Memoirs of Casanova (1792) is the autobiography of Italian adventure
and socialite Giacomo Casanova. Written at the end of his life, the
Memoirs capture the experiences of one of Europe's most notorious
figures, a man whose escapades as a gambler, womanizer, and socialite
are matched only by his unique gift for sharing them with the world.
More than perhaps any other man, Casanova sought to emulate the lessons
of the Enlightenment on the level of everyday life, a sentiment captured
perfectly in the opening sentence of his Memoirs: "I will begin with
this confession: whatever I have done in the course of my life, whether
it be good or evil, has been done freely; I am a free agent."Memoirs of
Casanova Volume I covers the childhood of Giacomo Casanova in Venice.
The eldest of six children, Casanova is raised by actor and actress
Gaetano Casanova and Zanetta Farussi at a time of cultural and economic
ascendancy for the Republic of Venice. Following his father's death at
the age of eight, Casanova, whose mother was often busy touring Europe
for her work in the theater, is sent to a boarding house in Padua. Due
to poor living conditions, he is eventually taken into the care of an
instructor and priest, whose household introduced the young boy to
music, literature, and most importantly, women. In Padua, Casanova
discovers the ideals of art and beauty that will drive him for much of
his life, remaining with him through all of his trials and triumphs.
With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript,
this edition of Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs of Casanova is a classic of
European literature reimagined for modern readers.