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sophiewoz's review
5.0
One of the most well written books I’ve read all year - I loved every second of this book. Enough that when I’d left it on an airplane I tracked down another copy on the other side of the country so I could finish it
thewholeplot's review
3.0
Book was fine and a different perspective of the flood at times. However, it was frustrating that there were practically no photographs and the author would go off on random tangents that had little or nothing to do with the book's thesis.
cymry09's review
2.0
The subject matter for this book was really, really interesting, but the writing style was quite dry and hard to get through. The author meanders through an endless series of tangents, making it long and tedious in places. When he does actually start talking about the flood, the way it was handled, and how the art was conserved and "saved", it's fascinating stuff.
I'm not sure I recommend this book, though I don't regret reading it. This is one where you could feel free to skip pages (or entire chapters).
I'm not sure I recommend this book, though I don't regret reading it. This is one where you could feel free to skip pages (or entire chapters).
ecarr's review
4.0
Really interesting. A different way to see a city, it's people, art and history .
alundeberg's review
3.0
This book is very similar to Florence after the 1966 flood: muddy. There just seems like there's too much that the author is trying to achieve-- tracing the city's history of floods in conjunction with the artists and literary milieu that inhabited it at the time; recounting the flood and the conflict of saving art versus people; providing a memoir of his own experiences in Florence; and providing short bios of a whole cast of characters. It was like in each chapter he was trying a new approach to his book and couldn't rein himself in. His writing style is also a little indulgent and he tries to connect events and people to an Icarus metaphor when he remembers to do so. Considering that this book is about art, history, a European city, literature, politics, and natural disasters-- all things that fascinate me-- it's quite a feat to make this reader beleaguered. I could have used a more straightforward narrative.
kiwimrsmac's review
4.0
I enjoyed the historical references, and the nod to the restoration effort, but found that the book didn't meet my expectations of more information about the flood, and the effect of the flood on Florence. That isn't the fault of the book, but more my own expectations.
The book is jam packed full of references to the damaged art, and its history prior to the flood, so if art is more your thing, then you will love the beautiful descriptions contained within these pages.
This book isn't so much about the flood of 1966, its more about the art, and the art history. Bear that in mind if you are going to read it.
Having said all that, it is a beautiful read. Almost more a story than a non fiction narrative.
The book is jam packed full of references to the damaged art, and its history prior to the flood, so if art is more your thing, then you will love the beautiful descriptions contained within these pages.
This book isn't so much about the flood of 1966, its more about the art, and the art history. Bear that in mind if you are going to read it.
Having said all that, it is a beautiful read. Almost more a story than a non fiction narrative.
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