Customer Reviews

The Silent Gondoliers: A Fable by S. Morgenstern

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

 

 

This is a great book, and it deserves to be in print! I stumbled across it in a university library (if you've ever searched for light reading in a library geared for research, you'll realize how lucky I was) and it was very good. I think in some ways I liked it better than THE PRINCESS BRIDE. I think that maybe have been because Luigi, the main character, wasn't perfect at all the way Buttercup and Wesley were. (Well, Buttercup was too stupid to be perfect, but otherwise . . .) If you can find a copy of it, read it!

I rarely laugh outloud at a book, but The Silent Gondeliers had me literally falling out of my chair. A fellow singing friend of mine happened to see me reading The Princess Bride at one of our rehearsals. I mentioned how much I loved that book, and he pulled from his bag, this great book! "Well, if you like William Goldman, you'll love this one!" As an opera singer, I could appreciate much of the humor. It's about a gondelier who cannot sing, and how his mishaps are the reason why today's gondeliers are silent. Wonderful book!

I found this book in a used bookstore and couldn't believe my luck. For a second I thought it proved the existence of Morgenstern...but the Goldman style is easy to recognize. This is a great book, but like ALL Goldman titles it is really hard to find. It's worth the effort!!

I read this book this morning for breakfast and will read it again later tonight for dessert.

This gorgeous little fable turns words so well it deserves to be read aloud, to your children, to your lover, whomever. I found it even more charming than "The Princess Bride."

Luigi is an affable every-man who simply has a dream. I fell in love with him, thinking about him in his gonodolier's costume poling down The Grand Canal with his godawful singing voice, the latter of which resonates personally for me. Also, like Luigi, I have a goony smile.

Hopefully I'll visit Venice someday, and until then, this book will take me there whenever I wish.

I found my copy yesterday in my favorite used book store, (shout-out to Book Castle in downtown Burbank) and it's in perfect condition. Even the dust jacket is as crisp as it was back in 1983. The illustrations are flawless and exactly what would excite a child's imagination.

I notice this version is only available used. Buy it and promise to read it aloud. It will not disappoint.

I've had this book forever and had no idea it was rare. I love it because it is clear at a younger age but doesn't get boring or repetitive, as one of those classic books that just get better. I think it is superior to the Princess Bride as the characters are beleivable. I highly recommend it!