A Stopover in Venice

by Kathryn Walker

Book Overview

A debut novel that begins as a tale of loneliness and heartbreak yet opens into a dazzling, enchanting story of secrets and self-discovery in a magical city.

"A romance with heft and heart. Walker writes ... with amazing candor and insight." --The Boston Globe

Nel Everett, a young American woman, is touring Italy with her famous musician husband when, in a moment of fury, she pulls down her luggage and gets off the train...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307386503
• ISBN13: 9780307386502
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Anchor Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

a dream of a book

This is a wonderful tale of a magical chapter in one womans' life. Kathryn Walker's voice evokes mystery, romance, seduction and eternal beauty. Walker manages to tell the tale with a sensitive balance between a hard eye, and a soft heart. Told with great feeling for her characters and the magic of Venice. Highly recommended as a one-way ticket to a magical place. And love the the little dog too.

Wonderful Book!

This is the first book I bought for my new Kindle and I love both the Kindle and this story. I couldn't put it down! The only problem is that it left me wanting so much more. I hope Ms. Walker has a 2nd installment in mind. Did Nel leave Antony? Will she return to Venice? What about Matteo and Leo? Will we find out the history of Clare's son? Gee whiz, so much more is needed, at least another 200 or so pages.

An intoxicating journey through the enchanted Lagoon City

The evocative descriptions in this book -- both the connections to the past and the present -- are wonderfully captivating. As a long-time Venetophile, I have filled my shelves with books published about the city. A Stopover in Venice does tasteful justice to the Love-of-Venice genre. The author conveys her belief that one more book about Venice, about love in Venice, about art in Venice, and about the secret discovery of art treasures are gifts she would like the reader to share. The book feels like a gift of love and is enjoyable on so many levels. Love is explored in all forms -- the ashen remains of dead marriages, the bittersweet longing of lost loves, and the discovery and excitement of someone new. It also explores love of art and "The Discovery." One gets the sense that the palazzos of Venice are filled to the rafters with delicious discoveries, and this book captures that feeling. The city of Venice becomes an essential character in this book which is also detailed in its slow unfolding of the desires of its human (and canine) characters. The read was such a wonderful journey, I was sad for it to end. I look forward to more books by this author!

Delightful!

I just finished reading this wonderful tale of discovery that takes place in Venice. I will probably read it again after I allow a little time to savor it and let it sink in. The writing is wonderful, the characters are multifaceted and interesting; there is also a delightful little dog and, of course, the beautiful city of Venice. I couldn't put the book down, from the minute Nel steps off a train to Verona and returns alone to Venice... to the end...well, I won't tell you the end. The book is fun, intriguing, interesting and, if you love Italy and Renaissance art, you will find it a total treasure. Never formula, it is as fresh, heady and stimulating as a cup of cafe espresso. Oh, how I wish I was picking it up for the first time all over again!

a glorious adventure!

This is a wonderfully seductive book. The contemporary story delights with mystery, discovery, the entanglements of modern-day marriage and the possibility of release through self-discovery. The historical story is a wonderfully complex maze through the history of Venice, the world of artists, and blessed with a love story that is unbearably touching. It is refreshing, original, and deeply satisfying.