Casanova (film)

Casanova is a wonderful film set in Venice which I enjoyed watching.  The backdrops of scenery were
spellbinding and the baroque music was lovely.  The time was 1753, in Vencie, an exotic time, with the fashions, clothing. music and Carnivale.

The costumes which the characters wore were magnificent and the story amazing.

I would describe this film as romantic comedy and also quite entralling to watch.
I loved every minute of this film.

It is the story of the love between Francesca and Casanova.  The artistry, the beauty of the scenes and the humorous
adventures in the film made this film very enjoyable.

Casanova flalls in love with Francesca who is quite unlike any woman he has come across previously.  Casanova plays his role under many disguises and it is this aspect of the film which is quite humorous
and the misconceptions of the people he comes into contact with.

A doge, an inquisitorial bishop, Francesca's mother and brother, Francesca's fiance and the wonderful
scenery made this film very special.

The film stars Heath Ledger as Casanova and Sienna Miller as Francesca.  A must-see film for enjoyment
and light entertainment.  Even though the film seems humorous in many respects the film also represents
many truths and a wisdom of life.  It is a wonderful story.

Well recommended!

Best wishes

My best wishes Sandra

The Golden Book of Venice

The Golden Book of Venice: a Historical

Romance of the Sixteenth Century

by Francese

Litchfield Turnball

What a splendour this book is,

an absolute gem!

I loved this inspirational story set in Venice

of a historical romance set in sixteenth century

Venice, the times of the magnificence

and pageantry of the Doges.

A scholastic work of art, a prose piece of beauty.

This book is available for download by Project Gutenberg

and details the quarrel of Rome and the Republic of Venice.

Fascinating characters from the nobility to the peasantry, of

gondoliers, artists, fisher-folk and ecclesiastics reflect Venetian society

as it was during these times. The clothing and fashions, including

the decorative attire of gondoliers of the noble houses give colour and also

a sense of the opulence and the exotic in this novel of such wonderful

descriptions which evokes the Venetian world in all of its majesty

of the sixteenth century.

Tradition, pageantry, governance, precedence,

family history and pride feature prominently as do also the

the magnificent lions of St Mark's Square, signifying justice

above all and with the motto of Venice decorated in allegory form

“Strong, just, I put the furies

beneath me and the sea beneath my foot.”

The beauty of Venice forms a

special compelling backdrop to the story and the struggle of

Church and State is highlighted as a main theme of the story.

A son of the nobility, whose name appears in the “libro d'oro”

(the Golden Book of Venice) marries a daughter of the people whose

father lives on the island of Murano, famous for its magnificent

designs and glass works.

The spiritual element of the settings

and inspirational aspect of the story is not lost and

the story gives solace for its beauty.

Descriptions of Venice and the times are authentic. The descriptive

quality of the writing is beautiful. Almost as

a play well rehearsed and ready for the stage.

The story is magical.

An older style book with wonderful turns of phrase and beauty.

Well recommended!