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Casanova

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Casanova

Written by: Giacomo Casanova
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
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The first part of the Memoirs of Giacomo Casanova, a special film tie-in version. The film, starring Heath Ledger as Casanova with Jeremy Irons and Sienna Miller, will be released in UK February 2006.© & (P)2006 CSA Telltapes Ltd. Historical
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What the critics say

"During Casanova's long life (1725 - 98) he was involved in high politics in both church and state all over Europe and in Russia. This volume goes some way to explaining his character. His father died when he was seven, leaving six children, but his irresistibly attractive mother won fame as an actress, persuading peers and prelates alike to ensure Giacomo's wellbeing. Casanova presents himself as an attractive rogue, susceptible rather than calculating, and bemused by his numerous and frequently farcical sexual encounters." Christina Hardyment, The Times
All stars
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Based on the cover of this audiobook, I'd assumed (wrongfully) that this was the "book version" of the movie. The movie, unlike the actual Giacomo Casanova's story, makes him seem like less of a pedophile, and more of a "lover of women", who eventually finds love and hangs up the proverbial womanizing towel, passing the torch on to another guy who takes on his identity. But the *real* story of Casanova is one of STDs, pedophilia, perversion, and dying alone. Some of this might not appear in this audio book, but read the man's biography... When he was 50, he paid for sex with a 12 year old. And that wasn't the first time he'd done it (also in his 20s, 30s, and 40s...). He also spoke about how attractive his former lover's 9 year old daughter was, and how she didn't rebuff his attentions. The guy was sick.

The "Venetian Years" is a bit misleading, as he doesn't spend a whole lot of this audiobook in Venice. But that was the least of my concerns. All this is, is a story of a sex-crazed man searching for as many women to sleep with as he can, and with each woman, he proclaims his "love" for her. I'm pretty sure that Casanova had no clue what love actually was; all he knew was lust, because as soon as another woman came along, he completely forgot about his "love" for the previous one...even when he promised her that he'd meet her in a different town and marry her. Scumbag. The guy was deluded, and the only thing that he was absolutely certain about in his life was the fact that he "loved" women.

The *only* reason that this is getting 2 stars instead of one, is because of the narration. I adore Benedict Cumberbatch. His spectacular voice is the only reason that I kept listening. Seriously, I could listen to him read the encyclopaedia or list the ingredients in all of the food at the grocery store, and I'd be perfectly content.

Misleading, But With Amazing Narration

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