culture, wealth and power and has acted as a crossroads for an array of religious pilgrims and refugees, diplomats, crusading armies and merchants. Later, its fabled beauty and reputation as a haven for freedom of expression seduced some of the most celebrated figures in history: artists such as Dürer, Bellini and Turner; writers Dickens, Byron, Kafka, Poe, Rousseau, Thomas Mann, Ruskin and Ezra Pound and composers Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi and Stravinsky. In this riveting guide to literary Venice, the author uncovers the city's myriad secrets, revealing how every floating palace, gilded church and bustling square is imbued with the lives and creations of those who were inspired by the city, which still echoes with their voices.

Review:

A comprehensive and highly entertaining guide to the magical mysteries of Venice as seen through the eyes of the countless writers, artists, musicians, thinkers and lovers to whom it has always offered such unique inspiration. --Anthony Holden

...it's certainly well written. Entertaining and well informed, you'll march through the pages...once you're done, we guarantee you'll be booking your flights and hotels to engage in your own grand tour --Italia!

Excellent...what I find chiefly interesting about the book are the themes of love and death that continuously emerge --Roger Lewis, The Times

About the Author:

Marie-Jose Gransard teaches a course, 'Venice in Literature', in Cannaregio and conducts tours of the city. She has worked with Hilary Spurling on her biography of Matisse and with Anthony Holden for his biography of Lorenzo da Ponte. She divides her time between Venice and London.