Reviews
The Story of My Life by Giacomo Casanova, Stephen Sartarelli, Gilberto Pizzamiglio, Sophie Hawkes
cheri_champagne's review against another edition
2.0
Based on the cover of this audiobook, I'd assumed (wrongfully) that this was the "book version" of the movie. The movie, unlike the actual Giacomo Casanova's story, makes him seem like less of a pedophile, and more of a "lover of women", who eventually finds love and hangs up the proverbial womanizing towel, passing the torch on to another guy who takes on his identity. But the *real* story of Casanova is one of STDs, pedophilia, perversion, and dying alone. Some of this might not appear in this audio book, but read the man's biography... When he was 50, he paid for sex with a 12 year old. And that wasn't the first time he'd done it (also in his 20s, 30s, and 40s...). He also spoke about how attractive his former lover's 9 year old daughter was, and how she didn't rebuff his attentions. The guy was sick.
The "Venetian Years" is a bit misleading, as he doesn't spend a whole lot of this audiobook in Venice. But that was the least of my concerns. All this is, is a story of a sex-crazed man searching for as many women to sleep with as he can, and with each woman, he proclaims his "love" for her. I'm pretty sure that Casanova had no clue what love actually was; all he knew was lust, because as soon as another woman came along, he completely forgot about his "love" for the previous one...even when he promised her that he'd meet her in a different town and marry her. Scumbag. The guy was deluded, and the only thing that he was absolutely certain about in his life was the fact that he "loved" women.
The *only* reason that this is getting 2 stars instead of one, is because of the narration. I adore Benedict Cumberbatch. His spectacular voice is the only reason that I kept listening. Seriously, I could listen to him read the encyclopaedia or list the ingredients in all of the food at the grocery store, and I'd be perfectly content.
The "Venetian Years" is a bit misleading, as he doesn't spend a whole lot of this audiobook in Venice. But that was the least of my concerns. All this is, is a story of a sex-crazed man searching for as many women to sleep with as he can, and with each woman, he proclaims his "love" for her. I'm pretty sure that Casanova had no clue what love actually was; all he knew was lust, because as soon as another woman came along, he completely forgot about his "love" for the previous one...even when he promised her that he'd meet her in a different town and marry her. Scumbag. The guy was deluded, and the only thing that he was absolutely certain about in his life was the fact that he "loved" women.
The *only* reason that this is getting 2 stars instead of one, is because of the narration. I adore Benedict Cumberbatch. His spectacular voice is the only reason that I kept listening. Seriously, I could listen to him read the encyclopaedia or list the ingredients in all of the food at the grocery store, and I'd be perfectly content.
kamela's review against another edition
3.0
So this was a very mixed experience for me, thus the three stars.
On the one hand, while I hoped to enjoy this because of how much my girlfriend loves Casanova, and while I rather enjoyed his wily exploits...I also found him to be a rather entitled, rapey asshole. I mean, it's the 1700s...but still.
On the other hand, this is an audio book with Benedict Cumberbatch reading it. Sooooo that was really awesome, and his reading definitely increased my enjoyment of what largely, in the content, was making me roll my eyes over and over.
On the one hand, while I hoped to enjoy this because of how much my girlfriend loves Casanova, and while I rather enjoyed his wily exploits...I also found him to be a rather entitled, rapey asshole. I mean, it's the 1700s...but still.
On the other hand, this is an audio book with Benedict Cumberbatch reading it. Sooooo that was really awesome, and his reading definitely increased my enjoyment of what largely, in the content, was making me roll my eyes over and over.
mairio's review against another edition
1.0
1 star for Casanova because he is just a self-centered, narcistic, bastard, who's thinking with his d and was totally full of himself
mickenchilk's review against another edition
5.0
Gives amazing insight into the social lives of 1700s aristocrats. They be wildin!!!
jenn_geeks_out's review against another edition
4.0
Let's get this out of the way: yes, I only listened to this book because it's read by Benedict Cumberbatch. I ended up enjoying this book much more than I thought I would. Casanova can weave an entertaining story. And for talking about sex nonstop, he's actually pretty discrete when it comes to the specific acts.
This abridged version was good, but I'm not sure that I have enough interest to read the entirety of his memoirs.
This abridged version was good, but I'm not sure that I have enough interest to read the entirety of his memoirs.
emma_ireland's review against another edition
4.0
I'd probably have given this a 5 if not for the fact that it's an abridged version which, at the end of each chapter, gives a brief summary of what's been left out. Unfortunately, it was often the case that, after 16 pages of detailed to the point of piles description of some sumptuous dinner or other, there would then follow something like: "Casanova becomes embroiled in a love affair with two sisters which culminates in a threesome, he then barely survives an attempt on his life after being caught in flagrante with the wife of his best friend, gets another noblewoman knocked up, she nearly dies after a dodgy abortion, he's then exiled from
Venice, moves to Paris where he runs several people through with his sword after challenging them to duels for various crimes or offences which aren't worth mentioning, gets thrown out of Vienna, Prague, and Dresden, and now, Chapter 2: Casanova Darns His Socks for Twelve Pages." Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Venice, moves to Paris where he runs several people through with his sword after challenging them to duels for various crimes or offences which aren't worth mentioning, gets thrown out of Vienna, Prague, and Dresden, and now, Chapter 2: Casanova Darns His Socks for Twelve Pages." Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
schaffyd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
sanjanabht's review against another edition
5.0
Cannot rate it anything less than 5/5 because I got to know the compelling tale of the scoundrel in Benedict Cumberbatch's voice.