This book is great. This story is interesting to read, as most of it is told through the actual letters exchanged by the two people. I found it very easy to read, and it seemed more like a fiction novel than a biography – but it is indeed a biography. That the people in the book actually existed, and lived through the events described gave it such an intimate feel. Having their own words describe their feelings and their lives was very unique.

The blurb at the back of this book makes you except a love story of shakespearian proportions.

Instead what you get is a story about two young people who has a brief relationship before she has to travel abroad and he stays behind. To continue to lead the leisurely life of a 18th century noble (drink,play cards and get involved with other women

All the while she is in France (pregnant and poor)

Its true that they knew Casanova and he figures in the plot.

But would a true friend really pretend to be able to perform an abortion?!

A more accurate title of this book would have been A Venetian Affair: A True Tale of Relationships in the 18th Century

Its not all bad though...you get to learn a little bit about 18th century Venice.

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This book started out with so much promise. A box of love letters two hundred years old is found in a Venice family's palace attic. That alone is enough to stir interest. However, once the author starts to piece together the stories of the letters' authors, Andrea Memmo and Giustiniana Wynne, the tale becomes incessantly dull. It's a lot of back and forth. Yes, we can be together. No, we can't. On and on it goes until the reader gets so tired of this tale. Yes, the two principal characters loved each other. Of that there is no doubt. But, was that love story, with no possible chance of a happy ending, worthy of a book? I think not. Still, the snippets of Venetian life contained in the book are fascinating to read about. ( )

Another story of forbidden love between a Venetian patrician and an English girl of “unsuitable” parentage. This book is also told through letters and the amazing part is the things the lovers put down on paper. It was an interesting book to learn about the singular Venetian culture, but it was a little bit hard to get through, because much of it was the repetitive. ( )

What an unexpected gem of a book! Based on the correspondence of the two lovers, it tells the sorry of a 17th century romance between a venetian patrician and his lover, high class, but not marriageable by the arcane rules of Venice at thetime. It is written by a direct descendant of the male "lead" who wonderfully manages to stay out of sight, to faithfully document the life and love affair of the protagonists with embellishing the tale, and still produce a riveting and fascinating story. The only licence taken is to render the translations of the letters in current colloquial English.
In his hands the love affair becomes timeless, and the characters so vibrant and alive. This is truly a magical achievement. Read March 2013. ( )