Daughter of Venice

Donata is a twin sister in Venice. She knows her older sister will marry, but she and her twin might be bound for a convent. With so few options, she comes up with a plan to experience the world a little bit. By dressing as a boy she can finally walk through the city. She’s curious and asking questions, gets a job working for a Jewish boy (who she falls in love with but cannot be with), and suddenly joining her brothers in lessons. Marriage, in the end, isn’t what she wants. She wants the freedom to truly learn and use her intellect. She crafts a plan to get herself and her twin what they both want.

In 1592, Donata is a noble girl living in a palazzo on the Grand Canal. Girls of her class receive no education and rarely leave the palazzo. In a noble family, only one daughter and one son will be allowed to marry; Donata, like all younger daughters, will be sent to a convent. Donata longs to be tutored like her brothers and to see the Venice she has glimpsed only on the map. She dresses as a boy and escapes the palazzo on the Grand Canal to see the world before she is shut away, and to try to find a way to escape her fate.

Enjoyable and well-paced historical fiction. Well drawn relationships among the sisters (Pride and Prejudice fans may appreciate the characters and their varying priorities). Unlike so many books, a "happily ever after" romance is not the focus here; the protagonist gradually learns to advocate for herself and takes charge of her own destiny. People of different class and religious backgrounds are portrayed thoughtfully.
Some precocious readers may wonder what the frequently mentioned term "prostitutes" means. Other than that, no questionable content.

In 1592, Donata is a noble girl living in a palazzo on the Grand Canal. Girls of her class receive no education and rarely leave the palazzo. In a noble family, only one daughter and one son will be allowed to marry; Donata, like all younger daughters, will be sent to a convent. Donata longs to be tutored like her brothers and to see the Venice she has glimpsed only on the map. What is the world beyond her balcony, beyond what she sees when she glides, veiled, in a gondola down the canal? She dresses as a boy and escapes the palazzo on the Grand Canal to see the world before she is shut away, and to try to find a way to escape her fate. Donata risks everything; she changes her life, and her family’s life, forever when she walks show more through the door and encounters a Venice she never knew existed. show less

Daughter of Venice by Donna Jo Napoli is a fabulous book for the young adult who loves historical fiction. The first aspect of this book that was impressive was that Donna Jo Napoli is a researcher. She completed a lot of research prior to writing this story that takes place in Venice in the 1500s. In addition to the realism, the story of Donata is believable and instantly engages the reader. Donata's mother is lecturing on being a perfectly lady. Donata wants education and adventure, both of which are not in her mother's definition of being a perfect lady. The story continues and picks up as Donata secretly escapes her palace to explore and learn about her city, Venice and its people and what they do. There is a lot of risk in what show more Donata ends up doing, by the thrill of really living, the major theme, is worth whatever consequences that may ensue if she is caught. This is definitely an engaging story with a fair amount of suspense. show less

Although this is young adult fiction, I found the story very engaging. The main character is plucky and intelligent, and there are numerous details about Venetian life in the 1500s which bring the story alive and add to the interest -- details about clothing, food, class/social structure, daily activities, wool spinning, the legal process and architecture, among other topics. A quick, fascinating read. Recommended.

I'm sorry; I really don't know what to say. It was interesting, but not quite plausible in too many places, and as other reviewers have said, Donata talks to us as if she's sophisticated and wise and mature, but acts like a child. One thing the other reviewers don't seem to have paid much attention to is her r'ship with her different siblings, and their various reactions to their parents' expectations for them, and their affection for each other. All that was a wonderful part of the book.

Oh, and re' the apparent ambivalence about whether D. wants to marry, it's actually quite clear. She wants to marry, but for love, and only if her twin also gets to marry, because her twin is even more suited to the role of wife and mother of an show more important family. And that's not likely, because they have an older sister, and usually only one daughter marries. show less