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Conversations with Casanova: A Fictional Dialogue Based on Biographical Facts
Imagined by one of the world's leading experts on Casanova, this fictionalized conversation presents the essential biography of history's most famous lover.A quiet chat with Casanova turns into a catalogue of racy encounters set in 18th-century Venice and other cities ... and we can even ask questions! You'll find out just how he got himself both in and out of some extremely sticky situations, from debt and imprisonment, to confrontations with jealous husbands and even heartbreak. Renowned as a great lover and seducer, Casanova was far more than a bed hopping rake. He founded the world's first national lottery, discussed theories of taxation with Frederick the Great, debated the merits of the Gregorian calendar with Catherine the Great, talked theology with Pope Clement XIII, lectured on Horace and Homer, and gave a public recital of his own poem on the Passion of the Christ. He was also an accomplished swindler, an extraordinary wit, a brilliant philosopher, a formidable duellist, and a notable spy.The impressive scale of Casanova's many gifts - and vices - is brought brilliantly to life in this innovative biography. A concise biographical essay is followed by a scintillating dialogue that is as historically rigorous as it is entertaining. As Dita Von Teese says in her "In my most amorous fantasies, I spend languid days and glittering nights with a true 'Casanova'-- a man with a heartfelt passion for life, a thirst for knowledge and adventure, and of course a lust for refined romance." Be seduced by this brilliant book.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published June 11, 2019
About the author
Derek Parker
238 books4 followersDerek Parker (27 May 1932 – 2 January 2025) was a British writer and broadcaster. He was the author of numerous works on literature, ballet, and opera, and with his wife Julia of several books about astrology.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 18, 2019
Thanks to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third in the series of these books I have read after the Oscar Wilde and JFK instalments. As with the others, the introductory information was the most interesting to me. I knew a little about Casanova (thank you tour guide at the Doge's Palace) but not so much about his life after the escape.
The book follows the same format as the others, an imagined interview with Casanova. I don't know enough about Casanova's character to make a judgement on how well this was achieved but it was a fun read.
Where these books really excel is as an introduction to a historical figure you may be less familiar with. They are short and the format is fun and unique so I can see them making nice little gifts to those who are interested in history and biographies.
This is the third in the series of these books I have read after the Oscar Wilde and JFK instalments. As with the others, the introductory information was the most interesting to me. I knew a little about Casanova (thank you tour guide at the Doge's Palace) but not so much about his life after the escape.
The book follows the same format as the others, an imagined interview with Casanova. I don't know enough about Casanova's character to make a judgement on how well this was achieved but it was a fun read.
Where these books really excel is as an introduction to a historical figure you may be less familiar with. They are short and the format is fun and unique so I can see them making nice little gifts to those who are interested in history and biographies.
June 18, 2019
This was a very unique way to educate and entertain the reader! I enjoyed the conversational element of this book. Very well-written!
May 30, 2019
Short but tantalising up-close-and-personal with one of history's most intriguing figures.
There are biographies of almost any historical person you can imagine. The usual form would be a chronological look at their lives, from birth to death, with a look at their influence on their own world and that of future generations.
This biography takes a different and rather novel approach. As well as a look at Casanova's life in the traditional way, the author 'interviews' his subject, asking questions to an imagined interviewee about his life and loves, giving him a voice and bringing the biographical details more vividly to mind (one example - the use of condoms surprised me).
With a passionate introduction from Dita Von Teese that sets out the tone of the book (that Casanova was much more than just a talented lover), the book succeeds in opening up his life and character, making him more than a description. Casanova did not merely sleep with many women, he "claimed that he sincerely fell in love with every woman he had ever known, even if it were just for one night." He is shown as more human, more likeable. More honourable. It was good to see the attitude that "the idea of rape nauseated him. He liked to be sure that his partners enjoyed themselves." He even talks about his experiences (mostly polite one) with homosexuality.
The world of his time is also expanded upon, the travels he undertook for a living taking him around Europe and the author notes the differences between cities, their cultures and attitudes.
And in the answering of his interviewer's questions, it did feel as though the man of the biography really was just continuing the story, and with a lot of genuine honesty: "there's certainly a sense in which I have been all my life, a highly successful parasite." This follows on well from what has been described, and the reader will not fail to agree to some degree.
The format was a striking one, and made the details much easier to take in, with the kind of questions you might yourself want to ask of the man. There were also further biographical sources at the end for those interested.
All I knew of Casanova before this came from the BBC/David Tennant miniseries, and it was good to recall names from that being discussed here. Both were sympathetic and gave a full account of a full and most enthralling life.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.
There are biographies of almost any historical person you can imagine. The usual form would be a chronological look at their lives, from birth to death, with a look at their influence on their own world and that of future generations.
This biography takes a different and rather novel approach. As well as a look at Casanova's life in the traditional way, the author 'interviews' his subject, asking questions to an imagined interviewee about his life and loves, giving him a voice and bringing the biographical details more vividly to mind (one example - the use of condoms surprised me).
With a passionate introduction from Dita Von Teese that sets out the tone of the book (that Casanova was much more than just a talented lover), the book succeeds in opening up his life and character, making him more than a description. Casanova did not merely sleep with many women, he "claimed that he sincerely fell in love with every woman he had ever known, even if it were just for one night." He is shown as more human, more likeable. More honourable. It was good to see the attitude that "the idea of rape nauseated him. He liked to be sure that his partners enjoyed themselves." He even talks about his experiences (mostly polite one) with homosexuality.
The world of his time is also expanded upon, the travels he undertook for a living taking him around Europe and the author notes the differences between cities, their cultures and attitudes.
And in the answering of his interviewer's questions, it did feel as though the man of the biography really was just continuing the story, and with a lot of genuine honesty: "there's certainly a sense in which I have been all my life, a highly successful parasite." This follows on well from what has been described, and the reader will not fail to agree to some degree.
The format was a striking one, and made the details much easier to take in, with the kind of questions you might yourself want to ask of the man. There were also further biographical sources at the end for those interested.
All I knew of Casanova before this came from the BBC/David Tennant miniseries, and it was good to recall names from that being discussed here. Both were sympathetic and gave a full account of a full and most enthralling life.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.
June 12, 2019
A nice mix of history and fiction. You do get some biography of Casanova and then you get the interview/conversation with him. Do get a look at him that is not like a textbook but sitting at a coffeeshop with him. Do get the information in a new way.
May 23, 2019
Fascinating read, one you can pick up and read a little bit at a time and come back to, I love books like this. Intelligent, interesting and entertaining
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews