alysona's review against another edition
4.0
I am always ready to visit Venice through a Donna Leon book!
lmcn's review against another edition
4.0
Another saunter through Venice with a murder or two thrown in. Love it just for the experience of Venice.
the_bee_writes's review against another edition
4.0
Oh dear it is some time that I have read that one but according to the stars I gave I enjoyed it :-).
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Oh je das ist schon ein bisschen her, dass ich dieses Buch gelesen habe aber den Sternen zu urteilen , die ich ihm gegeben habe, habe ich es genossen :-)
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Oh je das ist schon ein bisschen her, dass ich dieses Buch gelesen habe aber den Sternen zu urteilen , die ich ihm gegeben habe, habe ich es genossen :-)
perednia's review against another edition
4.0
Commissario Guido Brunetti has seen many kinds of crimes in his long career, giving him a deep knowledge of human behavior which he can use to ascertain guilt or innocence. But in Drawing Conclusions, the 20th Brunetti novel by Donna Leon, the Venetian copper will be surprised by the people he meets and impressed by his colleagues.
The story begins with translator Anna Maria Giusti arriving home early from a weekend with her boyfriend and his closed family. She discovers the body of a neighbor. Signora Altavilla, a quiet, dignified older woman, died of a heart attack. But there is a bit of blood and a radiator nearby. Did she hit her head on the radiator? Or was she pushed into it? Are those bruises on her? What at first looked straightforward may be more complicated.
The victim had people stay with her -- only women. And she went to nursing homes to listen to old people talk. Her son once was a veterinarian to the son of Brunetti's craven boss, who expects a speedy resolution and a thorough investigation. Until he wants only the speedy resolution. And, of course, no press coverage.
According to the mother superior at the convent's spendy nursing home, Signora Altavilla had the fault of believing the truth should always be told. That, the old nun says, is a luxury.
The crux of Leon's story rests on what may or may not have happened, depending on one's point of view. Early on, one character tells another the story of a rhinoceros in a church during Medieval times. Did a rhino get into a church or not? Either it happened or it did not. But the story lives on regardless. As is noted: "People invent stories, and then after a time there's no telling what's true and what isn't."
Brunetti's wise wife, Paola, has ideas to contribute. At work, Signorina Elettra practically performs magic. Vested interests of the various characters can contribute to solving the puzzle of what happened when Signora Altavilla died or impede Brunetti, but only because the characters are concerned about themselves and not about the victim, who cared about other people and the truth. Leon adds one more layer to her theme: "Even the worst men wanted to be perceived as better than they were."
All the ideas, all the characters' separate paths, converge to show Brunetti that sometimes people tell the truth and other times, they should not. Sometimes those who tell the truth pay a very high place. Other times, those who keep secrets even while not lying to themselves about other things are made to suffer.
In keeping with her theme, the realizations characters make about the truth, what they have done with it and whether they made the right choice provide powerful revelations for the reader.
Much of Drawing Conclusions could be seen as insubstantial as meringue. But underneath is as deep and rich and even bittersweet a filling as the freshest lemon pie with fruit scraped a bit too close to the skin.
The story begins with translator Anna Maria Giusti arriving home early from a weekend with her boyfriend and his closed family. She discovers the body of a neighbor. Signora Altavilla, a quiet, dignified older woman, died of a heart attack. But there is a bit of blood and a radiator nearby. Did she hit her head on the radiator? Or was she pushed into it? Are those bruises on her? What at first looked straightforward may be more complicated.
The victim had people stay with her -- only women. And she went to nursing homes to listen to old people talk. Her son once was a veterinarian to the son of Brunetti's craven boss, who expects a speedy resolution and a thorough investigation. Until he wants only the speedy resolution. And, of course, no press coverage.
According to the mother superior at the convent's spendy nursing home, Signora Altavilla had the fault of believing the truth should always be told. That, the old nun says, is a luxury.
The crux of Leon's story rests on what may or may not have happened, depending on one's point of view. Early on, one character tells another the story of a rhinoceros in a church during Medieval times. Did a rhino get into a church or not? Either it happened or it did not. But the story lives on regardless. As is noted: "People invent stories, and then after a time there's no telling what's true and what isn't."
Brunetti's wise wife, Paola, has ideas to contribute. At work, Signorina Elettra practically performs magic. Vested interests of the various characters can contribute to solving the puzzle of what happened when Signora Altavilla died or impede Brunetti, but only because the characters are concerned about themselves and not about the victim, who cared about other people and the truth. Leon adds one more layer to her theme: "Even the worst men wanted to be perceived as better than they were."
All the ideas, all the characters' separate paths, converge to show Brunetti that sometimes people tell the truth and other times, they should not. Sometimes those who tell the truth pay a very high place. Other times, those who keep secrets even while not lying to themselves about other things are made to suffer.
In keeping with her theme, the realizations characters make about the truth, what they have done with it and whether they made the right choice provide powerful revelations for the reader.
Much of Drawing Conclusions could be seen as insubstantial as meringue. But underneath is as deep and rich and even bittersweet a filling as the freshest lemon pie with fruit scraped a bit too close to the skin.
judenoseinabook's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Very subtle story. One of those slow burning tales that addresses several issues with a red herring or two thrown in.
Not my favourite Brunetti but still worth reading. The balance between justice and the law always a feature.
A woman dies, is there a crime or not? Why all the unworn plain clothes in the spare room? What about the faint marks on her neck?
Signorina Elettra's amazing IT skills are put to use again, but how moral.is it for Brunetti to make use of them?
Not my favourite Brunetti but still worth reading. The balance between justice and the law always a feature.
A woman dies, is there a crime or not? Why all the unworn plain clothes in the spare room? What about the faint marks on her neck?
Signorina Elettra's amazing IT skills are put to use again, but how moral.is it for Brunetti to make use of them?
nocto's review against another edition
4.0
Another enjoyable wander around Venice with Brunetti. I got a bit lost in the plot, reading too fast probably, but still thought it was a pretty good read.
sofialindblom's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rothieee's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bucherca49's review against another edition
2.0
I love Guido Brunetti, but I found it difficult to care about the plot or the people in this story. An elderly women dies of a heart attack in her apartment, but Brunetti suspects her death may be a murder. There are a few delightful scenes over dinner at the Brunetti household, but otherwise I found this novel lackluster.