The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Volume 09: the False Nun

In Short

This volume of the legendary memoirs captures the life of a man driven by an insatiable appetite for love, gambling, and the pursuit of social standing. As the narrator traverses the high society and shadowy corners of Venice, he becomes entangled in a complex web involving a nun, an ambassador, and a series of intimate, often precarious, arrangements. It is a candid, unfiltered look at a life defined by the tension between refined manners and raw, impulsive desires, enduring because of its unvarnished honesty regarding the human heart.

The Story

The narrative begins with a supper at a private casino, a scene that sets the tone for the complex social choreography that follows. The narrator, despite his success and proximity to powerful figures like the French ambassador, M. de Bernis, is perpetually plagued by the "evil spirit of avarice" and a destructive passion for gambling. These twin impulses—a desire for lavish living and an inability to resist the gaming table—dictate his movements.

Central to the arc is his relationship with M. M., a nun with whom he shares a profound, secretive connection. Through a series of elaborate ruses, the narrator and the ambassador manipulate the circumstances around these women, creating a life of dangerous, clandestine luxury. As the ambassador eventually departs and M. M. falls ill, the narrator finds himself caught between his genuine affection for her and his restless, wandering eye, which leads him toward new encounters with women like the young, witty Tonine.

The narrator’s life is a constant oscillation between these deep, soul-stirring attachments and a series of lighter, often cynical, affairs. He recounts these experiences not as a series of moral lessons, but as a map of his own character—a mix of extreme loyalty to his benefactors and a self-admitted tendency to treat those weaker than him with a callousness he later critiques. He remains a man of contrasts, simultaneously capable of tender, life-saving devotion to M. M. and of orchestrating elaborate deceptions for his own amusement or gain.

The story moves toward a crescendo of tension as the narrator’s debts and his defiance of social norms draw the attention of the state authorities. Despite warnings from those who care for him, he refuses to retreat into the safety of a nobleman’s palace, choosing instead to face his fate with a reckless bravado. As the final pages approach, the atmosphere shifts from the indulgent, candlelit intimacy of his secret casinos to the cold, encroaching reality of the Venetian Inquisition. The memoir culminates in a sudden, jarring confrontation with the Messer-Grande, the agent of the state, which brings his period of Venetian liberty to an abrupt, breathless end.

How It Unfolds

The casino established The narrator sets the stage for a series of high-stakes social encounters, detailing his reliance on a private space to facilitate his relationships. He balances his roles as a lover, a gambler, and a confidant to diplomats, all while navigating the strict social hierarchies of 18th-century Venice.

The web of intrigue A complex arrangement involving M. M. and the French ambassador highlights the narrator’s talent for orchestration. He observes the dynamic between his associates, managing the delicate balance of their affections while suppressing his own jealousies.

A descent into illness and debt The departure of his mentor and the failing health of his beloved M. M. force the narrator into a period of reflection and financial strain. He attempts to manage his mounting gambling losses by sacrificing the very security he and his companions worked to build.

New diversions and warnings While tethered to the convalescence of his nun, the narrator pursues new, fleeting romances, finding temporary solace in the simplicity of others. He ignores the growing danger from his creditors and the ominous political climate, dismissing the prophetic warnings of his benefactors.

The final reckoning The narrative concludes with the narrator facing the consequences of his long-running defiance of authority. His encounter with a predatory count and his refusal to seek sanctuary lead directly to the arrival of the state authorities.

The People

The narrator, Giacomo Casanova, is a man defined by his contradictions—an intellectual who is a slave to his impulses, and a lover who is frequently unfaithful. His primary connection, M. M., is a nun whose life is constrained by the convent walls, yet she possesses a fierce, rebellious spirit that allows her to manipulate her environment with as much skill as her lover. The French ambassador, M. de Bernis, serves as both a mentor and a collaborator, representing the sophisticated, world-weary side of the era’s aristocracy. Tonine, a young girl from a humble background, provides a stark contrast to the noble characters; she is straightforward and devoted, serving as a grounding presence in the narrator’s chaotic existence. Finally, the aging M. de Bragadin remains the narrator’s steadfast benefactor, representing the moral anchor and the protective, paternal love that the narrator frequently tests but ultimately cherishes.

In Its Own Voice

"That passion was rooted in me; to live and to play were to me two identical things, and as I could not hold the bank I would go and punt at the ridotto, where I lost my money morning and night."

The narrator reflects on the destructive, compulsive nature of his gambling addiction.

"I saw her on the high road to debauchery, and it was my own doing!"

The narrator acknowledges his responsibility in the moral corruption of a young woman within his circle.

"Novelty is the master of the soul."

The narrator offers a brief, candid justification for his lifelong struggle with inconstancy.

What It's Really About

At its core, this volume explores the interplay between human agency and the constraints of a rigid society. The narrator is obsessed with the idea of freedom—freedom from financial ruin, freedom from institutional control, and freedom from the monotony of monogamy. Yet, he discovers that his quest for absolute autonomy often leads to a different kind of imprisonment, both physical and emotional. The text questions whether true intimacy can exist within a framework built on secrecy and performance, and whether a life lived entirely for the sake of "novelty" can ever offer lasting satisfaction. It is an argument, perhaps unconscious, that the pursuit of pleasure is fundamentally linked to a longing for self-destruction.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical immersion will find this work unparalleled. It captures the sensory details of Venice—the clinking of gold, the smell of wax, the tension of a mask-wearing society—with a vividness that feels remarkably contemporary. It is not a polished, moralizing tale; it is an unvarnished autobiography of a man who makes no attempt to hide his flaws, his pettiness, or his moments of genuine, profound vulnerability.

However, the reader should be prepared for the narrative’s pace, which can be as erratic as the narrator’s own life, shifting from long, contemplative passages to sudden, frantic action. The attitudes toward women and social class are entirely of their period, reflecting a worldview that modern readers may find challenging or even offensive. Yet, there is a compelling, melancholic beauty in his reflection on aging—the realization that his vitality is fading even as his desires remain unchanged. What stays with you is not just the scandal, but the narrator’s relentless, almost heroic determination to find joy in a world that is rapidly closing in on him. It is a document of a vanishing era, written by a man who knew exactly what he was risking, and decided to live it all regardless.