The Venice Sketchbook: A Novel

Well-writtenI did not appreciate the use Italian expressions and foods that are not from Venice like "capisce" which is only used by Italian immigrants in the states and food like mozzarella and tomatoes that were not eaten in Veneto \Venice or northern italy in 1930\40 - we did not eat much pasta till after the war in the 1960sPolenta,and rice was eaten in the north

As always Rhys Bowen has created a captivating story of humanity and history. A reminder that the happy ending is what you make it and sometimes it's not so happy for some or actually not for many.I won't recap the story like a book report but I'll simple state it is a book worth reading.Not the typical cozy novel or murder mystery.

I lo ed this book, full of rich history, the beauty of Venice and the character development was superb. This was a book to be read for s book club, what an awesome choice

This book held my attention from beginning to end. It was a wonderful story that kept my attention. So glad I chose it.

This was a multi generational love story with many plot surprises I loved reading this book! Don't pass it up.

The story is brilliantly written from the perspective of the two main characters who are related but don't really know each other.Their similarities are known by the older party but not made known until tragedy and opens the box of mystery and circumstances seem to bring their two worlds into alignment.Revelation and aggregation seem to keep running into each other and the story of each other seems to bring surprise and similarity closer and closer together.The stories of these two women are heartbreaking and their circumstances that are out of their control seem to be what make them both realists and very strong women.I enjoyed the mystery of the younger getting to know the older and herself at the same time. There is no more trusted way to learn your strength than to be pushed to your breaking point. Because surviving that means you must take your next step forward. Life goes on as long as you are alive.

I read it.

Born in 1939 stories of the war years have always fascinated me. Add that to a well written mystery and it is a real page turner!

I really enjoyed this book and gave it 5 * but there are some errors in it which would be spotted by any Venetophile. Un'ombra isn't a coffee with grappa. That is a caffe corretto. Un'ombra is a small glass of wine. Tiramisu wasn't invented until the 1960's or 70's. Burano is the island to buy lace not Torcello. I understand the Carnevale wasn't reinstated until 1979 after a long period. Sorry to be picky- perhaps I should get out more!

I loved this story so sensitively written taking ones emotions from high to heartbreak and the setting and detailed descriptions of Venice were just the icing on the cake!I deducted one star because of the very abrupt ending. I was leftso disappointed with so many threads left unanswered itseemed to me that another chapter or two would have rounded off the story properly. Such a shame. I hate to be left wondering if the trip to America was successful and a visit back to England was left unexplained

The two World Wars of the 20th century threw up many scenarios which novelists have used to tell many stories. Rhys Bowen has used the period, first of the late 1920s and then of the German occupation in World war 2 to tell a quite brilliant story of English and Italian families intertwined and ultimately related. The story is told in two time periods but is not at all confusing for the gist of the whole account is of relatives at a later time exploring the earlier time. Juliet is a young English lady of late twenties in 2001, a fashion designer like her husband he who is offered and takes a job with a famous but capricious pop star to design her clothes, but in America. The very young son, Teddy, goes with him and so ensues a schism that may never heal. As Juliet's great aunt has died but left her certain secrets in envelopes and securely hidden hitherto, a tug of war develops. Because of her broken private life Juliet decides to accept a bursury to study at an Art college in Venice and, while there, to explore her great aunt's legacy. This leads to discovering that great aunt , Juliet also, but referred to as Lettie, led a very exciting and ultimately romantic life of which there was not a shred of suspicion. This wonderful story, part adventure, part romance and part spy, trips along very easily in a beautiful style that Bowen has used in previous books. There is very little sentimental nonsense here for although the episodes of great aunt and modern Juliet are explored in full and with feeling there is ultimately sad endings to happy times which the author does not shy away from. Hanni is a little Jewish girl who is being prepared to evacuate to the West by an art loving wealthy Italian Countess and who hides her Jewish background from the Nazis and whose destiny is always in the lap of the Gods. Bowen relates episodes that do no favours to the German race during World War 2 and clearly shows what perilous times they were and what people lived through. A superb read which will delight and sadden the reader in equal measure and which I was sorry to leave .

The author is a good story teller. However she doesn't reflect how different standards were in the 20s and 30s, especially in Italy. Caroline is really introduced as a device to discover Juliet's story and her own story doesn't add much. Initially the plot is all too predictable and overly romantic but as the story reaches its conclusion the plot is more sophisticated and interesting.

What can I say about this beautiful , sad story?. I cried in a few places, but then smiled too!.It's a gripping story told at the time of the second world war. Which then flips to present day. The time lines are clear so there are no confusing moments where you're not sure when it is and all the characters have a part to play in the story, good or bad.Well written and engrossing, this story is one you will fall in love with and will want to read more than once!!.