Book description
The true story of forbidden love in eighteenth-century Venice between
an Italian noble and the brilliant, illegitimate daughter of an English baronet.
In 1754 Andrea Memmo, the dashing and gifted scion of a distinguished
catholic family, fell in love with illegitimate English beauty,
Giustiniana Wynne. This match went against every convention of their
day; it was an 'impossible love'.
The lovers chased each other through peeling palazzos, ballrooms,
salons, theatres and gambling dens, rubbing shoulders with legendary
figures such as Canaletto and their friend, Casanova. Increasingly
desperate, they decided Giustiniana should marry to conceal their
relationship. A summer passed in flirting with the English Consul,
Joseph Smith, but he soon saw through the deception and the affair
became public.
The consequences were disastrous. Casanova was imprisoned for his
'pernicious' influence. Disgraced, Giustiniana left for Paris, where she
launched herself into society in the hunt for a new husband. Her love
for Memmo had lingering consequences that were to break this match, and
she left again for London, hoping to build a new life, but a different
fate lay in store…
Andrea di Robilant is Andrea Memmo's great great great grandson. The
idea to write A Venetian Affair was planted when his father discovered
Andrea's letters to Giustiniana mouldering in the attic of the family's
crumbling Venetian palazzo. His father's violent murder inspired di
Robilant to fulfil his father's dream to write about the lovers, and
this fascinating, romantic tale is the result of di Robilant's
dedication and passion.
Note that it has not been possible to include the same picture content
that appeared in the original print version. 'A sensitive reading of
an enthralling love story … The sense of Andrea di Robilant's
affectionate commitment to his father's subject adds indefinable
poignancy to his evocation of an impossible relationship.' Daily Telegraph
'Supple and elegant a stylist as he is, Robilant never allows his own
enjoyment in unfolding this long-hidden narrative to upstage the raw
drama of the correspondence forming its backbone … The whole passionate
correspondence, to which A Venetian Affair presents such a finely
balanced introduction, is a thrilling addition to the corpus of
eighteenth-century letter writing.' TLS
'Set against the backdrop of a glittering city sloping towards collapse
and the debauched courts of Europe, with cameo appearances by characters
such as Casanova, A Venetian Affair has all the compelling, over-the-top
inevitability of opera.' Daily Mail
'A sad, enthralling book … Fascinating.' Sunday Times Andrea di
Robilant lives in Rome and writes for La Stampa. He is Andrea Memmo's
great great great great grandson.
