Customer Reviews

The Other Venice: Secrets of the City (Reaktion Books - Topographics)

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I never thought a book on Venice could be a disappointment but this one was. The photos were unremarkable and the accompanying text even more so.
It does put you into a few spots that aren't well known to visitors but I was bored stiff by it and I am a man who loves Venice, my wife and my children...in that order

I spent about a month in Venice a couple of years ago. Before that stay, my experience with Venice was a short two-day trip years ago. Reading The Other Venice reminded me of the time I stayed there when I realized that the city actually served as a homeland for many who resided there. Venice is so contextualized by numerous outsiders, and many of those, including me, tend to dwell on the images the city is supposed to present us. But it's a city with unique history. We tend to overlook the fact such as Venice having had an old Jewish ghetto. We know Shakespeare and his famous (and infamous, in a way) Merchant of Venice. This is not just a city for exhibitions. During my second visit (and more lengthy stay) in Venice, I paid more attentions to the gondoliers, vapolets, market vendors, pizzeria owners or people who are there not as tourists. Unglamorous images and mundane elements of Venice the author paint with tender affection illuminate the lights of, literally, the other Venice. I like the poetic lyrical verses. Only complaint about the book is that it can be taken as a travelogue or sort. I guess it's the publisher's misrepresentation.

I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who has been to Venice or is planning to go to Venice.