Carnevale

by Michelle Lovric

A sensuous and intelligent historical novel set against the magic of Venice A moving love story featuring two of the greatest lovers the world has ever known - Casanova and Byron - and introducing a third: Cecilia Cornaro.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Italy, Historical, Novels, 21st Century, Adult

634 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Michelle Lovric is a novelist, writer and anthologist.

Her third novel, The Remedy, was long-listed for the 2005 Orange Prize for Fiction. The Remedy is a literary murder-mystery set against the background of the quack medicine industry in the eighteenth century.

Her first novel, Carnevale, is the story of the painter Cecilia Cornaro, described by The Times as the possessor of ‘the most covetable life’ in fiction in 2001.

In Lovric’s second novel, The Floating Book, a chorus of characters relates the perilous beginning of the print industry in Venice. The book explores the translation of raw emotion into saleable merchandise from the points of view of poets, editors, publishers – and their lovers. The Floating Book, a London Arts award winner, was also selected as a WH Smith ‘Read of the Week’.

Her first novel for young adult readers, The Undrowned Child, is published by Orion. The sequel is due in summer 2010.

Her fourth adult novel, The Book of Human Skin, is published by Bloomsbury in Spring 2010.

Lovric reviews for publications including The Times and writes travel articles about Venice. She has featured in several BBC radio documentaries about Venice.

She combines her fiction work with editing, designing and producing literary anthologies including her own translations of Latin and Italian poetry. Her book Love Letters was a New York Times best-seller.

Lovric divides her time between London and Venice. She holds a workshop in her home in London with published writers of poetry and prose, fiction and memoir.

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author writes historical fiction as it really should be written. Few authors succeed as she does. She takes all the facts of the time and people and teaches it all to the reader by adding a few fictional characters. The only fictional characters added to this novel are a cat, a gondolier, the main protagonist and her family and husband. Even the husband is a brother of a “real person”. These fictional characters are expertly woven into the real events. It is amazing how closely the author has stuck to the real events. You must be interested in knowing the factual details of the lives of Byron and Casanova. You will be given an extensive quantity of details. You must ask yourself if you will be interested in these details. That will tell you whether this book is for you or not.

There is an excellent epilogue that states yes, this was true and this and this and even this too. You will be amazed that so much of this is completely true. Through the fictional characters all the people and events are tied together. Through the fictional character we go under the skin into the minds of Byron and Casanova. I believe that what the author has “guessed at” is most probably true. The fictional elements are wonderful, but if you are not interested in learning about the real people, about life in Venice and historical events and literature of that time, then you might be bored at times.

Now for the fictional part: I loved the fictional story just as much as the history imbibed. I loved the descriptions of Venice. I loved the cat and the gondolier because they were so wise. And I like that it was a cat and only a “nobody gondolier” that were so darn smart. I loved the ending and the message it gave and what it said about each of the characters. In truth, I loved more HOW the message was fed to us than the message itself. It was the little details of how the moral was said that made my enjoyment of the book so thorough. It is not where a book goes that is that important to me, but rather how it gets to the end point. For example, I love how chocolate plays in at the end, just as much as the final moral given. And I loved the Venetian proverbs that began every chapter. And I loved Casanova, but hated Byron, although I grew to understand what drew women to him.

If I were smarter, if I had known more before starting this novel, I probably would have given it five stars. I was bored at points only due to my own ignorance. The more I read, the more I learned, and the more I enjoyed the book.

Oh, yes! The book is about love, all kinds of love. However if you want a simple love story, do not pick this.

[Alia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book took me forever to read. It's not that I didn't like it, because I did, mostly. But the middle part . . . I think the middle part was too long. I really started to dislike the main character during her whole Byron drama, which just seemed to go on and on and on. I liked the beginning of the book, and it ended the way I wanted it to, but I think the middle chunk could have been much shorter and still told the story effectively.

[Hannah (jellicoereads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ page 200. 50-something Casanova seducing a thirteen year old girl from her bathtub? Yeah. Not my thing.

[Diana Matias · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://rumoencontrado.blogspot.pt/201...

Uma leitura cansativa, com personagem cansativas. Começando pelo lendário Casanova já com alguma idade, continua a partir corações, até, de uma jovenzinha na flor da idade que pouco sabe de amor e de sexo. Cecília é essa adolescente que se apaixona perdidamente por um velhote pouco sensual aos nossos olhos. Essa paixão dura anos, e quando Cecília começa a crescer, começa também a tornar-se uma pintora conceituada em Veneza, e mais tarde, por toda a Europa. Esta é a primeira parte do livro. A segunda é já com o conhecido poeta, Byron, um excêntrico jovem apaixonado pelos prazeres da vida e demasiado narcisista. Foi este homem que fez Cecília, já uma quarentona, ficar novamente de queixo caído.

Neste livro vemos 2 opostos: o prazer de amar, de Casanova, e o prazer de ser amado, de Byron. E uma só mulher.
Parece um livro muito interessante, e seria se a escritora não descrevesse tantos pormenores insignificantes para a história. Existem capítulos e mais capítulos sem um único diálogo. Chega a ser desesperante.
Tenho a salientar de positivo, a maravilhosa descrição de Veneza, que é capaz de nos apaixonar como também de nos fazer odiar.

Foi um livro muito chato de ler, mas que deu-me alguma cultura.

[Nina Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. Venice in 1782 is a lush, gorgeous decaying city, and 13-year-old Cecilia Coronaro, the daughter of a Venetian merchant, longs to become an artist. She is lured from her house into the arms of Casanova (yes, THE Casanova!), who teaches her all the qualities of tender love.

With that education, Cecilia is unprepared for how to deal with the entry of the cruel and eccentric Lord Byron later in her life. Though Cecilia becomes a successful portrait artist, her love life is a turmoil of conflict between two very different men. Her obsession for Byron and her love for Casanova lead her to examine the depths of her own soul.

I loved the author's portrayals of both Casanova and Byron, and her creation of the fictional Cecilia as the lynchpin to the whole story. Her prose is gorgeous and descriptive -- so much so that the city of Venice becomes a character in and of itself.

Truly beautiful and creative, this is a book unlike any you have read before.

[Jenny Macdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richly imagined historical novel about a portrait painter Cecilia Cornaro and her lovers Casanova and Byron. Set in 1782 in Venice Lovric captures all the sounds, smells and life of a decadent, sensual, pleasure seeking city. Beginning when Cecilia is just 13 years and seduced by Casanova through to her visit to Albania to paint the Pasha and meeting Byron, her prose and descriptions come to life in your mind. However I do think the book a little long. It started to drag somewhat at the middle and I found the Byron period a little irksome and went on and on. But the ending was just right and the book redeemed itself.

[Rachael McDiarmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book full of passion and poetry. Carnevale links a fascinating Venetian artist with Casanova and then, later in her life, with Lord Byron. It is superbly written. In fact, I think this is one of the best historical fiction books that I've read in recent years. Lovric has awoken a hunger for more information about these interesting, daring, naughty, bad and exotic men, and of course, of Venice - the amazing, intriguing place that some of us fall hopelessly in love with.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading this at the moment, although I am bearly at the end.....(and I have read it before but years ago!)

I really enjoy the way the book is written, the narrator starts as a very young girl, who is seduced by Cassanova in Venice.

The story follows her life as an artist, and mixes history and fiction seemlessly and in a way that is both believable and real.

The imagery is wonderful, and allows you to feel like you are part of the action, watching on as events unfold!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book that takes you on a journey both through the waterways of Venice and time... Two great historical figures Casanova and Byron equal in the fact that both were libertines and overcame tragic childhoods to excel at living life to full... Stunning depictions of an age long gone, with dark twists and multi layered plotlines.... A must read...

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this - witty and outrageous. I read it when we returned from Venice which was great as I could imagine the setting.

[Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Venetian women with two very different lovers: Casanova and Lord Byron. I loved the parts where her cat narrated and the chapter proverbs at the start of each chapter.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Giving up on this one, half way through and bored to death with it!

[Sílvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice tie-in between facts and fiction.
A good story about love and how it sometimes define us (but not a love story).

A good lesson on how important is to enjoy torta al ciocollato! ;)

[Hawley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nah, didn't like it, life it too short to read about characters you dislike.

[Simon Brading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book enough to read it three or four times over the year. If you're a fan of Venice or romance you like it.

[Tiah]

~Have you ever noticed how often, in a painting, a cat lends it ironic subtly to a scene? By its mere presence, a cat gives a cometary, adds dignity and humanity to the direst of poor hovels, and pathos to the ridiculous deaths of gentle saints. Dogs and lions do merely what dogs and lions do, but a cat - his every gesture is there to be read.~

~What people want to see in their portraits is what they want to know, but cannot see in their own faces: some kind of inner truth behind their own eyes. The truth they seek is always this: How much shall I be loved?

~Locked inside the portrait is the story of the subject, and the story of the painter, and the story of their relationship.~

~When [cats] dislike one of our kind, or if he becomes old, or damaged, we kill him. Humans are more cruel.~

~Remember that in this world the word 'artist' automatically denotes a male, unless 'female' is additionally specified. Every woman artist is accustomed to be celebrated as an exceptional member of her species; she is a curiosity.~

~I know this all now because Love made me a spy.~

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

It quickly becomes clear that this book was written by a man. A sweaty man over 50 who seduces a 13-year-old girl in her bathtub. She naturally gives herself to him completely. Other women also seem to only serve the purpose of lust (especially the virgins): "She raped them in a way that made them enternally grateful for the joy they had received. […] At 17, when Casanova met her, she had already initiated more than three hundred girl sweethearts." For me, this reflects the author's unfulfilled desire for sexual gratification from underage and frivolous girls. Even though the erotic scenes are described okay, there is no build-up to a true love story; it is only about the body. The only real positive thing is the historically accurate and very aesthetically and interesting description of Venice and dessert legends of the time. I stoped reading it after Page 46.

[Lara Samulenok · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give the book credit for having a different style. Most of the book is narrated by one character, but there are additional sections where the writing switches letters, and also small chapters throughout that are narrated by another character, such as a gondolier or a cat. Each chapter is headed by a Venetian saying or proverb.

While this is very creative, I find the main characters somewhat annoying, over dramatic, and self absorbed. Unfortunately, it's hard to get over this and makes the book not as enjoyable as it could be.

[Johanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really struggled with this book. I hate giving up on a book, so I persevered. Sadly I found the first half about Casanova very tedious but once Byron entered the story I became more interested. I was somehow more intrigued by the character of Byron, rather than the story itself. I found myself wanting to know what would happen to Cecilia in that relationship. However, the ending was a bit of a disappointment after all that. Although I loved the descriptions of Venice, it was slow going and can't recommend this novel to anyone I know.

[Suzanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a tough time engaging with this novel initially. I love Lovric's writing and her use of words - she has a unique gift for semantics. However the beginning storyline seemed far-fetched to me in some respects. Setting that aside, around 165 pages into the book I was hooked. (That may sound like a lengthy drudge, but it's a lengthy book.) The book continued to gain momentum until the end.

[Elsa Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finalmente acabei este Livro. Que Seca. Muito Aborrecido mesmo, não via a hora de o terminar. Gostei de conhecer Veneza pelos Olhos de uma Veneziana, gostei de quando o Gato Falava, mas num Livro de 496 páginas as partes de que gostei são MUITO inferiores a toda a seca que o Livro foi. Sei que a Culpa é Minha que mesmo quando não gosto não largo o Livro, mas este foi mesmo Difícil.

[Monique Terese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had be captivated on a holiday in Cancun, could not put it down. The way this author writes and intertwines history into her stories is very similar to the movie Titanic - will make you feel and believe that the story actually happened during historical events with historical figures. Love love love!

[Helen Carolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit hit and miss for me. The hits were Ms Lovric's fab discriptions of Venice in the 1700's. I could taste it, smell it and hear it. Sadly the story just seemed to repeat itself and I almost expired from boredom. Great shame as even her depiction of Venice couldn't save this one.

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a good book. It started out ok, though an old man with a 13yo is very ick. The writing was good, but a third in it completely lost its way. Very bored during the rest of the book and skimread the final third.

[Laura May · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at page 80. The words are good, but the storyline is lacking. No conflict, no growth, no plot.

[Sue Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this.

[Svetlana Tishchenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've given this book a rating of 2 stars only for the way the text flows and for descriptions of Venice and life in the city. ONLY

[Marguerite Kaye]

I'm afraid I only managed about 100 pages of this. I just could not buy into the relationship between a 13 year old artistic prodigy and a 58 year old Casanova. It wasn't so much the sexual aspect of it, but the painting side. He was far too knowing, and she, at 13, seemed to pack in about a decade's training in the space of a few months. Her family didn't know she was painting, her convent didn't bother about her prolonged absences, and her sitters didn't bother about the fact they were being painted by a total novice. Not for me, I'm afraid.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very well written, M.R. Lovric makes the sights and smells of Venice come alive, but she loses track around the middle, starts going in circles like a dog chasing its own tale, and the story just gets stuck. You can cut, at least, 100 pages and not miss out on anything important!

The story is a journey through decadent Venice from the end of the eighteenth century to the fall of the Republic at Napoleon’s hands. In 1782, the young Cecilia Cornaro is willingly kidnapped by the irresistible Casanova and, with him, discovers not only the joys of lovemaking, but also her gift for painting. As Cecilia blooms into a renowned painter, we follow the turbulent story of Venice´s greatest lover, from his grand days of adulation up to his downfall and subsequent exile. Torn apart by fate, Cecilia drowns her sorrows in her painting and her fame crosses borders, right up to Albania, where she is invited to paint the royal family. Here she meets the cruel and selfish Lord Byron, her second great love, but if she is not careful, this love may destroy her…

Like I said above, this book is poetry, its art, it’s a great History lesson, but the author, in certain parts, just gives you an overdose of melodrama which is hard to swallow. None of the characters are likeable – Casanova is a decrepit old man who lives with his head in the clouds and just has no sense of practical life; Byron is cruel, selfish and narcissistic; and Cecilia is the perfect sadomasochist, who doesn´t care for the feelings of her family and many lovers, but goes on a pathetic path of self-destruction with Byron, where she just loses any trace of self-respect. And this is the part which nearly made me put the book aside. There are way too many pages of never-ending sorrow and grief and bitterness over the notorious Lord Byron. Ok, we get the picture! If it weren´t for this, I would give this book a steady 4.

[Win · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Hated skin is your best training ground, as it’s the hardest thing to paint. Paint lots of people you hate. Or dislike. When you have mastered that, you will know that you can paint anything.”

In essence, Carnevale isn't for readers in search of instant gratification. A lengthy, passionate and detailed historical-romance, Carnevale will frustrate but delight readers patient enough.

Frustrate? This 634 page turner might not be as aggressive as a historical trilogy thrice it's size, but it's slow pace and sometimes almost non-existent action often left me on the verge of giving up. Although Lovric gives each narrator an engaging voice, it's hard to appreciate loads of random anecdotes or flashbacks. But as novels goes, this one took a little bit of breaking in before I took it seriously as it should be.

Delight? Lovric, to quote Goodreads reviewer, Chrissie, does write historical fiction as if should be. Vivid and highly imaginative, Carnevale was a wonderful tapestry of sights and sounds. Lovric writes with a voice so authoritative that you can almost imagine yourself there, your nose breathing in the scent of Cecilia's exotic paints...

“Ah, we were a happy city! It was our entire occupation to be happy. We were mad with happiness, stuffed with it like truffles. When I think of Venice as she was in 1782, I think of a hundred thousand souls all devoted to pleasure. Souls like that become insubstantial and faintly luminous. You see, we were in the phosphorescent stage of decay.”

Enough imagery! Words can't describe the festival that makes Carnevale, and if you're willing to plop down in your chair for a longggggg read, do give this book a try, it's like there's a party in your mind...

As always, happy reading!

3.8 stars