Adventurer: The Life and Times of Giacomo Casanova

by Leo Damrosch

The life of the iconic libertine Giacomo Casanova (1725–1798) has never been told in the depth it deserves. An alluring representative of the Enlightenment’s shadowy underside, Casanova was an aspiring priest, an army officer, a fortune teller, a con man, a magus, a violinist, a mathematician, a Masonic master, an entrepreneur, a diplomat, a gambler, a spy—and the first to tell his own story. In his vivid autobiography Histoire de Ma Vie, he recorded at least a hundred and twenty love affairs, as well as dramatic sagas of duels, swindles, arrests, and escapes. He knew kings and an empress, Catherine the Great, and most of the famous writers of the time, including Voltaire and Benjamin Franklin.
 
Drawing on seldom used materials, including the original French and Italian primary sources, and probing deeply into the psychology, self-conceptions, and self-deceptions of one of the world’s most famous con men and seducers, Leo Damrosch offers a gripping, mature, and devastating account of an Enlightenment man, freed from the bounds of moral convictions.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Italy, 18th Century

432 pages, Hardcover

Published May 24, 2022

About the author

Leo Damrosch is an American author and professor. In 2001, he was named the Ernest Bernbaum Professor of Literature at Harvard University.[1] He received a B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. from Cambridge University, where he was a Marshall Scholar, and a Ph.D. from Princeton University. His areas of academic specialty include Romanticism, the Enlightenment, and Puritanism.[1] Damrosch's "The Sorrows of the Quaker Jesus" is one of the most important recent explorations of the early history of the Society of Friends. His Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius (2005) was a National Book Award finalist for nonfiction and winner of the 2006 L. L. Winship/PEN New England Award for best work of nonfiction. Among his other books are "Symbol and Truth in Blake's Myth" (1980), "God's Plot and Man's Stories: Studies in the Fictional Imagination from Milton to Fielding" (1985), "Fictions of Reality in the Age of Hume and Johnson" (1987), and "Tocqueville's Discovery of America" (2010).

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo Damrosch provides the most interesting take I've read on one of history's most interesting men.

Damrosch executes a perfect balance between the glamour and romance of Giacomo Casanova's life without romanticising or glossing over any of the less savoury aspects of the intrepid adventurer and his life. Meticulously thorough, but still sharply entertaining, I absolutely recommend this biography to anyone interested in Casanova's life and endeavours.

Thank you to Netgalley and Yale University Press for an advanced copy of 'Adventurer: the Life and Times of Giacomo Casanova' in exchange for an honest review.

[Brian Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can a biography of Casanova be any more than a commentary on his own Histoire de ma vie? Well, yes, it seems. Damrosch fleshes out the tale probably as much as it ever can be, but I, for one, soon came to the conclusion that the man is too tiresome to follow for 400+ pages.

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

*read for work*

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read a review of this book and it sounded very interesting. Unfortunately it read more like a very dry PhD thesis.

[Brian Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book about a subject I wouldn't sure I would love. The various escapades of Casanova are infamously known as "the greatest lover in history" but there is so much more.

First of all, that he was a prolific seducer is true. As far as we can tell, and Damrosch tends to agree, it appears that his encounters were all consensual and pleasurable for all parties. Casanova's accounts describe them with enough detail that we can imagine what happened but doesn't necessarily rise to the level of pornography. Casanova was an absolute adventurer as indicated by the title. He didn't hold down a job or a permanent position but lived by his wits and the wind. He also had an absolute way with the ladies. He stated that he was all about pleasure - both receiving and giving it. Very few women held a grudge against him or parted from him with hard feelings. If we are to believe the accounts, and we have no contrary evidence, an entanglement with Casanova was an exciting experience that neither forgot and "one of those things, one of those flings" as the Cole Porter song said. We can see from historical accounts that despite the mores and religious strictures of the 1700s most people did live outside of those bounds and had sexual adventurers that would have brought trouble if they became public. Casanova used pseudonyms to refer to his partners in his writing, and that was to protect the innocent.

Ultimately, this read is a lot of fun. There are parts that may not have been so innocent but not criminal, though the age of consent was lower then or nonexistent (and we're again not talking about coercion). In the modern "me too" era, it may be more uncomfortable to many but he couldn't foresee that, nor does he represent the absolute worst within his own era. This intriguing read will stick with me for some time. I continue to enjoy Leo Damrosch's books particularly his Jonathan Swift: His Life and His World and Eternity's Sunrise: The Imaginative World of William Blake and The Club: Johnson, Boswell, and the Friends Who Shaped an Age. I'll be ready for his next one.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and Yale University Press for an advanced copy of this new biography and literary study.

There is a lot to respect about the man whose last name would become both an insult and an adjective that many men would be thrilled to hear about themselves. Giacomo Casanova was a man ahead of his time in many ways. A traveller who saw most of the major capitals, plus backroads and small discreet inns, in a time when many people never left the village they were born in. Assignations with women was what history knows him for most, but since most of these tales and how his attempts at wooing were received come from his autobiography, it is hard to tell what is real and what is not. Leo Damrosch in his book Adventurer: The Life and Times of Giacomo Casanova writes about the man who seems more fictional than a real person, with a lot of infamy attached to it.

Born of entertainers young Casanova was cured by witches for early health issues, priests were his educators, and servant women his introduction to the arts of seduction. Mathematics were his gift, as was gambling and making patrons, but his own mouth and lack of control in many ways kept him a vagabond constantly on the road, looking for the next opportunity either financial or boudoir, looking for acceptance, something he always searched for, but seldom received. Duels, prison, affairs, traveling, libraries, schemes and dreams were his world. A world that saw so much change politically and socially.

Casanova was a complicated man whose ethics and morals were much more flexible than a reader of today might be comfortable with. Not that readers should be. Consent was not a word he understood, nor did scamming older women in fake astrology charts seem to bother him, except for being caught. Professor Damrosch makes this quite clear numerous times in his book. Well- researched and well- written he calls out Casanova out a lot on his actions and antics, and his numerous affairs. In a lesser hand writing about Casanova could almost seem like a bro- brag book, but Professor Damrosch does not let this happen.

A very interesting book about an intriguing man that makes you want to shower as much from Casanova's numerous diseases, as from his attitude about amour. Fans like myself who are more familiar with Professor Damrosch's book The Club about Samuel Johnson, will enjoy this more ribald, man of letters. Recommended for readers of history who want to get a feel for what life was like in the time before the French Revolution, and readers who like biographies about complicated people, that are very well written and told.

[Raigo Loide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo Damrosch does good job to introduce the life and times of Giacomo Casanova but can't really rise much higher from Histoire de Ma Vie. Casanova's book is his story and it is enough. Histoire de Ma Vie is too good to compete with.
Nevertheless, some historical background and introduction of the 18th century are interesting to read. Also, Casanova is shown as narcissistic hebephile who would today rather be treated as a criminal, not as a greatest lover of all times. The man preferred young teenage girls and he often paid to their parents for sexual encounters. Not so much seducing than teenage prostitution.
I was also surprised that Casanova most likely had some homosexual experience, even though he clearly preferred girls. He liked luxury, expensive clothes, good wine and quality food. And, of course, famous people to get acquainted with. An extraverted adventurer, playboy from the 18th century.

I would have preferred a book about adventurers of that century with more examples. Casanova's life is already well covered by his own autobiography. 18th century womanizers would give a better understanding of this phenomenon.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other than references to someone being "like Casanova", I'd never really thought about Casanova the actual person. Leo Damrosch did a terrific job (and an enormous amount of research) to uncover the actual life of the man, and includes all his failings as well. The author does a nice job of pointing out the difficulties of judging a historical figure by the standards of the present-day, but also questions how some of the subject's actions could have NOT been seen as offensive and abusive even in his own time. Really an interesting book, and told in a way that lets the reader freely consider many of Casanova's actions for what they were, both then and now.

[William Edmund Wilkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough treatment of a fascinating life. Good background on culture and structure of the Republic of Venice in the 1700's. Author is aware of the morally troubling conduct of Casanova toward very young women and in situations lacking consent, viewed from our 2022 standards. Author goes beyond Casanova's memoir to letters and the recollections of contemporaries--a plus. Also this book refers to other biographies and their interpretations. Well illustrated. Given the subject matter, the author avoids prurient content with grace and a nod. A pleasant read. Author is skilled at tiny reintroductions of dramatis personae as they reappear in Casanova's adventures.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book provided a window into social life in 18th century Europe. I liked the way the author organized the chapters in the book. For me it was a page turner and brought history to life. I was greatly educated about a colorful life with many facets. It is a shame that Casanova chose to end his memoir in 1774; twenty-four years before his death. Nevertheless, Damrosch does provide the rest of the story.

[Herb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous account of the life and times of Giacomo Casanova, his life, his loves & conquests. 18th c. Europe comes alive in this excellent biography. A truly amazing life, well-written and uniformly engaging throughout. Highly recommended.

[Stepheni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastically written. I adore the commentary that the author gives whilst talking Casanova’s actions (good or bad). I enjoy books a lot of book about Casanova and this is one of the best ones i’ve read so far!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damrosch remains a great biographer, but this ran out of steam for me. Casanova was a bit too repetitive (and off-putting) for me to stick it out.

[William Dury · Rating 3 out of 5]

“They’ll kill him with self confidence after poisoning him with words”
Uncle Bob

“As indeed, we have no other level of truth and reason than an example and idea of the opinions and customs of the place wherein we live: there is always the perfect religion, there the perfect government, there the most exact and accomplished usage of all things”-Montaigne “Of Cannibals”

So, don’t cannibals just know it’s wrong to eat people? What’s the matter with them, anyway? Didn’t Rousseau (or Casanova) know it was wrong to buy a young girl? What’s wrong with him (them)? Don’t they read The Times? Hell, Fox News would tell you it’s wrong, and they’re White Supremacists.

My favorite part was when Casanova was in Spain, old, buying sex, and someone told him, “Now look, when she takes you back to her room and, before sex, turns the saints pictures to the wall, and covers the crucifix with a handkerchief, don’t make jokes, or tell her it’s silly superstition. She might report you as an Atheist and they’ll lock you up.” Casanova was sick on Easter Sunday and couldn’t make it to Mass. He needed a doctor’s note to STAY OUT OF JAIL, despite the fact he’d dutifully gone to confession on Saturday.

What I loved was how Damrosch kept scolding Casanova for his behavior. I wanted to write “apologizing for” but no, he scolded. But isn’t an apology implicit? I mean, why are you reading a book about Casanova? What is he famous for? Mozart wrote an opera about him for heaven’s sakes. He knew Mozart. Did Mozart scold him? Should we revisit our views of Mozart in light of his apparent non-scolding? Shouldn’t he have reported Casanova to someone? Neil Young’s Thought Police, maybe?

You’re upset by his behavior? THAT WAS THE POINT. THAT WAS THE POINT 200 YEARS AGO AND THAT’S THE POINT NOW. Geeze. Take a deep breath. It’ll be okay. He wasn’t murdering people, just having sex with them. He probably won’t be in heaven with you. Ever see “Don Giovanni”? He won’t be cluttering up your heaven.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating walk through Casanova's life, using his autobiography as a major source while also acknowledging that Casanova was at times an unreliable or even deliberately misleading narrator of his own life. Damrosch draws on other sources to supplement the story of Casanova's life as well as to paint a fuller picture of the time, places, and cultures in which that life was lived, and he does not shy away from criticizing earlier works on Casanova's life or from criticizing the man himself. And oh, how much there is to criticize. I think we all know that Casanova is known as one of history's great lovers, but what I did NOT realize was the extent to which he engaged in sex with young girls, or the extent to which many of his liaisons were coercive or manipulative in some way, or the degree to which he not only fails to admit this but seems not to even realize it. At times I was repelled by the recounting of Casanova's sexual escapades, which he described at length in his autobiography and which feature heavily in this book. Aside from that, the stories of Casanova's schemes and travels, and the description of European life for a certain kind of adventurer in the eighteenth century, were fascinating. This is a book about the man, but it's also largely a piece of literary criticism focused on his autobiography, Histoire de Ma Vie, and Damrosch doesn't let Casanova get away with speaking for himself unchallenged.