A café in Venice

by Mode Dorian

Quirky and neurotic, Gordon B. Shoesmith is a 30 - something jazz musician seeing his twelfth psychiatrist in as many years. He increasingly discovers that there is a conflict between his artist's idealism and the hard reality of Life, fuelled by his ambitious journalist girlfriend, Jenny, and her disapproving parents. Gordon finds himself on an improvised, medicated roller - coaster ride of self - discovery that drags him from cockroach - infested, inner - city anonymity to mercurial artistic success, to the cynical world of advertising. He's finally tossed onto the road that leads to a cafe, run by Joe, a middle - aged, Palestinian Elvis impersonator, in the desert town of Venice, South Australia. A Cafe in Venice is a surreal, comic insight into the personal fulfilment we aspire to a mad, intransigent world.

Genres: Fiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2001

Reviews

[An]

find a heart shaped pomegranate seed in a can of diced tomatoes

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not found an excellent description of this book, and I don't wish to spoil the surprises. It's wide ranging in scope of cultures, personality, and genres. A warning should be given in regard to language and some content which some may find offensive, as I may if presented in a different context. However, this book has depth and meaning and heart and soul and I haven't laughed so much for quite a time. I'm so very glad I came across the book and chose to read. The fact that it includes not only Dorian Mode's wonderful poetry but also music in the audiobook version is such a plus that I'd definitely recommend to read by listening. Buy the audiobook!

[Natalie Swan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book MANY years ago.. It stuck with me so much that I searched Goodreads so I could give it 5 stars. Going to need to give it a re-read soon.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book I would classify as OK. I personally felt that it tried a bit too hard to be funny, although, I guess that was meant to just be the character and their way of dealing with situations through humour.

The book is essentially a coming of age type story almost, for a 30 year old, self-discovery by escaping to "Venice" in Australia. The best thing I felt about the book was its attempts to highlight indigenous culture (maybe) and how many in Australia perceive and treat Aboriginals, even to this day.

[Colemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Great characters, rhythm and storyline. Can't wait for his 2nd novel if the first is this good.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about self discovery.