Some of this book is fun, and some of it makes me cringe. I have been reading My Venice and Other Essays by Donna Leon. This 2013 book is in the non-fiction part of the Pine Bush Area Public Library. It is “Essays” and what Donna Leon thinks about different things.
Some of the “things” are found under the main chapter headings. On Venice, On Music, On Mankind and Animals, On Men, On America, and On Books.
Donna Leon is better known to you, oh readers, as the author of murder mysteries. Her main character is Commissario Guido Brunetti, who deals with crime and corruption in modern-day Venice.
In My Venice, the author looks at Venice and America, and different aspects of life. I do not understand them all, but I enjoy some of them. Because my column is named Rave Reviews, I like to talk about things that I can rave about. You can read the book and find the things that make you cringe. I will point out that I enjoyed Leon’s enthusiasm for opera and other fine music, even though I do not understand music.
I liked the essay, “Tomato Empire,” about her selling tomatoes by the roadside in New Jersey, from her family’s farm. (On America.) I liked the essay, “My First Time Eating Sheep’s Eyeball,”with the zinger of a final sentence. (On Mankind and Animals.) I especially liked “With Barbara Vine.” (On Books.)
You have to realize that Ruth Rendall is an author of murder mysteries, and when she wants to go deeper and darker, she takes the pen name Barbara Vine. So, Donna Leon and Ruth Rendall are eating at an Italian restaurant. “What are your favorites?” I asked my companion, nodding to the waiter that, yes, I would like some more mineral water. “Oh, I love a good push down the steps.”
(At that point, I was so surprised that I swallowed my gum. I had to keep reading. What was going on here?)
“Just this week, I was about to stab a man when I remembered I’d already done it, so I decided to use a garrote.” “Hmm,” my companion responded, “Delicious pasta, isn’t it?…I’ve always longed to use a garrote.” “Why don’t you try it?”
They aren’t talking about “trying” the pasta, they are discussing their favorite murder methods! Two crime novelists are comparing notes! This essay I can enjoy, this I can almost understand. You have to read “With Barbara Vine,” in My Venice and Other Essays. Watch out for that Donna Leon. You don’t know what she will do next.
Pine Bush Area Public Library 
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