Hermann Hesse's depictions of Venice are among the most beautiful and substantial ever offered by a German poet to this "city of leisure, love, and music." Those who wander with him through the labyrinth of its streets, canals, and bridges will discover many things from a new perspective and "see the beautiful wonder in depth." Thanks to his sensitivity to the changing light effects at any time of day, Hesse is able to convey the color magic of the lagoon in a way that brings it vividly to the reader's mind. Similarly vivid and tangible are his descriptions of everyday life and his experiences with the inhabitants of the islands of this fairy-tale capital on the Adriatic Sea.