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The Unfinished Palazzo

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The Unfinished Palazzo

By: Judith Mackrell
Narrated by: Julia Franklin
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About this listen

Commissioned in 1750, the Palazzo Venier was planned as a testimony to the power and wealth of a great Venetian family, but the fortunes of the Venier family waned, and the project was left abandoned and unfinished. Yet in the early 20th century, it attracted three fascinating women: Luisa Casati, Doris Castlerosse and Peggy Guggenheim. Luisa held parties as extravagant as Renaissance court operas. Doris hosted film stars and royalty at glittering gatherings. And for Peggy, the Palazzo served as a home for her exquisite collection of modern art.

©2017 Judith Mackrell (P)2017 W.F. Howes Ltd 20th Century Art Entertainment & Celebrities Europe Italy Modern Women Celebrity

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Most relevant  
I thoroughly enjoyed the structure of the book and how the stories of these 3 women intertwined. We learn about 3 formidable lives and with them historical events. The narrator’s voice is very engaging and she does a brilliant job apart from when she pronounces words in Italian. She invariably stresses the wrong syllable or over exaggerates the word almost mocking it. This could have been addressed as she only ever says one or two Italian words at a time. I mention this because it does detract from the otherwise excellent performance.

Wonderful story brilliantly read

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I am particularly fond of this book for the period it covers and its insight into modern art. How strange and wonderful it must have been to live back then, this book truly gives you the feel. Good in-depth biographies told with great care to the quirks of these famous women. The pronunciation of Italian names could have been better. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of modern art who loves biographies.

History of modern art and Italy

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It took me a couple of goes to get into this, but once I did it was a great ride. I would say a google image search on hand is absolutely essential to listen to this book-- it's one thing to be told about Luisa Casati's outfits but they really have to be seen! Thoroughly fun and a what a serendipidous coincidence for a research subject, three such women owning this weird place.

Gossipy fun

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I loved this audio book and it took me from my November when I visited Peggy Guggenheim’s palazzo museum till now a crisp sunny early February Scottish day to finish it. It wasn’t it was long or hard to listen to. It was that it was too beautiful too interesting, too special a book to leave. It transported me back there in Venetian splendour, The narration was perfect and the lives of these 3 fascinating women so compelling to hear. It really does shine a light on how women shape the world in ways we sometimes never imagine. I remember when I first entered the garden from the admission gate at the museum being filled with the most inexplicable breathless feeling of awe like I was in the presence of something other worldly. I like to think now having listened to the story of the palazzo vernier leoni it was Peggy herself welcoming me to her home. Thank you to the author for her wit, wisdom and heart in every chapter of this book and for the reader who gave it such finesse in delivering it to my eager ears.

A true Venetian time

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I was actually interested in the titular palazzo but it is barely mentioned. The three women who owned it and are described here spent most of their time living elsewhere.

Mis-titled

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