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History of My Life #3
History of My Life, Vols. V & VI
Award-winning translation of the complete memoirs of Casanova available for the first time in paperback. In volumes 5 and 6, Casanova brings his flight from the Inquisitor's prison in Venice to a happy conclusion. Exiled from Venice, he goes to Munich and Paris, where he establishes himself as a cabalist, makes a fortune in Holland, helps start the French State Lottery, goes on to Switzerland where he meets Voltaire. Because every previous edition of Casanova's Memoirs had been abridged to suppress the author's political and religious views and tame his vivid, often racy, style, the literary world considered it a major event when Willard R. Trask's translation of the complete original text was published in six double volumes between 1966 and 1971. Trask's award-winning translation now appears in paperback for the first time.
690 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1794
About the author
Giacomo Casanova
1,458 books278 followersA seminary expelled Giovanni Jacopo Casanova de Seingalt, Italian adventurer, who afterward wandered Europe, met luminaries, worked in a variety of occupations, established a legendary reputation for lust, and chronicled his memoirs.
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt, a Venetian, authored book. People regard Histoire de ma vie ( Story of My Life ), his main book, part autobiography, as one most authentic source of the customs and norms of social life during the 18th century.
He, sometimes called the greatest lust of the world, so famously womanized with his synonymous name with the art of seduction.
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt, a Venetian, authored book. People regard Histoire de ma vie ( Story of My Life ), his main book, part autobiography, as one most authentic source of the customs and norms of social life during the 18th century.
He, sometimes called the greatest lust of the world, so famously womanized with his synonymous name with the art of seduction.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 30, 2019
spoilers sort of
I started this book 3 years ago. The majority of that time this book was inside the trunk of my car. I was never eager to finish it. I had finished the two books prior and I guess I was just burned out. But when I finished it today, I realized I was not just burned out but also really tried of reading about Casanova fucking everything that walks. Ooh the widow of the Abbe of Winterfell sat in sorrow because of the sudden death of Lord Littlefoot… then he fucked her, the lady M.M horse carriage breaks down and I rescue her and I fall madly in love as I shower her hands with thousand kisses until she gets pregnant and we abort the baby and he bangs the house servant. At some point I found myself rooting for his new love interest to escape esp. when he mentions 13 year old daughters of his friends but he saves us with " as the reader will learn I run into her again 6 years later." Half of his conquers I wasn't as impressed because, well they are whores. yea he paid them gifts of Ducats, louis or jewel boxes. Now am half way through with volume 6 being compete so I will most likely finish his work but pace yourself because if he runs into a nun walking down a path to the fountains... he's going to get that tail.... unless he stops by the river to take a late night piss which as my readers who have already read this Volume will have a good laugh.
DO I recommend it...yea
I started this book 3 years ago. The majority of that time this book was inside the trunk of my car. I was never eager to finish it. I had finished the two books prior and I guess I was just burned out. But when I finished it today, I realized I was not just burned out but also really tried of reading about Casanova fucking everything that walks. Ooh the widow of the Abbe of Winterfell sat in sorrow because of the sudden death of Lord Littlefoot… then he fucked her, the lady M.M horse carriage breaks down and I rescue her and I fall madly in love as I shower her hands with thousand kisses until she gets pregnant and we abort the baby and he bangs the house servant. At some point I found myself rooting for his new love interest to escape esp. when he mentions 13 year old daughters of his friends but he saves us with " as the reader will learn I run into her again 6 years later." Half of his conquers I wasn't as impressed because, well they are whores. yea he paid them gifts of Ducats, louis or jewel boxes. Now am half way through with volume 6 being compete so I will most likely finish his work but pace yourself because if he runs into a nun walking down a path to the fountains... he's going to get that tail.... unless he stops by the river to take a late night piss which as my readers who have already read this Volume will have a good laugh.
DO I recommend it...yea
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2007
So essential for one's library that it is silly to even mention it. Casanova rocks his world - and not just the women I might add. Get all volumes. It's a hoot and quite an adventure at the same time.
It's kind of mean of me to add all volumes on this list - but Casanova was a fantastic writer - and is this all true? To be honest I don't really care. What comes through is the man's charm.
I do suggest that one just pull a volume off their bookshelf and start reading any passage. It's uber-amusing and he was a smart man. Total thumbs up and anything else that I may get up as well for this gentleman of leasure.
February 15, 2013
Read Volume 5 in this 2-volume edition as my first book in 2016. Or should better say re-read it as I had previously many moons ago when I was in my late teens read his memoirs up to and including Volume 6 but now want to gradually actually finish the entire set.
Ever since I read those first volumes the first time round Casanova has been one of my all-time favourite historical heroes and constant choice in those: "Who would you like to invite to a dinner table?" type questions.
Despite his reputation as a non-stop bed hopper there is so much more to the man (even if only half his stories may be true). He was one of those charismatic and intelligent adventurers who travelled extensively and dabbled in just about anything.
Volume 5 follows on from his escape from the Doge's Palace in Venice - some kind of Alcatraz style prison at the time that very few ever had managed to escape from and that took up most of the previous volume - to a globe trotting journey through various parts of Europe where he introduces the first large scale lottery in Paris, unsuccessfully sets up a factory, acts as a spy in Amsterdam and obtains the confidence of some influential backers when he pretends to be a master of the occult. He also meets Count Cagliostro... and yes, beds the occasional girl or three.
Ever since I read those first volumes the first time round Casanova has been one of my all-time favourite historical heroes and constant choice in those: "Who would you like to invite to a dinner table?" type questions.
Despite his reputation as a non-stop bed hopper there is so much more to the man (even if only half his stories may be true). He was one of those charismatic and intelligent adventurers who travelled extensively and dabbled in just about anything.
Volume 5 follows on from his escape from the Doge's Palace in Venice - some kind of Alcatraz style prison at the time that very few ever had managed to escape from and that took up most of the previous volume - to a globe trotting journey through various parts of Europe where he introduces the first large scale lottery in Paris, unsuccessfully sets up a factory, acts as a spy in Amsterdam and obtains the confidence of some influential backers when he pretends to be a master of the occult. He also meets Count Cagliostro... and yes, beds the occasional girl or three.
October 14, 2011
Casanova's life was amazing, with enough adventure and intrigue to fill... well... volumes and volumes of text. Unfortunately, that's exactly what he decided to do, and while much of it is interesting and involving, after a while I just kept saying 'how much longer does this go on?' Certainly worth reading, but pace yourself or your head will go numb.
October 15, 2015
I picked up this volume, of many, because I wanted to re-read one particular event in Casanova's life and that was his escape from The Leads.
This was Casanova's most spectacular story that his contemporaries clamored to hear from him.
This was Casanova's most spectacular story that his contemporaries clamored to hear from him.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews