The Waters of Eternal Youth
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The Waters of Eternal Youth Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Donna Leon (Author), David Colacci (Narrator), Recorded Books (Publisher)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 10,159 ratings
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In Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti series, the Venetian inspector has been called on to investigate many things, from shocking to petty crimes. But in The Waters of Eternal Youth, the 25th novel in this celebrated series, Brunetti finds himself drawn into a case that may not be a case at all.

Fifteen years ago a teenage girl fell into a canal late at night. Unable to swim, she went under and started to drown, surviving only thanks to a nearby man, an alcoholic, who heard her splashes and pulled her out, though not before she suffered irreparable brain damage that left her in a state of permanent childhood, unable to learn or mature. The drunk man claimed he saw her thrown into the canal by another man, but the following day he couldn't remember a thing.

Now, at a fundraising dinner for a Venetian charity, a wealthy and aristocratic patroness - the girl's grandmother - asks Brunetti if he will investigate. Brunetti's not sure what to do. If a crime was committed, it would surely have passed the statute of limitations. But out of a mixture of curiosity, pity, and a willingness to fulfill the wishes of a guilt-wracked older woman who happens to be his mother-in-law's best friend, he agrees. Brunetti soon finds himself unable to let the case rest, if indeed there is a case.

Awash in the rhythms and concerns of contemporary Venetian life, from historical preservation to housing to new waves of African migrants, and the haunting story of a woman trapped in a damaged perpetual childhood, The Waters of Eternal Youth is another wonderful addition to this series.

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  1. Listening Length
    9 hours and 8 minutes
  2. Author
    Donna Leon
  3. Narrator
    David Colacci
  4. Audible release date
    March 8, 2016
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Recorded Books
  7. ASIN
    B01CORLG7W
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 9 hours and 8 minutes
Author Donna Leon
Narrator David Colacci
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 08, 2016
Publisher Recorded Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B01CORLG7W
Best Sellers Rank #148,149 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1,069 in International Mystery & Crime (Audible Books & Originals)
#3,863 in International Mystery & Crime (Books)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
10,159 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Trinity Cause
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent enjoyable read......
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2016
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I love these books and do agree that not all of them are great but I truly enjoyed this one. Commissario Brunetti, his co-workers and family were true to character and that is what I mostly enjoy. The writing is very good and the pace steady. There are a few typos but not too many to cause distraction. I won't detail the plot as other reviewers have done that and like other reviewers, I did know the culprit early on in the book but it really made no difference to me. The interaction between characters, Venetian attitudes, and general ambience of the city is what keeps me reading. I found myself a few times laughing out loud at the banter between characters which I don't remember happening too often in previous books. I did note that Brunetti thought or remarked several times throughout the book about retirement and what it would mean to him. His wife was also mentioning her pension should she retire. I think perhaps Ms. Leon may be looking to end this series. I'd feel the loss but all good things come to an end at some point and until that time I recommend this series starting with book one, Death at La Fenice, to anyone who wants a clean easy read set in a beautiful city with what I consider very interesting characters and attitudes.
One person found this helpful
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Avid reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed Another Trip to Venice
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2017
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I have read all of the Donna Leon books and enjoyed the entire series. This book was more predictable that her others, but still enjoyable. Ms. Leon seems to be auditioning a new character, Claudia, to give some interest to the storyline. It is unclear if the author plans to go in a bit of a different direction. At this point, one has to wonder if Commissario Guido Brunetti really wants to stay in law enforcement. It continues to amaze me that he has not hit career burnout working with so many idiots and the corruption in Italy. I would not recommend reading this as your introduction to the series. I think that the book is appreciated more by those of us who already "know" the Commissario and his lovely wife. It is always nice to spend time with old friends...
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Billy J. Hobbs
5.0 out of 5 stars Leon’s latest is a life-saver
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2016
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As a devoted Donna Leon fan, I am always pleased to get the new Brunetti mystery, and in her latest, "The Waters of Eternal Youth," I am not disappointed! Nor will her legions of fans!

In Ms Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti series, the Venetian inspector has been called on to investigate many things, from shocking to petty crimes. But in this, the 25th novel in this celebrated series, Brunetti finds himself drawn into a case that may not be a case at all. Or so it seems.

Fifteen years ago, a teenage girl fell into a canal late at night. Unable to swim, she goes under and starts to drown, only surviving thanks to a nearby man, an alcoholic, who heard her splashes and pulled her out. Alas, though, not before she suffers irreparable brain damage that left her in a state of permanent childhood, unable to learn or mature. The drunk man claimed he saw her thrown into the canal by another man, but the following day he couldn't remember a thing.

Now, at a fundraising dinner for a local charity, a wealthy and aristocratic patroness (the girl's grandmother) asks Brunetti if he will investigate. Brunetti's not sure what to do. If a crime was committed, it would surely have passed the statute of limitations. But out of a mixture of curiosity, pity, and a willingness to fulfill the wishes of a guilt-wracked older woman, who happens to be his mother-in-law's best friend, he agrees.

In true Donna Leon style, Brunetti soon finds himself unable to let the case rest, if indeed there is a case. Awash in the rhythms and concerns of contemporary Venetian life, from historical preservation, to housing, to new waves of African migrants, and the haunting story of a woman trapped in a damaged perpetual childhood (and she’s good at opening up socially significant and valid, issues), The Waters of Eternal Youth is yet another exciting addition to this series. Leon’s style of writing moves quickly and adeptly toward its conclusion, and, as uusual, not what one might expect. She keeps the readers on their toes.

After 24 previous Brunetti episodes, this one does not seem to have lost any of the charm, the excitement, the intellectual process that Leon’s books have previously presented. The cleverness of the author’s multitude of literary and musical allusions is also one of her unique writing traits—just reading her is an adventure.
37 people found this helpful
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no name
5.0 out of 5 stars good read
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
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A nice change of pace for guido. Though there is a murder there are many sweet moments. I enjoyed it.
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Maureen
5.0 out of 5 stars Brunetti — solving conundrum from trot to gallop
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
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When a not-so-likely accident (falling from a bridge) leads to mental challenges and murder on the side, Brunetti is hard pressed to find the clues in the fifteen-year gap that separates attempted murder and fait accompli — until a flash storm gives way to a light in the darkness. Leon, per usual, addresses serious issues with insight and flair.
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DAE
4.0 out of 5 stars Manuela
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2022
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The surprise of this novel in the series is the sweetness and tenderness that surrounds Manuela and the two commissaries. The blinders, the walls police build up to protect themselves emotionally from the daily tragedies they deal with came down. Compassion and love wrapped the three humans and Petunia. It was the easiest novel to figure out The Who done it.
5 people found this helpful
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Iris
5.0 out of 5 stars Waters of Eternal Youth
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
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I was glad to see justice done at the end of this book. I always enjoy Ms. Leon’s books but sometimes justice is elusive.

I wish she would include a translation of the Italian words in her texts.
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Top reviews from other countries

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davinia withington
5.0 out of 5 stars Brunetti is brilliant
Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2021
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Lovely writing: we again have treats of Paola’s cooking, Signorina Elettra’s technological wizardry and humour but get taken on another ramble through the calli and campo of Venice (so tantalizing in present times). Great storyline and while the ending is somewhat signaled it is refreshing to be spared the endless red herrings and false twists and turns of so many detective novels. Bravo again Signora Leon. And why don’t we have a TV adaptation?
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Venetian mystery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2024
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I loved this story. Brunetti at his best! Love the politics of the Questura..An easy relaxing read for all fans.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars Donna super
Reviewed in Germany on August 11, 2021
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Top Bestseller von Donna
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jose de la morena rello
5.0 out of 5 stars Vonbraun
Reviewed in Spain on July 18, 2017
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Como de costumbre una novela muy interesante. Muy, muy, muy, y muy, tal vez muy o sea muy adecuada para el verano.
One person found this helpful
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Narayani
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in India on August 22, 2017
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Excellent.
The last line brought tears to my eyes.
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