Questions About Beautiful Ruins

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Beautiful Ruins, please sign up.

Answered Questions (13)

can anybody tell me if they enjoyed this book?

Angel 'ine A pleasant Surprise! This book had a slower start than what i was used to but the story built up , took pace and blossomed into a beautiful finale. I …moreA pleasant Surprise! This book had a slower start than what i was used to but the story built up , took pace and blossomed into a beautiful finale. I have read many books with parallel/multiple story-lines but this one stood out in the sense that it was COMPLETE. Yup... no loose ends there to leave you wondering "what the heck happened or am i suppose to rely on my imagination?" Loved how the book leaves you with a sense absolute completion. All questions answered, all that you wondered about through the entire read will be revealed. Not exaggerated or over-hyped but a simple reality based story line. Very believable indeed.

In all an enjoyable read that leaves you with a lingering sweet after taste.(less)

flag

I wanted to read a book about travel (I mean, not "serious" like Into the Wild), will I enjoy this novel?

Tammie Melear I loved Beautiful Ruins. It is not a book about travel. It is mostly a love story, beautifully written, with rich characters, humor and depth. I will …moreI loved Beautiful Ruins. It is not a book about travel. It is mostly a love story, beautifully written, with rich characters, humor and depth. I will remember it as one of my favorites, and will quickly find another book by Jess Walter. I am now a fan.
(less)

flag

Can anyone tell me if this was a mostly clean read?

Joannemaria Yes. A very clean read.

flag

What Jess Walter's book should I read next?

Heather this is his first novel I have read. I liked his short stories "We Live in Water." I'm going to look for "Financial Lives of the Poets" next.…morethis is his first novel I have read. I liked his short stories "We Live in Water." I'm going to look for "Financial Lives of the Poets" next.(less)

flag

Why does Walter refer to "the doomed party" in the final scenes of the story? I felt misled by this misnomer.

Silver It was s play on the Donner Party movie idea and I believe it was intended to be ironic. Their journey was a meant as a comic parallel to the more som…moreIt was s play on the Donner Party movie idea and I believe it was intended to be ironic. Their journey was a meant as a comic parallel to the more somber journey of the Donner’s. In a way one could also see them as figurative cannibals as in different ways they all fed off of other peoples lives.(less)

flag

Load 5 more questions