![]() I doubt even the most sophisticated tour given by La Fenice staff themselves could have told the stories that John Berendt uncovered in his journeys that all link back this landmark. ![]() ![]() He finds an array of local Venetians who each in their own way are affected by or involved in the infamous fire and through his immersion into the city itself he tells their detailed stories. The City of Falling Angels is Berendts first book since Midnight. The author explores the city of Venice and its characters by way of this historic incident that was felt throughout Europe. Twelve years ago, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil exploded into a monumental success, residing a record-breaking four years on the New York Times bestseller list (longer than any work of fiction or nonfiction had before) and turning John Berendt into a household name. ![]() The most recent incident took place in 1996 and due to an intense criminal investigation as well as political interference, La Fenice did not re-open to its’ current glory until 7 years later in December 2003. This fascinating story tells of a Venetian legacy that was rebuilt multiple times due to fire since its’ opening in the early 1700’s. As a fan of non-fiction, it’s hard to find a book that reads like a novel and feels like you are unintentionally learning something historical while still feeling a sense of escape that only a good story can provide. I just completed John Berendt’s, “The City of Falling Angels”, which tells an insider’s story of the famous fire of 1996 that destroyed the La Fenice Opera House and the fascinating tales of the city and its’ inhabitants. ![]() I have never been to the opera, but my summer reading just motivated me to add it to my list of things I must do hopefully I can travel one day to Venice for the real thing. ![]()
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