logo

67 pages 2 hours read

The Venice Sketchbook

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Rhys Bowen

The Venice Sketchbook

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

412

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Venice, Italy • 1930s-2000s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen intertwines the wartime romance of Juliet Browning in WWII Venice with her great-niece Caroline Grant’s quest in 2001 to uncover Juliet’s secrets through her old sketches and keys, leading Caroline to new love and personal growth. Sensitive topics include wartime violence, family separation, and loss.

Mysterious

Romantic

Adventurous

Nostalgic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.4

139,642 ratings

86%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen is praised for its engaging dual timeline and vivid portrayal of Venice, drawing readers into its atmospheric setting. Reviewers commend the blend of historical romance and mystery, though some feel the plot is predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it offers a charming escape with emotional depth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Venice Sketchbook?

Readers who enjoy The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen are typically enchanted by historical romance and dual-timeline narratives. Fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale or Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden will likely appreciate the intertwining stories of love, art, and history set in captivating Venetian locales.

4.4

139,642 ratings

86%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Juliet “Lettie” Browning

An English woman striving to be an artist who experiences a life of duty and sacrifice amidst the backdrop of family expectations and war, leaving clues for her grand-niece to discover her hidden past.

The heir to a powerful Venetian family who is conflicted by his sense of duty and personal desires, and becomes a spy for the Allies during World War II while having a profound connection with Juliet.

The grand-niece of Juliet who embarks on a journey to Italy spurred by a mysterious box left by her aunt, leading her to uncover family secrets and her own new beginnings.

The grandson of Leonardo Da Rossi who assists Caroline in unveiling her family's mysterious past and becomes an integral part of her life during her Italian adventure.

A Polish émigré married to an Italian count and a respected patron of the arts, who becomes a crucial support for Juliet during the war while harboring Jewish refugees.

An unwavering aide to Juliet during her challenging times in Venice, assisting with her household and supporting her through significant life events.

A young Jewish girl taken in by Contessa Fiorito and adored by Juliet, whose presence brings profound love into Juliet’s life.

Juliet's son born during the war, who deepens her capacity for love and vastly influences her actions and decisions.

Book Details
Pages

412

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Venice, Italy • 1930s-2000s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.