"It’s an improbable city, Bologna - like one you might walk through after you’ve died.” The red Benda of Bologna ist John Bergers fragmentarisches Memoir über das Essen, die Kunst und die Menschen Bolognas, sowie ein Tribut an einen geliebten Onkel, Edgar, über den er schreibt: "I should begin with how I loved him, in what manner, to what degree, with what kind of incomprehension.” Edgar liebte Bologna, und nach seinem Tod beschließt Berger die Stadt zu besuchen, und beschreibt sie in träumerischen, kleinen Vignetten: "In the Piazza Maggiore some steps lead up to the east face of the Basilica of St. Petronius, which, like many of Bologna's historic buildings, is constructed in brick. For centuries people have sat on these steps to watch what's happening in the square and to notice the minute differences between yesterday and today. I'm sitting on these steps.” Der Titel des kleinen Buches bezieht sich auf roten Leinenstoff, der in der Stadt allgegenwärtig ist: "I want to buy a length of this red tende linen. I'm not sure what I'll do with it. Maybe I only need it to make this portrait. Anyway I'll be able to feel it, scramble it up, smooth it out, hold it against the sunlight, hang it, fold it, dream of what's on the other side." "And in the evenings Pleasure and Desolation take their evening stroll along the arcades and walk hand in hand."