Directed by Brad Silberling. Large sections of it only loosely tied into the main story of the burning of Teatro La Fenice, Venice's opera house. Directed by Ryan Fitting. Really wanted there to be a lurid murder like in Berendt's Midnight, but I guess there are limits to what a literary non-fiction author can do for the sake of his craft. The canal next to the Fenice had been drained recently, and because of this the fire boats weren't. Cant remember how I found this song originally. Having recently visited Venice, Italy, I was glad to read a book which brought back to me gondola rides on the canals, the romance of evening city lights, and Murano glass. At first, I thought this was the book Berendt had written - he started off talking about the fire that destroyed the Fenice Opera House shortly before he arrived in Venice to start writing this book. The author moves to Venice and then infiltrates the locals' worlds. I SO appreciate a voice talent who knows he's narrating a book, not acting out a radio play. Gossipy history of Venice in the late 20th century with a focus specifically on the destruction of La Fenice in a great fire and its subsequent reconstruction. True to life though, they often have somewhat incomplete endings, although the author has worked them together in a way to give the satisfaction of an overall complete story that tells the real story of the Venice under the glitter and glamour of the tourist culture. This book is as much about Venice and the people who live there as it is about the Fenice opera house fire. It was October of 1997 during my honeymoon and my husband and I had just arrived and were trying to find our Venetian hotel. The City of Falling Angels is Berendt's first book since Midnight, and it immediately reminds one what all the fuss was about. The book explores local reactions to the fire, from the American "Save Venice" Foundation to Venice's bureaucratic government. Somewhat of a falling off, probably because Berendt found more interesting weirdos in Savannah than he did in Venice. OTHER BOOKS. The famed opera house had burned in January, 1996 but there had been no change to the site sin. He earned a B.A. However, I felt that the author went into way more detail about the Fenice fire than I needed to know. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. The author moves to Venice and then infiltrates the locals' worlds. Sign Up Now! I started this book a few months ago, loved it, continued reading it, continued loving it, then put it down for a few months before ever finishing it. Wonderfully written, wonderful out of the ordinary people. Inevitable that this would be compared to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Often, however these digressions were more interesting to me than the central story. I was so glad when this book was over. With Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan, Andre Braugher, Dennis Franz. With Michael Baszler, Garrett Marchbank, Paige Phillips, Max L Young. The absurdities are worth reading about particularly if you are aware of NYC socialites whose names are within the book. Lightning DOES strike twice, though perhaps not for John Berendt. ), the character development (how many characters? If you liked "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," then you must read this. There is no Lady Chablis! The book tells the story of some interesting inhabitants of Venice, Italy, whom the author met while living there in the months following a fire which destroyed the historic La Fenice opera house in 1996. The loss of the Fenice, where five of Verdi's operas premiered, is a catastrophe for Venetians. In "Falling Angels" the core event is the destruction by fire (arson?) Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Just as the earlier book began with a murder, this one opens with something almost as compelling: a fire that, in 1996, destroyed the historic La Fenice Opera House and almost destroyed Venice itself. Learn about membership options, or view our freely available titles. The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt 342pp, Sceptre, £20 "Guess what!" We learn a lot about the burning of the Fenice opera house, Ezra Pound's estate, and everyday life in Venice. *Midnight* was such an entertaining, intriguing book that it would only be natural to go looking for more from Berendt. Log In You must be logged into UK education collection to access this title. of Venice's famed historic opera house, the Fenice--and the byzantine aftermath of this great loss to the city. Among those interviewed is Archimede Seguso, a renowned Venetian glassblower of the twentieth century. This book was slow going. This led to an interlude about a master glassblower who was inspired to create pieces representative of what he saw as he watched the building burn. The City of Falling Angels (2005) by John Berendt. The City of Falling Angels, Berendt's first book sinceMidnight, is the same unique brand of literary nonfiction that made him a household name. Turning to the magic, mystery, and decadence of Venice, Berendt gradually reveals the truth behind a sensational fire that in 1996 destroyed the historic Fenice opera house. Often, however these digressions were more interesting to me than the central story. I didn't finish the book, but from what I read (about 3/4ths) I didn't like it, except for the Ezra Pound section - although I didn't really see the connection with the Fenice theater burning. When the fire broke out, a million things went swiftly and horribly wrong: the interior of the opera house was littered with open paint cans, chemicals, and cloths, making accidental fire an inevitability, and the fire alarm was disabled. Berendt's book book covered much more of course, the opera house fire, political feuds, quirky residents, and more. While technically a piece of non-fiction, the narrative structure of this book makes it seem more an interwoven collection of short vignettes. The problem with the book is, although it paints a vivid picture of Venice, it doesn’t grab the reader like Berendt’s previous book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I loved his book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. "The City of Falling Angels" -- one of the longest-awaited literary encores in recent times -- strikes many of the same notes as "Midnight." While the picture is still presented by an interloper into Venetian culture, his view seems to be honest and developed through real relationships with the true residents. The City of Falling Angels opens on the evening of January 29, 1996, when a dramatic fire destroys the historic Fenice opera house. It was quite a chore to listen to on audio, but I think it would have been the same for print. Perfect. And that's good. Something about a burnt-down opera house just doesn’t excite the same tension and thrills that good old fashioned homicide does. I wish John Berendt had written a different book about Venice. Upon this book's release on September 27, 2005, it entered Amazon.com's Top Ten Bestsellers list and was number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. The canal next to the Fenice had been drained recently, and because of this the fire boats weren't even able to reach the building at first, and then had no immediate water supply. The City of Falling Angels View larger image. I picked up this book and bought it mainly because of my first memory of Venice. I listened to this on audio because I think Holter Graham is an excellent reader, and I think I liked the book, too. I LOVED Midnight. They had to collect water from the Grand Canal and bring it over by helicopter - by then, the opera house was in flames and there was no way to stop it. Members: Reviews: Popularity: Average rating: Mentions: 3,566: 94: 2,559 (3.55) 140: Venice, a city steeped in a thousand years of history, art and architecture, teeters in precarious balance between endurance and decay. Like Savannah in his previous work, Venice takes on its own identity and that is critical to the plot. Hmm. The City of Falling Angels NPR coverage of The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt. Like his previous nonfictional work, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" the author takes an event, (this time the fire at the Fenice, the Venice Opera House in 1996) investigates it and creates a story he, as the author, and we the reader, all become intrigued by. THE CITY OF FALLING ANGELS (Non-Fiction-Venice, Italy-Cont) – VG+. An American walks around Venice trying to explain its peculiarities. The City of Falling Angels. The investigation of the opera house fire wasn't as compelling as the murder mystery in the the author's previous book, but it still was interesting to see how the Italian legal system operates. Need to reread this one again. Welcome back. When I saw that he followed up this book with a book about Venice, The City of Fallen Angels, I bought it and it has decorated by TBR shelves ever since. City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. It was quite a chore to listen to on audio, but I think it would have been the same for print. As travel writing, City of Falling Angels is superb. The Ezra Pound and Save Venice incidents largely involve dubious Americans with huge egos that need stroking. Intrigued by the rumors circulating among the Venetians as to the It was just hard. It's one of those places where the myth and exclamations and romanticism of tourists overshadow the fact that for some people, it's just home. I found many parts of this book boring including the story line (was there an ending? It was just hard to hold my interest, but I hate not finishing a book. I think I was expecting the same. For example, the story of Ezra Pound's papers was very compelling to me, probably because I have. The City of Falling Angels is Berendt's first book since Midnight, and it immediately reminds one what all the fuss was about. The opera house burned again while the second renovation was ongoing. Rate this book. I loved it! I wish John Berendt had written a different book about Venice. There are pluses (the last train to the mainland leaves at 9 pm, and it's expensive to stay at a hotel in the city, so the majority of the tourists clear out for the night) and minuses (oh, those tourists and their obsession. The problem with the book is, although it paints a vivid picture of Venice, it doesn’t grab the reader like Berendt’s previous book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. We were wandering aimlessly through the small passageways and streets of Venice up and over canals; we were hopelessy lost, and we stumbled upon the ruins of La Fenice. This book is actually one I like to read again and again. The characters are less eccentric, thus less fun than in his previous work, so this book lacks some of the humor which made "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" so unforgettable. Nonetheless highly recommended, especially for those planning a trip to Italy and Venice. Berendt is a very patient writer, which to me is neither a compliment or an insult. I enjoyed learning that everyone walks in Venice--there are no cars. He never let the story out of his control, but remained omnicient as both author and protagonist (a word I feel comfortable using even though this is a work of non-fiction). Start by marking “The City of Falling Angels” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Like Midnight, Falling Angels is a masterpiece of journalism, storytelling, and social insight, doing for Venice what Midnight did for Savannah, Georgia. The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt Sceptre £20, pp388. It was interesting to learn about the city's history and art, as well as its present day politics and culture. Early in the year 1996, Venice watched while the Fenice Opera House burned to its destruction. The book was well-written, but I would recommend it only if you have a deep, abiding interest in Italy or Venice. As always there is a memorable cast of characters. Enjoyed it, though, and oh how it made me want to be a mysterious American expat occupying a palazzo... Audiobook note: Well done. This book was slow going. As with his other book you are drawn in to the history of the city. It's one of those places where the myth and exclamations and romanticism of tourists overshadow the fact that for some people, it's just home. I was so glad when this book was over. [1], Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_City_of_Falling_Angels&oldid=993348506, Articles needing additional references from February 2011, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 December 2020, at 03:36. by John Berendt. Penguin Press $25.95 (414p) ISBN 978-1-59420-058-8. The loss of the Fenice, where five of Verdi's operas premiered, is a catastrophe for Venetians. The book also tells the story of many American and English expatriates who went to live in Venice, from Daniel Curtis, who owned Palazzo Barbaro where Henry James and John Singer Sargent were guests, to the poet Ezra Pound, who lived the last part of his life in Venice with his long-time mistress Olga Rudge. Soon afterwards he created glassworks dedicated to the memory of the fire, in his own rendition of how the opera house burned. It was October of 1997 during my honeymoon and my husband and I had just arrived and were trying to find our Venetian hotel. ), the character development (how many characters? 56? Buy The City of Falling Angels by Berendt, John (ISBN: 9780340825006) from Amazon's Book Store. I enjoyed learning that everyone walks in Venice--there are no cars. It is a compelling look at an otherwise inaccessible community of people who inhabit one of the world's … It was a foggy night, and the image of the decrepit walls of the opera house standing through the mist as we walked through the square left a strong imprint on my mind. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. This book is as much about Venice and the people who live there as it is about the Fenice opera house fire. Its over!!! In 1996, a fire broke out somewhere inside the empty Fenice opera house in Venice. Forgot how amazing it was. News, author interviews, critics' picks and more. The author introduces us to many interesting people, both the native Venetians of all classes and the various expatriats who call Venice home. ), and the bland portrait of Venice. Finally, I grabbed it and started reading. The City of Falling Angels takes its name from a sign posted in the 1970s outside a crumbling Venice church decorated with crumbling marble statues: "Beware of falling angels". An angel on Earth, a doctor unable to believe, a patient with a secret, a love story made in Heaven. Just a disclaimer: I read that one when I was about 14, so perhaps my tastes have just changed. ), and the bland portrait of, Its over!!! An enlightening read. More By and About This Author. The City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments 4) Cassandra Clare ***** Part One Exterminating Angels There are sicknesses that walk in darkness; and there are exterminating angels, that fly wrapt up in the curtains of immateriality and an uncommunicating nature; whom we cannot see, but we feel their force, and sink under their sword. by Penguin Books. He has access very few other Americans would be granted--Unfortunately who comes out looking odd here, in my opinion, is the other Americans expatriates who call the place home. There are pluses (the last train to the mainland leaves at 9 pm, and it's expensive to stay at a hotel in the city, so the majority of the tourists clear out for the night) and minuses (oh, those tourists and their obsession with the pigeons in Piazza San Marco), but there are also many unique aspects as a result of its geography if nothing else. Like Savannah in his previous work, Venice takes on its own identity and that is critical to the plot. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. It was an interesting story but it wasn't as good as Midnight. To see what your friends thought of this book, I started this book a few months ago, loved it, continued reading it, continued loving it, then put it down for a few months before ever finishing it. Turning to the magic, mystery, and decadence of Venice, Berendt gradually reveals the truth behind a sensational fire that in 1996 destroyed the historic Fenice opera house. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Turning to the magic, mystery, and decadence of Venice, Berendt gradually reveals the truth behind a sensational fire that in … Like his previous nonfictional work, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" the author takes an event, (this time the fire at the Fenice, the Venice Opera House in 1996) investigates it and creates a story he, as the author, and we the reader, all become intrigued by. Private Detective Nick Finnegan is dragged into a web of seduction and deception as he tries to arrange an affair in order to be with the woman he lusts for. The author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil returns after more than a decade to give us an intimate look at the "magic, mystery, and decadence" of the city of Venice and its inhabitants. Just a disclaimer: I read that one when I was about 14, so perhaps my tastes have just changed. While the picture is still presented by an interloper into Venetian culture, his view see. The first time I went to Venice, I remember simultaneously wiping my eyes and holding my … Turning to the magic, mystery, and decadence of Venice, Berendt gradually reveals the truth behind a sensational fire that in 1996 destroyed the historic Fenice opera house. The son of two writers, John Berendt grew up in Syracuse, New York. The fire department had to focus on keeping the fire from spreading to the rest of the very flammable city, and as a result the inhabitants of Venice were forced to watch, weeping, as the centuries-old opera house burned to the ground in front of them. We learn a lot about the burning of the Fenice opera house, Ezra Pound's estate, and everyday life in Venice. Turning to the magic, mystery, and decadence of Venice, Berendt gradually reveals the truth behind a sensational fire that in 1996 destroyed the historic Fenice opera house. The loss of the Fenice, where five of Verdi's operas premiered, is a catastrophe for Venetians. Synopsis The opera house was being restored, and was supposed to reopen within a month. As travel writing, City of Falling Angels. I found many parts of this book boring including the story line (was there an ending? See 1 question about The City of Falling Angels…, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story, Add page number: The City of Falling Angels, 32 Historical Romance Series to Binge-Read after 'Bridgerton'. The City of Falling Angels (2005) is a non-fiction work by John Berendt. I listened to this on audio because I think Holter Graham is an excellent reader, and I think I liked the book, too. I got to read the stories behind the rich tapestry of what Venice is. Refresh and try again. cried Dodie Rosencrans, clasping Countess Emo's wrist. Can’t say I’d recommend this over anything else I’ve read recently, but perhaps I’ll feel less strongly about that after some time…. in English from Harvard University, where he worked on the staff of, “Loneliness is not being alone, It's loving others to no avail.”, “Death in Venice, The Wings of the Dove, The Aspern Papers, Don’t Look Now, Summertime, Across the River and Into the Trees, The Comfort of Strangers.”. Need to reread this one again. I love Berendt's style of writing and this is very well done. The City of Falling Angels is Berendt's first book since Midnight, and it immediately reminds one what all the fuss was about. 56? The opera house was being restored, and was supposed to reopen within a month. Entertaining, but ultimately rather pointless. The artists. Does John know what was in the Yale box of Pound/Rudge that was open in 2016? I picked up this book and bought it mainly because of my first memory of Venice. We were wandering aimlessly through the small passageways and streets of Venice up and over canals; we were hopelessy lost, and we stumbled upon the ruins of La Fenice. For example, the story of Ezra Pound's papers was very compelling to me, probably because I have some frame of reference for that, whereas I knew nothing about Teatro La Fenice before listening to this book. One that was about the real inhabitants and daily lives of Venetians. September 26th 2006 The author, as he did in his smash best-seller. email; X. John Berendt wonderfully digs beneath the surface of Venice in, In 1996, a fire broke out somewhere inside the empty Fenice opera house in Venice. And, without trying to be facetious or condescending, it is a lovely book to read at bedtime. The focus on different people and their stories as opposed to abstract histories and facts makes the subject matter easy to identify with and thus more accessible despite the lengthy research put into the book. The City of Falling Angels is Berendt's first book since Midnight, and it immediately reminds one what all the fuss was about.