Title: The City of Falling Angels
Author: John Berendt
First published January 1, 2005
414 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780143036937 (ISBN10: 0143036939)
Rating: 3.55
Overview
Nadeem Aslam, the acclaimed author of Maps for Lost Lovers, weaves an unforgettable tale of war and its aftermath in The Wasted Vigil. Set in post-9/11 Afghanistan, the novel follows the lives of five individuals whose paths cross in the most unexpected ways.
Marcus, an English doctor who lost his wife to the Taliban, opens his home to Lara, who comes all the way from St. Petersburg to search for her missing soldier brother. David, a former American spy, finds his beliefs challenged after spending twenty-five years in Afghanistan.
Casa, a young Afghan man, is consumed by his hatred for the West, while James, a Special Forces soldier, struggles with his notions of right and wrong. As the characters deal with their own internal conflicts, they are forced to confront the brutal reality of war and its long-lasting repercussions.
With his lyrical prose and poignant storytelling, Aslam presents a raw and intimate portrait of a world shaped by the continuation of wars. The Wasted Vigil is a truly luminous work of fiction that will stay with readers long after the final page.
About the Author
John Berendt, a native of Syracuse, New York, was raised by two writers. He attended Harvard University and earned his B.A. in English while working for The Harvard Lampoon.
After graduation in 1961, Berendt headed to New York City to pursue a career in publishing. He served as editor for New York magazine from 1977 to 1979 and wrote a monthly column for Esquire from 1982 to 1994.
It was during the early 80s that Berendt first visited Savannah, Georgia. He found himself returning more frequently until he was spending more time in Savannah than in New York.
Editoral Review
John Berendt’s The City of Falling Angels is a fascinating tale that delves into the heart of Venice, exploring its history, culture, and people. Berendt is a renowned journalist, famous for his book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
With The City of Falling Angels, he delivers another compelling work that blends fiction and non-fiction, blending real-life events and characters with imagined ones to create a vivid portrayal of Venice. The book is a work of creative non-fiction, a genre that combines factual reporting with imaginative elements such as dialogue, character development, and narrative arcs.
Berendt’s style is evocative and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of Venice, with its canals, palaces, and churches, and the colorful cast of characters that inhabit it. The main premise of the book revolves around the fire that destroyed La Fenice, Venice’s most celebrated opera house, in 1996.
Berendt explores the aftermath of the blaze, tracing the efforts to rebuild the theater and the investigations into its cause. Along the way, he introduces us to a rich cast of characters, including the Venetian aristocracy, American expatriates, property developers, and art collectors.
Berendt’s characters are complex and multifaceted, with their own personal histories, dreams, and ambitions. They form relationships, fall in love, and experience heartbreak and betrayal, all against the backdrop of a city steeped in history and tradition.
The book is as much about the people of Venice as it is about the city itself. The City of Falling Angels is a book of great historical and cultural significance.
Venice is a city unlike any other, with a unique blend of Italian and Byzantine influences, a place where art, music, and food coexist in perfect harmony. Berendt does an excellent job of capturing the essence of Venice, providing historical context and cultural insights that enhance the reader’s appreciation of the city.
Berendt’s writing is excellent, with a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling. The pacing is superb, with the narrative unfolding at a steady pace, building tension and suspense as the investigation into the fire unfolds.
The dialogue is crisp and witty, with the characters exchanging barbs and banter that add depth and humor to the story. The book’s main strength is its ability to bring Venice and its people to life in such a vivid and compelling way.
Berendt’s deep affection for the city is palpable, and his love for its people shines through in every page. The book is a testament to the enduring power of Venice, a city that has weathered centuries of wars, plagues, and natural disasters and remains as vibrant and alluring as ever.
However, the book’s main weakness is its lack of a clear narrative arc. The story meanders at times, with subplots and characters that don’t always add much to the main storyline.
Also, some characters are not as fully developed as others, leaving the reader wanting more. Overall, The City of Falling Angels is a compelling and beautifully crafted book that will transport readers to the heart of Venice.
Berendt’s writing is superb, and his love for the city and its people is infectious. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history, culture, and a good story.
Washington Post Rating: 4/5 stars. Berendt’s storytelling is superb, but the lack of a clear narrative arc and some underdeveloped characters limit its overall impact.
Nonetheless, The City of Falling Angels is a must-read for anyone who loves Venice and its people.
