Quick Reviews of Readings

As usual, I write for a time, then read for a time and do not post anything. I have not written essays of late, but I will write some impressions of books I've read, until I write something more substantial. So I will post some of these quick reviews here. Most are along the lines of Christian reading, though not limited to it. I encourage Christians to read, and not just Christian works. Just this month, as I teach Chip Ingram's book, Good to Great in God's Eyes, we are discussing great Christians read great books. So I'll post something of those great books as I come across them. I hope you might find something of interest. 

The Alluring Woman: Robert Girardi's novel, Vaporetto 13.

The novel takes place in Venice, and the setting is important to the story, as the city is sinking. The protagonist, Jack Squire, is an American currency trader abroad, sent to get the inside scoop on the frequently changing politics of Italy. Money is central because he deals in it; his pager keeps him up on money changes globally. In Venice he meets a mysterious woman, Caterina, who takes his mind off the money, because she knows there are more important things. She talks of bygone periods as though from first-hand experience, of days of the Barnabotti, of Paolo Sarpi, of political intrigue and assassinations and of tragedy In Venice. Squire is fascinated by the woman and her world, what little she reveals to him. He thinks of her to the point of neglecting all else. Their meetings are always at night, as she must catch the early-morning vaporetto (a water bus) back to the Lagoon. She is religious in her own way. She is cool in her manner. And she is private, so much so that Jack must spy out where she lives. She has only told him it would not be good for him to visit because she has an overprotective father who would not allow the relationship.
            
Girardi is excellent in developing the mysterious woman, giving enough to allure, as she does Jack Squire, and in building suspense by Jack’s obsession to find out who this woman is. The setting in Venice is beautiful, but also conveys the antiquated past eroding. Knowledge of something of the history of Venice, and a map, are helpful in reading, but not essential. 

Warning: there is some sexual content, some strong language.