Flirting with Fortune: Casanova in Rome

Clutching letters of introduction, intending to pave his way to the priesthood, adolescent Casanova arrived in Rome. The year was 1743. A future of religious devotion was soon abandoned as he was seduced by sparkling conversations, wild flirtations, French lessons, the lottery, libraries stuffed with books, and ices in candle-lit salons. Experience Rome through eighteenth century eyes, where riderless horses careen down the Corso during Carnevale and cardinals clandestinely meet in cafes.

Flirting with Fortune: Casanova in Rome invites us to eavesdrop on Casanova's conversations with powerful priests, love affairs, laughter with popes, and carriage rides to countryside villas. From the convent to the card room, none of his adventures turned out quite how he had hoped, but as a gambler and a lover of life, there was always a chance that fortune was right around the corner.

Giacomo Casanova, best known as a great lover, lived a life of letters as well as love. During his three sojourns to Rome in the mid-eighteenth century, he had love affairs--yes--but he also fraternized with nobles and clergy as well as common folk. Kathleen González not only reveals Casanova's haunts but also explores the social mores of the day, from sharing inn beds with strangers to sleeping with family members. Both scholarly and entertaining, Flirting with Fortune: Casanova in Rome will make your own Roman sojourn unforgettable.