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Stealing Venice
Set against the sumptuous backdrop of contemporary and sixteenth century Venice, this is the story of two women, Anna and Ginevra, separated by centuries, but whose destinies are determined by the merciless chemistry of love: for a person, a place...and a painting. When Anna takes a career break in Venice she is unprepared for the extraordinary pull of the city's past over the present. Nor does she envisage being befriended by art historian, Vittore Anzelieri, and his nephew, Raffi. As her involvement with this charismatic family deepens, she finds herself embroiled in unravelling the secrets of a Renaissance masterpiece, and also having to fight for all that she holds dear - just as Ginevra had to, 500 years before. Although living very different lives, the hopes and aspirations of these two women are surprisingly similar, as are the corrupt powers that threaten to snatch away their happiness in this beautiful, but most illusionary, of cities. Stealing Venice is a love story, an art mystery, a powerful evocation of the world's most iconic city, a study of grief and of having the courage to find and follow one's true vocation in life. A captivating tale of two cities - London and Venice; of art and history; of theft and food.
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2014
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84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 10, 2014
Received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars. Great for fans of Anne Fortier's "Juliet."
"Stealing Venice" is delicious read--it's meant to be savored, not rushed. It will steal your heart (pun intended)! ;) The descriptions of Venice and its glorious eats are stunning. I vividly felt like I was sitting out on the piazza and sipping on a glass of prosecco while enjoying this languid story. I found both Anna and Ginevra to be compelling women. Their spirit was infectious and their romances made me swoon. Ms. Redding created an extremely well researched and meticulously plotted story. I have a newfound appreciation for art and its history.
The only thing keeping this from being a great read was the pacing. I felt like the story could have been tightened up a smidge. There were definitely times when it started to drag. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. About 85% of the way through the book leapt forward 17 years. It began to feel a bit disjointed and awkward to go from the narrative to letters and emails and back to the narrative.
That being said. I absolutely loved this story and its characters. It had me in tears. It was heartwarming and sweet. It truly has the perfect ending.
3.5 stars. Great for fans of Anne Fortier's "Juliet."
"Stealing Venice" is delicious read--it's meant to be savored, not rushed. It will steal your heart (pun intended)! ;) The descriptions of Venice and its glorious eats are stunning. I vividly felt like I was sitting out on the piazza and sipping on a glass of prosecco while enjoying this languid story. I found both Anna and Ginevra to be compelling women. Their spirit was infectious and their romances made me swoon. Ms. Redding created an extremely well researched and meticulously plotted story. I have a newfound appreciation for art and its history.
The only thing keeping this from being a great read was the pacing. I felt like the story could have been tightened up a smidge. There were definitely times when it started to drag. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. About 85% of the way through the book leapt forward 17 years. It began to feel a bit disjointed and awkward to go from the narrative to letters and emails and back to the narrative.
That being said. I absolutely loved this story and its characters. It had me in tears. It was heartwarming and sweet. It truly has the perfect ending.
May 1, 2023
If Venice is not already high on your travel wish list, this book will definitely change that. On top of a heartwarming story, this book will also make you fall in love with this gorgeous city. Heather Redding's writing is lyrical and it made me feel like I was transported to the world her story takes place in.
The story follows two women, Anna and Ginerva, separated by centuries but connected in unexpected ways. In the 1980s timeline, reeling from a heartbreak, Anna goes to Venice where one of the her friends is living. Discovering the beauty and joys of Venice, Anna is on a journey of discovering herself as well. In the 16th century Ginerva has to fight for her place in a very much a man's world. This story takes you on a journey along with Anna and Ginerva but it also brings to life the beauty, art, history and FOOD of Venice.
I think fans of historical fiction and women's fiction alike will really enjoy this one!
Grateful to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing Ltd for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The story follows two women, Anna and Ginerva, separated by centuries but connected in unexpected ways. In the 1980s timeline, reeling from a heartbreak, Anna goes to Venice where one of the her friends is living. Discovering the beauty and joys of Venice, Anna is on a journey of discovering herself as well. In the 16th century Ginerva has to fight for her place in a very much a man's world. This story takes you on a journey along with Anna and Ginerva but it also brings to life the beauty, art, history and FOOD of Venice.
I think fans of historical fiction and women's fiction alike will really enjoy this one!
Grateful to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing Ltd for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
April 30, 2015
11/4/15: I'm reading this book really slowly because I know already that I absolutely love it and I want to savour and spend time over every detail!
30/4/15: I've finally finished! I loved every bit of Heather Redding's "Stealing Venice". Reading it kind of felt like being on holiday in Venice rather than reading a novel - I felt as though I could taste the prosecco and pasta, watch the pigeons in St. Mark's Square scattering and see the sunlight glinting on the canals. I loved Redding's attention to detail - I know some reviews have commented on the book being quite wordy, but I think that the fact that the story was quite description heavy only added to the story. The book alternated between two viewpoints - Anna's in the 1980s (I really enjoyed this setting actually, it felt contemporary and so relatable, but quite retro too) and Ginevra's in the 16th century. For once in a timeslip novel I honestly think I preferred the modern day story to the historical one, which was quite a surprise to me. I didn't fully get the link between Anna and Ginevra - were they the same soul, or just kindred spirits separated by centuries? But by the end of the novel that really didn't matter anymore. The ending wasn't quite as I expected but I think I like the book better for that!
30/4/15: I've finally finished! I loved every bit of Heather Redding's "Stealing Venice". Reading it kind of felt like being on holiday in Venice rather than reading a novel - I felt as though I could taste the prosecco and pasta, watch the pigeons in St. Mark's Square scattering and see the sunlight glinting on the canals. I loved Redding's attention to detail - I know some reviews have commented on the book being quite wordy, but I think that the fact that the story was quite description heavy only added to the story. The book alternated between two viewpoints - Anna's in the 1980s (I really enjoyed this setting actually, it felt contemporary and so relatable, but quite retro too) and Ginevra's in the 16th century. For once in a timeslip novel I honestly think I preferred the modern day story to the historical one, which was quite a surprise to me. I didn't fully get the link between Anna and Ginevra - were they the same soul, or just kindred spirits separated by centuries? But by the end of the novel that really didn't matter anymore. The ending wasn't quite as I expected but I think I like the book better for that!
November 18, 2024
Stealing Venice by Heather Redding is more like taking a vacation than reading a novel. With such beautiful and descriptive prose, the reader is whisked away to a Venetian vacation.
Oscillating between the lives of our modern day character Anna, and Sixteenth Century Ginevera the reader is treated to the rich history of Venice while enjoying a novel that is not completely historical fiction.
Stealing Venice captures the lives of two main characters yet is it possible that we are following once souls journey throughout time. Anne and Ginevera's lives are so deeply linked that it's impossible not to entertain the thought that they are the same life separated by centuries.
My absolute kudos to Heather Redding and her extraordinary ability to bring Venice to life on these pages. As a reader I was deeply connected to both of these women. I walked the wet, stone streets with Ginevera. I reveled in decadent food and tasted sweet Prosecco with Anne. This novel unlocked a passion for a place I only dream to travel to.
Stealing Venice is a wonderful story about love and friendship across all distance of time and geography.
Oscillating between the lives of our modern day character Anna, and Sixteenth Century Ginevera the reader is treated to the rich history of Venice while enjoying a novel that is not completely historical fiction.
Stealing Venice captures the lives of two main characters yet is it possible that we are following once souls journey throughout time. Anne and Ginevera's lives are so deeply linked that it's impossible not to entertain the thought that they are the same life separated by centuries.
My absolute kudos to Heather Redding and her extraordinary ability to bring Venice to life on these pages. As a reader I was deeply connected to both of these women. I walked the wet, stone streets with Ginevera. I reveled in decadent food and tasted sweet Prosecco with Anne. This novel unlocked a passion for a place I only dream to travel to.
Stealing Venice is a wonderful story about love and friendship across all distance of time and geography.
March 28, 2018
Immensely enjoyable read. Well written, wonderful characters, lots of history about Venice and art.
September 28, 2018
Devastating
A book that is about Venice and the true life of the humans who live there. I wept for hours!
A book that is about Venice and the true life of the humans who live there. I wept for hours!
February 27, 2016
This is such a lovely book. The author's descriptions of places and events is exceptional and it's easy to imagine yourself right there with the main characters, sitting at a corner café or admiring paintings in an ancient museum. I fell in love with Venice and the people through this story. And the food! Oh my! Every time I started reading, I became hungry. Her descriptions of the food (and there are many of them) are absolutely mouthwatering. Think "Under the Tuscan Sun", but with a deeper (and at times, more menacing) plotline.
I find it hard to believe this is a first novel. It is such a deep and moving story. The author obviously knows her Venetian history, and her art history of the region. I learned so much from this book. But it was never dull. On the contrary, around every corner, a new adventure waited. At it's heart are the love stories (there are a few, both old and new) that prove enduring and devoted love is out there, you just need to follow your heart and sometimes take chances in order to find it.
Will definitely be looking forward to more from this author.
I find it hard to believe this is a first novel. It is such a deep and moving story. The author obviously knows her Venetian history, and her art history of the region. I learned so much from this book. But it was never dull. On the contrary, around every corner, a new adventure waited. At it's heart are the love stories (there are a few, both old and new) that prove enduring and devoted love is out there, you just need to follow your heart and sometimes take chances in order to find it.
Will definitely be looking forward to more from this author.
August 2, 2016
“Stealing Venice” ‘Stole’ My Undivided Attention!!
This was a very thrilling, sensual, steamy, and entertaining read! Stealing Venice has an array of intriguing and fascinating characters that play such a major role in this gripping piece of work. The Author paints such a vivid portrait of the characters that they virtually appear on the page.
“Stealing Venice” is based upon two of the most powerful and predominant families in the city of Venice. The Scortinis, who built Venice, and then the Veronas --the ‘Royal’ family who founded Venice. Although, it may appear as if there is a power struggle between these two families; the real struggle is really between the heir of the Scortini family and him-SELF!
One of the main characters is a beautiful young sensual artist named Giselle and although she loses herself in her sculptures, and throughout the story gets ‘freed’ from her suppressed emotions, she still remains trapped.
Stealing Venice is truly a captivating page turner!
To the Author Anna---Stealing Venice is well sculpted work of Art.
Bravo!
This was a very thrilling, sensual, steamy, and entertaining read! Stealing Venice has an array of intriguing and fascinating characters that play such a major role in this gripping piece of work. The Author paints such a vivid portrait of the characters that they virtually appear on the page.
“Stealing Venice” is based upon two of the most powerful and predominant families in the city of Venice. The Scortinis, who built Venice, and then the Veronas --the ‘Royal’ family who founded Venice. Although, it may appear as if there is a power struggle between these two families; the real struggle is really between the heir of the Scortini family and him-SELF!
One of the main characters is a beautiful young sensual artist named Giselle and although she loses herself in her sculptures, and throughout the story gets ‘freed’ from her suppressed emotions, she still remains trapped.
Stealing Venice is truly a captivating page turner!
To the Author Anna---Stealing Venice is well sculpted work of Art.
Bravo!
April 23, 2015
I am hesitant to count this on my 2014-finished list because (duh) I was unfortunately unable to finish it in time before my NetGalley download expired.
However, the half of the book that I did get through was very well-written. I blame my own procrastination for not finishing it in time. It got a little wordy in places, but I was still able to keep pace and the story was engaging. I'll have to pick this up from the library and finish it (or perhaps buy it, I do like that cover).
However, the half of the book that I did get through was very well-written. I blame my own procrastination for not finishing it in time. It got a little wordy in places, but I was still able to keep pace and the story was engaging. I'll have to pick this up from the library and finish it (or perhaps buy it, I do like that cover).
July 28, 2015
This book is so good! It's about Venice and art and love and heartbreak and getting older. The time slip aspect reminds me a bit of Susanna Kearsley's style. Really good book, couldn't put it down.
Here's my full review: http://amh-reviews.blogspot.com/2015/...
Here's my full review: http://amh-reviews.blogspot.com/2015/...
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April 18, 2017Disclosure: ARC received from Netgalley & publisher in exchange for an honest review. (They may regret this.) Any and all quotes were taken from an advanced edition subject to change in the final edition.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews