Bound In Venice: The Serene Republic And the Dawn of the Book (Alessandro Marzo Magno)

A translation from the Italian, Bound in Venice is a history of book printing and publishing in the city of Venice from the early days of the movable type printing press to the close of the city's publishing hey-day when censorship increased and choked out the industry.

I think I've gained an appreciation for independent bookstores. As a long-time Chapters and used-bookstore shopper, I only entered my first new, independent bookstore a little less than two weeks ago when one of my professors sent me there to purchase a piece of required reading. It was a small, cozy little shop, lacking any antique atmosphere, but full of freshness and newness. I was able to survey the shop's contents in a few short minutes. I found the book for my class and then browsed a nearby shelf which contained a few books about books, as well as writing. I came away with Bound in Venice and Stephen King's On Writing. It was the kind of shop that leaves me with a warm feeling and brings me back.

On to the contents of Bound in Venice. Alessandro Marzo Magno fits a lot into one small book; her work amounts to a sweeping history with bits and pieces seemingly presented as they come to her, rather than a specific continuous story. Aside from the slightly awkward use of present tense, rather than past tense, throughout the book, it is a smooth, easy and enjoyable read.

It was certainly interesting. I found myself relaying to a friend how the first printed Koran was published in Venice, and how italics and the bestseller emerged with the city as their birthplace. Magno writes about cookbooks, and Arabic books, medical and beauty books, Greek books and music books, pornographic books, and the invention of periodicals.

She contributes Venice's publishing success partly to the lenient censorship environment, which allowed books to be published which could not be easily published elsewhere. Venice's trade culture and status as a welcoming city for immigrants played a role in the wide variety of texts printed. According to Magno, the Venice printing industry only began to decline when the Roman Inquisition extended its reach and book burning began in the city. By 1562, Venice had established a rule that every manuscript, before it was printed, had to be examined by one religious and two laymen. This delayed the printing process and increased costs. The type of books printed shifted to mostly religious texts. In the proceeding centuries, the Venice printing industry dwindled and lost its prestige.

Bound in Venice is well worth the read for any bibliophile, lover of books, or reader interested in unusual facts and history.