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The Love Song of Lucy McBride
When thirteen-year-old Lucy McBride is awoken one afternoon in her Brisbane garden by the haunting sounds of a cello, she falls in love with the music. Later, she falls in love with a post-war photograph of the musician, Paolo Fortuny, an aristocratic Venetian maestro. An obsession with Fortuny's world, art and the dreams of being one of its elect becomes the secret passion of her adolescent years.
But when she is finally given her dream and enters the reality of Fortuny's life, its closed society and Old World assumptions, she dismantles her hero with a ruthlessness that causes her to define everything she's ever lived for.
But when she is finally given her dream and enters the reality of Fortuny's life, its closed society and Old World assumptions, she dismantles her hero with a ruthlessness that causes her to define everything she's ever lived for.
- GenresNovels20th Century
278 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Steven Carroll
17 books36 followersSteven Carroll is an Australian novelist. He was born in 1949 in Melbourne, Victoria and studied at La Trobe University. He has taught English at secondary school level, and drama at RMIT. He has been Drama Critic for The Sunday Age newspaper in Melbourne.
Steven Carroll is now a full-time writer living in Melbourne with his partner, the writer Fiona Capp, and their son. As of 2019, he also writes the non-fiction book review column for the Sydney Morning Herald.
Steven Carroll is now a full-time writer living in Melbourne with his partner, the writer Fiona Capp, and their son. As of 2019, he also writes the non-fiction book review column for the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 4, 2013
This book is far too objective for its genre.The voice Carroll uses to project his story disengages his readers. The endless strands of information appear factual which makes the characters seem like test subjects. Furthermore he writes from the perspectives of two individuals one in her early twenties and the other in his early sixties but keeps a consistent tone. The story is bland. The book is a bore and if anyone wants to read a good thriller romance don't read this.
To his credit though he has a very poetic voice but it is overshadowed by his tendency to disengage the audience by throwing information around.
This book could have been interesting but it wasn't which is a same.
To his credit though he has a very poetic voice but it is overshadowed by his tendency to disengage the audience by throwing information around.
This book could have been interesting but it wasn't which is a same.
February 25, 2018
Disappointed started off well and almost able to see Venice and smell of the canals, food and then the great musicians studying or have reached there full potential.However two thirds of the way in the book I just wanted the end to. Happen! As I felt it had been dragged out.
December 4, 2013
I gave up on this romantic thriller which had little dialogue and was completely uncompelling.
July 7, 2025
The premise was promising but this book was so slow. it was labelled as a romantic thriller and it was neither thrilling or romantic. The author did a good job of conjuring up Venice, but that's basically the only thing to like in this book. The characterisation feels quite flat. Fortuny is apparently still young and spritely at 60, but he acts like an 80 year old at times. 23 year old Lucy is the most special girl in the world who doesn't care about clothes, makeup or boys like those other girls - yet is, of course, incredibly, naturally beautiful. She also classifies Dave Brubeck's Take 5 as a "silly pop song" at one point! I mean, come on.
I also had some qualms about the sexual politics of the book. Lucy puts a lot of blame on herself for what transpires. Perhaps this isn't unrealistic, but the book never really tells us she's wrong to think that way.
I also had some qualms about the sexual politics of the book. Lucy puts a lot of blame on herself for what transpires. Perhaps this isn't unrealistic, but the book never really tells us she's wrong to think that way.
February 18, 2020
I thought this book was absolutely fantastic. I was so surprised to see people on here hadn't liked it! the narrative is incredibly descriptive. You feel like you are in Venice throughout the entire story. the main characters are engaging and I constantly wanted to know what would happen next. Because of this is finished it in two days! This is my first Steven Carroll book and It certainly wont be my last, I can't wait for the next one.
May 22, 2018
My first Steven Carroll novel. Very well written although unusual narrative. I'm keen to read more of this author.
February 22, 2015
Paolo Fortuny was the last in a long line of a Venetian Aristocratic family. The Fortuny's have lived in a house in Venice for the last 600 years. The family line will end with Paolo Fortuny when he dies, currently he is 63 and a retired famous cellist, he is dubbed as the Maestro.
Lucy McBride discovered Fortuny in her teens and sought his music as an escape when her mother died, when she listened to his music or played his music she didn't have to feel. She also learned the cello and became obsessed with Fortuny learning everything there was to know about him that was available.
Lucy moved to Venice from Australia to further her career as a cellist in her early 20's at the Conservatorium of Music and dreamed of meeting Paolo Fortuny. She does and begs him for lessons as she deems him the best.
What ensues is a relationship between Lucy and Paolo with Lucy initially having Paolo on a pedestal which appears to be his rightful place according to Paolo. Lucy is the insignificant student who Paolo deigns with his presence and his teachings. As the relationship progresses their roles gradually switch which is very interesting to see firstly as Lucy is introduced into the upper echelons of his social circle and then after their brief sexual encounters Lucy is up on the pedestal and he is reduced to an insignificant man.
I really enjoyed this book, it was something quite different to what I usually read. It was both beautifully and badly written. Beautifully in the descriptions the author used (there wasn't a whole lot of dialogue in this book) which were very appropriate for the story and badly as the book was written in the third person from the point of view of both Paolo and Lucy, the author sometimes switched from one character to the other mid paragraph, not to mention quite a few grammatical and spelling errors.
Lucy McBride discovered Fortuny in her teens and sought his music as an escape when her mother died, when she listened to his music or played his music she didn't have to feel. She also learned the cello and became obsessed with Fortuny learning everything there was to know about him that was available.
Lucy moved to Venice from Australia to further her career as a cellist in her early 20's at the Conservatorium of Music and dreamed of meeting Paolo Fortuny. She does and begs him for lessons as she deems him the best.
What ensues is a relationship between Lucy and Paolo with Lucy initially having Paolo on a pedestal which appears to be his rightful place according to Paolo. Lucy is the insignificant student who Paolo deigns with his presence and his teachings. As the relationship progresses their roles gradually switch which is very interesting to see firstly as Lucy is introduced into the upper echelons of his social circle and then after their brief sexual encounters Lucy is up on the pedestal and he is reduced to an insignificant man.
I really enjoyed this book, it was something quite different to what I usually read. It was both beautifully and badly written. Beautifully in the descriptions the author used (there wasn't a whole lot of dialogue in this book) which were very appropriate for the story and badly as the book was written in the third person from the point of view of both Paolo and Lucy, the author sometimes switched from one character to the other mid paragraph, not to mention quite a few grammatical and spelling errors.
March 28, 2009
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/6...
Two protagonists, Paolo Fortuny retired Venetian musician and Lucy McBride a young musician studying in Venice.
Since her early teens Lucy has been obsessed with Paolo Fortuny, the man and his talent as a cellist. It is all her dreams come true when she goes to study in Venice and manages to persuade the Maestro himself to teach her.
Having given up performing in public Fortuny is no longer a happy man. Lucy is like a breath of fresh air as she enters his life and gives him hope for the future. Unfortunately for both of them Lucy becomes more than just his pupil, but the object of his intense passion, which neither of them is in the end able to deal with. I found this an intense and sad love story; though obvious that it was an ill-fated love affair for me the ending was a complete surprise. If a love story with evocative descriptive prose set in one of the most beautiful cities in the world appeals to you, then this would be a good choice.
Two protagonists, Paolo Fortuny retired Venetian musician and Lucy McBride a young musician studying in Venice.
Since her early teens Lucy has been obsessed with Paolo Fortuny, the man and his talent as a cellist. It is all her dreams come true when she goes to study in Venice and manages to persuade the Maestro himself to teach her.
Having given up performing in public Fortuny is no longer a happy man. Lucy is like a breath of fresh air as she enters his life and gives him hope for the future. Unfortunately for both of them Lucy becomes more than just his pupil, but the object of his intense passion, which neither of them is in the end able to deal with. I found this an intense and sad love story; though obvious that it was an ill-fated love affair for me the ending was a complete surprise. If a love story with evocative descriptive prose set in one of the most beautiful cities in the world appeals to you, then this would be a good choice.
July 11, 2015
The Last Venetian is a love story that grapples with the tension of living in the past, while striving for something new. Lucy represents the young fresh Australian face of the new and the future. Paolo represents the old, traditional Ventian face of experience, old money and the past. They both need something from the other, and the tension is riveting.
On a less metaphorical level, Carroll's capacity to capture the image of Venice is profound. His capacity to bring you on a story of love, ambition and growth is riveting.
He is my absolute all time favorite Deep chick flick author.
On a less metaphorical level, Carroll's capacity to capture the image of Venice is profound. His capacity to bring you on a story of love, ambition and growth is riveting.
He is my absolute all time favorite Deep chick flick author.
March 27, 2012
Just finished Twilight in Venice by Steven Carroll. A beautiful novel of the old story of an older man and younger woman. I feel that I watched rather then read it. The colours, the scenes, the art flashed across my vision in all of its beauty and in the background the music of the cello haunted me.
February 23, 2010
I was frustrated with this book. It didn't come to anything. Maybe it should have been longer but one character dies and the other just seems to carry on regardless!
January 7, 2016
Irritating
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews