Customer Reviews

Ruskin's Rose: A Venetian Love Story

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, it is indeed a pretty obect, but it's hardly a "book". It has to take me longer than a half an hour to read in order to dignify a piece of writing as a "book". As an illustrated historical essay, i give it FIVE stars. Publishing a hard cover around an fine essay and filling it with illustrations, is a little too "twee" for my taste, but i have to admit it was an experince to read and i will not forget the sensitive insight into my favorite Victorian. Hey, on this date, it's about the right price, Dave... go for it.

You do not need to be neither an art expert nor historian to appreciate this find book. Like the above reviewer has already mentioned, this is not even a book: it is in fact a living artifact to be treated in league with the works of arts it treats as subject matter. A work of art unto itself. Style-wise it reminds this reader of one of Nick Bantocks' books, and in fact, Mr.Bantock had written a book called 'The Venetians Wife'. But if you are not totally and delightfully suprised and charmed by the books maps, illustrations and photos then it wil be the story itself that leads you around by the lapels. Indeed, the author weaves a warm spell; draws you in and one gains the impression from just the very first few pages that it is a story that deserves to be settled in for and is at once illustrious and intriguing, beguiling and irresistably seductive all in one. By the way, makes a great gift and in fact like me, you may find your self buying not just one...but two. Let this book earn a special place on your book shelf mantle and your heart as well. One gets the impression that this is exactly what it was meant for. Enjoy!

Ruskin's Rose provides a Venetian love story of an art historian who fell in love with Irish girl Rose in 1858. Using material from the letters between the two, the authors reconstruct a tale of forbidden romance every bit as vivdly dramatic as Shakespeare, with color illustrations by Ann Field peppering the account.