Unto Us a Son Is Given

By: Donna Leon

Narrated by: David Sibley

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Unto Us a Son Is Given written by Donna Leon, read by David Sibley.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE GOLD DAGGER AWARD

The latest bestselling Venice crime novel from celebrated author Donna Leon

As a favour to his wealthy father-in-law, the Count Falier, Commissario Guido Brunetti agrees to investigate the seemingly innocent wish of the Count’s best friend, the elderly and childless Gonzalo, to adopt a younger man as his son. Under Italian inheritance laws, this man would become the sole heir to Gonzalo’s substantial fortune, something which Gonzalo’s friends, including the Count, find appalling. For his part, Brunetti wonders why they're so intent on meddling in the old man's business.

Not long after Brunetti meets with Gonzalo, the elderly man unexpectedly passes away from natural causes. Old and frail, Gonzalo’s death goes unquestioned, and a few of his oldest friends gather in Venice to plan the memorial service.

But when Berta, a striking woman and one of Gonzalo’s closest confidantes, is strangled in her hotel room, Brunetti is drawn into long-buried secrets from Gonzalo’s past. What did Berta know? And who would go to such lengths to ensure it would remain hidden?

Once again, Donna Leon brilliantly follows the twists and turns of the human condition, set against the ebb and flow of Venetian life.

©2019 Donna Leon (P)2019 Random House Audiobooks

Not what they used to be

I got to know Brunetti about fifteen years ago and binge read the first half of the series. The story lines were strong, the police work (while clearly never the focus) was convincing and the characters well developed. Vianello, senorina Elletra, Fao, even the nasty Scarpa, all had a real role to play in the unfolding of the plot. I even went to the questora, palazzo and the Brunettis' apartment when visiting Venice and they were perfectly real! I thoroughly recommend these early installments.

Over the last five or so books however, I have become almost as bored with the plots as I suspect Donna Leon has. Instead of getting into the complexities of Brunetti's mind to understand how he solves the crimes, we are subjected to endless musings on irrelevant tangents (I could never work out what the fate of the women of Troy had to do with anything or the relevance of the altercation between Patta's wife and the neighbours' son). I sometimes wonder whether these are not actually pages from Leon's other writings, accidentally included in the manuscript!

Long gone are Vianello's clever wife, tantalising glimpses into Elletra's mysterious private life, Alvise's development into a good policeman. Following their stories pulled me in to the world of Venetian crime with Brunetti's inner world at its center.
I have kept reading and listening to new books in the hope that they might return but sadly, like them, I just no longer care enough. Rather, I will trust that Guido and Paola will retire to the country villa with trunks of Greek tragedies for him and Henry James for her, to grow old contentedly with good wine and perfectly cooked pasta.
Ciao, Guido.

She lost it!

Endless useless descriptions of what Brunetti does when he comes home...... No surprise with the characters and the story.

Excellent story and excellent narrator

I love the Brunetti books. This one did not disappoint. Indeed, my only criticism is that there was no pause between the end of the book and a voice rushing in with .... hope you have enjoyed blah, blah. Could you tell Penguin Audio Producers that a good book needs a moment or two before the reader wishes to re engage with the world.

A disappointing Donna Leon

The scene setting which was rambling, took much too long, and until Chapter 19. Then the interest was held.

Another 5* Donna Leon

Yes loved it. So descriptive, nice pace and gently reminded of story line and characters. Narration was ok but .... a discreet pause after the very last line of the book would have been welcome. Instead and without barely a breath the listener is given 'admin details' !!!

Not the best Brunelli book

Having read or listened to all this series of Donna Leon books, I would say that this is clearly not her best. At times I was even bored with the philosophising about the state of families and world which felt as if is was there to pad a weak story.

Οkay-ish

Beautifullly narrated story, Venice described so vividly that had you ever been there, you're instantly teansported back. The story is written with cinematic precision yet somehow lacks content. My mind oc occasionally wondered off, and i had to retrace my steps only to find I hadn't missed anything mutch.

Fabulous Read

Another great book by Donna Leon and narrated brilliantly. I am addicted to all the books and love Guido Brunetti.

About friendships

A very interesting novel about the nuances regarding friends and families with the added bonus of Venice .

Turgid

I hate to write this as I'm a fan of the Brunetti series but this was turgid. It wasn't until Chpt 16 before anything happened. Padded out what was a very thin plot.