Visitors to Venice might hope to find a Venetian friend who will guide them through the narrow streets, explaining a bit of history here, a story from his youth there, perhaps grumbling about the tourists, occasionally stopping for a glass of prosecco or to gossip with friends...
Brunetti's Venicedoes all these things as it moves through the famous city with Commissario Guido Brunetti, the much loved Venetian detective of Donna Leon's bestselling novels. Presented as a series of walks through Venice and featuring atmospheric extracts from relevant parts of the novels, it is woven together by a commentary that links Brunetti's emotional and visual responses to places he has known all his life with the inquisitiveness of the visitor.
The first walk starts at La Fenice Opera house - where the very first Brunetti novel began - and ends at the iconic Rialto Bridge. Each consequent route weaves interlinking paths through Venice and catches the secrets, sounds, sights and smells of Venice past and present. Along the way we visit Brunetti's favourite eateries around the Rialto bridge, walk with him from his home in San Polo to the Questura in Castello where he works, cut through Piazza San Marco and accompany him on the vaporetti out to more remote parts of Venice. There are reflections on the art and architecture of Venice, as well as the impressions of writers from Shakespeare and Goethe to Thomas Mann and Jan Morris.
Enchanting and practically useful,Brunetti's Veniceis both a walking guide and an evocative narrative of the life of this most magical city for any Brunetti fan.
Toni Sepeda, born in 1942, has been teaching literature and art history at the University of Maryland for more than fifteen years. She has also given guided tours through Commissario Brunetti's home city - the only tours authorised by Donna Leon. She has co-authored an American guide to Venice. Her latest university lecture series is dedicated to Brunetti's Venice.
