Venices

Paul Morand's Venices chronicles the author's numerous visits to Venice across several decades of the 20th century, capturing the city's essence through personal observations and encounters. The narrative follows Morand through his experiences with notable cultural figures of the era, including Marcel Proust, Sergei Diaghilev, and various artists, writers, and diplomats who frequented the city. His accounts span pre-war, wartime, and post-war Venice, documenting the evolution of both the physical city and its social landscape. The book combines elements of memoir, travelogue, and cultural history, painting a portrait of Venice through its architecture, customs, and inhabitants. Morand records the changing seasons, festivals, and daily rhythms of Venetian life while moving between grand palazzos, hidden canals, and lesser-known islands. Through these collected impressions and memories, the book presents Venice as both a constant and ever-changing entity, exploring themes of time, decay, and preservation in urban and cultural contexts.

Readers value Morand's intimate knowledge of Venice's hidden corners and social circles from his time living there in the 1950s. The personal anecdotes and observations offer perspectives beyond typical tourist accounts. Liked: - Detailed descriptions of Venetian architecture and canals - Historical context about Venice's cultural shifts - Writing style combines journalism with poetic elements - Insights into high society and aristocratic circles Disliked: - Some sections meander and lack focus - Translation from French loses some nuance - Limited perspective favors upper-class view of city - Dated social attitudes from 1950s Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (19 reviews) Notable reader comments: "Captures the melancholy beauty of a fading Venice" - Goodreads review "Too much name-dropping of obscure aristocrats" - Amazon review "Like walking the back streets with a knowledgeable friend" - LibraryThing review

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🎭 Paul Morand served as a French diplomat during both World Wars, giving him unique access to Venice's high society and political circles during pivotal historical moments. 🎨 The book includes firsthand accounts of the legendary Venetian Biennale art exhibitions from the early 20th century, offering rare glimpses into the evolution of modern art in Venice. 🎭 Many scenes in the book take place at the historic Café Florian, Europe's oldest coffee house (established 1720), which served as a meeting point for artists and intellectuals. 📚 Morand's friendship with Marcel Proust influenced his writing style, particularly in how he captures the interplay between memory and present experience in Venice. 🌊 The author witnessed and documents Venice's growing tourism industry over several decades, from the elite Grand Tour travelers of the early 1900s to the mass tourism of the post-war period.