An engaging collection of stories and essays by the celebrated author of the internationally bestselling Guido Brunetti series, infused with her everpresent and delightful senses of humor and ironyDonna Leons memoir, Wandering Through Life, gave her legions of fans a colourful tour through her life, from childhood in New Jersey to adventures in China and Iran, to her love of Venice and opera. Nowhere, however, did she discuss her writing life.In Backstage, Donna reveals her admiration for, and inspiration from, the great crime novelists Ruth Rendell and Ross Macdonald, examining their approach to storytelling as she dissects her favorite books of theirs. She expresses her love for Charles Dickens Great Expectations and her appreciation of Sir Walter Scotts generosity of spirit. And she chronicles the lengths amount of research she undertakes to be able to present authentically, through Guido Brunetti and his colleagues, places and characters far from her own experience interviewing a diamond dealer in Venice to open up the world of blood diamonds meeting, through back channels, a courageous sex worker and womens rights activist to depict accurately the trafficking of women in Italy.Venice is central in her memory, whether recounting the semicomic irritation of a noisy elderly neighbor or the origins of the citys Carnevale. Her teaching career yields memorable tales helping a young Black boy in a Newark, New Jersey elementary school instructing young Iranian pilots in...

Binding: Hardback;208 pages; Publisher: TBS-Penguin Random House Wholesale; Classification: DNF; Weight: 416 g; Dimensions: 205 x 137 x 23

Something not quite right? You have 28 days from the day you receive it, to send something back.

Please note, we cannot offer refunds on fashion face masks, cosmetics, pierced jewellery, adult toys, and swimwear or lingerie if the hygiene seal is not in place or has been broken.

Items of footwear and/or clothing must be unworn and unwashed with the original labels attached. Also, footwear must be tried on indoors. Items of homeware including bedlinen, mattresses, and toppers, and pillows must be unused and in their original unopened packaging. This does not affect your statutory rights.

Click here to view our full Returns Policy.