Readers who want to discover Venice beyond romanticised clichés will find in Venetian Life an illuminating read. The American writer William Dean Howells lived in the lagoon city as a consul in the 1860s. His collection of sketches and observations paints a sober yet insightful picture of Venetian daily life, its inhabitants and social conditions shortly before the city became part of Italy.
Venetian Life
William Dean Howells (1837–1920)
Original language: English
First published: 1866
What is it about?
Venetian Life is neither a novel nor a conventional travel guide. It is a collection of essayistic chapters in which William Dean Howells recorded his impressions as the American consul in Venice. He describes life in the city from the perspective of an attentive but unprejudiced observer. The texts cover everyday scenes: the bustle of markets, the character of gondoliers, Venetians' social rituals and pervasive poverty. Howells looks behind the splendid facades and writes about the worries and small pleasures of ordinary people. He deliberately avoids the romantic idealisation that shaped many travel accounts of his time.
About the author
William Dean Howells (1837–1920) was one of the most influential American writers and critics of the second half of the 19th century. A leading representative of literary realism, he shaped a whole generation of authors. President Abraham Lincoln appointed him US consul in Venice as a reward for a campaign biography. His stay from 1861 to 1865 laid the foundation for Venetian Life, his first major prose work. Howells later became editor-in-chief of the respected magazine The Atlantic Monthly and wrote numerous novels, including The Rise of Silas Lapham.
Italy reference
The book focuses entirely on Venice, but on Venice in a particular historical period. Howells witnessed the final years of Austrian rule over Veneto, a time of stagnation and quiet resistance. He describes the atmosphere of a city waiting to join the young Italian state. His sketches lead readers through alleyways and campi, theatres and coffee houses. They offer details about living conditions, Venetian food and complex social hierarchies. It is a portrait of urban life marked by deep sympathy for its people without concealing their hardship.
Why read?
Venetian Life offers an unusual way into Venice's history. It is the account of an astute observer who prefers the everyday to the monumental. The book is ideal for readers who want to look behind the scenes of the Serenissima and understand the city through a 19th-century perspective that feels refreshingly modern. His clear and precise language still makes it a pleasure to read. Readers gain a deep understanding of the city and its people.
Recommended Reading
The work is also available under the title Venezianisches Leben in a German translation. Readers interested in American authors' views of Italy will find related themes in the work of Henry James, a friend of Howells, including novels such as The Aspern Papers or The Wings of the Dove, which are also set in Venice.
In our weekly column Book about Italy the editorial team of Italy News presents selected works - travel literature, novels, memoirs and non-fiction books that show the country from a variety of perspectives. Immerse yourself with us in foreign views of the Bel Paese, in stories that awaken longing and allow you to rediscover Italy. Perfect for your next vacation, a quiet reading session or simply for daydreaming. Buona lettura!
