Her lack of maternal instincts are not endearing. The main characters did not capture my attention and Carolines story felt rushed and unfinished. 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! It tells the story of a merchant called Antonio who owes some money to a spiteful moneylender, Shylock. Rhys on FB Wanna get away? . Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and theyre forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever. 5 Books That Must Go On Your European Vacation Reading List The List | Fareobitz. Q: You've written over 40 books, many of them mysteries for which you've won multiple awards -- Congratulations on your success as an author! She is furious with Juliet and changes their plans to leave Venice early; Juliet is unable to say goodby to Leo. A beautiful, clever, and wealthy noblewoman who lives in the country estate of Belmont, outside Venice. For Juliet, its poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. A great read, 3.5 stars. Brunetti and the police visit countless people that may have known the person based off a sketch. One more time she has proven to me that historical fiction is a great genre and that she is amazing British/American writer. A transplanted Brit, Bowen divides her time between California and Arizona. Strong women characters doing dangerous things in very hard times. Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2023. 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. At first I thought this was going to be a drawn out war story. 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. was Joshs manipulation of herthat her sons shrink said it would be traumatizing for him to fly and the fact that he was now rich and powerful so if it came to a court case she couldnt possibly win. It's such an unusual name and you even spelled it in the unusual way without the accent. A: All of the festivals that take place are real. Rhys on Insta For years, Venice has been a source of deep creative . This dual timeline story follows the adventures and misadventures of two women in two separate eras but in the same exact place, La Serenissima. Throughout the story, WWII looms as a backdrop which in some ways also becomes a character to the story along with Venice Italy. Please try again. It was the perfect background for a story. I love March. : And the consequences are anything but quiet. . This is also not the only book this year to be set in World War II Italy, the other being Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson, which is somewhere in my virtually towering TBR pile. Lettie and her sister, Carolines grandmother Winnie, raised her after the death of her own parents in their tiny country town not too far from London. And as a result of that fatigue I enjoyed Carolines side of the story more than I did Juliettas. Matthew Rice is a long-time observer and illustrator of cities, buildings and all those who inhabit them, with an uncanny ability to express the energy of a place through a few lines of ink and splashes of paint. Book Review: Venice Sketchbook. Key by key, Letties life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. After her death decades later, Caroline is bequeathed a set of strange antique keys with the instructions to go to Venice to recover something of Juliet's. So if romance is more your thing, this may be the perfect book for you! Before reading this, did you have any background knowledge of Venice during WWII? Amazon.com/TheVeniceSketchbook "Rhys Bowen crafts a propulsive, unexpected plot with characters who come vibrantly alive on the page." Mark Sullivan, author. Bowens work has won twenty honors to date, including multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Good girls keep quiet. Its slow, its sweet, and a lovely little escape. Rhys Bowen crafts a propulsive, unexpected plot with characters who come vibrantly alive on the page. Mark Sullivan, author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky. everywhere. A: I love writing my mystery series. Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System: Book So, just the fact that this book was set there had me interested. ), Fabulous Romance Set Among Pre-WWII Venice, Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2023. A must-read for Bowen fans and historical fiction enthusiasts., is that rare book, both epic and personal, and utterly compelling. The city of Venice could there be a more romantic setting? She takes off to Italy for her little adventure and doesn't fly to New York to at least see her son. Its as close to being on vacation as many of us have been in a year! A rough draft that was in need of a workshop, or some serious editorial consultation. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. It was also a time of heightened emotions, great heroism, brutal deeds, spies and betrayals. Care to share any thoughts on this? Carolines story felt shorter but was no less intriguing. 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And remember to check out our other book resources: Popular Books our list of the top book club reads. This is a tale brimming with secrets, romance, and possibilities, cast against the colorful setting of irresistible Venice. Join theFacebook Group Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisperVenice. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2021. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2023. -, Used availability for Rhys Bowen's The Venice Sketchbook, Rhys Bowen crafts a propulsive, unexpected plot with characters who come vibrantly alive on the page. Mark Sullivan, author of, Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the, Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. There's an unusual sketch associated with Rhys Bowen's The Venice Sketchbook. So I found this take on that historic conflict to be a bit too much like too many things Ive read before, in spite of the change in setting. Caroline ist frisch getrennt, als ihre geliebte Grotante Lettie ihr ein ungewhnliches Erbe hinterlsst: ein Skizzenbuch, drei Schlssel und einen letzten Wunsch. See below for a full list of all the characters in The Merchant of Venice: DUKE OF VENICE PRINCE OF MOROCCO, PRINCE OF ARRAGON, Suitors to Portia ANTONIO, a Merchant of Venice BASSANIO, his Friend PORTIA, a rich Heiress NERISSA, her Waiting-maid GRATIANO, SALANIO, SALARINO, Friends to Antonio and Bassanio LORENZO, in love with Jessica : 1.4 Sketch on an Argand Diagram. I think that the issues I had with Lettie/Juliettas part of the story was that so much of what she did has been written before, and the parts of the story that were unique to her were a bit too predictable, especially her doomed romance and its results. Her inheritance barely affords her a trip to Venice to learn more about the contents of a box that had once belonged to her aunt: two sketchbooks, Venetian glass beads, a ring, and three keys. 4. You have to decide what you want., Experience makes one come to terms with life, to be at one with the mind and the heart. . Its 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. The setting was Venice during WWII. I went into this not knowing what I was getting into. Because of its popularity, there are several versions of the ATX form factor. You will be screaming at the end too. What I didnt like, however, was that it seemed to end quite abruptly. 4.5 Stars: I really enjoyed this book. , Item Weight Thats what this particular novel was. Though credentialed as a priest, he is not a practicing clergy. Sie fliegt nach Italien, um ihr Versprechen zu erfllen. Publisher As a fellow swimmer and water lover, I feel you have captured the feel of wind, waves, sunlight, depths, sea spray, and the exhilaration of being in the midst of it all. Take on the idea, not the messenger. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisperVenice. I thought, "I wonder if I will finish it. I did not enjoy this book. There is nothing better than a historical novel, unless of course, it includes love and intrigue. The Venice sketchbook : a novel / Rhys Bowen. Her books have been translated into many languages, and she has fans around the world. Sorry your clean-up is taking longer than you'd hoped for. The Venice Sketchbook is told in a dual timeline with a dual POV. . The story is told in dual timelines. Hugs. "The Venice Sketchbook is that rare book, both epic and personal, and utterly compelling. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime. To continue, please log in or create an account. Rhys was born in Bath, England and educated at London University but now divides her time between California and Arizona. The very young son, Teddy, goes with him and so ensues a schism that may never heal. $24.95; pap. Fabulously entertaining! ISBN 9781542027120. Summary: "Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Key by key, Letties life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. , Language Another dual time line story. I found this very poignant and wanted to explore the idea of how and why so many "good" people could do bad things during WWII. Anyone who has spent time in Venice will relish rekindled memories and those who have never visited will feel as though they have by the end of this book. I would like for this one to dive more into the history or details of the war.