Gondola
by Leon, Donna (1942- )
pub by Atlantic Monthly Press (a division of Grove Atlantic), NY - 2013 -       - isbn 978-0-8021-2266-7 - LCCN 2013 - - 137 pages - - inside back cover the book also contains a music CD. - - Note that the original copyright in 2013 was by Diogenes Verlag, AG, Zurich - the CD copyright in 2013 by Il Pomo d'Oro
The author is known for many fiction/mystery books (the Commissario Guido Brunetti series) she has written over the previous 30 years. She has lived in Venice for years, and now spends several months of each year living in Switzerland. She was born in USA.
This non-fiction book is a celebration of the Venetian Gondola.
It describes the slightly off bilateral symetry of the hull so it can be easily propelled by one oar over the side. The history of Venice and gondolas is briefly presented. The story of an non-Venetian expert woodworker getting plans for a gondola and spending years actually making one is part of the story.
The native songs of the gondeliers is featured, and they are writen out in Venetian Italian and with English translations. The accompanied CD features them sung.
The last chapter describes the rather bad effects of tourism and huge ships visiting Venice, ruining the ambience, and possibly the physical health of Venice.
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~2023_01_25~

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