In late 2004 the BBC screened a wonderful documentary series called Francesco's Venice.
Finally, some 18 months later, the BBC has had the good sense to release the DVD and a lovely glossy coffee-table style book to go with it.
Guess who was one of the first people to order both? Guess who received them in the post today? Guess who is happier than a pig rolling in shite?
I confess I am a sucker for books set in Venice.
This year I read The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt and much enjoyed the memories it recalled of my own trip to the city way back in 2001.
Similarly, I've enjoyed a couple of Donna Leon's novels (Death at La Fenice and A Noble Radiance), which are crime thrillers set in Venice featuring inspector Guido Brunetti.
And back in 2002 I read M.R. Lovric's Carnevale, an extravagantly exotic - and erotic - tale set in the 18th century in which Venice features as a sexy backdrop.
Recently, thanks to Grumpy Old Bookman, I discovered Fictional Cities, which lists possibly every single fiction book ever set in Venice. The problem is that lists on their own don't reveal much, so here's where I'm hoping you might be able to help.
Do you know of any books - fiction and non-fiction alike - that are set in Venice? If so, what did you think of them? Good, bad, indifferent? I'd love to hear your suggestions.
