A Thousand Days in Venice (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

When my mother was only twenty-one, she traveled to the Adriatic coast and fell under the spell of a handsome, Italian "stranger", a scenario not too unlike the one described in this book by author Marlena DeBlasi. Perhaps due to the nature of their youth, their romance was not to have the happy ending of this story's heroine, a mature woman who comes to love and marraige with a much different perspective, one where relationships are more about making compromise and finding comfort instead of the idealistic notions of love we have when we're younger.

My mother, in fact, recommended this book to me, noting how much she recognized of De Blasi's experiences adapting to the Italian ways of life, her place as an outsider and also as a woman who must learn the social customs and expectations of this old world country. The little details bring every scene to life, from the authors' friendships made in the marketplaces to the struggles of organizing her wedding and the beurocracies of the church and local government. The details sometimes become a bit too excessive, the language a bit flowery for my taste, but perhaps that is only standard for a romance--I admit that I almost never pick up a book labelled as a romance as it is not particularly my genre of choice as a reader. But I am glad I made an exception in this case.

I will in fact be travelling to Venice for the first time this year, and this book has provided a wonderful introduction to the city, besides a moving story of love and romance. Not all may be able to understand or agree with the choices De Blasi made in her life with "the stranger", but there is wisdom in her words that should at least leave most readers with things to reflect upon, to decide what in their lives are truly important.

GREAT BOOK. SO GLAD TO HAVE READ IT. I CONTINUE TO PURCHASE IT AND GIVE TO FRIENDS. LOVED THE STORY AND THE RECIPES INCLJUDED IN IT. I TRULY FELT THAT I TOO WAS LIVING IN VENICE AS I EXPERIENCED THE STORY WITH THE WRITER. SO VERY WELL WRITTEN.

I felt obliged to give this four stars instead of five only because I could not relate with Mrs. De Blasi not matter how hard I tried (did that rhyme?). And I DID try - very hard in fact. I found myself WANTING to relate because her's was SUCH a story of faith and risk and love and adventure. But at the end of the day, I, personally, would have booted Mr. Moody, "the stranger" out on his butt in two shakes and told him to paddle his sorry behind back down the canal.

Now on the OTHER hand - a fantastic food read!! And I read a ton of books about food! This book has actually earned a highly revered spot on my kitchen counter bookshelf. With limited space, this is a true honor for any cookbook, let alone a novel! I have "post-it'ed" about 12 pages of recipes and even descriptions of food that I have tried to copy (I seriously make the leek gratin about every other week and eat so much I make myself sick and swear to never make it again, but look forward to the day I do!).

So, though the love story was a bit contrived at times and she skips around leaving HUGE gaps of time unaccounted for (something that irks me awful!), I melted, MELTED at her descriptions of dishes. Right up there with Frances Mayes, for sure.

I also found the directive at the end for how to spend a day/week/longer in Venice extremely enticing! Made me want to go back to Venice and do it right!

Few books make me both misty-eyed and laugh out loud... This was one of them. Can't recommend it highly enough, even if you don't care to move to Venice in the near future.

This book is truly magnificent. It is a beautiful love story (both with the country and the man). I identified very much with the story and with Marlena's character and her willingness to put-up with a difficult husband that she is very much in love with. Marlena De Blasi is an inspiration to everyone who wishes to "always be a beginner" and who wants to live life to the fullest. This is also a very sensual book, so many flavors, smells, sensations.

I admire Marlena's courage, spontaneity and positive outlook on life. I could only hope to be able to grow young like her --which must be quite difficult, as I hardly know anybody who is like that at any age. This book was much more than I expected.