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The City of Falling Angels
The City of Falling Angels | John Berendt
22 posts | 32 read | 15 to read
Twelve years ago, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil exploded into a monumental success, residing a record-breaking four years on the New York Times bestseller list (longer than any work of fiction or nonfiction had before) and turning John Berendt into a household name. The City of Falling Angels is Berendt's first book since Midnight, and it immediately reminds one what all the fuss was about. 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. Encountering a rich cast of characters, Berendt tells a tale full of atmosphere and surprise as the stories build, one after the other, ultimately coming together to portray a world as finely drawn as a still-life painting.
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Vansa
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Hilarious

Sparklemn Yes!! 😄 I think he chose wisely. 1y
9 likes1 comment
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Vansa
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Vansa
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What a stunning paragraph

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Hanna-B
Pickpick

I‘m watching Don‘t Leave Me, a crime drama set in Venice (It‘s excellent) and it reminded me of this fascinating story about Venice and the rebuild of La Fenice. Thinking of a reread. Any other fans of this book or show? #venice #lafenice

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AvidReader25
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😍 When the Airbnb you‘re staying in is filled with shelf after shelf of excellent books!!!

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EmilieGR
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Mehso-so

I loved Berendt‘s first book and I love Venice so I assumed this book would be a slam dunk. Maybe my expectations were too high.This read much more like a travel narrative than a true crime book- something I would‘ve enjoyed if it had just owned it. I think the essential problem with this book was not the “characters” nor the writing but that Berendt couldn‘t figure out what kind of book he wanted to write, so it ended up being all over the place.

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Butterfinger

It amazes me how Berendt can choose a city with a mystery and become acquaintances and friends with the most interesting people who are natives to that particular city. Not Savannah, but Venice. Not a murder, but an arson. Not voodoo, but centuries old architecture slowly being drowned by rising water. Both cities have the same mistrust of outsiders and a fantastic personality. Where will you take us next?

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Macnjen

I'm not 100% sure but I THINK I've already read this, but I'm willing to try again. I loved “Garden...“ so it's worth the time to revisit this author. Gosh, I must be getting old if I can't remember reading it!

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Butterfinger
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Upcoming Reads

Still waiting on Love, Hate, and Other Filters for summer #Booked2019 (Muslim author) and plan to read Black Panther (comic)

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MandellaL
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Bailedbailed

Just not getting into this one. I don't think these people are interesting as characters and I have yet to get to the part that deals with the mystery behind the fire. Maybe I'll return to it another time.

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MandellaL
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Phone crashed and it took 4 days to get a new one, so I'm behind on my Litsy! Good to be back.

jenreads7 Welcome back! Glad you made it! 5y
Smrloomis Ugh, sorry about your phone. Welcome back! 5y
wordzie 😣Welcome back 🙌 5y
45 likes3 comments
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MandellaL
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Learning so much about Venice! It always takes me longer to read through nonfiction, but I enjoy learning along the way 😊

Slajaunie Bookmaps 💙💙 5y
Crazeedi I 💖 stories about Venice! 5y
MandellaL @Crazeedi this is my first. Any other recommendations? @Slajaunie I agree! I love books with maps 😀 5y
Crazeedi @MandellaL donna Leon has a whole series of mysteries with commisario brunetti. They are delicious stories with venice and food featured prominently. This is the first one 5y
48 likes4 comments
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MandellaL
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Unplanned snow day + napping toddler = time to read! 😀

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MandellaL
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Started some nonfiction this weekend, for a change.

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crhealey
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Went to the book bank with 5th grade today! 5 books a person! #fieldtripfun

DivaDiane What is the book bank? 6y
4 likes1 comment
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Vansa
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Vansa
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(2/2)

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Vansa
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(1/2)

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BookThia
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Pickpick

While not as good as Berendt's first book, this introspection into Venice, its culture, its art and architecture, its people and its history is still interesting. I think the reason it doesn't resonate as strongly is because the people highlighted frequently aren't likeable. It is more a collection of unconnected Venice stories than it is a single narrative. Still, it is an interesting glimpse into a mysterious city.

10 likes2 stack adds
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DreesReads
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#readjanuary #endpapers Nonfiction books often have amazing endpapers!

Gezemice Looks great! 7y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jamiedemo
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Venice.

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JPeterson
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Mehso-so

I was excited to read a story filled with mystery and intrigue in Venice. Sadly, I was disappointed. While a great case study on the people of Venice at that time, capturing some capitivating lives and a few entertaining stories, it just didn't hold my interest for very long.

13 likes2 stack adds