Italian trilogy Irene Kao

But still the light still burns inside me, hidden under layers of meditation and survival instinct. And just one touch of his shoulder to mine, so that the smoldering flame flared up again. I look at Leonardo: at his proud profile, a mysterious look, a clenched jaw. He looks like a cold statue, and I am ready to give all the gold of the world to find out how he feels at that moment.

This quote from the trilogy, which thundered throughout the reading world and received the most flattering reviews from critics and readers, was written by the Italian, a native of Venice, 35-year-old Irene Cao (Irene Cao).

And this is to be expected. After the shocking decent audience of “50 shades of gray” it is quite logical to expect the appearance of twin books, where in the center of the plot would be a young inexperienced girl and an experienced molester.

This is one of the basic plots of world literature, which presented us with “Dangerous Liaisons” by Chauderlo de Laclos, and “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov, and the legend of Don Giovanni. The trick is how exactly the writing talent transforms this plot and turns it into a completely independent work.

Irené Cao conceived the "Italian trilogy" back in 2007, while preparing to defend her doctoral dissertation on the history of antiquity. After the defense, Irena taught at Liceo classico di Venezia, after which literary work completely captured her.

It’s tempting to call Kao’s books our Italian answer to Erica James’s books in all shades of gray. However, the writer herself categorically denies this. According to her, while writing the first book in Italy, James had not yet heard about the books, so comparison in this case is impossible.

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And the general atmosphere of the Italian Trilogy is different from 50 shades of gray.

There are no hard genre scenes in it, but there is passion, tenderness, love, affection, adoration and so on, there is everything except BDSM, which is more than enough in the American book.

Kao manages to skillfully balance on this side without crossing it.

“Leonardo leaves me, looks straight into my eyes, then leans against my forehead. But his lips are too close, his smell is too familiar and attractive. He bites his lips. Passion is stronger than reason. And we kiss again, because this is the only thing we can to do, and the only thing I want now. I hope that the darkness will smooth out my guilt, reduce the reality of what we are doing. But the opposite effect - everything seems more authentic, saturated. Only the shadows of the sea pines around us hide our haste from prying eyes excitement. "

“Beyond the standard, you need to free yourself from all censoring filters and listen carefully to yourself,” the writer says. “Only sincerity will ensure success.”

From the very first lines of the reader, there is a feeling that he seems to be participating in the life of artist-restorer Elena Volpe and the extra-class cook of the mysterious Leonardo. The action takes place in the present tense, as if Kao captures every moment of his life: here the heroine receives a letter from the magnificent dark-haired and powerful Leonardo to order to appear at the carnival, here Elena is tormented by jealousy, here she’s brushstroke after brushstroke restores the fresco in the old Venetian palazzo.

In my opinion, the book would not be any different from a dozen others like her, if not for one BUT.

The full-fledged hero of the novels is the beautiful, mysterious, mysterious, attractive Venice of writers and artists of all times and peoples. Heroes participate in the Venetian carnival, roam the narrow streets and bridges, ride vaporetto and gondolas, drink coffee in world famous cafes, and meet in ancient cathedrals. The whole work is permeated with the atmosphere of Venice.

Everyone who has been here easily recognizes all the squares and restaurants whose very spirit calls for sensual pleasure.

"- You will see, you get along well with Leonardo, he is very pleasant.

- Yes, I have no doubt, the problem is that here ...

He does not let me finish.

“You see, I couldn’t place it in a lifeless hotel room,” he continues with the confidence of those who never ask permission from anyone. - Leonardo is a free artist, here he will feel at home. Will be able to cook when he wants, have breakfast late at night and have dinner in the evening, read a book in the garden and enjoy the view of the Grand Canal from the balcony. "

It remains only to wait for the film adaptation of the "Italian trilogy." Well, I wonder what actors will participate in the casting ...