The Stones of Florence and Venice Observed are a pair of travelogues recounting the Mid-Century travels of Mary McCarthy in the two Italian Cities.

In Stones, McCarthy dances the reader through Florence by means of its art, architecture, and adventurous history. She is clearly impressed with the wealth of intellect and artistry the city has produced, and brings to life the Florence of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and the long list of colourful compatriots that riddle the City's lively history.

Venice Observed is a similar tour of the more glamourous city, although Venice's glimmering facade strains under McCarthy's scrutiny. Venice, in this account, is a city of commerce, it's inhabitants shrewd and inartistic. It's spectacle is exactly that; a spectacle created to entertain the tourists and traders that fuel the engine of its prosperity.

McCarthy's wealth of knowledge is apparent throughout both books, and can be a stumbling block to the reader. I can't pretend that I absorbed all the art history (or every word of Italian).

Still, McCarthy is generally kind enough to provide some context for the mass of references that form the basis of her critiques. Her essays are intriguing, and filled with such a number of original and entertaining anecdotes that any reader should be pleased to take up the challenge of keeping up with McCarthy's 'tour' of Italy.

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