In the Shadow of the Alps

The Book

The Elena Standish novels, by Anne Perry, focus on the diplomatic and espionage attempts to avoid another world war as the Nazis rise to power. In the first book, Death in Focus, readers are introduced to the Standish family, with a focus on Elena. She stumbles into a MI6 mission that leads her on a train ride from Amalfi, Italy to Berlin. A Question of Betrayal picks up several months later; this time, Elena is sent on a mission by MI6 to make contact with an agent and retrieve valuable information. 

Elena Standish travels to Trieste, using her photographer skills as a cover. Her mission is to find Aiden Strother; a man she was romantically involved with, before he appeared to defect to Nazi Germany. He has vital information about British money being used to support the Nazis. At the same time, her sister, Margot, travels to Berlin for a family friend’s wedding to a Gestapo officer. While there she overhears snippets of conversations that hint at the Nazis plans to take over Austria. When she returns to London, she shares these with her grandfather, Lucas (the former head of MI6), who still has connections with MI6. The information and events in Trieste, Berlin, and London begin to add up for the reader, as she sees these three narratives converge. It is a race against time and emotions as the main characters combat Nazi influence in London and Europe. 

A Question of Betrayal captures the reader’s attention from the beginning and crescendos to an unexpected twist of an ending (just like Death in Focus). I found myself getting caught up in the story and reading quickly, to find out what happened next. The narrative is easy to follow as it moves between the main characters and places and the omniscient narrator helps the reader put the pieces together a bit sooner than the characters. Perry uses dialogue and thoughts to provide insight into each character, building upon their development in Death in Focus. One example is Elena’s photographic eye; the periodic commentary (inner or dialogue) provided a new way to visualize the surroundings.

The Place

As I was reading A Question of Betrayal, my mind would often wander back to my visit to northern Italy and Austria. While I was not in Trieste, the descriptions of northern Italy brought to mind places like Pordenone, Italy and Klagenfurt, Austria. Their historic city centers and architecture could have served as subjects for Elena Standish’s camera.

But there is more to this region than architecture. Soave Castle is on the other side of the Adriatic Sea from Trieste. Built sometime in the eleventh century, Soave Castle has a high central tower and several layers of surrounding fortified walls. The walk up to the castle is through the old village center, reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Once on the walls of the castle, you can see for miles throughout the Italian countryside.

Another highlight is Minimundus, north of Trieste, in Austria. This “miniature world on Lake Worthersee” allows visitors to get up close with scale models of famous buildings from around the world. You can dwarf the Taj Majel, compare heights with the Eiffel Tower, or see Independence Hall right in front of the Hollywood sign. The models were made well and carefully preserved, since it is an open-air park. Model trains, based on real Austrian ones, run throughout the park and the space shuttle “launches” every hour.

Northern Italy and Austria are wonderful places to visit, with so much more to offer than I just mentioned here. Over the past two years, COVID-19 put most international travel on hold. Thankfully, those opportunities are once again available. Before you travel, make sure to check the US State Department’s website for updated requirements for traveling to other countries and returning to the United States.

A Network of Bridges and Canals

“No one forgets a first glimpse of Venice […] there is a startling moment when one looks across the waves and finds what should not be there-stone towers, rich churches, and packed buildings rising up out of the sea” (9).

The Book

Venice: A New History by Thomas F. Madden packs a lot of history into an easy to read book. The topic is interesting and not difficult to understand; there is just enough history and facts for the average person. Madden begins with an introduction that provides a brief overview to Venice, explains the reason for the book, and piques the reader’s interest.

Once the reader’s interest is piqued, Madden dives into a chronological history of Venice. The reader will be struck by the fiercely independent, both politically and religiously, people and their early focus on business. Madden says, “For more than a thousand years Venice had been the only republic in the world-one that flourished in an age of kings, emperors, and tyrants. It did so […] because it was a state built purely on commerce” (358). The focus of Venice: A New History is on the city, the empire, and the people who built it.

It is difficult to provide a concise summary of Venice: A New History within the constraints of this blog, because Venice has a rich history that reaches all the way back to the Roman Empire. Venice officially became a city in 810, but its first inhabitants arrived during the 5^th century.  The city saw the break-up of the Roman Empire, participated in numerous crusades, watched the fall of the Byzantine Empire, experienced the shift of power in Western Europe, and survived to become a favorite tourist destination. Venice was an independent republic until 1797 when Napoleon conquered and looted the city. Until the unification of Italy in 1866, Venice was under French or Austrian rule.

I highly recommend reading this book. Both past and future tourists and students of history will find so much more information about Venice. Readers will finish this book with a new appreciation for the impact this city has had, whether in government, religion, banking, or culture.

The Place

The Venice today still looks the same as it did during the city’s heyday. Basilica di SanMarco was completed in 1094. The Piazza San Marco area was completed by 1177. It truly is amazing to stand in the Piazza and look at the impressive architecture, beautiful artwork and history surrounding you. During Venice’s independence as a city, this Piazza was the seat of government and public expression. Just around the corner from the Basilica di San Marco are the Bridge of Sighs and a phenomenal view of the lagoon.

Another highlight of Venice is the Rialto Bridge which spans the Grand Canal, and was built during the 16^th century. The Grand Canal, similar to a Main St., is packed with boats and gondolas while the Rialto Bridge is lined with shops that provide all types of souvenirs. My friend said to me when I visited, “Venice is a wandering city.” The best type of visit is simply walking around and exploring alleyways and canals. It is a tourist city and will most likely be crowded. However, if you are content wandering you will find hidden parks or bridges over a residential canal.

“As a republic in an age of monarchy and a capitalist economy in a time of agrarian feudalism, Venice has always stood apart from the world while simultaneously catering to its needs. In that respect, nothing has changed. Then, as now, Venice remains a city of honor and profit” (427).