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Palladian Days: Finding a New Life in a Venetian Country House
What Sally Gable thought she wanted was a summer house in New Hampshire. What she found and learned to love was a new life in a beautiful and celebrated Palladian villa in the countryside outside Venice. In Palladian Days, she takes us with her on a journey of discovery and transformation as she and her husband, Carl, become the bemused owners of Villa Cornaro, built in 1552 by the great Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio called by Town & Country one of the ten most influential buildings in the world.
Sally Gable writes lovingly of the villa as she and Carl settle in and slowly uncover its history, the lives of its former inhabitants, and its architectural pleasures. She tells of her early days there, learning to speak Italian with the help of her engaging new neighbors in the tiny town that surrounds the villa, Piombino Dese, a place both traditional and busily modern with its old-fashioned street markets and its burgeoning economy.
She writes with beguiling humor about learning to take care of a Renaissance palace with its 104 frescoes and 44 pairs of shutters (all of which have to be opened and closed daily). She tells of baffling encounters with the soprintendente di belle arti, who must give permission for even the smallest repair to the Italian national treasure Sally and Carl call home. And she describes the life she and her husband create for the villa itself, allowing it to be used for concerts, ballet performances, even as a movie set.
In Palladian Days, we enter with Sally and Carl into their engrossing adventure, following along as they are woven ever more deeply into the fabric of small-town Italy and into its larger national history. Their story will delight travelers and would-be travelers; all who are fascinated by architecture, by art, by the powerful essence of place—and, especially, house-dreamers everywhere.
Sally Gable writes lovingly of the villa as she and Carl settle in and slowly uncover its history, the lives of its former inhabitants, and its architectural pleasures. She tells of her early days there, learning to speak Italian with the help of her engaging new neighbors in the tiny town that surrounds the villa, Piombino Dese, a place both traditional and busily modern with its old-fashioned street markets and its burgeoning economy.
She writes with beguiling humor about learning to take care of a Renaissance palace with its 104 frescoes and 44 pairs of shutters (all of which have to be opened and closed daily). She tells of baffling encounters with the soprintendente di belle arti, who must give permission for even the smallest repair to the Italian national treasure Sally and Carl call home. And she describes the life she and her husband create for the villa itself, allowing it to be used for concerts, ballet performances, even as a movie set.
In Palladian Days, we enter with Sally and Carl into their engrossing adventure, following along as they are woven ever more deeply into the fabric of small-town Italy and into its larger national history. Their story will delight travelers and would-be travelers; all who are fascinated by architecture, by art, by the powerful essence of place—and, especially, house-dreamers everywhere.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
9 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Sally Gable
1 book2 followersSally Gable, a church music director by training, has served on the boards of Radcliffe College, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and other educational and musical organizations. She divides her time between Atlanta and Villa Cornaro in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 21, 2016
The title of this book is Palladian Days, Finding a new life in a venetian country house. That title totally fooled me. In my mind I saw a couple in the productive years of their life, falling in love with this house or Italy, moving there and restoring it and all the problems and fun it entailed. Starting perhaps new careers and you name it. Well, that is not at all the story!
A what I would call, privileged US couple nearing retirement age, buys this house on a whim and spends at the most 4 months a year in it, divided up as two months in spring and two in autumn. The husband only a couple of weeks a year. I do not call that finding a new life. They might feel part of the community but facts remain that if you only come to a house for extended holidays, you will never be part of "us" and you can never describe things the way they truly are or give a proper picture. You are the lord and lady of the manor, above the rest. Yes, they socialize with some couples in town but...
They complain about their bank account being strained but never ever does it happen that they can not buy the house or do the extensive repairs the house needs like an old broken car. New problems pop up all the time and they can always pay. When I pick up a book like this I expect "real life". This isn't really real somehow. They are like the rich Venetian family Cornaro, that built the villa. Venetian palace owners went to the countryside in the summer to escape the hot city, to oversee planting and harvesting and that is what the Gables do, they oversee repairs in spring and autumn.
So, if you want to read a book on how one hires this and this person to repair this and this damage, how you have a chief designer help you pick out clothes, getting private tours at museums, glass factories, then this is the book for you. Us ordinary mortals could never get in at the places they enter. It's like peeking in on the rich and famous and for that I would not recommend the book. Yes, it has funny comments, it has cute stories about neighbours and observations about the town's people but it all comes at uneven spaces in the book. And the Italy she tells you about is basically gone. She touches some of the major changes in the very last chapter but not enough.
A what I would call, privileged US couple nearing retirement age, buys this house on a whim and spends at the most 4 months a year in it, divided up as two months in spring and two in autumn. The husband only a couple of weeks a year. I do not call that finding a new life. They might feel part of the community but facts remain that if you only come to a house for extended holidays, you will never be part of "us" and you can never describe things the way they truly are or give a proper picture. You are the lord and lady of the manor, above the rest. Yes, they socialize with some couples in town but...
They complain about their bank account being strained but never ever does it happen that they can not buy the house or do the extensive repairs the house needs like an old broken car. New problems pop up all the time and they can always pay. When I pick up a book like this I expect "real life". This isn't really real somehow. They are like the rich Venetian family Cornaro, that built the villa. Venetian palace owners went to the countryside in the summer to escape the hot city, to oversee planting and harvesting and that is what the Gables do, they oversee repairs in spring and autumn.
So, if you want to read a book on how one hires this and this person to repair this and this damage, how you have a chief designer help you pick out clothes, getting private tours at museums, glass factories, then this is the book for you. Us ordinary mortals could never get in at the places they enter. It's like peeking in on the rich and famous and for that I would not recommend the book. Yes, it has funny comments, it has cute stories about neighbours and observations about the town's people but it all comes at uneven spaces in the book. And the Italy she tells you about is basically gone. She touches some of the major changes in the very last chapter but not enough.
October 3, 2020
Sally proves to be a charming guide, explaining how she and her husband acquired a 450-year old country house designed by Andrea Palladio. In 53 sharply written diary-style entries, she tells the story of a building, a community, and of Venice. Committing to properly maintaining their historic home-away-from-home, two not-so-average Americans become patrons of an ancient Venetian community. A life-affirming chronicle and an up close and personal guide to classical architecture.
A VHS tape exists of a visit to the home with the authors of the book!
https://www.worldcat.org/title/bob-vi...
Bob Vila's guide to historic homes. : In search of Palladio. Part I. The villas of the Veneto
Author: Bob Vila; Sarah Beasley; Maureen Fahey; Ruth Mendelson; Michael Ferrone; All authors
Publisher: New York : A & E Television Networks, ©1998.
Edition/Format: VHS video : VHS tape Visual material : EnglishView all editions and formats
Summary:
A look at the work of architect Andrea Palladio. Part one focuses on the buildings that influenced his work, as well as detailed tours of several of his own creations in the Veneto region of Italy.
Rating: (not yet rated) 0 with reviews - Be the first.
Subjects
Palladio, Andrea, -- 1508-1580.
Architecture, Domestic -- Italian influences.
Architecture, Renaissance -- Italian influences.
A VHS tape exists of a visit to the home with the authors of the book!
https://www.worldcat.org/title/bob-vi...
Bob Vila's guide to historic homes. : In search of Palladio. Part I. The villas of the Veneto
Author: Bob Vila; Sarah Beasley; Maureen Fahey; Ruth Mendelson; Michael Ferrone; All authors
Publisher: New York : A & E Television Networks, ©1998.
Edition/Format: VHS video : VHS tape Visual material : EnglishView all editions and formats
Summary:
A look at the work of architect Andrea Palladio. Part one focuses on the buildings that influenced his work, as well as detailed tours of several of his own creations in the Veneto region of Italy.
Rating: (not yet rated) 0 with reviews - Be the first.
Subjects
Palladio, Andrea, -- 1508-1580.
Architecture, Domestic -- Italian influences.
Architecture, Renaissance -- Italian influences.
July 31, 2014
It takes a lot of determination to do what the Gables (and the Rushes before them) did. They bought not just any villa in Italy, but one of the supreme villas by one of the most noted Renaissance architects. Owning this house becomes a career and the Gables shoulder it with love. The book has many b & w photos, but for a better look, Google "Palladio" (boglewood should appear in the top links) for color photos which are more striking. This site, by the Gable's son, has even more info on Palladio and his villas.
Each morning it takes 30 minutes to open the 44 heavy shutters and another 30 to bolt them at night. The Gables hire someone who can make the rounds in 20 minutes. Other needs of the house: a working kitchen, leaks in the roof and moisture in the floor, rewiring (I think it took 3 weeks), scorpion eradication (which is minimized in text but took 3 years), a conversion from septic to city sewage similarly take time and outside help.
While two authors are credited, it is clearly Sally's voice. The book is divided into short essays, each devoted to a topic. Many of them stand on their own, and could be published elsewhere for other purposes. For instance, the visit to the archives, clearly makes readers appreciate the research that goes into historical writing. Other vignettes describe friends, Venetian glass, the Cornaros, the frescoes, other Palladio villas at a visit from Bob Vila etc.
We learn that actual costs are higher or lower than estimates or expectations but there are no stated amounts. Whatever the costs, it's clear, to embark on such a project you need devotion, flexibility and deep pockets.
This is a delightful book. If you are not interested in Palladian architecture when you start it, you will be when you're done.
Each morning it takes 30 minutes to open the 44 heavy shutters and another 30 to bolt them at night. The Gables hire someone who can make the rounds in 20 minutes. Other needs of the house: a working kitchen, leaks in the roof and moisture in the floor, rewiring (I think it took 3 weeks), scorpion eradication (which is minimized in text but took 3 years), a conversion from septic to city sewage similarly take time and outside help.
While two authors are credited, it is clearly Sally's voice. The book is divided into short essays, each devoted to a topic. Many of them stand on their own, and could be published elsewhere for other purposes. For instance, the visit to the archives, clearly makes readers appreciate the research that goes into historical writing. Other vignettes describe friends, Venetian glass, the Cornaros, the frescoes, other Palladio villas at a visit from Bob Vila etc.
We learn that actual costs are higher or lower than estimates or expectations but there are no stated amounts. Whatever the costs, it's clear, to embark on such a project you need devotion, flexibility and deep pockets.
This is a delightful book. If you are not interested in Palladian architecture when you start it, you will be when you're done.
November 16, 2013
This would appeal to many I am sure but I didn't find myself pulled into the story of the purchase, upkeep and history of a noted villa in Italy. I can see that it is a worthwhile publication though. Just not for me really.
June 30, 2024
It boggles my mind, what this couple did. I read this book with constantly raised eyebrows - not in a bad way, but in a boggled way.
First of all, the courage: buying an Italian masterpiece of architecture, one of only 18 extant examples from the genius Andrea Palladio. Who has that much self-confidence? I recognize that the Gables are .1% percenters who have extensive experience at organizing workers rather than doing DYI and that gives them confidence to take risks. If things got excessively expensive they'd still have a vanishingly rare Italian villa to sell. This wasn't a decision that could break their bank. But I have to admire their courage for making such a huge investment in a house that is without heat or air conditioning (making it unliveable for much of the year), without a real kitchen, with iffy plumbing and wiring and a leaky roof, and in a country far from home, and in a country with sometimes bizarre and byzantine building codes and restrictions.
Second, the hubris: this is a centuries-old Italian villa in an ancient Italian town full of citizens who speak Venatan, not even Italian. Who are they to burst in and buy the centerpiece? However, they find acceptance and friendships, with just a pinch of resentment from the mayor. They seem to fit in. I wonder how they'd fit in if they lived there 24/7/365 and had less money. I think they would do fairly well. The vignettes of neighbors' lives are well-drawn, sympathetic, and true to life.
Third, the size of this ongoing project: it is an enormous property, on the scale of many opera houses. Who would take on the problems of modernizing a time machine while respecting the past? How do you wire and plumb for modern living? By the way, if I found 55 scorpions in my house, I'd be outa there, but Sally sallies forth.
Honestly. I cannot imagine waking up in a Palladian palace and still managing to be functional instead of wandering around in a daze. I would feel overwhelmed...privileged and honored to be the fourth family in 500 years to own the villa, but overwhelmed. I suppose I'd feel overwhelmed because I don't have (nor can I even imagine) a fountain of cash and a second home I can treat like a hobby, overseeing repairs a couple of months in the fall and a couple of months in the spring, with a quick popover from Atlanta if something really needs my attention.
This story doesn't compare with "Under the Tuscan Sun" because it's not a make-or-break story of someone needing an actual home to live in. It's more of a peek at the challenges and responsibilities of having a fascinating hobby. There are hilarious bits, touching human stories, and stories of "noblesse oblige" with holiday parties and dances on the lawn because that's what's expected when you own a palace. It can be a bit quotidian in detail with decisions and business, but is well worth reading.
First of all, the courage: buying an Italian masterpiece of architecture, one of only 18 extant examples from the genius Andrea Palladio. Who has that much self-confidence? I recognize that the Gables are .1% percenters who have extensive experience at organizing workers rather than doing DYI and that gives them confidence to take risks. If things got excessively expensive they'd still have a vanishingly rare Italian villa to sell. This wasn't a decision that could break their bank. But I have to admire their courage for making such a huge investment in a house that is without heat or air conditioning (making it unliveable for much of the year), without a real kitchen, with iffy plumbing and wiring and a leaky roof, and in a country far from home, and in a country with sometimes bizarre and byzantine building codes and restrictions.
Second, the hubris: this is a centuries-old Italian villa in an ancient Italian town full of citizens who speak Venatan, not even Italian. Who are they to burst in and buy the centerpiece? However, they find acceptance and friendships, with just a pinch of resentment from the mayor. They seem to fit in. I wonder how they'd fit in if they lived there 24/7/365 and had less money. I think they would do fairly well. The vignettes of neighbors' lives are well-drawn, sympathetic, and true to life.
Third, the size of this ongoing project: it is an enormous property, on the scale of many opera houses. Who would take on the problems of modernizing a time machine while respecting the past? How do you wire and plumb for modern living? By the way, if I found 55 scorpions in my house, I'd be outa there, but Sally sallies forth.
Honestly. I cannot imagine waking up in a Palladian palace and still managing to be functional instead of wandering around in a daze. I would feel overwhelmed...privileged and honored to be the fourth family in 500 years to own the villa, but overwhelmed. I suppose I'd feel overwhelmed because I don't have (nor can I even imagine) a fountain of cash and a second home I can treat like a hobby, overseeing repairs a couple of months in the fall and a couple of months in the spring, with a quick popover from Atlanta if something really needs my attention.
This story doesn't compare with "Under the Tuscan Sun" because it's not a make-or-break story of someone needing an actual home to live in. It's more of a peek at the challenges and responsibilities of having a fascinating hobby. There are hilarious bits, touching human stories, and stories of "noblesse oblige" with holiday parties and dances on the lawn because that's what's expected when you own a palace. It can be a bit quotidian in detail with decisions and business, but is well worth reading.
February 19, 2018
Palladian Days is a memoir discussing the author's decision to relocate to Venice, Italy with her husband to buy and restore Villa Cornaro, a once lavish estate, built by Andrea Palladio, that dates back to the 16th century. Their search for a retirement property originally took them through the states of New Hampshire and Vermont, but opportunity knocked and presented them with this Italian option not previously on the proverbial table. Prior to Gable and her husband purchasing the home, Town & Country magazine had named Villa Cornaro one of the ten most influential buildings in the world.
Naturally, one can expect that there's going to be some tone of privileged status to the writing... these folks are buying a historic villa after all! Gable doesn't disappoint, giving readers details on a "family vacation" that extends over the course of 3 weeks, traveling through not only Venice but also the lovely town of Florence. The way she illustrates herself and husband Carl reminded me something of the Bouquets from Keeping Up Appearances LOL
Full disclosure here: For nights on end, I repeatedly dozed off while trying to get through this book. Also note that the book is not all that long and I've had a lifelong sleep disorder that typically keeps me up reading through the wee hours of the night most nights. But I just found this SO DULL. I found Gable's writing style pretty dry, killing my interest in what otherwise seems like could have been a pretty cool story.
For those who like books that include bonus recipes to try, Gable does offer a few at the back of this book.
Naturally, one can expect that there's going to be some tone of privileged status to the writing... these folks are buying a historic villa after all! Gable doesn't disappoint, giving readers details on a "family vacation" that extends over the course of 3 weeks, traveling through not only Venice but also the lovely town of Florence. The way she illustrates herself and husband Carl reminded me something of the Bouquets from Keeping Up Appearances LOL
Full disclosure here: For nights on end, I repeatedly dozed off while trying to get through this book. Also note that the book is not all that long and I've had a lifelong sleep disorder that typically keeps me up reading through the wee hours of the night most nights. But I just found this SO DULL. I found Gable's writing style pretty dry, killing my interest in what otherwise seems like could have been a pretty cool story.
For those who like books that include bonus recipes to try, Gable does offer a few at the back of this book.
January 8, 2020
Although it is hard to relate to owning such a magnificent home, I found this book very interesting. Mrs. Gable seems to be a very engaged and interested person who has taken her role as an owner of such an architectural gem seriously and has made a priority of learning about not only her special home, but of Palladian architecture and the region of Italy they have adopted.
I was relieved to find the tone of the book to be much more down to earth than I expected. I think it quite an accomplishment to be able to write about owning an architectural marvel without alienating the average reader, but Mrs. Gable has achieved that.
I was relieved to find the tone of the book to be much more down to earth than I expected. I think it quite an accomplishment to be able to write about owning an architectural marvel without alienating the average reader, but Mrs. Gable has achieved that.
August 23, 2025
Enjoyable
I enjoyed this book even more than I expected. I don’t dream of owning a villa in Italy, let alone a palace, but still this book drew me in. Lots of architecture and architectural history. Especially interesting if you have visited Venice, like I have. I can imagine even more so, if you have explored the nearby countryside, which I haven’t. Lots of Italian culture and a bit of Italian cooking thrown in.
I enjoyed this book even more than I expected. I don’t dream of owning a villa in Italy, let alone a palace, but still this book drew me in. Lots of architecture and architectural history. Especially interesting if you have visited Venice, like I have. I can imagine even more so, if you have explored the nearby countryside, which I haven’t. Lots of Italian culture and a bit of Italian cooking thrown in.
February 26, 2021
I read about half of this book. It was well-written, just not what I was looking for. Her writing was enjoyably descriptive and humorous, but there was a lot of history about the surrounding town, and of the home that I just wasn't interested in. I have no doubt that there would be some who would enjoy it, however.
June 1, 2020
What I enjoyed was learning about this architecture and the influence it had. Plus all things Italian. The Gables spent time and money to maintain and restore this house by research and visiting other houses of this architect.
April 12, 2020
A relaxing read for me. I enjoyed especially Sally Gable’s descriptions of life at the Villa. There was a lot of history and architecture narrative that I skimmed.
August 9, 2021
I really enjoyed all of the history of the region, art and architecture.
February 26, 2017
I loved this book about a couple from Atlanta who buy a villa near Venice. The author not only talks about the architecture and history of the 500 year old villa but the culture of the Italians and the challenges of restoring and maintaining the villa. Lots of talk about the regional cuisine and recipes as well.
October 19, 2021
A very pleasant, enjoyable "getaway" book about a couple who buys a classic villa in southern Italy. The 500-year-old house was designed by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, and it is remarkably intact and in good shape. The Gables, from Atlanta, kind of get a Frances Mayes feeling to get an Italian home, but luckily they don't have to completely overhaul like she does. And theirs is a huge vacation home, not just a nice cabin or second home to get away to; they started looking into homes like that, but that's not at all what they ended up with. They tell their children they wrote this book to explain "where the inheritance went."
Even though it's beyond the means of most readers to even imagine being able to buy a second home in Italy, let alone a historical treasure and one on such a grand scale, this is still mostly a kind of down-to-earth book. The usual roof problems, kitchen redos, leaks, squeaks, things breaking any homeowner faces. The book is also not a big to-do about how their life is SO different, etc.; it's not a cookbook; it's just a nice little yarn about life in a very pleasant place with new and pleasant friends.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/clean-book-rev...
Even though it's beyond the means of most readers to even imagine being able to buy a second home in Italy, let alone a historical treasure and one on such a grand scale, this is still mostly a kind of down-to-earth book. The usual roof problems, kitchen redos, leaks, squeaks, things breaking any homeowner faces. The book is also not a big to-do about how their life is SO different, etc.; it's not a cookbook; it's just a nice little yarn about life in a very pleasant place with new and pleasant friends.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/clean-book-rev...
October 15, 2024
I chose this as a genre of writing that I like (memoirs of living in foreign countries) and I wanted to return to in my "revisiting favourites" this year.
But this one is a bit more than just "living in Italy" for a year. What is it about memoirs like this that I enjoy so much? I would say this is another whose writing style/approach/topic is like "The Last Supper" (Cusk), "Paris, A Love Story" (Marton), "Tantrika" (Nomani): authors that provide an educated and well-travelled commentary on life, world events, culture and history in a warm, down-to-earth style that I find immensely enjoyable to read. It is a lovely distraction, to be pulled into their cultured and/or professional world - well removed from my own.
i.e. I will not be purchasing a Palladian country villa any time in the near future but loved reading about it!
But this one is a bit more than just "living in Italy" for a year. What is it about memoirs like this that I enjoy so much? I would say this is another whose writing style/approach/topic is like "The Last Supper" (Cusk), "Paris, A Love Story" (Marton), "Tantrika" (Nomani): authors that provide an educated and well-travelled commentary on life, world events, culture and history in a warm, down-to-earth style that I find immensely enjoyable to read. It is a lovely distraction, to be pulled into their cultured and/or professional world - well removed from my own.
i.e. I will not be purchasing a Palladian country villa any time in the near future but loved reading about it!
June 12, 2015
Not only did I read this fascinating book, but actually had the prilvledge to meet the Gables in person on a recent trip to Italy! My husband and I had discovered the joy of renting a car and driving all over the country. We found Pallazo Cornaro and just happened to make the last tour of this amazing country home. Mrs. Gable took me on a little tour of my own and I knew and understood immediately how one can fall in love with a home and want to preserve it for others to see. This book is a must read for anyone who loves Italy and especially fans of Palladian architecture! I felt as though I was walking through time...wish I could have stayed forever.
January 11, 2011
I found this book at my local Goodwill and purchased it on a whim. I trust my North Buckhead neighbors' taste in literature. I was excited to read about fellow Atlantan's adventure to purchase an Italian Villa, especially one designed by Palladio. I learned about Palladio and his influence while studying the History of Art and Architecture in Greece and Italy 3 summers ago. When I brought the book home and opened it up I was excited to see it was a signed copy. How nifty!
The story is very well written, half history lesson and half travel novel. I enjoyed it!
The story is very well written, half history lesson and half travel novel. I enjoyed it!
August 13, 2015
The Gables are a well-to-do southeastern American couple who discover a Palladian villa for sale, are able to buy it, and to make such restoration as is necessary. They build upon the work of the previous owners who had maintained the palazzo for a couple decades. The book is good on history and architecture related to Venice, the Veneto plain, and, of course, Andrea Palladio. Most of the focus, though, is on their own tribulations in purchasing and maintaining the property. It is difficult to identify with their struggles, but is something to dream about.
November 27, 2010
A reread. This is another book in the "buy a house in Italy, rediscover life" genre, which I sometimes gently poke fun at but would truly kill to emulate. It's a quieter book, with a little more focus on the famous architect who designed the Villa Cornaro and less focus on the busy dust of rebuilding (since the villa did not need much work done). It's got a quiet humor and a self-deprecating style which makes it a lovely book to fall into for a few hours of escape.
November 4, 2012
Excellent book! The author recounts she and her husband's odyssey in home buying and maintaining in Italy. The house is historically unique and the Gables are very determined to take care of it. The history of the house and its architect are given in the book and the various features and foibles of an Italian villa over 400 years old. The relationships the Gables build with the neighbor is also very funny and informative.
August 4, 2016
I read this for my book club and found it pretty interesting. It's the story of an American couple who bought a historical Italian villa. The book is a nice mix of personal story, Italian life, history of the area and architectural history. My favorite passage: "Life is opera, as every Italian knows. And if ordinary routine does not provide the requisite drama, then drama must be contrived."
September 25, 2015
It would have been a terrifically good book if only I could have finished it. It has all the ingredients of books I usually enjoy - life abroad, renovating a big old house, history... And yet I kept on drifting off. I normally would eat up a book like this in less than a day. After several weeks work, I DNFed at page 143.
July 10, 2015
I was disappointed with this book as I thought there would be more "real life" stories rather than the history of the house, the architect's other works and a lot of "dry" details. I do like non-fiction to be detailed but it was overkill in this book.
January 17, 2008
Great subject for a memoir. I wish it focused more on architecture though. I lost interest the farther I got into it.
May 10, 2010
Didn't end up finishing it...got too bogged down in little details for me.
February 11, 2012
Boring book only read because a friend recommended it. Don't bother
June 28, 2014
The book kept me entertained but was a bit disjointed. Also, the authors trying to act like they didn't have any money was obnoxious. They are clearly wealthy and privileged.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews