a Book Report of Sorts

The venue was the B/ B Appel Salon at the Toronto Public Library - Central Reference.
The guest was Donna Leon , writer.  DL is renowned as a mystery writer and has been named one of the 50 greatest mystery writers.

The room is large but cosy and the sound attributes , very good.
If your intent was to learn about being a writer , last night would have been a waste.
However , on a cold T.O. night , a composed and interesting lady talked casually about her life , her life in Venice and her experiences , basically , world wide.
Her claim is that she is not Venetian or Italian b/c she writes in English. BTW , of the 50 languages that her books have been translated into , Italian is not one of them.
Her hands , though , are Italian , as in the way the hands move. trust me , I know , I've seen it too often.

DL created the character , Chief Inspector , Guido Brunetti of the Venice Police Department. Solving crime in Venice is an art form , much like the city. Both function but the nuances are purely Venetian.
DL noted the Venetian need to be charitable , openly , just b/c , no other reason. The polyglot way , all people are thrown to - gether in a city of 56 000 and limited space was fascinating.
Ah , the ships form Hell , the tourist oceanliners. Bringing 3 million visitors a year ( 30 million ??? , I forget , a big number , anyway )

I forced , myself to go , on a cold night , on the Tube.
Good choice !