Thrilling mystery in Venice - Leon's latest Brunetti work explores the shadows of a far-off conflict.
Briskly, just as she's been doing for 33 years, Donna Leon releases her newest novel featuring Commissario Brunetti in Venice. The familiar cast of characters includes Brunetti, who hasn't aged over the past three decades, his wife Paola and their offspring, his cranky superior Patta, his clever colleague Griffoni, and the dynamic assistant Elettra. Yet "Trial by Fire" differs from previous installments. There's no mysterious corpse or crime to investigate.
Donna Leon on the Story
"This book deals with multiple themes," Leon reveals to the German Press Agency in an interview. "The idea that the past we believe to be real may not truly be real. It explores the impact of a war. It also introduces the concept of a lingering presence returning to haunt one. And it deals with 'Baby Gangs.'" Leon is referring to adolescent groups that form on the streets of Venice due to boredom and end up assaulting each other.
The Plot Thickens
The narrative begins with a clash between two such gangs, resulting in a visit to the police station. The father of one participant was once celebrated as a hero who saved his squad's lives during a war operation in Iraq. Brunetti inadvertently crosses paths with this man, sparking an examination of the latter's past. As Inspector Elettra astutely points out, "It's just curiosity." By page 108, no crime has emerged. However, Brunetti encounters shadows that unnerve him. The two characters meet again at the conclusion in a high-stakes showdown.
Crime in Venice
If you're seeking a crime novel where every detail is meticulously woven into the puzzle of a criminal case, Brunetti's 33rd case misses the mark. Rather, it showcases various aspects of life in Venice itself. A well-heeled American woman wanders through the narrative, as does a shady attorney attempting to woo a policewoman underage. The connections to the actual case are scant. This is purposeful, explains Leon. It reflects the evolution of Italian society. "The Italians are increasingly becoming individualists like Americans."
People and Their Minds
"In my books, it's mainly about people and their thoughts," Leon remarks. "The ambiance, conversations, and exchanges hold more importance than the plot. Crime aspects such as fear and terror don't appeal to me."
Brunetti as Donna Leon's Double
Brunetti often mulls over springtime, musing that it "provides the sensation or the expectation that we still have a chance." He ponders why "there's insufficient space in a man's mind for a coexistence of affection and rage." Brunetti's fascination with the classics mirrors Leon's own - Marx being her latest read. Here, Brunetti serves as Leon's doppelgänger, not her equally erudite wife Paola, she states: "He reads what I read. He has a more compassionate side than she does, and I admire his softness."
The Visitors and Their Phones
Tourists and their smartphones also feature in the story. They take snaps of all and sundry, even when they're not allowed to. They're an annoyance, but they're also part of the world Brunetti inhabits. And they embody the alterations Leon sees in the world. "The world is becoming more and more visually-oriented. We're losing the ability to daydream."
Donna Leon (81) occasionally introduces modernity into her otherwise timeless Brunetti series, mentioning Instagram and cloud storage, but it's not solely her love of antiquity that hints at her being from a bygone era. At one point, the "baby gangs" are quoted as saying, "There’s nothing entertaining on TV, so why not cause some trouble?" - as if teens still watch television. Leon doesn't seem to mind. And, naturally, the tourists that Leon despises are once again treated dismissively: "Boats from the Lido brought tourists who were staring at Venice on their iPhones," Leon writes on the first twenty-five pages.
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Source: www.stern.de
