By Robert Clark.
This work of non-fiction weaves together the story of Florentine art with the history of the Arno river until the two merge in a horrific 1966 flood. It’s a thoughtful and informative read populated with interesting characters. The narrative is fascinating and many of the vignettes are quite moving, but Clark lost me in the last 40 or so pages. When he begins writing about his personal connection to Florence and his process of interviewing Florentine art restorers, the book becomes a lot less interesting. Maybe it was me and I just lost steam, but as I neared page 300, I couldn’t wait for the book to end. (Clark is also so delicate and artful with his words towards the end, that he’s downright vague in describing his personal experience of art, faith and doubt; A confusing and disappointing end to a good book.)