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The Venice Experiment: A Year of Trial and Error Living Abroad
Lured by Venice’s colorful history and its labyrinth of walkways, canals, and bridges, Barry wanted to be more than just a tourist. He convinced his wife Debbie to join him in his Venice experiment, a one-year cultural immersion. Through their initiation into Venetian society, Debbie and Barry discovered the close-knit family of its inhabitants and the oddities of living in Venice, the improbable city built upon millions of tree trunks driven into the mud sixteen centuries ago. From the exasperating bureaucracy to high tides endangering their ground-floor apartment, these expatriates get far more than they bargained for. The quintessential storyteller, Barry Frangipane draws us into the inner life of Venice. With his inexhaustible humor, he takes the reader on his journey abroad, a journey filled with a cast of remarkable characters who will touch your heart.
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First published June 26, 2011
62 people are currently reading
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About the author
Barry Frangipane
3 books12 followersBarry Frangipane is a travel writer and ex-travel guide who has spent the past 45 years traveling between Paris, Venice, and the United States. For his first book, The Venice Experiment, he was interviewed by Forbes, US News, Fox, MSN, and USA Today.
Barry claims to know French, Italian, English and the names of several other languages. He lives in northern Italy.
Barry claims to know French, Italian, English and the names of several other languages. He lives in northern Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 15, 2012
I have read a number of these impulsive relocation stories, where couples or families abandon (temporarily or permanently) their old lives in order to experience not just a sea-change but a cultural exchange, and in the process learn about themselves - generally, I love them. One of my favourite Venice stories is Marlena de Blasi's - but there are many that recount the joys and sorrows of trying to fit in the elusive and sometime aloof Venice - a city that defies everything, including the imagination. The Venice Experiment is another in this genre and is the tale of Barry and his lovely wife, their dog and cat and the year they spend in the marvellous La Serenissima having moved from Florida. These types of tales tend to follow the same route, despite the different locations: a mixture of quirky, heart-warming, self-deprecating, hilarious and sometimes really sad vignettes that serve to highlight the commonalities despite language, culture and other differences between the dislocated couple and the locals. They are most often about our core humanity and that which brings us together than they are about what separates us. Traveling to Venice and living in an apartment in the Canereggio sestiere, before they move to another, more suitable accommodation, Barry and his wife soon learn that being a 'local' is an entirely new experience to that of being a tourist, no matter that they've spent a great deal of time in the canal-city previously and even know people there. Even without much language (which thy seek to rectify by attending classes) Barry particularly is quickly embraced by the community, to the point where he experiences the good and the bad: tardiness, an acqua alta (high tide), the casual approach Venetians have to business, and the sometimes frustrating lack of accountability when it comes to essential service provision. But he also experiences the warmth, dignity and generosity of the Venetians and develops his own appreciation for important things in life: conversation, friends, food and wine and the closeness that can grow when all four are combined. Mind you, the narrator, Barry, seems to be an unusually gregarious and genuinely nice guy who goes out of his way to learn the stories of those he encounters.
While I had some smiles and tears, I found this narrative a wee bit dull for this genre and surprisingly so for one set in Venice. There are others that are better written and where the story is genuinely,moving and hilarious... With this one, there was a sense in which, despite the kindness of Barry and strangers, as a reader I found it hard to connect with him, his wife and either their travails or triumphs. But I still enjoyed the account. But that's the problem - it was an account. Nicely written, for sure, but in the end, it was simply an account. That Barry now runs tours through Italy is not a surprise or that his wife (see, I can't even remember her name, and I only finished the book last night! I do recall she's a gorgeous red head that many admire) becomes a chef, I was glad they were able to turn their year into something with such longevity and which gives them pleasure. So, as a life experiment, the year in Venice clearly worked, as a narrative, only just.
While I had some smiles and tears, I found this narrative a wee bit dull for this genre and surprisingly so for one set in Venice. There are others that are better written and where the story is genuinely,moving and hilarious... With this one, there was a sense in which, despite the kindness of Barry and strangers, as a reader I found it hard to connect with him, his wife and either their travails or triumphs. But I still enjoyed the account. But that's the problem - it was an account. Nicely written, for sure, but in the end, it was simply an account. That Barry now runs tours through Italy is not a surprise or that his wife (see, I can't even remember her name, and I only finished the book last night! I do recall she's a gorgeous red head that many admire) becomes a chef, I was glad they were able to turn their year into something with such longevity and which gives them pleasure. So, as a life experiment, the year in Venice clearly worked, as a narrative, only just.
August 12, 2012
I loved The Venice Experiment and found it inspiring. The author did what I would LOVE to do, just pack it up and try something new. The Venice Experiment has 'inspired' me to stretch my comfort zone and broaden my horizons. Where there's a will, there's a way!
April 24, 2012
A fun look at life in Venice. We could learn a thing or two about the laid-back lifestyle of the Venetians and the importance of friendships.
July 23, 2011
I love this book. Makes me want to go to Venice again!
January 25, 2015
An enjoyable read for a laptop traveler. I had been reading a lot about Venice without getting a sense of life there. But this account takes the reader from the author's home in Florida where lawn furniture is being pitched about by a storm and water rises over the sill of the back door (foreshadowing?)to his first damp Santa Croce apartment. With him and his wife, I imagined myself wearing big boots and walking dogs through courtyards, being served seafood from the lagoon that I couldn't quite identify, my eyes popping slightly at the zesty taste of the ginger gelato, wandering around a wedding in a daze of not knowing much Italian, to the final weeks of chatting easily with shopkeepers and neighbors who briefly became my own.
I was particularly moved by the author's relationship with Gastone, an older gentleman with whom he forms a deep friendship and who he takes on his birthday to a theater he hadn't visited in years.
Yes, a read made great by its shared humanity.
I was particularly moved by the author's relationship with Gastone, an older gentleman with whom he forms a deep friendship and who he takes on his birthday to a theater he hadn't visited in years.
Yes, a read made great by its shared humanity.
July 15, 2012
I'll admit that I've had a hit or miss relationship with the books my book club chooses to read - more often than not, I've not had the same taste as the other ladies in my group. Thankfully, this one wasn't a story that really required boxes of tissues.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
This book is light and fun - full of witty stories about just how complicated moving to a country while you only have a weak working knowledge of the language can be.
I'll admit that I would have never taken the risk the author and his wife did, but it worked for them. I'm not sure if this is a book I'll read over and over again - but it was well worth my time.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
This book is light and fun - full of witty stories about just how complicated moving to a country while you only have a weak working knowledge of the language can be.
I'll admit that I would have never taken the risk the author and his wife did, but it worked for them. I'm not sure if this is a book I'll read over and over again - but it was well worth my time.
July 17, 2012
It was light and fluffy - a fun read, rare for my ladies' book club. Reading this book felt as if you were sitting in the author's room, and he was sharing a collection of amusing stories of the time he and his wife picked up everything to move to Venice for a year.
It probably isn't a "I'll read it over and over" book, but I did enjoy the overall story.
It probably isn't a "I'll read it over and over" book, but I did enjoy the overall story.
February 22, 2013
I am 67% finished according to my Kindle, and I give up. I love Venice, and I was quite looking forward to this, but what a snore. It seems to be organized strictly chronologically, a series of bland little anecdotes about buying yeast, or getting a light fixed. Completely lacking in sensuous detail, and with Venice as a subject, it's a real lost opportunity. His writing is just OK. I could do with fewer mentions of his wife's awesome bod. There is no deeper connection between the author and his local aunts and uncles, there are (at least at the 67% point) no deep connection between this couple, even. The relationships formed with locals are never thoroughly explored. Lacking in focus, devoid of charm. Zzzzzzzzzz
March 3, 2012
A husband and wife move to Venice for a year, encountering obstacles and cultural differences, but also friendship and kindness. Alternately frustrating or hilarious or touching, their experience was an enjoyable read. I have moved to a foreign country and found much of their experience was similar to mine.
May 23, 2012
At last. A year in a country where they actually enjoyed themselves...
July 31, 2012
Another wonderful book about a couple who decide to drop everything and live abroad for a year. Thoroughly enjoyed.
November 10, 2024
A funny story about a couple that moves to Venice and the challenges amd relationships formed in Venice. It provided a local’s view of the city and worth the listen.
January 28, 2025
I love Venice as much as you!
Great to read about so many places we have visited. It is a fascinating city and reading about it through your eyes is magical!
Great to read about so many places we have visited. It is a fascinating city and reading about it through your eyes is magical!
April 17, 2019
Covered this as my non-literary text for A-level English language and literature. As travel memoirs go this was VERY entertaining. Funny, interesting and enlightening. It's made me desperate to visit the city and although there's definitely a focus on more conversational language, possibly due to the inclusion of a co-author, I think this reflects very well on the universal experience one can expect when travelling to modern Venice.
January 28, 2013
I chose to read this book I am deeply interested in anything having to do with Italy and its culture. I usually don’t read nonfiction works, but this novel struck me as fascinating being as a couple from Florida decided to become expatriates on a whim. Because of my love for the topic and the intriguing story that Barry and his wife had to share, I thought this book would be a good choice.
The author of this book is Barry Frangipane. Barry Frangipane is a native of Florida, as he was born and raised there. He is the son of middle-class Italian immigrants and has lived in Venice, Italy, Paris, France, and Boulder, Colorado. He speaks Italian and French, and while he has read many Pulitzer Prize winning novels, The Venice Experiment is Barry’s first attempt at writing one. Barry and his wife Debbie currently live in Tampa, Florida with their two daughters but still keep traveling a part of their lives (Barry Frangipane). Barry’s lack of experience is not at all evident in this novel. In fact, he seems very qualified as a writer.
At the start of this novel, Barry introduces us to his life in Florida as a computer programmer. He tells us a brief story of his first meeting with a customer of his, and how they later became husband and wife. However, the novel is mainly about the decision that Barry and Debbie made, which was to move from Florida and live in Venice for a year. At the start of their decision, the couple remains enthusiastic about the big move. But, this ordeal proves to be a little more challenging than they thought. The struggle of visas, apartment leases, and not moving all their belongings across the Atlantic Ocean soon start to weigh on both of them. “Concerned friends and family urged us to reconsider the move. After all, if navigating the law in order to move was this difficult already, who knew what legal complexities awaited us once we lived there?” (Frangipane, 30). As Barry and Debbie soon overcome the challenges before them, they are only met with more difficulties while in Venice. Barry has a few friends in Italy that live close by, and soon it is realized that the cultures and lifestyles of Barry and Venetians are much different. Barry especially realizes this one day when he and his friend go bowling after attending an overnight wedding ceremony for their friends. “Sensing my confusion, Francesco informed me, ‘We will first get a quick pizza.’ A normal meal in Italy could take four or five hours, so quick usually meant some time period less than three hours” (Frangipane, 49). After initial hardships, Barry and Debbie decide to move from their apartment in the Santa Croce region of Venice to the Jewish Ghetto area of the Cannareggio, where they find not only better living conditions but more lively markets, bars, and restaurants. “Cannaregio had vendors selling fruit, locals discussing politics in cafes, was the birthplace of Casanova, Venice’s most famous lover, had life. Cannaregio was the living part of Venice. That was where we wanted to be” (Frangipane, 123). As the novel draws to a close, Barry sums up the valuable experiences and lessons he learned while in Venice. He and Debbie leave the reader with a sense that Venice will always be a part of their lives, and that the love and culture they experienced from the floating city will be with them forever.
I believe that the reader is able to critique this novel in three categories: writing style, message, and use of literary devices. In regards to the writing style, I would say that this book is an excellent read and very well written. This was surprising to me because Barry Frangipane is not an accomplished writer, and this novel was his first. However, the reader is definitely unable to recognize and lack of experience. Frangipane also employs a major message in this novel: the importance of adventure. This message that one should value adventure and go after your dreams is very major in the novel. Through the passion that Debbie and Barry show towards Italy, it’s apparent that they both have never dreamed of doing something as adventurous as living in Europe for a year. Barry states in this novel that no matter what dream you have, you should follow it because there’s no greater experience than that which adventure brings us. This message is deeply impactful to the reader and motivated me to pursue my dreams even more fervently. Lastly, though this is a nonfiction work, the author does employ some literary devices such as similes and analogies. This is not only helpful in bridging the gap between Italian and American cultures, but in visualizing the surrounding as Barry sees them and further illustrating life in Venice.
Because of the critique given, I believe that the book was highly enjoyable and a successful read. This book is very mature, and therefore I would recommend it to adults or anyone else that has an interest in Italian or European cultures. Overall, I am very happy I chose to read this novel.
The author of this book is Barry Frangipane. Barry Frangipane is a native of Florida, as he was born and raised there. He is the son of middle-class Italian immigrants and has lived in Venice, Italy, Paris, France, and Boulder, Colorado. He speaks Italian and French, and while he has read many Pulitzer Prize winning novels, The Venice Experiment is Barry’s first attempt at writing one. Barry and his wife Debbie currently live in Tampa, Florida with their two daughters but still keep traveling a part of their lives (Barry Frangipane). Barry’s lack of experience is not at all evident in this novel. In fact, he seems very qualified as a writer.
At the start of this novel, Barry introduces us to his life in Florida as a computer programmer. He tells us a brief story of his first meeting with a customer of his, and how they later became husband and wife. However, the novel is mainly about the decision that Barry and Debbie made, which was to move from Florida and live in Venice for a year. At the start of their decision, the couple remains enthusiastic about the big move. But, this ordeal proves to be a little more challenging than they thought. The struggle of visas, apartment leases, and not moving all their belongings across the Atlantic Ocean soon start to weigh on both of them. “Concerned friends and family urged us to reconsider the move. After all, if navigating the law in order to move was this difficult already, who knew what legal complexities awaited us once we lived there?” (Frangipane, 30). As Barry and Debbie soon overcome the challenges before them, they are only met with more difficulties while in Venice. Barry has a few friends in Italy that live close by, and soon it is realized that the cultures and lifestyles of Barry and Venetians are much different. Barry especially realizes this one day when he and his friend go bowling after attending an overnight wedding ceremony for their friends. “Sensing my confusion, Francesco informed me, ‘We will first get a quick pizza.’ A normal meal in Italy could take four or five hours, so quick usually meant some time period less than three hours” (Frangipane, 49). After initial hardships, Barry and Debbie decide to move from their apartment in the Santa Croce region of Venice to the Jewish Ghetto area of the Cannareggio, where they find not only better living conditions but more lively markets, bars, and restaurants. “Cannaregio had vendors selling fruit, locals discussing politics in cafes, was the birthplace of Casanova, Venice’s most famous lover, had life. Cannaregio was the living part of Venice. That was where we wanted to be” (Frangipane, 123). As the novel draws to a close, Barry sums up the valuable experiences and lessons he learned while in Venice. He and Debbie leave the reader with a sense that Venice will always be a part of their lives, and that the love and culture they experienced from the floating city will be with them forever.
I believe that the reader is able to critique this novel in three categories: writing style, message, and use of literary devices. In regards to the writing style, I would say that this book is an excellent read and very well written. This was surprising to me because Barry Frangipane is not an accomplished writer, and this novel was his first. However, the reader is definitely unable to recognize and lack of experience. Frangipane also employs a major message in this novel: the importance of adventure. This message that one should value adventure and go after your dreams is very major in the novel. Through the passion that Debbie and Barry show towards Italy, it’s apparent that they both have never dreamed of doing something as adventurous as living in Europe for a year. Barry states in this novel that no matter what dream you have, you should follow it because there’s no greater experience than that which adventure brings us. This message is deeply impactful to the reader and motivated me to pursue my dreams even more fervently. Lastly, though this is a nonfiction work, the author does employ some literary devices such as similes and analogies. This is not only helpful in bridging the gap between Italian and American cultures, but in visualizing the surrounding as Barry sees them and further illustrating life in Venice.
Because of the critique given, I believe that the book was highly enjoyable and a successful read. This book is very mature, and therefore I would recommend it to adults or anyone else that has an interest in Italian or European cultures. Overall, I am very happy I chose to read this novel.
July 23, 2025
Terrific!
Humorous but quite true. What great writing! My family moved to Germany in the 80's and experienced many of the same difficulties. It was worth it!
Humorous but quite true. What great writing! My family moved to Germany in the 80's and experienced many of the same difficulties. It was worth it!
June 24, 2013
This guy is NOT a good writer, and he is not very original nor inventive. Both Kent and I got this independently (me from the library; Kent actually bought it from Amazon). I'm sure we were both interested because the year-long adventure in Venice WE are about to undertake but I've been following some wonderful Venice-related blogs over the past few years such as this. ..far superior.
What particularly annoyed me after while was the SEARCH for things NOT Venice - his wife seems insistent on cooking 'american' including a turkey for gosh sakes. What was that. She's supposed to LOVE Venice so much..too coy/cute/ ANNOYING for words..well, I did take a few.
There are so many silly 'surprises' - electricity, acqua alta, ground floor apartments...you just want to slap them beside the head to get their attention. And these were people who have stayed in Venice for a month at a a time previously. Enough. I read it. Its not in my 'library' of things Venice.
What particularly annoyed me after while was the SEARCH for things NOT Venice - his wife seems insistent on cooking 'american' including a turkey for gosh sakes. What was that. She's supposed to LOVE Venice so much..too coy/cute/ ANNOYING for words..well, I did take a few.
There are so many silly 'surprises' - electricity, acqua alta, ground floor apartments...you just want to slap them beside the head to get their attention. And these were people who have stayed in Venice for a month at a a time previously. Enough. I read it. Its not in my 'library' of things Venice.
December 26, 2014
My favourite Travel Memoir yet!
Is it because Venice is one of my favourite European cities that I liked the book so much? I’ve been to Venice 4 times, ranging from a few hours to over a week and just love it!
This book was a pleasure to read and conjured up lots of fun memories of La Serenissima. A very entertaining memoir!
Is it because Venice is one of my favourite European cities that I liked the book so much? I’ve been to Venice 4 times, ranging from a few hours to over a week and just love it!
This book was a pleasure to read and conjured up lots of fun memories of La Serenissima. A very entertaining memoir!
May 8, 2012
This was a fun little book about living in Venice. The author offered a light, but insightful view. As we are considering a trip to Italy, this book increased my desire to visit Venice again :).
September 9, 2012
A very fun and fact filled book. A great fast read. If you are going to visit Venice it is a must.
March 12, 2023
I began to read this book on the hope that I would be able to see Italy, and Venice in particular, through the eyes of someone who had taken the initiative to go off of the beaten path; to learn and grow along with the city. I was not disappointed.
The style of writing was very approachable and drew me in to a life filled with an appreciation for the unexpected. While reading, I felt transported to Venice, seeing the sights, walking the calle, and savoring the flavors of both the cuisine and the sweetness of a life filled with the appreciation of "just being". Through this book, I was living life at a slower, but immensely meaningful pace; friends and family sharing the love of life over a cup of steaming caffè or a glass of prosecco, creating relationships, not transactions.
Though this book is not in and of itself a tour guidebook to Venice, it is a breezy and intimate series of snapshots that certainly should be on the Italian Department of Tourism's "Must Read" list.
Highly recommended!
The style of writing was very approachable and drew me in to a life filled with an appreciation for the unexpected. While reading, I felt transported to Venice, seeing the sights, walking the calle, and savoring the flavors of both the cuisine and the sweetness of a life filled with the appreciation of "just being". Through this book, I was living life at a slower, but immensely meaningful pace; friends and family sharing the love of life over a cup of steaming caffè or a glass of prosecco, creating relationships, not transactions.
Though this book is not in and of itself a tour guidebook to Venice, it is a breezy and intimate series of snapshots that certainly should be on the Italian Department of Tourism's "Must Read" list.
Highly recommended!
May 3, 2020
I may have left it too soon, but I did not finish this book. Maybe my expectations were different because I moved to another country and still live in one that is not where I was born. I think my issue was is that I could not “feel” Venice in it. What I read felt like it was more about the people and how they met than the place.. maybe it eventually got to that place, but I didn’t stay around long enough to get it. I did leave the book it at a hotel, so hopefully someone who likes this genre and has more patience than me enjoyed it.
November 25, 2017
This book makes me one, want to go back to Venice. I loved it when we were there although we only stayed about 3 days. And two, live somewhere foreign for a year, although I will probably never have the chance to do that.
There’s no real plot or moral to the book, but a collection of fun stories about how life in Venice is different than in the US. All in all it’s pretty entertaining.
There’s no real plot or moral to the book, but a collection of fun stories about how life in Venice is different than in the US. All in all it’s pretty entertaining.
September 15, 2025
I listened to this as an audiobook and I cannot for the life of me understand why they chose that narrator when they cannot speak a word of italian to save their life.
I'm an American and cannot speak another language with a passable local accent to save my life, but I'm not about to narrate a book with multiple italian words in every chapter.
I'm an American and cannot speak another language with a passable local accent to save my life, but I'm not about to narrate a book with multiple italian words in every chapter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2021
SO enjoyed this book!
I was in Venice 2 years ago and this book was like a warm hug, reminding me of this amazing place! I learned a lot, too! Thanks, Barry! I was hoping at the end you were going to say that you and Debra stayed!! Lol
I was in Venice 2 years ago and this book was like a warm hug, reminding me of this amazing place! I learned a lot, too! Thanks, Barry! I was hoping at the end you were going to say that you and Debra stayed!! Lol
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August 19, 2025I enjoyed this book quite a lot. Having been to Venice last year made it all the more enjoyable. I recognized so many things the author talked about. It felt real. I dream of living abroad and this book gave me just enough of an experience to understand the challenges of that.
September 22, 2020
The book reads like a collection of newspaper arts and leisure articles. While it was enjoyable to read, it was also slightly on the boring side.
October 21, 2015
An amusing series of brief anecdotes recounting the author's personal experiences during his experimental year in Venice. Having lived in Venice for some 40 years myself, I recognise many of the situations he describes and can feel his bewilderment when faced with some of the typical Venetian behavioural oddities. On a few occasions, I did feel that perhaps he himself had fallen victim to some of them when he made sweeping generalisations about the 'status quo'.
On the whole I feel that I can recommend the book to aficionados of Venice who are interested in learning more about what it means to live the life of a 'Venetian' from a non-Venetian point of view. An easy read covering a wide variety of Venetian traditions, events and daily routines. It would prove especially useful to those who are able to carry out their own 'Venice Experiment' enjoying an extended stay in the city.
February 17, 2015
If you're looking for a book to help you manoeuvre the unspoken "rules" and customs of local Venetians then this is certainly for you. While it isn't a definitive guide to life in Venice it is more of a collection of very short vignettes.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for narrative, plot and character development you'll want to skip it. I've been to Venice twice and rented an apartment each time. I was looking for a book to help take me back but also have its own interesting story and characters that might be memorable. I was let down.
The book is more like a series of vignettes or short anecdotes that would be more interesting told over a cup of coffee than to read over 250 pages of it.
There is no point other than the novelty of trying to live in a foreign country for 1 year. There's no story arch, the characters - such as his wife and daughter - are footnotes and we never really get a sense of their personalities or how they are enjoying (or not enjoying) life in Venice at all. There's not much internal dialogue.
This book is a classic example what not to do in writing - The author needs to go back and re-write it with this in mind...show don't tell!
If, on the other hand, you are looking for narrative, plot and character development you'll want to skip it. I've been to Venice twice and rented an apartment each time. I was looking for a book to help take me back but also have its own interesting story and characters that might be memorable. I was let down.
The book is more like a series of vignettes or short anecdotes that would be more interesting told over a cup of coffee than to read over 250 pages of it.
There is no point other than the novelty of trying to live in a foreign country for 1 year. There's no story arch, the characters - such as his wife and daughter - are footnotes and we never really get a sense of their personalities or how they are enjoying (or not enjoying) life in Venice at all. There's not much internal dialogue.
This book is a classic example what not to do in writing - The author needs to go back and re-write it with this in mind...show don't tell!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews