I love reading about Venice. It’s a good way to daydream about the city when I’m not there and I wish I was. Reading almost turns into watching an imaginary movie as I recognize the surroundings, buildings or streets and I follow the characters in their story. It’s also a very fun way to discover new things in Venice. I have often stepped in the footsteps of these fictive characters on our trips to Venice: I know where they live, work or died, I have eaten in the same restaurants or I visited their favourite places.
I have listed below a selection of novels from my personal bookshelf, and behind this link the novels in Dutch.
I also read a lot as a preparation for my trips or out of curiosity to better understand the dynamics and history of the city. If you are interested in these books, you might want to take a look at this page.
The great gambler, Claude Cueni
This historical novel tells the story of John Law, who invented the paper money in the 17th century. His passion for women and gambling brings him from Paris and London to Venice, where he becomes a regular at the gambling tables in the palazzos. The novel combines romance, suspense and history.
A Venetian affair, Andrea di Robilant
This historical love story truly conveys the romantic aspects of Venice. The forbidden love between Andrea and Giustiniana is set in the 18th century and the author makes you feel part of high society, their parties, theatres and the culture of that time.
In the company of the courtesan, Sarah Dunant
Venice seems like heaven for the courtesan Fiammetta and the dwarf Bucino, when they escape Rome in 1527. Of course, the city has a lot of secrets and temptations. When they meet La Draga, a young and blind healer, their lives change completely. The characters in this historical novel wander across all sestieri and let you experience the daily life back then.
The Venetian bargain, Marina Fiorato
When a ship enters Venice in 1576, it carries the bubonic plague as a ‘present’ from the Turkish sultan. The dogue asks Palladio to build a large church as an offering to God to rescue the city, but Palladio becomes ill. The beautiful young doctor Feyra was also on board of the ship, to escape her future as a concubine of the sultan. This is an intriguing novel with a strong woman as the main character.
The Bellini card, Jason Goodwin
Goodwin combines in this literary thriller the suspense of crime fiction with the historical ties between Venice and Istanbul in 1840. The detective Yashim has to trace back a stolen painting for the sultan and gets lost in the art scene in Venice where murders seem to be part of daily life.
Carnival for the dead, David Hewson
Even though it is carnival time in Venice, Teresa Lupo does not come to the city to enjoy the festivities. She has to find her beloved bohemian aunt Sofia who has mysteriously disappeared. The thriller mainly plays in the Dorsoduro district and also lets you discover many unknown aspects of carnival, while keeping you in suspense on the whereabouts of Sofia.
The abomination (Carnivia Trilogy I), Jonathan Holt
This crime story is completely different from any other I have read. The book is set in two Venices, the physical world and its virtual counterpart Carnivia.com. When a dead female priest is found at the Santa Maria della Salute, Carabiniere Katerine Tapo must solve her first murder case in this complex environment.
Tell it to the skies, Erica James
When Lydia walks back from the fish market towards the Rialto Bridge, she glimpses a young man’s face in the crowd. He reminds her of a dreadful secret she believed she had banished to the past. This story about a family tragedy tends towards chicklit, but it can certainly also be enjoyed by men who like a bit of romance.
By its cover, Donna Leon
In his 23rd adventure, commissario Brunetti gets confronted with the theft of pages from rare books at a – fictive – historical library in Venice. Of course, there is also a murder to solve …. I wasn’t aware of this type of theft, as I would never tear a page out of a book, but it got me thinking about the value of books.
Friends in high places, Donna Leon
The crime novels with commissario Brunetti are my favourite reading as the author describes the city in so much detail that you easily recognize the different places in the story. In this book, Brunetti tries to overcome the fact that his apartment doesn’t have the right building permits in the typical Venetian way, but is then confronted with the sudden death of the local bureaucrat handling his file.
I will regularly add new books, so keep an eye on this page or subscribe to The Venice Insider newsletter if you don’t want to miss new titles. You can for instance find the top 10 books that were published in 2016 and that are set in Venice behind this link.
If you have any suggestions for good books, feel free to share them with The Venice Insider community in the comments fields below.
Buona lettura.
PS: Several links in this post are affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you order a book.
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14 Comments
Need I mention the books of John Julius Norwich? John Freely? Jan Morris?
Thanks for the addition. I will take them ino account for my new list.
Katia – The Venice Insider
David Hewson also set ‘Cemetery of Secrets’ and ‘The Lizard’s Bite’ (which concludes the story of the first, although both can be read separately) in Venice. Both are definitely worth a read.
Thanks David. I haven’t read these yet, but will check them out.
Katia – The Venice Insider
Try a delicious book called Jeff in Venice by Dyer. It is a delightful read.
Thanks for the tip Tommy. It’s already on my Bookshelf (I bought it for my husband who’s called Jef), but I didn’t have the time to read it yet.
Katia – The Venice Insider
Can you help? I read a historical novel translated into German about the Venetian dye industry (in the 1600’s/1800’s?) and a family where the illegitimate son rises from being an apprentice to eventually marry the widow of the whole dye firm. One of them was called ‘The rise of….(I cannot remember his name)’, I think there are 3 novels in the series and I would so much like to get hold of all three if someone could let my have the titles and the author!
Dear Michiel,
Thanks for your question. The book sounds interesting. I don’t know it myself but I will ask around to see if someone has read it. I will keep you posted.
Best regards
Katia – The Venice Insider
Dear Katia, I have found the books but my memory failed me! They deal with the cloth dyeing industry in Brussels in the 16th Century and there are actually 8 in the series; titled “House of Niccolo” by Dorothy Dunnett. Although not set in Venice, worthwhile reading in my mind. I am looking forward to rereading “Niccolo rising’ and then digging into the rest! Best regards, Michiel
Dear Michiel,
I posted your question on my Facebook page and on Tripadvisor, and I got the following suggestion:
The only one that comes to mind from those I discovered while I was looking for these books is “Enrico Dandolo and the rise of Venice” (by Thomas F. Madden).
Is this the one you were looking for? She wasn’t sure if it would be this one.
Best regards
Katia – The Venice Insider
Stealing Venice by Heather Redding (2014) is a wonderful novel – set against the sumptuous backdrop of contemporary and sixteenth century Venice, this is the story of two women, Anna and Ginevra, separated by centuries, but whose destinies are determined by the merciless chemistry of love: for a person, a place…and a painting.
I would recommend this highly – a really good read!
Dear Lin,
Thanks for this tip. I don’t know this novel, but it sounds intriguing. I will certainly check it out.
All the best
Katia – The Venice Insider
‘Miss Garnet’s Angel’ by Salley Vickers is mostly set in Dorsoduro. An intriguing glimpse of past and present. Very atmospheric. I was advised to read it by several people before my first visit to Venice.
Jan Morris’s ‘Venice’ is wonderful. It was written over 40 years ago when Morris was working and living there and gives a picture of life in the city at that time. Much has changed, but much has not.
Rona,
Thanks for your tips. I didn’t know the first one, so I will certainly have a look at it.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Katia – The Venice Insider