CASANOVA IN BOLZANO

It is appropriate to read Marai’s Casanova in the form of a “talking book,” as it is the talkiest book you’ll read in your life. The plot, such as it is, proceeds in alternating monologues. At first, many of these are interior; then the characters start declaiming at each other at stunning length. The Duke of Parma shows up in Casanova’s room and talks without interruption for a disc-and-a-half about a love letter four words long. Then his wife shows up in Casanova’s room and talks even longer--or maybe it just seems that way. Simon Prebble’s narration is absolutely masterful, which is no surprise. He delivers these repetitive speeches with respect and interest, as if continually finding new fine points in the arguments. Whether his skill compensates for the flowery longeurs of the structure is an open question. B.G. 2006 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]