What makes Venice globally famous and eternally unique?? What can be the best testament to the most serene city?? If you’re looking for a book set in Venice, Peter Ackroyd’s Venice: Pure City is the one to pick! An intriguing book about the floating city, it is rich in details and extremely seductive. Venice: Pure City revolves around centuries of history of the Venetian Republic that will make you long to visit La Serenissima~the most serene.Venice: Pure City- A Synopsis

Book Review of Venice: Pure City by Peter Ackroyd

Venice: Pure City by Peter Ackroyd starts by describing the city of Venice, the lagoon and it’s overall history. Ackroyd’s expansive style of writing is descriptive, giving an introduction to the rivers Brenta, Sile and Piave (which I had no idea about!) and talking about i porti, entrances to the channels of the lagoon.

There is an extensive detail about the islands of Chioggia, Malamocco, Torecello and Burano that make Venice. The author then delves into the Byzantines who influenced the Venetians.

It is believed that the earliest tribes came as early as 8th century BC.

Peter Ackroyd

The book also puts a lot of emphasis on the daily aspects of Venetian life and how the Venetians are more island people, different from the rest. One of the most striking facts is the way the Venetians describe themselves. Andare alla deriva means to be adrift, but what it really implies is the temperament of the Venetians.

Of course islanders must look out to sea. It is their context. It is their horizon. Where would they be without the sea??

Peter Ackroyd

Never Enough Venice

The people of Venice also describe the foggy winters of the city by using words such as nebbietta or foschia for fog. When the city of Venice is engulfed in this nebbia, the only sounds the Venetians hear are the muffled footsteps and church bells.

One can never know completely about Venice. It is almost impossible to get a thorough understanding of this floating city with one book.

However, Akcroyd’s book touches on all aspects of Venice from merchants, traders, glass makers to politics, art and religion. Furthermore, he breaks the book into different chapters such as The Merchant of Venice, The Lion City, Bells and Gondolas, Learning the Language etc.

From time to time the reader will find yourself moving around the campi and canals of today to the market life of yesteryear and falling in love with Venice. After all, one can never have enough Venice!

Venice is the most visually seductive of all cities of the world.

peter ackroyd

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of non fiction, you must pick this historical book on Venice. It will be the first of many books on Venice that you will love. This is not a guide book but a bibliography of a city with illustrations and pictures along with historical, geographical and cultural all entwined together. Have no expectation and simply go with the flow! Happy Reading!

Further Reading:

La Passione by Dianne Hales

• Arrivederci Montalbano- thoughts on Riccardino
• Basilica di Superga with the moon- una meraviglia
• The view from Vomero Hill, Naples
• Circumvesuviana train- easy way to explore Gulf Of Naples
• Experience of Staying in Piazza Garibaldi, Naples
• The bustling Piazza Dante in Naples
• Castellammare di Stabia- between Naples and Sorrento

Other Books by Peter Ackroyd

Venice is most characteristic at night. It has a quality of stillness that suits the mood of time preserved.

Peter Ackroyd

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