One Summer in Venice
Nicky Pelegrino has written a wonderful book about a woman
who visits Venice initially for a week’s holiday and decides to continue her
stay in the city over the summer months.
The author brings the city of Venice to life with the whimsical
characters Addolorata (Dolly) meets and also the atmosphere of the beautiful
city by the sea which is built on a lagoon.
There is a Countess in a once imposing palace but which is
now badly in need of maintenance and furnishings, an eccentric friend, Coco,
who may influence Dolly in some respects regarding her outlook on life and the
beautiful dog, Boris, whom Dolly takes for walks around this fascinating city. The reader actually sees another Venice
altogether from the Venice of the tourists.
There is the wonderful architecture, the dancing in the
moonlight and the setting sun by the magnificent churches which give an added
appeal and also a beautiful glow to the city, the joie de vivre of the populace
and the wonderful neighbourhood get togethers.
It is a unique insight into the beauty of Venice where the people gather
for morning coffee and there are wonderful descriptions of the Venetian food,
travel by gondola and magnificent celebrations and religious festivals of which
Venice is renowned for with masques, balls and fireworks over the lagoon.
There is also romance in this story and also the story of
Dolly’s other life in London. Sometimes
she appears to be caught between the two different lives (one in London and one
in Venice) and she has to choose what is important for her. Dolly also has an interesting list of
happiness and every so often she will write on her list what makes her happy.
This is an inspsirational book and also one which is well
recommended. I have previously read a
Nicky Pelegrino book which was also set in Italy. This was “The Gypsy Tea Room” also published under
the title of The House at Villa Rosa which I also enjoyed reading.
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