Mistress Anna

Anna materialized on her own, inserting herself into the novel almost with a will of her own.

However, from being a figure intended to create relaxing moments in the story, where one can talk about cooking and good wine, she has become as the Trilogy progresses an indispensable presence, flanking the characters with intelligence and affection, wit and common sense.

Certainly born out of my personal experiences with Venetian hostesses, sometimes "friends" sometimes "mothers," she alternately fills the role of confessor, confidant, advisor.

Surely one cannot say one knows Venice if one has not met at least one of these figures, practically indispensable in the city's social life.