KENNARD, JOSEPH SPENCER. Goldoni and the Venice of his time. il *$6 Macmillan 852
20–8020
Goldoni, the famous Italian playwright, 1707–1793, is an impersonation of the Italian modern character, says the author of the present volume. “In him, Italians are pleased to see ... an idealised image of themselves ... humanized by touches that endear it both to those who trace out of it a resemblance to their own soul, and to those who, across his charming personality, are desirous to comprehend the soul of modern Italy.” Much of the material of the book is taken from Goldoni’s Memoirs. Beginning with a chronological summary of his life, a bibliography and a list of his plays, the first chapter is devoted to the historical and literary background of Goldoni’s life and work, the five following chapters to the life itself, six chapters to the plays and the conclusion to a general appreciation. The book has an index and three illustrations.
Ath p266 Ag 27 ’20 2150w + Booklist 17:62 N ’20
“He has succeeded in presenting a human and sympathetic person, not obscuring his faults or exaggerating his virtues.... Mr Kennard’s book is entertaining, but it abounds in misprints, especially in the French and Italian citations.” N. H. D.
+ − Boston Transcript p4 Je 2 ’20 900w
“It is a painstaking, if somewhat loosely discursive production.”
+ Nation 111:511 N 3 ’20 250w
“It will win a place as an excellent biography, constructed in a workmanlike manner and written in an easy, enjoyable style.”