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What Members Thought
What a wonderful story! Walter weaves an enjoyable tale that involves the making of Cleopatra, an isolated coast of Italy, a Hollywood producer who is trying to make a comeback, a Hollywood assistant who isn't sure if she wants to stay in the biz, Richard Burton, a little known actress and well, if I go on, I will give too much away.
I was torn between giving this 4 or 5 stars and I landed on 5 stars because the story that Walter told in the way that he did was amazing. He took multiple character ...more
I was torn between giving this 4 or 5 stars and I landed on 5 stars because the story that Walter told in the way that he did was amazing. He took multiple character ...more
Sep 30, 2013
Nikki Morse
added it
This was a pretty good novel. After 2 years of not reading any white men, I accidentally read 2 in a row (the name Jess confused me!) - this was better than the first but I think I'll return to my white man black out. While both male and female characters are in depth and fully realized, it does seem somewhat to valorize sacrifice and care-giving as female and overly noble. I'm enjoying it a little more upon reading my smart friends' reviews - but it just didn't move me much.
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Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
Audio Book Review
Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini
12 hrs and 53 mins
Short Review
Italy, 1962. Richard Burton and Liz Taylor are making the film, Cleopatra. A young American actress in the film learns she is dying and escapes to Porto Vergogna, a small seaside village to rest. There Dee meets the innkeeper, Pasquale and they form an immediate and deep connection.
Fast forward 50 years and Pasquale arrives at the director's film studio in California with the desire to find ...more
Audio Book Review
Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini
12 hrs and 53 mins
Short Review
Italy, 1962. Richard Burton and Liz Taylor are making the film, Cleopatra. A young American actress in the film learns she is dying and escapes to Porto Vergogna, a small seaside village to rest. There Dee meets the innkeeper, Pasquale and they form an immediate and deep connection.
Fast forward 50 years and Pasquale arrives at the director's film studio in California with the desire to find ...more
This book has so many story lines and such a wide time spread that it is difficult to keep it all straight.
Probably read in large chunks, it would be more readily understood, than in short snatches as I did.
Probably read in large chunks, it would be more readily understood, than in short snatches as I did.
3 1/2 stars, I think. Didn't like Pat's story line, loved the flashbacks to 1962 in Italy.
...more
I really wanted to like this one... but it was just so-so for me. Way too many characters and jumping all over the place for me.
On the plus side the setting was very enjoyable :)
On the plus side the setting was very enjoyable :)
Mar 10, 2013
m
is currently reading it
Jul 23, 2013
Soelo
marked it as to-read
Aug 03, 2013
Rachel
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Aug 15, 2013
Dana Arbelaez
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Dec 28, 2014
Jocelyn
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Sep 06, 2015
Anya
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Oct 10, 2015
Cheryl
marked it as consider-reading
Jul 05, 2016
Lauren Courtney
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Jun 30, 2017
Ann
marked it as to-read
Feb 11, 2020
Kathy Jo
marked it as to-read
Jul 07, 2020
Jana
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really liked it
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Jul 28, 2020
Grainne
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