Venetian Life

Name: Venetian Life
Author: William Dean Howells

By William Dean Howells

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About This Book

A first-person account of extended residence in Venice that blends travelogue, cultural history, and close social observation. The narrative covers arrival and the changing seasons, theater and opera, domestic life including dinners and housekeeping, and vivid descriptions of canals, balconies, churches, paintings, lagoon islands, and ethnic communities such as Armenians and Jews. Separate chapters examine commerce, national festivals and Christmas rituals, rites of courtship, marriage, baptism, and burial, and sketches of local character and society, concluding with reflections on the author's final year and on the city's persistent mixture of beauty, illusion, and everyday reality.

About the Author

William Dean Howells

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an influential American author and literary critic, often regarded as the "Dean of American Letters." He is best known for his realistic portrayals of American life and society, particularly in the late 19th century. Howells's works often explore themes of social class and morality, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life. His notable novel, "A Hazard of New Fortunes," delves into the challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. Throughout his career, Howells contributed significantly to the development of realism in American literature, advocating for a more truthful representation of everyday experiences.