A Thousand Days in Venice: An Unexpected Romance

I throughly enjoyed sharing De Blasi’s journey into the world of Venice. It’s’ sights, food, and people are a rich feast to partake in. Full of magic, the best parts are grounded in her unwavering realism.

It is not an average book in all meanings of the word. I needed two attempts to finish the love and marriage story of a middle-aged couple in the beautiful Venice. The first time I just could not go with the slow narrative, a bit unrealistic story-line, especially if you take into consideration the practical aspects of life. So I quit. Some 6 months later I started the book again as a sort of beach read preparing for my holidays in Italy. This time I finished the book.This is a romance of two adults from different countries and different cultures, with totally different backgrounds. Therefore the slow development of the story. Therefore the main heroine on most occasions calls the male hero Stranger instead of his name. Therefore so many other details that people of similar experience can promptly recognize and read between the lines, but for most people they may seem boring or insignificant.In my second attempt I enjoyed reading the book, seeing myself in many of the situations. Though financially all this starting of a new life / redecorating apartment / another house and not working seems like luxury of rich people, not something everybody can easily afford. Another frustration of mine - all this beautiful, tempting food! A big plate of pasta at almost midnight! And the heroine did not have excessive weight - her hands being described as rather thin. Somehow I am having doubts about constant eating and not having weight problems.I am glad I read this book, so different from the average kindle romances. But most likely I will not read other books by this author.

Gourmet food writer, gourmand extraordinaire and makeshift interior decorator, Marlena De Blasi, throws caution to the wind when she leaves her home base in America to marry a man she barely knows from Venice. Is she crazy or merely sensationally romantic?If I were to analyze la bella dona, Marlena, by her writing alone, I would submit that indeed she is a romantic---each of the moments she describes on the island of Lido and Venice proper, wax with almost too much poetry. In spite of this tendency for long windedness, Marlena infuses her little book with such infectious optimism for the future that the reader automatically forgives her indulgences.After all, it is she, not us, taking the big chance, exchanging her old life for something completely foreign. And she does this, not as a young ingenue in her 20s or early 30s but as a mature woman with grown children. Each of her decisions and contemplations is most intricately explored; questions that arise in any mature mind are handled with an infinite and loving look at a future that isn't as long as it seemed when one was much younger. Brava, Marlena, for giving the spark of love a chance to grow into a flame and to express your anxieties with such honesty.The first part of Marlena's story ignites that flame within the reader's heart; the details of the mystery Venetian steadfastly wooing the woman of his dreams based on just a glimpse of her profile emulates the great romances. The author's technique of flashing back to her first visit to Venice does not make its thematic point as quickly as one would wish, and so seems to muddy the pace of the actual tale of courtship and marriage. However, this, too does not mar the overall tapestry that De Blasi ultimately crafts.In the second half of the book. De Blasi deals with her assimilation into the Italian mindset--a transition she makes totally possible through her use of interior design and her love of good food--wonderful recipes of some of the key meals mentioned in the text are thoughtfully provided at the end of the book. The couples' decision to chuck their newly converted Lido apartment for a life of helping others create their own dream environment in Tuscany and Umbria seems perfectly in tune with the book's emphasis on shunning the routine and keeping life a continuum of surprise. I hope that Marlena will follow this book up with a tale of her new adventures as the couple molts into their new lifestyle.Recommended to all those who love romance and the thought of living in a foreign land.

I purchased this for my daughter, who has visited numerous times and fallen in love with VENICE, Italy! This is a true story and not a fiction romance novel. She is a critical reader and sincerely LOVES this book!

If you like a love story, Italy, food, (and more) this book is wonderful. The author is a cookbook writer, and the better than sex scenes are the wondrous foods she whips up. And it is a good love story of a not youthful, more mature, couple.I highly recommend.

I (sadly) am not a reader, simply because of time limitations. Still, I buy every interesting book written on my favorite subject: Italy and those who visit her and share their intimate tales of experiences with her. Sometimes I simply buy them for an interesting cover photo or painting! Usually I'm disappointed, or can't ever find time or interest to finish them....they line my shelves. However, I bought this book and began it last summer, and was immediately obsessed by every wonderful aspect of it...Venezia,the intrigue of the first meeting (strangely, at a wine bar I'd visited several times by accident just last spring), the perfect descriptive narrative and incorporation of the Italian language, and the love story of these two blessed souls. And yet, I couldn't finish it...only this time it was totally because I haven't wanted it to end!!!!!!!!! Today, on vacation, and with sadness (not for any kind of disappointment, but for me not having more to read!),I finally read the last page. I then devoured the recipes pages...and can't wait to make my own stuffed, roasted pumpkin on a fall NH day! I will relive the story of Marlena and Fernando forever (wish it were a movie), and will set off to read De Blasi's other books. I'm curious to know more early biographical information about the author, if anyone knows...her name sounds like a name from my past. Anyway, what an AMAZING book....what AMAZING writing!!!!!! What a treat for the spirit of everyone who loves Italy and Venezia!!! READ IT!!!

As usual, Marlena de Blasi writes with a story-telling pen that is a dream to read. She can spin threads of facts so beautifully into a tale and with such panache that every time I read them, they touch my soul. Whether the facts are embroidered is neither here nor there. How can one weave a magical web without either the threads or the ability to skilfully weave them in. Her books are soul foods, nourishing in there kindnesses. Long may she write.

Bought this as its the first in a series with an account of someone moving to Italy. A couple of chapters in, it's so eye rollingly cheesy I'm not sure I can bear to read any further. Pity!

While it deals with her romance with her Italian husband, the overly romantic slant to every aspect of her life is irritating and banal

I only bought this book because it is the title I've been given for a competitive class in floral design at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show 2014. I found it rather dull reading but it has given plenty of inspiration for the design including the book cover which has provided the colour scheme.It is a romance but the main theme is in food and cooking. I would have liked more description of Venice..

Absolutely loved itEven better if you have been to Venice