Italy 17th Century

RICHARD

is our Venice expert. Come in Richard, we need you.

Have you looked in Resources by Era, stickied at the top of this board? There is a little general stuff there you can use.

My husband bought me this a while back, as the sequel to my WiP is set in late 16th century Venice:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0701172851/?tag=absowrit-21

I haven't read it yet, though, as I've been concentrating on my London novel!

Natsuki, at this early stage of research Googe Books is your friend.

There are 930,000 book results for Early Modern Italy, and 318,000 for Early Modern Venice alone. Many are available cheaply second-hand, but if you don't want to buy at this stage, many are available in libraries or even digitized free online. I'd also suggest you read the novels of Michelle Lovric, who's probably the most eminent Venetian writer (in English) on this period in the world today. One page of her description (deriving from literally years of research) will give you a flavour quicker than anything else.

At this stage it's really not right to ask specialized experts until you've read the basics. There's enough guff in Google books to let you know which books you think you'll need to start you off, and if you pick the right two or three their bibliographies will take you to the next stage.

I know it's intimidating, but we've all been there and can assure you it gets easier. More demanding maybe, when you really start to see what's required, but definitely easier. When I started my first historical I owned precisely three books on Early Modern France and thought I knew loads about it. Five years later I own more than 200 on my shelves, have over 50 more saved as Favourites - and know I know nothing. But I also know there's virtually nothing I can't find out.

If the history for you is no more than 'setting', you won't even need that much. In the end it'll be down to what you enjoy - but if you're really interested in history you'll enjoy it all...

Very best of luck!

Louise

Natsuki, that's a brilliant attitude. If you approach it like that I'm sure you're going to make a big success of your book.

I should also clarify that when I said it was too early to ask specialist advice I didn't mean you shouldn't ask questions here! We're all still learning here, even the published ones, because that's the nature of historical writing. If you find Michelle's books helpful and would like her advice on a specific research area then please let me know. She's a friend of mine and does A LOT for new writers.

So good luck with the reading, yell out if you need any help, and welcome to the fray.

Louise

I would strongly recommend A History of Venice by John Julius Norwich. It is one of the best books I have read about the city.

You are welcome Natsuki. J.J. Norwich is one of my favourites - I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Now I want to re-read it!

One critical aspect to think about - by the 17th century, Venice was declining and by the end of the 17th century the decline was accelerating rapidly. Think of dilapidated buildings and corruption and the likes...

Just a thought.