Within the walls of eighteenth-century Venice's Ospedale della Pieta+a6, three children--Adrianna, Elena, and Marietta--become fast friends and grow to enjoy lives of passion and heartbreak. 35,000 first printing. $35,000 ad/promo.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Eighteenth-century Venice, "the brothel of Europe," makes a perfect backdrop for this outstanding historical romance by genre veteran Laker ( The Golden Tulip , etc.). At the Ospedale della Pieta, a famous music school for orphaned girls, Marietta Fontana and Elena Baccini begin a lifelong friendship. Elena is forced to marry Filippo, scion of the powerful Celano family; Marietta weds the mysterious and handsome Domenico Torrisi, a wealthy widower and sworn enemy of the Celanos. But the young women continue their relationship, and when Elena secretly bears the child of a man she truly loves, she relinquishes the infant to be raised by Marietta, who is grieving over the death of her own baby. Domenico is jailed on charges trumped up by the unscrupulous Filippo, but Marietta and Elena search for years for evidence to free him. Although rich with memorable characters and plot, the story is almost secondary to the splendid setting in a city of masks, hidden intentions and sinister complications. Laker has a marvelous gift for evoking atmosphere with assiduously researched, intriguing details which she places throughout a genuinely exciting narrative. A cut above most writers in her genre, the British Laker has written what may be her breakthrough book on these shores.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
YA-- Raised together at a famous Venetian orphanage for musically gifted children, three talented girls form enduring friendships that see them through difficult times. Laker brings to life both the fun of masquerading in the Venice of the 1780s and the treachery of its feuds. Elena, Marietta, and, later, their husbands are particularly well drawn as readers see either their good dispositions or their evil natures develop. Fewer details are given about Adrianna, the third girl. She is less significant to the plot, but she provides the important link between the other two. The story progresses at a fast pace. The family feud that separates the women after their marriages becomes more serious and suspense builds on each page. Despite some unrealistic events, this is a well-written, well-researched, very entertaining story.
- Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captures the magic of Venice,
By
This review is from: The Venetian Mask (Hardcover)
Rosalind weaves a wonderful tale of romance, mystery, and suspence taking you back to the fading splendor of Venice. Honestly before reading this book, I never really had an interest in visiting Venice. This sparked an interest and last year I was fortunate to have an opportunity to briefly visit Venice. The reading of this book greatly enhanced my enjoyment of and appreciation for Venice. Rosalind did her homework extremely well. The historical events she refers to are very accurate as well as the history of the places mentioned. The story take place during a significant time of change in the history in Venice. I strongly recommend this book to anyone planning to visit Venice, and to anyone who enjoys a good book that immerses you in a bygone era.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful story about the mystery of Venice.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Venetian Mask (Hardcover)
This is one of the best books that I have ever read. I have read it a total of six times. I love it just as much as the first time I read it. This story is about a friendship that endures throught the hardest trials. Two best friends who after marraige are no longer alowed to see each other still help each other through all of their problems. Due to a vendetta between their husbands families they experiece harsh opposition to their friendship. They are surrounded by many intrigueing characters. A truly remarkable book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vivid story of Venetian intrique,
By Valerie (NM) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Venetian Mask (Hardcover)
This is a book full of vivid imagery in typical Rosalind Laker fashion. Following the historical setting of Venice during it's Serenissima granduer, Laker weaves in characters and intrigue to draw the reader into the story. Her skillful writing makes you love and hate the characters, feeling wrapped up into the story and lives. The detail evokes the grand picture of Venice. The life and death mystery portions made me not want to put the book down. If you enjoy historical novels, or sweeping epic type of stories, this is a book for you
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