My Venice and Other Essays

Leon . . . takes both loving and jaundiced looks at Italy and the United States, music, men and many other subjects in My Venice. New York Times Book Review Entertaining [and] unapologetically opinionated. New York Times Cheerfully opinionated. . . . An intriguing glimpse at the strong views of an exceptionally interesting and entertaining novelist. Seattle Times So keenly observed that they almost make me homesick for a city I ve only visited . . . [Leon s essays] have the kind of friendly intimacy of a letter from a friend far away Boston Globe Donna Leon is . . . a practiced writer of sharply observed commentary. . . . Leon clearly loves her adopted city, but she is not so pie-eyed as to overlookand report to often hilarious effectits idiosyncratic imperfections. . . . Savoring these short and engaging pieces is akin to sharing a latte at a Venetian cafe with an entertaining, opinionated, intelligent friend. BookPage Well known as the author of the Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery novels, American Donna Leon has lived in Venice for 30 years and knows its vagaries and delights in and out. The essays in My Venice are filled with her pointed observations, humor and insight. . . . Leon's great intelligence and wit come through in every one. . . . A lively collection. Shelf Awareness Leon . . . is literate, witty and contentious, with a ready sense of humor and an eye for the absurd. I d love to have a cappuccino with her. Kathy Weissman, Bookreporter.com Engaging. . . . Leon muses, reminisces, and often complains about her Italian home of more than 30 years. . . . But in the titular essay, it s clear also that she loves the community feel and unforced camaraderie of her neighborhood. Publishers Weekly [Leon] never fails to explore the periphery of her topic, deepening her theme and giving it context and nuance. Booklist Absorbing. . . . My Venice and Other Essays . . . provide[s] morsels of wit and sharp observations. New York Journal of Books