A novel guide to Venice
This is indeed a novel guide to Venice. More precisely a thriller that guides you through Venice highlighting mysterious details and layers of history like a novel guide to the city.
‘Venetia’ by Simon Barnes is a supernatural thriller set in Venice. There is lots of suspense, mystery and paranormal activities in the captivating plot, where a modern English family is whirled into an ancient crime bridging horror with archaeology and religion. Yet it is not a good thrill I’m after, but the meticulous descriptions of Venice past and present.
Simon Barnes is familiar with the self-reflecting surfaces of the water and the fog softening reality in a shroud of light around midnight. He can evoke the salty smell of the sea, the quiet of a carless city and the sound of water lapping against petrified wooden poles. He knows his way around the islands and is able to point out places and details that make history come to life.
I enjoyed following ‘Venetia’ around Campo Arsenale and out to the islands San Michele and Lazzaretto Nuovo, where the narrative past and present meet. It’s interesting to read about the shipyards and armories that used to be one of the earliest large-scale industrial enterprises. The convents with their parallel societies oscillating between the sacred and the profane. Burials tucked away at a dedicated cemetery island. And the fear of the plague that led to the introduction of a compulsory 40 day quarantine on Lazzaretto Nuovo, before travelers were admitted to the city.
But most of all I liked reading about the secret signs that can be found all over the city – from ancient wall plaques to guarding lions with runic symbols and merchant logos in the old warehouses. You feel like a semiotic on a field trip.
‘Venetia’ is a bit like Dan Brown’s ‘Angles and Demons’ transferred to Venice. A highly entertaining mix of fact and fiction in a recognizable historic and geographic setting. As such it would make a great travel companion for anyone in need of a page-turning guidebook to Venice.
The book is available on
Amazon UK, US and Italian websites
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The charming backwaters of Venice
Sounds like an awesome book!
It’s highly entertaining
I love books that top up the mind travel with a flavor of genuine travel. “Venetia” sounds terrific.
Mee too, like reading the Bonfire of the Vanities in New York:)
Ooh, just my kind of book. Heading to Amazon UK right away.
Hope you’ll like it:)
Oh, this definitely sounds like a good, suspenseful read. The secret signs of Venice are very cool, too. Thanks for the book tip!
You’re welcome.
This sounds like such a great and interesting read! Its setting in Venice just made it even more appealing. i would love to go back to Venice with this book in hand looking for the secret signs.
Yes, it’s nice when discovering a city becomes like a treasure hunt. Kids love it too.
Fun way to see a city. After reading Da Vinci code, when we visited Paris I kept saying “Oh yeah, I remember that from the book.”
Yes, it adds a remembered dimension to a place you’ve never seen before.
I am always looking for books set in Italy, so thank you for posting this review.
My pleasure.
I might actually understand a book like this. I usually read these kind of stories and end up at the end going “Huh? What just happened?”. If all I’m trying to get out of this book is a great description of Venice, it might be perfect!
Yes, if you read it that way, you don’t have to worry about the plot. But I guess you’ll miss the suspense.
Sounds like a great read. I’m gonna run to buy it for my upcoming Italy tour.
Reading always makes a good travel companion:)
I love these types of books and will have to look into it! Sounds like a great read.
I hope you’ll like it:)
I can’t wait to read this! Just added it to my Kindle list. I love Venice — I first went when I was 12 and fell in love. My aunt used to live right outside of town; I wish I could remember the name. She loved it there.
It’s a magic place – especially if you go there as a kid.
Seems like a great read. Thanks for the suggestion!
OK – I have GOT to read this book.
Remember to let us know how you like it;)
Very cool. Perfect winter reading to inspire travel adventures for next year. Loved Dan Brown’s books….I am sure this will be right up my alley!
Yes. A thrill and a site often makes a good read.