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Brunetti begins to investigate the death and is surprised when he finds nothing on the man: no birth certificate, no passport, no driver’s license, no credit cards. As far as the Italian government is concerned, he never existed. Stranger still, the dead man’s mother refuses to speak to the police, and assures Brunetti that her son’s identification papers were stolen in a burglary. As secrets unravel, Brunetti suspects that the Lembos, an aristocratic family, might be somehow connected to the death. But why would anyone want this sweet, simple-minded man dead?
“Appreciative of feminine charms, the deeply uxorious Brunetti amply displays the keen intelligence and wry humor that has endeared this series to so many.”—Publishers Weekly
“[Readers] will savor the pleasures of dialogue as elliptical in its way as Henry James and a retrospective shock when they finally appreciate the import of the tale’s unobtrusive opening scene and its sly title.”—Kirkus Reviews
Verdict Leon delivers an intricate plot couched in spare, Hemingwayesque prose. Her elegant, masterly use of language captures perfectly the quality and pace of life in Venice. Readers will particularly savor the long, leisurely, enticing lunches enjoyed by Venetians, and Brunetti’s numerous breaks in cafés will elicit envy from espresso aficionados. A sine qua non for Leon fans who also enjoy Andrea Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano series.—Lynne Maxwell, Villanova Univ. Sch. of Law Lib., PA
(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Leon's writing career began accidentally. One evening, following a performance at Venice's famous opera house, Teatro La Fenice, Leon and some friends were discussing a certain conductor they all heartily disliked. Someone jokingly suggested killing him off; and when the conversation turned to how, where, and why, suddenly the idea for a dandy murder mystery took shape in Leon's mind. Published in 1992, Death at La Fenice introduced Commissario Guido Brunetti, the melancholy Venetian policeman who would go on to star in a series of witty, intelligently plotted, and critically acclaimed detective novels.
Brunetti is, indeed, one of the most appealing characters in crime fiction, and one of the pleasures of the series is the revelation of new and surprising facets to his personality. Intellectual, introspective, and world weary, he is also happily married, totally committed to his job, and a lover of classical music, good food, and jokes. But, above all, Guido Brunetti is "Venetian to the bone" -- born into and shaped by a society filled with cultural contradictions. Through her detective's eyes, Leon illuminates the central paradox of Venice: Beneath the ravishing beauty and civilized veneer lurks a core of insidious and utterly pervasive corruption. Brunetti's cynicism stems from his inability to stem the tide -- although, bless his heart, he never stops trying.
Elegant writing, deft characterization, and lots of local color elevate the Brunetti novels above run-of-the-mill series, and Leon's reputation has grown with each installment. But although her books are international bestsellers, they have never been translated into Italian. The author explained why in an interview with National Public Radio: " I do not take any pleasure whatsoever in being a famous person. The tenor of my life would change if these books were translated into Italian, because I'm completely anonymous here." Anonymous in Venice, perhaps. Elsewhere, Donna Leon is a rock star!
For a few years, Leon reviewed crime fiction for the Sunday Times.
In Germany, several of the Commissario Brunetti novels have been adapted into television mini-series.
A woman of strong opinions, Leon reads voraciously for topical issues to use in her novels. Among the serious matters she has written about are industrial pollution, human trafficking, illegal adoption, and corruption in the Catholic Church.
MayaMA
Posted Wed Apr 10 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Like all the Brunetti books, this is billed as a mystery, but it is not so much as mystery as a meditation on language. It opens with the Brunetti family playing a game at dinner using language and ends a non-conversation with the suspect. In between the two is the death of a deaf mute man. I think this is best Donna Leon is a while.
Her stories, which she said in a reading I went to, are triggered by things she reads in the paper, are unconventional mysterties. Yes, there is a police investigation, but it rarely ends in arrest. One is left instead to consider the consequenses of what happened and the suspect is left to live with (or in some cases not) the knowledge of what they did. The stories reflect the uncertainty of our time. We want certainty but often don't get it.
This is another beautifully craft book by Leon. I hope she keeps writing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Like most of Donna Leon's novels, The Golden Egg, is a most enjoyable story. Not only is Guido Brunetti an interesting character but the reader gets insight into the uniqueness of Venice.
I can't wait for the next Leon novel!
Anonymous
Posted Fri Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I am a huge fan and have read all of the Brunetti books.. I love the character
and the description of Venice, the family and wonderful meals.. very enjoyable.
The main character has such heart.. and intelligence. I appreciate his sensitivity.. and
the mystery as it unfolds is realistic.. and in that way not formula and completely
satisfying to me. There is even humor like life has its ups and downs so does Brunetti.
All of the characters are very realistic.. and similar to people I have known.
I would recommend this for a book club discussion..
It is a case study beginning to end with sidebars getting to know other aspects of
the characters lives. The setting is always colorful.. but is also steady and REAListic..
bookloverPBC
Posted Fri Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Another Inspector Brunetti! Guido's life in Venice with Paola and two almost adult children always give insights into humanity. The relationships within the family and also at the workplace are filled with experiences we all face. This particular book showed "inhumanity and just desserts."
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Truly one of her best in this series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.dicken--15--dog
Posted Fri Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Of all the Donna Leone books I have read, I found this one the most poiniant.
I didn't see a connection to the title, though.
The ending was very satisfying.
Anonymous
Posted Sat Apr 13 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Detective Brunetti Is Back. Ms. Leon's Detective Brunetti series is always so enjoyable. As soon as the latest
book is out, I am reading it. The latest book has the detective questioning the death of a deaf man. I love how Ms. Leon makes the detective not only a policeman but a philosopher. He is compassionate and so thoughtful of his co workers, family and the people involved in the investigation. Guido Brunettis is foremost a detective but one with intelligence. Sorry to wait another year for the next Detective Guido Brunetti book. Thank you Ms. Leon.
Anonymous
Posted Sun Apr 07 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Strong silver striped gold tom with green eyes and a black and ornge striped tail
0 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Apr 08 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Im a white she cat with gray spots and heather blue eyes
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Apr 08 00:00:00 EDT 2013
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