Infinite Books

Commissario Guido Brunetti wouldn’t be a true Venetian if he were not interested in Venice real estate market. When his father-in-law’s friend is curious if an old palazzo is for sale, Brunetti finds himself knocking on the palazzo’s door. He doesn’t know that the person who opens, a Sri Lankan man, will soon be found dead, his body floating in one of Venice’s canals. And that Brunetti, helped by Inspetorre Vianello, Commissario Griffoni, and Signora Elettra, will be in charge of the investigation.

There is always a deeper issue, a political or a social one, that Donna Leon tackles in her books. This time is the political terrorism in the 80s. Brunetti muses on his own youthful enthusiasm to change the world. He used to have long discussions about what should be done to improve the working-class condition, just like many people were doing at the time. But, as Cicero said, “as you have sown, so shall you reap,” the consequences of one’s youthful fascination can often result in unpredicted future events. Today’s Venice distinguished professors and lawyers may have more skeletons in their closets than the public can suspect. Will everybody be held accountable?

I’ve been enjoying this series for years. Once more, it’s a pleasure to follow Brunetti around Venice, which is not postcard perfect but a real place. For example, Brunetti complains about the slowness of the Venetian vaporettos (water buses), although he admits that tourists may find it more enjoyable to discover Venice at a slower pace. He has his favorite routes, going around the city, and his wife Paula reminds him to dress warmly since it’s already November… These little details and conversations around Brunetti’s dining table – the simple charm of Brunetti’s everyday life, marred with crime but showing humanity underneath – make me return to the series.

SO SHALL YOU REAP, Donna Leon, Grove Atlantic, 2023