The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova De Seingalt, 1725-1798. Volume 20: Milan
The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova De Seingalt, 1725-1798. Volume 20: Milan
Translated by Arthur Machen
The twentieth volume of one of history's most notorious autobiographies finds Giacomo Casanova at a crossroads. Departing from his lover Agatha, whom he establishes in theater, he journeys to Milan with characteristic optimism and predatory intent. What follows is a dazzling display of social maneuvering: the author moves through the city's drawing rooms and private chambers with equal dexterity, pursuing actresses and aristocrats alike. The mysterious Zenobia and a proud Countess become the objects of his considerable attention, each encounter revealing as much about Casanova's psychology as his famed technique. This is not mere confession but detailed social history rendered through the eyes of a man who observed everything, from the mechanics of seduction to the hierarchies of power. His voice blends sardonic wit with genuine introspection, creating a complex portrait of a man perpetually in motion, perpetually seeking his next adventure. The memoir captures the texture of 18th-century Italian society with an insider's knowing eye, its pretensions and pleasures alike. For readers seeking an unvarnished glimpse into the personal and social world of the Enlightenment's most famous lover, this volume delivers both as entertainment and as cultural artifact.
