Di Robilant, Andrea. A Venetian Affair: A True Tale of Forbidden Love in the Eighteenth Century.DI ROBILANT, Andrea. A Venetian affair; a true tale of forbidden love in the eighteenth century. Random House, Vintage. 313p. notes. bibliog. index. c2003. 0-375-72617-9. $14.00. SA Andrea di Robilant Andrea di Robilant is the author of A Venetian Affair, (2003) a biography of his ancestor in 18th century Venice based on their correspondence. Di Robilant was born in Italy and educated at Le Rosey and Columbia University. , a correspondent for the Italian newspaper La Stampa La Stampa (literally “The Press”) is one of the best-known and most widely sold Italian daily newspapers. Published in Turin, it is distributed in Italy and other European nations. The current owner is the Fiat Group. , makes his nonfiction debut with the story of one of his ancestors, Venetian noble Andrea Memmo, and his love affair with Giustiniana Wynne, an illegitimate daughter of questionable birthright birth·right n. 1. A right, possession, or privilege that is one's due by birth. See Synonyms at right. 2. A special privilege accorded a first-born. . Di Robilant's father discovered a packet of old letters at his ancestral home The Ancestral Home (Dom Ojczysty) is a political party in Poland, founded after the elections. It is a splinter of the League of Polish Families and led by Piotr Krutul. in Venice, which forms the basis for this book. He died before he could complete his research, so Andrea di Robilant continued the work in order to share this story with the world. The correspondence reveals the passionate love story of Memmo and Giustiniana, sweethearts in the throes throe n. 1. A severe pang or spasm of pain, as in childbirth. See Synonyms at pain. 2. throes A condition of agonizing struggle or trouble: a country in the throes of economic collapse. of a clandestine CLANDESTINE. That which is done in secret and contrary to law. 2.Generally a clandestine act in case of the limitation of actions will prevent the act from running. affair during the mid- 1700s in Venice. Giustiniana was only 16 when she met the captivating cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. 24-year-old Andrea Memmo. Her mother was determined that her daughter marry someone more suitable to her rank in society. She did everything she could to keep the lovers apart, including an attempt to sabotage an ultimately futile marriage request. Their love was an impossible one, given their stations in life, yet they used every opportunity and connection to be together, in many cases helped by sympathetic friends and interested acquaintances. The affair and letter writing lasted for seven years, surviving bouts of jealousy, depression, separation, and persecution by family and friends. This love story also describes 18th-century European life in great detail. The reader learns about the customs and culture of a republic going through many changes. Andrea and Giustiniana interacted with several well-known figures in history, including Casanova. The engaging narrative writing style makes this book read almost like a historical novel. Olivia Durant, Libn., Webster PL, Webster, NY S--Recommended for senior high school students. A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries. |
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