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Commissario Brunetti #17
The Girl of His Dreams
Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti mysteries have won legions of fans for their evocative portraits of Venetian life. In her novels, home-cooked food, family, renaissance art, Italian history, and local politics play as central a role as an unsolved crime. The Girl of His Dreams opens with a major event in Brunetti's family, and keeps the theme of family close to the fore.
When a friend of Guido Brunetti's brother, a priest recently returned from years of missionary work in Africa, calls on the Commissario with a request, Brunetti suspects the man has hidden motives. An American-style Christian sect has begun meeting in private homes in the city, and it's possible the priest is merely apprehensive of the competition. Nevertheless, Brunetti and his wife, Paola, decide to go undercover. But when a girl's body is found floating in a canal, Brunetti must put everything aside to investigate the secretive world of her people, the gypsies, who exist on the fringes of society. Thought provoking, eye opening, and profoundly moving, The Girl of His Dreams is classic Donna Leon--and a spectacular, heart-wrenching addition to the series.
"A showcase of nuanced characterization, acute observation and seamless plotting."--The Washington Post
When a friend of Guido Brunetti's brother, a priest recently returned from years of missionary work in Africa, calls on the Commissario with a request, Brunetti suspects the man has hidden motives. An American-style Christian sect has begun meeting in private homes in the city, and it's possible the priest is merely apprehensive of the competition. Nevertheless, Brunetti and his wife, Paola, decide to go undercover. But when a girl's body is found floating in a canal, Brunetti must put everything aside to investigate the secretive world of her people, the gypsies, who exist on the fringes of society. Thought provoking, eye opening, and profoundly moving, The Girl of His Dreams is classic Donna Leon--and a spectacular, heart-wrenching addition to the series.
"A showcase of nuanced characterization, acute observation and seamless plotting."--The Washington Post
276 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2008
1208 people are currently reading
2467 people want to read
About the author
Donna Leon
107 books2,925 followersDonna Leon (born September 29, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey) is an American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice and featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti.
Donna Leon has lived in Venice for over twenty-five years. She has worked as a lecturer in English Literature for the University of Maryland University College - Europe (UMUC-Europe) in Italy, then as a Professor from 1981 to 1999 at the american military base of Vicenza (Italy) and a writer.
Her crime novels are all situated in or near Venice. They are written in English and translated into many foreign languages, although not, by her request, into Italian. Her ninth Brunetti novel, Friends in High Places, won the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2000.
Series:
* Commissario Brunetti
Donna Leon has lived in Venice for over twenty-five years. She has worked as a lecturer in English Literature for the University of Maryland University College - Europe (UMUC-Europe) in Italy, then as a Professor from 1981 to 1999 at the american military base of Vicenza (Italy) and a writer.
Her crime novels are all situated in or near Venice. They are written in English and translated into many foreign languages, although not, by her request, into Italian. Her ninth Brunetti novel, Friends in High Places, won the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2000.
Series:
* Commissario Brunetti
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 685 reviews
April 29, 2009
I love the Brunetti books and greedily read this in one sitting, but unfortunately I was disappointed. The first part of the story consisted of a lengthy soapbox criticism of the Catholic Church, and while I actually agree with that criticism, I heard in it too much of the author's voice (rather than the character's) and I found it extremely distracting. I read a long interview with Leon a while back in which she was strident in her negative opinions about America, the Church etc and now I'm having a hard time separating that out and just enjoying her books. It was particularly difficult in this case, as that side story about the priest petered out into nothing; it simply seemed like an excuse for a good rant. Oh well... Hopefully she'll keep her eye on the ball in the next one.
October 26, 2016
The Girl of His Dreams, the 17th novel in Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti Series opens with Brunetti attending his mother's funeral, where he's approached by a priest, a friend of Brunetti's brother, asking him to investigate a new age minister who may be swindling Venetian old parishioners.
There is quite a few things that happen in this story but the main mystery that Brunetti and Vianello investigate relates to a body of a young girl found in one of the city's canals. This leads them into the local gypsy communities and how children are used to rob the homes of the local rich Venetian community.
Corruption continues to erode Brunetti's beloved city. Bribes are an accepted part of Venetian life.
We continue following Brunetti's life with his family and his work colleagues, which is a total pleasure.
The last couple of books in this series have been somewhat lackluster and I am happy to say that this is a much better one.
There is quite a few things that happen in this story but the main mystery that Brunetti and Vianello investigate relates to a body of a young girl found in one of the city's canals. This leads them into the local gypsy communities and how children are used to rob the homes of the local rich Venetian community.
Corruption continues to erode Brunetti's beloved city. Bribes are an accepted part of Venetian life.
In recent years, Brunetti had begun to see the death of the young as the theft of years, decades, generations. Each time he learned of the willed, unnecessary destruction of a young person, whether it was the result of crime or of one of the many futile wars that snuffed out their lives, he counted out the years until they would have been seventy and added up the plundered years of life. His own government had stolen centuries; other governments had stolen millennia, had stamped out the joy these kids might and should have had. Even if life had brought them misery or pain, it would still have brought them life, not the void that Brunetti saw looming after death.
We continue following Brunetti's life with his family and his work colleagues, which is a total pleasure.
The last couple of books in this series have been somewhat lackluster and I am happy to say that this is a much better one.
October 6, 2016
Fini! This completes my final read for the Leon Brunetti series, although I've read them quite out of order. This is #17 and very far from the most lighthearted at any point in the series of 25 books (so far- 2016).
This could be a tedious reaction and overlong. So I will refrain from all the particulars I might mention. Suffice it to say that Paola's pessimistic, fatalistic dissing, sneering snark and venting sarcasm reigns high and becomes core to at least a third of this book. And the "case" that Guido investigates does not even begin to raise its occurrence until well past page 100.
It starts with Guido's mother's funeral and the usual Brunetti observation of Catholic ritual without an ounce of religious interpretation or belief of any sense in the spiritual partaking of the ceremony. Such straight arrows they! Rather as in the mode of similarity to Chiara's going to Confession tale in one of the other books. In fact Leon uses the same confession story for Guido's 12 year old tale that she used for Chiara's hear-say for her friend's Confession. But you know, they are all the same anyway, right? Untrustworthy at the least. But that is a mere 8 pages or so for all the Brunetti's (Sergio's family too) grief- because the priest who is officiating becomes a character who has something to ask of Guido quite soon after the fact of his duties.
This case is about the Rom. It concerns immigrants and nomads of all types and the Italian response to stealing, cheating in charity schemes, cultural differences for their values, and crimes against property gone endemic. It made me truly wonder how they (Northerner Italians)feel right now in 2016 when I just heard today that 142,000 more non-Italians have arrived within Sicily alone, mainly from 4 countries in North and NE Africa in just the last few years. Maybe Palermitani aren't so bad after all, huh!
So glad I didn't read this one at the beginning- within the first 5 or 10 books I read, because I don't think I would have finished all of them if I had. At one point Guido reacts to a parable Paola relates from the New Testament by saying to himself. "She'll read anything." And in this one, IMHO, Donna Leon's hater skills become just as embedded within Guido as in Paola's more vocal displays. And he has the nerve to act scandalized by Vianello's more guarded and honest opinions!
There are some long, long passages that have nothing to do with the plot or family life, IMHO- but are merely situational descriptive parlays for coring 4 or 5 page preaching philosophy treatise material of superiority. And Americans with their "feelings" and "awareness" as answers to problems that require specific and quick action instead of emotion; that soliloquy did actually make me laugh. She detests in several different directions and entire countries are never left out.
But it is Spring and gelato is back and fresh- and the spinach risotto and shrimp go well with the prosecco and a grappa to finish. And our poor girl's family gets a new car. And the favors are all returned. Elettra even has a new slim black computer and keyboard you can barely see. Not my favorite, but I can see why others may 5 star this one. It's murky, but contains pithy masses of floating meat within that murk. And some methods by under characters are fully explained by themselves in words or in motions to the oversee context- so this one grabs crux to intents and to goals for all the books (Elettra's being that Patta should never trust her completely- because then he would not be afraid of separating her job from his circle.)
At the end I am going to list a couple of themes, thoughts, situations Leon repeats in numerous different novels of varying case or seriousness thought tracts during this series. One is the San Marco constant rehabbing project with the multitudes of scaffolding. Another is the methods used or jobs given to Alvise to get him out of everybody's hair because he is so stupid and ineffective (of course he gets promoted and ends up holding/heading an entire office of "Multi-cultural Appreciation") and another is the interplay between Chiara and her father, usually at meals or when he asks her to do a task. That last is delightful and has facets that are truly interesting. But Guido falls several times into the easy, yet dangerous, method of using her as a spy to know more about the habits of the "young" people. Raffi- we never, ever get that depth for him at all, IMHO. Only his appetite is fully disclosed. For both food and Sara. I wonder if Leon knows next to nothing about teenage boys?
If you only read one, read Beastly Things.
This could be a tedious reaction and overlong. So I will refrain from all the particulars I might mention. Suffice it to say that Paola's pessimistic, fatalistic dissing, sneering snark and venting sarcasm reigns high and becomes core to at least a third of this book. And the "case" that Guido investigates does not even begin to raise its occurrence until well past page 100.
It starts with Guido's mother's funeral and the usual Brunetti observation of Catholic ritual without an ounce of religious interpretation or belief of any sense in the spiritual partaking of the ceremony. Such straight arrows they! Rather as in the mode of similarity to Chiara's going to Confession tale in one of the other books. In fact Leon uses the same confession story for Guido's 12 year old tale that she used for Chiara's hear-say for her friend's Confession. But you know, they are all the same anyway, right? Untrustworthy at the least. But that is a mere 8 pages or so for all the Brunetti's (Sergio's family too) grief- because the priest who is officiating becomes a character who has something to ask of Guido quite soon after the fact of his duties.
This case is about the Rom. It concerns immigrants and nomads of all types and the Italian response to stealing, cheating in charity schemes, cultural differences for their values, and crimes against property gone endemic. It made me truly wonder how they (Northerner Italians)feel right now in 2016 when I just heard today that 142,000 more non-Italians have arrived within Sicily alone, mainly from 4 countries in North and NE Africa in just the last few years. Maybe Palermitani aren't so bad after all, huh!
So glad I didn't read this one at the beginning- within the first 5 or 10 books I read, because I don't think I would have finished all of them if I had. At one point Guido reacts to a parable Paola relates from the New Testament by saying to himself. "She'll read anything." And in this one, IMHO, Donna Leon's hater skills become just as embedded within Guido as in Paola's more vocal displays. And he has the nerve to act scandalized by Vianello's more guarded and honest opinions!
There are some long, long passages that have nothing to do with the plot or family life, IMHO- but are merely situational descriptive parlays for coring 4 or 5 page preaching philosophy treatise material of superiority. And Americans with their "feelings" and "awareness" as answers to problems that require specific and quick action instead of emotion; that soliloquy did actually make me laugh. She detests in several different directions and entire countries are never left out.
But it is Spring and gelato is back and fresh- and the spinach risotto and shrimp go well with the prosecco and a grappa to finish. And our poor girl's family gets a new car. And the favors are all returned. Elettra even has a new slim black computer and keyboard you can barely see. Not my favorite, but I can see why others may 5 star this one. It's murky, but contains pithy masses of floating meat within that murk. And some methods by under characters are fully explained by themselves in words or in motions to the oversee context- so this one grabs crux to intents and to goals for all the books (Elettra's being that Patta should never trust her completely- because then he would not be afraid of separating her job from his circle.)
At the end I am going to list a couple of themes, thoughts, situations Leon repeats in numerous different novels of varying case or seriousness thought tracts during this series. One is the San Marco constant rehabbing project with the multitudes of scaffolding. Another is the methods used or jobs given to Alvise to get him out of everybody's hair because he is so stupid and ineffective (of course he gets promoted and ends up holding/heading an entire office of "Multi-cultural Appreciation") and another is the interplay between Chiara and her father, usually at meals or when he asks her to do a task. That last is delightful and has facets that are truly interesting. But Guido falls several times into the easy, yet dangerous, method of using her as a spy to know more about the habits of the "young" people. Raffi- we never, ever get that depth for him at all, IMHO. Only his appetite is fully disclosed. For both food and Sara. I wonder if Leon knows next to nothing about teenage boys?
If you only read one, read Beastly Things.
July 1, 2021
I do so love Brunetti - how can I be giving most of the books in the series only 3-stars? Oh, yeah, it's because I decided top rating for mysteries is 4-stars unless the book is truly exceptional. This series may be worth more than the sum of its parts.
I have never been to Venice and I do not believe that deficit will ever be corrected. With this series, I get the chance to see Venice, not as a tourist sees that city, but as a resident sees it. Brunetti laments that there are already 16 million tourists soon to be 20 million. He misses the loss of the small storefronts that have been replaced to satisfy the tourists. (I live in a tourist trap, I can relate.) In this installment there is also the influx of immigrants and the conflict of cultures. A 10-year old Romani girl - a Gypsy - is found drowned in one of the canals. She has on her what can only be assumed to be stolen property. There is also a side story involving a scam artist. Leon fleshes out the society in general noting the influence of the Mafia and the general corruption throughout the Italian government (also the Catholic church).
Plot, writing style, but mostly the very good characterizations are what I like about the Commissario Brunetti series. There is also all the food and wine! Noted above is my surprise at how I've been rating these. There is nothing extraordinary about this particular installment, other than it endears me further. I can fill in only the third star - if only there were a way to make that third star very large on the graphic!
I have never been to Venice and I do not believe that deficit will ever be corrected. With this series, I get the chance to see Venice, not as a tourist sees that city, but as a resident sees it. Brunetti laments that there are already 16 million tourists soon to be 20 million. He misses the loss of the small storefronts that have been replaced to satisfy the tourists. (I live in a tourist trap, I can relate.) In this installment there is also the influx of immigrants and the conflict of cultures. A 10-year old Romani girl - a Gypsy - is found drowned in one of the canals. She has on her what can only be assumed to be stolen property. There is also a side story involving a scam artist. Leon fleshes out the society in general noting the influence of the Mafia and the general corruption throughout the Italian government (also the Catholic church).
Plot, writing style, but mostly the very good characterizations are what I like about the Commissario Brunetti series. There is also all the food and wine! Noted above is my surprise at how I've been rating these. There is nothing extraordinary about this particular installment, other than it endears me further. I can fill in only the third star - if only there were a way to make that third star very large on the graphic!
July 6, 2018
I didn't enjoy the book for the following reasons. 1) There's no closure. We know that it might be one of two people, but we don't know who. There is a price that is paid, but we don't know whether the people that paid it are also victims or the perpetrator (there is clearly one bad guy, we just don't know if he actually did it). 2) I didn't buy that a show of force would make people more interested in providing information than the threat of force that is withheld in order to encourage participation. 3) I felt the author was more interested in showing off their knowledge of Italy than including the reader in the story. 4) How is it that this detective has so much time on their hands that they can have leisurely lunches with alcohol, wander around Venice without any sense of urgency (and without showing us the beauty of the city) and sit staring at walls? 5) The inconsistencies (they're thankful at the beginning of the book that there's no drug problem but reference the drug problem at the end of the book). 6) Did the girl really have to be fair haired for everyone to care about her? This is the first book that I've read by Donna Leon. As you can guess, I won't be running out to read any more.
February 9, 2015
In each of her books featuring Venetian detective Guido Brunetti, Leon tackles a current and relevant issue, moral, religious, or political, in the context of the case before him. Always in her books, Brunetti, a highly intelligent, ethical, honest policeman is besieged by forces beyond his control to “solve” the case in a way that is most expedient or convenient for his superiors, his political bosses, the moneyed interests, and/or the church.
A man who reads Greek philosophy to relax, Brunetti is seldom able to resolve a case to his own satisfaction, even though he nearly always arrives at the truth.
The issue disclosed and running like a thread thoughout The Girl of His Dreams is the ever-increasing nomad population of Italy, Zingari, Rom, Sinti, and Nomadi, commonly referred to as Gypsies. These immigrants, who are able to cross Italy’s borders legally because of lax immigration laws, now number some 40% of the total Italian population, and account for about 80% of the inmates of Italy’s jails, according to Leon. By inclination and tradition, Gypsies make their living through theft and train their children early to be beggars and thieves.
The “girl” of the title is a ten-year old who drowns in a canal, with evidence that she fell there from the roof top of the building above. On her are items that clearly were stolen. Did she fall or was she pushed? She’s a mere child and Brunetti’s sympathies are aroused. He wants to know the truth, but he’s blocked at every turn by both the community of Gypsies and by his own superiors.
Like all of the Brunetti series, this deeply disturbing and beautifully written novel is definitely a thinking person’s book. I consider it to be one of Leon’s best.
A man who reads Greek philosophy to relax, Brunetti is seldom able to resolve a case to his own satisfaction, even though he nearly always arrives at the truth.
The issue disclosed and running like a thread thoughout The Girl of His Dreams is the ever-increasing nomad population of Italy, Zingari, Rom, Sinti, and Nomadi, commonly referred to as Gypsies. These immigrants, who are able to cross Italy’s borders legally because of lax immigration laws, now number some 40% of the total Italian population, and account for about 80% of the inmates of Italy’s jails, according to Leon. By inclination and tradition, Gypsies make their living through theft and train their children early to be beggars and thieves.
The “girl” of the title is a ten-year old who drowns in a canal, with evidence that she fell there from the roof top of the building above. On her are items that clearly were stolen. Did she fall or was she pushed? She’s a mere child and Brunetti’s sympathies are aroused. He wants to know the truth, but he’s blocked at every turn by both the community of Gypsies and by his own superiors.
Like all of the Brunetti series, this deeply disturbing and beautifully written novel is definitely a thinking person’s book. I consider it to be one of Leon’s best.
January 20, 2019
The Girl of His Dreams is not one of Donna Leon's best. In fact, I probably enjoyed it the least of all the Leon books I have read so far (I am reading the series in order; The Girl of His Dreams is 17th in the series). It takes too long to get to the main plot of the book; by page 100, I was wondering when I would get to the actual mystery. When the mystery finally gets going, it just doesn't seem as riveting as Leon's previous works.
I also took issue with some of Leon's commentary in the first 100 pages of the book. While Leon has made her disdain of the Catholic Church/religion and America known in previous books, it seemed particularly aggressive. It was clear to me that Leon's personal opinions were taking over, as opposed to letting her characters have their own voice. While I happen to agree with most of Leon's opinions on the church and religion, I read Leon's books because they are supposed to be murder mysteries, not diatribes on religion. I also find it somewhat ironic that Leon is so critical of America when she is an American-born author. I know that she has lived in Europe (Italy and Switzerland) for quite some time but her opinions on the "stupidity" of America seemed stronger than usual. Normally her criticisms of America don't bother me, as she is entitled to her own opinion, but I hopes she tones it down in the next books in the series.
Overall, not Leon's best work but I still enjoy the series overall and will probably start #18 soon.
I also took issue with some of Leon's commentary in the first 100 pages of the book. While Leon has made her disdain of the Catholic Church/religion and America known in previous books, it seemed particularly aggressive. It was clear to me that Leon's personal opinions were taking over, as opposed to letting her characters have their own voice. While I happen to agree with most of Leon's opinions on the church and religion, I read Leon's books because they are supposed to be murder mysteries, not diatribes on religion. I also find it somewhat ironic that Leon is so critical of America when she is an American-born author. I know that she has lived in Europe (Italy and Switzerland) for quite some time but her opinions on the "stupidity" of America seemed stronger than usual. Normally her criticisms of America don't bother me, as she is entitled to her own opinion, but I hopes she tones it down in the next books in the series.
Overall, not Leon's best work but I still enjoy the series overall and will probably start #18 soon.
September 12, 2021
My second book by this author in as many days - and realise the well worn pattern of providing half a book on an "investigation" based on one character's concerns about another, before we actually get to the actual crime / mystery as detailed in the synopsis / blurb on back cover.
Definitely not pursuing this series any further - just takes too long to get to the actual mystery / crime that is supposed to be the whole basis for this book.
Edit: someone should really re-think these titles and this is definitely not suggestive of the content.
Definitely not pursuing this series any further - just takes too long to get to the actual mystery / crime that is supposed to be the whole basis for this book.
Edit: someone should really re-think these titles and this is definitely not suggestive of the content.
December 2, 2025
Having recently worked my way through most of Robert B Parker's books, it is a relief to leave Boston and to return to Venice. Brunetti frequently does not get his man, or for that matter his woman. People in these mysteries do get away with murder, not because Brunetti isn't a good policeman, but because we simply don't live in a world that's always just. Brunetti's world is our real world, and it's always a pleasure to visit him, his family and his coworkers.
August 11, 2023
I was halfway through writing a review and the Goodreads app suddenly closed and I lost all that I had written.
So…this will be short and not snarky as Paola seems to have become. I love Commissario Brunetti but I wonder how many more of these I will listen to on my walks. David Colacci lures me in more than Donna Leon’s story.
So…this will be short and not snarky as Paola seems to have become. I love Commissario Brunetti but I wonder how many more of these I will listen to on my walks. David Colacci lures me in more than Donna Leon’s story.
October 26, 2016
After his mother's funeral, a priest acquaintance approaches Commissario Guido Brunetti and asks him to look into the bona fides of a "spiritual advisor" who takes big monetary contributions from his followers to 'help the poor.' Meanwhile, Brunetti also investigates the death of a young gypsy girl who has valuable jewelry on her person when her drowned body is found in a canal. Brunetti suspects the girl may have fallen or been pushed from a roof while she was robbing a home.
Brunetti goes about the investigations in his usual laid back fashion, attending a meeting of the spiritual advisor and attempting to get information from the robbed family and from the gypsy girl's parents - all of which proves to be almost impossible. The burglarized family seems to have something to hide and the gypsies are suspicious and antagonistic toward the police.
Leon's usual characters - Brunetti's police colleagues and his wife and kids - are on hand and, as always, the interactions between Brunetti and the police chief's wiley secretary, Signorina Elettra, add a touch of intrigue and humor. Donna Leon is adept at infusing the feel of Venice into her stories - the canals and cafes and people speaking Venetian. This is a good light mystery.
September 15, 2023
This was a very emotional story!
September 14, 2024
Donna Léon can never disappoint.
April 2, 2014
PROTAGONIST: Commissario Guido Brunetti
SETTING: Venice, Italy
SERIES: #17 of 17
RATING: 3.5
THE GIRL OF HIS DREAMS is the 17th entry in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series by Donna Leon. Longtime fans of these books know what to expect. You'll be treated to the usual evocative Venetian setting that Leon is so superb at creating. You'll dive deep into the Italian political environment and all its flaws. And finally, you'll spend time with Guido and his family, his loyal and prickly wife, Paolo, and their two teenaged children who are rapidly becoming adults. And don't forget the food – the pages are a veritable smorgasbord of Italian cuisine.
It took me a while to settle into THE GIRL, as I wasn't sure where the narrative was going. Initially, Guido is asked by a priest who was a boyhood friend of his brother, to check into a possible scam by another cleric. Although that did involve some investigation, the thread never really went anywhere. There was also quite a lot on the influence of the Mafia on the country and the negative impacts on daily life. That turned out to be more of a riff than a real narrative thread. But then Brunetti and his partner, Vianello, are assigned to a case involving the drowning death of an 11-year-old gypsy (Rom) girl. Shockingly, her autopsy reveals that she had a venereal disease. Was she killed or was it an accident that occurred while she was robbing one of the local elite? Obviously, this is a case that engages Guido's heart as much as his intellect.
During the course of the investigation, the team needs to go into the Rom community to interrogate its members. This group of people leads lives that are far outside the norms of society that Guido is used to. It was interesting to learn about their mores. It was also sad to see how much poverty existed and the quality of life for the children. The situation also exposes the degree of racism faced by these people, including from individuals that you wouldn't expect.
Although most of the elements that I enjoy in this series were present in this book, I found that I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the earlier works. Leon often has a political agenda, and I found some of her personal views intruded on the narrative. There's a strain of anti-Americanism and some digressions about the Mafia's influence, although the Mafia had really nothing to do with what was going on in the book.
I always enjoy the characters, but Brunetti seemed somehow more world weary than in the past with less of his trademark optimism. His best scenes were when he was interacting with his boss's administrative assistant, Signorina Elettra. The dialogue was full of amusing double meanings.
I don't think Leon is capable of writing a bad book. This one just wasn't quite as engaging for me. The pace was slow; and as previously noted, the narrative direction a bit muddled. I did appreciate the resolution of the book—no pretty wrapped-up-in-a-nice-bow ending here.
SETTING: Venice, Italy
SERIES: #17 of 17
RATING: 3.5
THE GIRL OF HIS DREAMS is the 17th entry in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series by Donna Leon. Longtime fans of these books know what to expect. You'll be treated to the usual evocative Venetian setting that Leon is so superb at creating. You'll dive deep into the Italian political environment and all its flaws. And finally, you'll spend time with Guido and his family, his loyal and prickly wife, Paolo, and their two teenaged children who are rapidly becoming adults. And don't forget the food – the pages are a veritable smorgasbord of Italian cuisine.
It took me a while to settle into THE GIRL, as I wasn't sure where the narrative was going. Initially, Guido is asked by a priest who was a boyhood friend of his brother, to check into a possible scam by another cleric. Although that did involve some investigation, the thread never really went anywhere. There was also quite a lot on the influence of the Mafia on the country and the negative impacts on daily life. That turned out to be more of a riff than a real narrative thread. But then Brunetti and his partner, Vianello, are assigned to a case involving the drowning death of an 11-year-old gypsy (Rom) girl. Shockingly, her autopsy reveals that she had a venereal disease. Was she killed or was it an accident that occurred while she was robbing one of the local elite? Obviously, this is a case that engages Guido's heart as much as his intellect.
During the course of the investigation, the team needs to go into the Rom community to interrogate its members. This group of people leads lives that are far outside the norms of society that Guido is used to. It was interesting to learn about their mores. It was also sad to see how much poverty existed and the quality of life for the children. The situation also exposes the degree of racism faced by these people, including from individuals that you wouldn't expect.
Although most of the elements that I enjoy in this series were present in this book, I found that I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the earlier works. Leon often has a political agenda, and I found some of her personal views intruded on the narrative. There's a strain of anti-Americanism and some digressions about the Mafia's influence, although the Mafia had really nothing to do with what was going on in the book.
I always enjoy the characters, but Brunetti seemed somehow more world weary than in the past with less of his trademark optimism. His best scenes were when he was interacting with his boss's administrative assistant, Signorina Elettra. The dialogue was full of amusing double meanings.
I don't think Leon is capable of writing a bad book. This one just wasn't quite as engaging for me. The pace was slow; and as previously noted, the narrative direction a bit muddled. I did appreciate the resolution of the book—no pretty wrapped-up-in-a-nice-bow ending here.
May 15, 2009
17th novel in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series
True to her self, Donna Leon covers the location and characters and highlights the characteristics we have come to love in this series: the portrayal of the city of Venice in all its beauty and problems, the warmth of Brunetti’s family life and the social conscience he illustrates, also his personal war against corruption.
The story opens with the funeral of Guido’s mother in San Michele. A few days later, the priest who had performed the ceremony approaches Brunetti and accuses another cleric of a criminal act. While looking into this matter, another case is brought to his attention, the body of a Romany child; a 10 year old girl is discovered in the water. The investigations revolve around Brunetti’s home life in San Polo and the diverse locations surrounding the cases. By the end of the book, I found myself a little confused, too many loose ends…
The themes of this book: anti-cleric, Romany crime, political correctness and the vulnerability of children are integrated into the plot in an allusive and subtle manner. The usual figures are present: Paola and the kids, Signorina Electra and Patta being their same old selves….things are getting boring…. Although I was fully absorbed at the beginning I was disappointed by the end. I found the initial case petered out and the second case lacked a satisfying conclusion.
I find this series although enjoyable up till now has run its course, too predictable. I wonder if Ms Leon is running out of ideas, maybe it is time for Commissario Brunetti to retire.
True to her self, Donna Leon covers the location and characters and highlights the characteristics we have come to love in this series: the portrayal of the city of Venice in all its beauty and problems, the warmth of Brunetti’s family life and the social conscience he illustrates, also his personal war against corruption.
The story opens with the funeral of Guido’s mother in San Michele. A few days later, the priest who had performed the ceremony approaches Brunetti and accuses another cleric of a criminal act. While looking into this matter, another case is brought to his attention, the body of a Romany child; a 10 year old girl is discovered in the water. The investigations revolve around Brunetti’s home life in San Polo and the diverse locations surrounding the cases. By the end of the book, I found myself a little confused, too many loose ends…
The themes of this book: anti-cleric, Romany crime, political correctness and the vulnerability of children are integrated into the plot in an allusive and subtle manner. The usual figures are present: Paola and the kids, Signorina Electra and Patta being their same old selves….things are getting boring…. Although I was fully absorbed at the beginning I was disappointed by the end. I found the initial case petered out and the second case lacked a satisfying conclusion.
I find this series although enjoyable up till now has run its course, too predictable. I wonder if Ms Leon is running out of ideas, maybe it is time for Commissario Brunetti to retire.
August 1, 2010
While I enjoyed the sort of insider view into Venice, the story overall seemed sort of mediocre and unexciting. I guess I was jsut expecting something more action-filled rather than about character and people. A lot of the book seems to focus on ethnic differences between the Venetians and the Roma (the term "Gypsy" being considered derogatory) and the conflcits between two very different cultural systems, one heavily influenced by poverty while the other is rather well to do but does not come to any conclusions or present any solutions. The ending felt vaguely unsatisfying because while appropriate discoveries are made, justice is not adequately served at the end, at least according to my accustomed-to-Law-and-Order palate. The voice acting on the audio recording seemed very good and the details of life in Venice were easily appreciable. Not a bad book, but I would probably try one of the other books in the series first unless you were already a fan. This one is sort of sad and hopeless.
November 12, 2024
Standard Brunetti book. An interesting mystery but primarily a commentary on the dismal state of the Italian legal system. Typically, a guilty party is (probably) identified, but privilege prevents and kind of real investigation or prosecution. Makes one feel (somewhat) better about the USA.
February 5, 2023
Not the best in the series
November 7, 2016
As I've mentioned before in my earlier reviews of Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti books, I'm still wondering about the appeal of these books to a number of my female friends, most notably those in my wife's book group. Most of these books don't have much going on, Brunetti eats, drinks (coffee, wine, grappa, whatever), talks to his wife and daughter (less it seems to his son), spars silently with his sinecured boss, asks his boss's secretary to hack into computer systems for information. He talks to his sidekick, sometimes about the case, sometimes about social conditions and morality. In the end, there never seems to be any kind of satisfactory denouement. To me, all of this simply isn't enough to be interesting, but I keep plodding through them in the hopes that, sometime, the veil of my ignorance will be lifted.
This book seems to be a particular example. Less happens in this book than pretty much all of the others I've read. Lots of gnashing of teeth (in a somewhat laconic fashion) about the discrimination against Gypsies (er, Roma, or whatever the P.C. name might be), and what ought to be done, or not. Lots of anguish about the 11 year old female victim, and how nobody cares about her. Nothing grabbed me. Nothing particularly interesting happened, and I was glad when it was done -- even that was an anticlimax, suggesting a sudden decision to end the book.
Nope, not a good read for me...
This book seems to be a particular example. Less happens in this book than pretty much all of the others I've read. Lots of gnashing of teeth (in a somewhat laconic fashion) about the discrimination against Gypsies (er, Roma, or whatever the P.C. name might be), and what ought to be done, or not. Lots of anguish about the 11 year old female victim, and how nobody cares about her. Nothing grabbed me. Nothing particularly interesting happened, and I was glad when it was done -- even that was an anticlimax, suggesting a sudden decision to end the book.
Nope, not a good read for me...
October 4, 2018
Not my favorite of Leon's books (so far, that honor goes to Acqua Alta). I'm catching up after not having read one of the Brunetti series for some time. All our old friends are here, Brunetti's family, his colleagues, and the annoying Patta. It seems at first that there may be two mysteries to be solved that might be connected -- but that doesn't turn out to be the case. The discovery of a young girl's drowned body in a canal leads Brunetti and Vianello to an encampment of Romany and the political concerns that result from a clash of cultures. (The Rom have mostly come from the, at the time recently, former Yugoslavia.)
I enjoy the descriptions of Brunetti's family life, especially the lunches and dinners; but each time I read one of the books I wonder how much longer I will stick with the series. It's becoming a little difficult to read these books with their cynicism and acceptance of corruption. (In fact in this book there are a few mentions of things even the sainted Brunetti does which would not pass muster in the US Civil Service.) Too often the wrongdoers are not arrested or punished because they have money or position. It gets wearing. Also, I'm pretty sick of the knee-jerk stereotyping of Americans and the general hatred of tourists that Leon attributes to the Venetians. My hope is that this stems from her own ex-pat issues and is not reflective of Venetian feelings.
I enjoy the descriptions of Brunetti's family life, especially the lunches and dinners; but each time I read one of the books I wonder how much longer I will stick with the series. It's becoming a little difficult to read these books with their cynicism and acceptance of corruption. (In fact in this book there are a few mentions of things even the sainted Brunetti does which would not pass muster in the US Civil Service.) Too often the wrongdoers are not arrested or punished because they have money or position. It gets wearing. Also, I'm pretty sick of the knee-jerk stereotyping of Americans and the general hatred of tourists that Leon attributes to the Venetians. My hope is that this stems from her own ex-pat issues and is not reflective of Venetian feelings.
May 14, 2018
What good is it to think good and proper thoughts, to have sympathy for the under dog, if you don't do anything about a bad situation? MS Leon brings anti-clericalism right up front, including the reason Brunetti walked away from confession at age twelve and never returned. We meet Padre Antonin who appears to have been used by his superiors in Africa to further their own careers. He will never become a prelate but you'll always be able to count on him to do something about problems. The unconnected clergy-like man who preaches loving concern and thinking good thoughts is probably scamming the community and is never to be trusted with anything. "By their fruit ye shall know them."
With that background we address the death by drowning of an 11 year old Romany girl, a girl who has definitely been robbing houses. The pain and frustration increases as Brunetti insists on investigating the case, even when he is told by everyone, Patta, his sergeant, the victims of the theft, and the girl's father himself, to just leave it. The situation is still bad when the story ends but there were attempts at rectifying things. We need more Brunettis in all fields. This is actually an important book, especially now with so many helpless people wandering the world.
With that background we address the death by drowning of an 11 year old Romany girl, a girl who has definitely been robbing houses. The pain and frustration increases as Brunetti insists on investigating the case, even when he is told by everyone, Patta, his sergeant, the victims of the theft, and the girl's father himself, to just leave it. The situation is still bad when the story ends but there were attempts at rectifying things. We need more Brunettis in all fields. This is actually an important book, especially now with so many helpless people wandering the world.
July 1, 2012
The blurb on the back cover was the most enjoyable part of this book.
This book was tedious. It took 100 pages before anything happened and the pace of the story only marginally increased from that point. The lead character, Commissario Guido Brunetti, was convincingly moved by the child victim but he didn't really do much to solve the crime. There was an extraordinary amount of time spent walking around the streets of Venice and stopping for coffee, or something stronger if it was after 11:000am. There was an entire chapter which deal with Brunetti coming home for lunch to find that a salad was being served on the patio. I knew at this point I should have stopped reading but a perverse curiosity drove me to continue. I wanted to see if anything interesting actually happened. It didn't.
The author, Donna Leon, lived for some time in Venice and she was reliving that time by describing every palazzo, calle and campo Brunetti encountered on his many wanders through the city. This quickly moved from attempting to capture the soul of the city to feeling like a travel guide.
This book was tedious. It took 100 pages before anything happened and the pace of the story only marginally increased from that point. The lead character, Commissario Guido Brunetti, was convincingly moved by the child victim but he didn't really do much to solve the crime. There was an extraordinary amount of time spent walking around the streets of Venice and stopping for coffee, or something stronger if it was after 11:000am. There was an entire chapter which deal with Brunetti coming home for lunch to find that a salad was being served on the patio. I knew at this point I should have stopped reading but a perverse curiosity drove me to continue. I wanted to see if anything interesting actually happened. It didn't.
The author, Donna Leon, lived for some time in Venice and she was reliving that time by describing every palazzo, calle and campo Brunetti encountered on his many wanders through the city. This quickly moved from attempting to capture the soul of the city to feeling like a travel guide.
January 5, 2018
Came across this on my shelf and realized I had started reading it.
I wasn't that far in and so when they spoke of Father Antonin having spoken at Brunetti's mother's funeral, I thought it was a long time ago, instead of at the beginning of the book. Oh, well, such are the hazards of putting a book down for several years for no apparent reason.
And the priest comes to see Brunetti at work to ask for help. There's apparently a con man taking people's money under the aegis of religion. This investigation is kind of a side journey. The primary investigation involves a "nom" (gypsy or Romani) girl who was discovered drowned, after apparently sliding off a roof. I think she was only about 11. But she was apparently sent out to "work" (burglarize) with her older brother and sister. She was the unlucky one. So that made it kind of sad.
But it was a good book. And most of Leon's books revolve around one issue: corruption. This is no different. But she also looks at social problems that are going on.
I wasn't that far in and so when they spoke of Father Antonin having spoken at Brunetti's mother's funeral, I thought it was a long time ago, instead of at the beginning of the book. Oh, well, such are the hazards of putting a book down for several years for no apparent reason.
And the priest comes to see Brunetti at work to ask for help. There's apparently a con man taking people's money under the aegis of religion. This investigation is kind of a side journey. The primary investigation involves a "nom" (gypsy or Romani) girl who was discovered drowned, after apparently sliding off a roof. I think she was only about 11. But she was apparently sent out to "work" (burglarize) with her older brother and sister. She was the unlucky one. So that made it kind of sad.
But it was a good book. And most of Leon's books revolve around one issue: corruption. This is no different. But she also looks at social problems that are going on.
May 13, 2014
This particular Commissario Brunetti investigation will stay with me. A child, drowned in the canal, one who the autopsy shows has been sexually active before her death. She is determined to be twelve years old, a Roma, and a thief. Brunetti and his team go about figuring out who the child is, what camp her family lives in, and how her murder occurred. Of course, there is another informal investigation Brunetti has gotten himself up to, for a priest who had served in Africa for decades, but had been sent back to Venice (in disgrace). The murdered child goes to a potter's grave, the murderer escapes even an arrest because of his elite status, but the modern lot of immigrants and wanderers is probed with blunt honesty and profound sadness.
January 14, 2019
Not the best in this venerable series, but as charming as ever. Here Commissario Brunetti works on two separate cases, that of a possible cult scammer, and the body of a young girl found in a canal. The book starts with the potential scam, but it peters out into mostly nothing and doesn’t engage our interest much, while the young girl’s story really takes over the book and examines the Rom (gypsy) community in Venice as well as in Italy. It is a plangent telling and speaks of larger societal issues, as Donna Leon’s books most often do. The stronger part of the book, and it would have been interesting to read that tale expanded, the other removed. As always, Leon’s books are well worth the reading.
July 1, 2014
Bei aller Liebe zu Brunetti, so hat sich dieses Buch stellenweise zu sehr wie der Satz "Ich bin kein Rassist, aber..." gelesen. Auch wollte die Geschichte nicht wirklich in Fahrt kommen und es gab viel zu viele lose Enden. Leon dürfte sich dessen sehr wohl bewusst gewesen sein, denn sie bediente sich am Ende noch an Brunettis Frau Paola mit der Rechtfertigung, dass in den Büchern die sie lese auch nie alles aufgeklärt würde, so wie es im Leben ja auch der Fall sei. Ich fand das eine gar billige Erklärung für einen nicht vollständig durchdachten Roman.
April 7, 2020
Once again, an enjoyable read. I think the thing I like best about these books is that, like in real life, they don't always end with the bad guys getting caught.
April 24, 2020
I was disappointed, but not disappointed enough that I'll give up on the series. There seemed to be less of the usual wry humor. I missed more of the exchanges between Guido and Paola, and with the kids. And, like so many of its predecessors, justice doesn't really happen. They solve the mystery, but the wrong doer is not caught or brought to justice. I hope the author, Donna Leon lets the reader enjoy the satisfaction of a mystery solved and the wrong doer somehow punished or disadvantaged by their wrong doing. I get that "justice" in Italy is a different kettle of fish, but enough or basta already.
March 2, 2025
I have read the previous 16 books in the Brunetti series, and will no doubt read the 16 that follow this one. The Girl of His Dreams is the least satisfying of the ones up to this point. Even the author does not seem especially interested in the plot, and all of the other elements that make these novels worthwhile (the interactions with family and co-workers, observations about Venice and Italy, descriptions of food and drink, complaints about American tourists) seem much more rote than in the previous books. If, like me, you are reading these in order, my advice is that this one can be skipped. Still, I look forward to picking up #18!
November 21, 2019
an enjoyable read - leisurely and well written. A story where a lot is hinted at, and in the end we never know for sure what happened, but make our assumptions that the rich and powerful have killed, and gotten away with it. Lots of good characters, and a thoughtful narrative. I'm looking forward to more time in Venice with the Commissario.
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