Of all the cities that the travel writer Jan Morris knew, it was Venice which held a special place in her heart, a place she knew intimately and about which she wrote with great passion and knowledge. In A Venetian Bestiary she explores the animals, real, imaginary and artistic which haunt the city of floating dreams. This new edition is a beautiful small hardback, illustrated throughout with paintings and photographs which perfectly accompany Morris' words. With a new introduction by Sophy Roberts.

Jan Morris (1926-2020) was an acclaimed writer about places and people, well known for her books about Venice and Trieste, especially. She was one of the first high-profile people to undergo gender realignment surgery, recalled in her memoir Conundrum; and as James had been the journalist who first brought news of the ascent of Everest.

Sophy Roberts is a journalist and author. Her first book The Lost Pianos of Siberia was highly praised; her next A Training School for Elephants will be published in 2025.