“Across the River and into the Trees” by Ernest Hemingway is a story set in Venice, Italy. It follows Colonel Richard Cantwell, a veteran of World War II, who is stationed in the city. Cantwell spends his time reminiscing about his past and enjoying the beauty of Venice.
He forms a connection with a young woman named Renata, with whom he shares conversations and experiences in the city’s cafes and landmarks.
The story captures the essence of Venice, with its canals and historic sites serving as a backdrop to Cantwell’s reflections on life and war.
“The Aspern Papers” by Henry James tells the story of an unnamed narrator who is eager to get his hands on the letters of a famous poet. The narrator travels to Venice, where he believes the letters are kept by an elderly woman and her niece.
The woman, Juliana, was once the poet’s lover, and the narrator hopes to convince her to share the letters. However, Juliana is reluctant, leading to a tense back-and-forth as the narrator tries to persuade her.
The story is filled with secrecy and manipulation, making it a fascinating read set against the beautiful backdrop of Venice.
“Death in Venice” by Thomas Mann tells the story of Gustav von Aschenbach, a famous writer who travels to Venice for a holiday. While there, he becomes fixated on a young boy named Tadzio, who he sees as the embodiment of beauty and innocence.
The story explores themes of art, beauty, and the passage of time. Set against the backdrop of a cholera-stricken Venice, the book offers a haunting and atmospheric portrait of the city.
One memorable scene involves Aschenbach following Tadzio through the narrow streets and canals, highlighting the labyrinthine nature of Venice.
“The Comfort of Strangers” by Ian McEwan follows a couple, Colin and Mary, on vacation in Venice. Their trip takes a dark turn when they meet a strange man named Robert.
Robert’s eerie stories and peculiar behavior begin to unsettle the couple, leading to a tense and unsettling atmosphere. The city’s winding streets and canals serve as a haunting backdrop to their increasingly disturbing encounters.
“Dead Lagoon” by Michael Dibdin introduces us to Inspector Aurelio Zen, who is sent to Venice to solve a complex case. The city, with its winding canals and historic charm, becomes a central character in the story.
Inspector Zen finds himself entangled in a mystery that involves powerful figures and hidden secrets. The narrative captures the essence of Venice, from its beautiful architecture to its darker, more mysterious side.
Readers will enjoy the vivid descriptions of the city’s unique atmosphere and the intriguing plot that keeps them guessing until the end.
“Death at La Fenice” is the first book in the Commissario Brunetti series by Donna Leon. The story unfolds in Venice, where a famous conductor dies suddenly during a performance at the renowned La Fenice opera house.
Commissario Guido Brunetti steps in to solve the case, uncovering secrets and navigating the complexities of Venetian society along the way. The novel beautifully captures the essence of Venice, from its historic landmarks to its unique culture.
“Death in a Strange Country” by Donna Leon follows Commissario Guido Brunetti as he investigates the murder of an American soldier in Venice. The case pulls him into a tangled web of corruption and hidden agendas, revealing dark truths beneath the city’s beauty.
As Brunetti peels back layers of deceit, the tension builds, painting a vivid picture of Venice’s complexities and moral struggles.
“The Girl from Venice” by Martin Cruz Smith takes place in the final days of World War II. The story follows a fisherman named Cenzo, who discovers the body of a young woman floating in the lagoon. To his surprise, she’s alive and hiding from the Nazis.
Cenzo gets caught up in a dangerous game of survival, helping her while trying to keep his own quiet life from unraveling. The book paints a vivid picture of Venice and the tension of the war, blending mystery with moments of unexpected tenderness.
“The Mirror Thief” by Martin Seay weaves together three timelines set in three different versions of Venice (Italy, California, and Las Vegas). In the 16th century, a poet becomes involved in a plot surrounding the creation of glass mirrors. In 1950s California, a gambler hunts for answers that lead back to Venice.
In 2003, a Marine tracks a mysterious man tied to a Las Vegas casino modeled after the Venetian city. The book immerses readers in a world of secrets, danger, and the allure of Venice across different eras.
“The Passion” by Jeanette Winterson is set in the heart of Venice during the Napoleonic Wars. The story weaves together the lives of Henri, a French soldier who cooks for Napoleon, and Villanelle, a Venetian woman with webbed feet who navigates the labyrinth of the city.
Venice comes alive with its canals, masks, and secrets, creating a mysterious backdrop for themes of love, obsession, and destiny. The characters cross paths in unexpected ways, and the city itself feels like a character in their journey.
“The Thief Lord” by Cornelia Funke is about two orphaned brothers who escape to Venice and get caught up with a group of street kids led by a mysterious boy. They hide out in an old theater, stealing and surviving on their wits.
The story grows into an adventure involving a peculiar merry-go-round that holds strange powers. Venice’s winding canals and dark corners add a magical atmosphere to the tale.
“The Wings of the Dove” by Henry James tells the story of a wealthy and ill young woman, Milly Theale, who travels to Venice for her health. While there, she becomes entangled with Kate Croy and Merton Densher, a couple whose motives are not entirely pure.
The novel captures the atmosphere of Venice, with its canals and palaces providing a backdrop to themes of love, deception, and sacrifice.