Check out my review of "Beautiful Ruins"

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


When I first picked up this book, I thought it was about American tourists in Italy in the early 1960s. Now after having read the book, I WISH that had been the story! Pasquale, the small hotel proprietor who inherits the business from his father, is a great character and I was intrigued by his growing friendship/relationship with Dee Moray, the film extra, who unbeknownst to herself (don't ask) is terminally ill. Spoiler alert: When you find out that she's not dying but in reality pregnant (and doesn't seem to know it yet--the dope) by Richard Burton (yes, THAT Richard Burton), then the plausibility of this story goes out the window. And no, Elizabeth Taylor does not make an appearance although she is greatly referenced.

There's also a publicist turned legendary Hollywood producer in this story and his disenchanted development head/assistant/whatever.

I did enjoy the descriptions of Italy.



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