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I have so enjoyed reading this book. Set in southern Italy I had the thrill of reading it whilst sitting on a sun soaked terrace overlooking Lake Garda in Italy. Although I was further north than the novel is set, it provided my reading experience with a certain degree of authenticity.
For my full review please visit my blog at: https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp... ...more
For my full review please visit my blog at: https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp... ...more
This happens from time to time... I'll rate something based on the day I closed the book, and then I can't stop thinking about it.
In this case, these characters come to mind, like old friends I used to know, wondering how Pat and Linda are doing.
I didn't like some parts of it, I remembered that. And I couldn't really even remember what I rated it. When I came to Goodreads to check, I found I initially rated it three stars, because it was good, not un-put-downable good, but okay. But any book I k ...more
In this case, these characters come to mind, like old friends I used to know, wondering how Pat and Linda are doing.
I didn't like some parts of it, I remembered that. And I couldn't really even remember what I rated it. When I came to Goodreads to check, I found I initially rated it three stars, because it was good, not un-put-downable good, but okay. But any book I k ...more
I unfortunately did not like this book as much as I was hoping. I will admit I was pulled in by the gorgeous cover, the curious title, and the setting (it starts out on the coast of Italy). There were many story lines happening, and although I knew that eventually these story lines would weave themselves together, it seemed disjointed. For some reason I just did not find the writing and plot very engaging. There were times when the language was surprisingly crass (some name-calling, and descript
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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
Compelling story telling, coupled with depth and insight into the human condition -- what a novel should be.
The final chapter begins with an epigraph from Milan Kundera, whose oeuvre I've read this year:
"There would be nothing more obvious, more tangible than the present moment and yet, it eludes us completely. All the sadness of life lies in that fact."
After reading Walter's novel, I'd say that all the joy in life also lies in that fact. ...more
The final chapter begins with an epigraph from Milan Kundera, whose oeuvre I've read this year:
"There would be nothing more obvious, more tangible than the present moment and yet, it eludes us completely. All the sadness of life lies in that fact."
After reading Walter's novel, I'd say that all the joy in life also lies in that fact. ...more
I didn't care for this as a printed novel, but when I gave it another chance as an audiobook, I liked it. A good narrator can make all the difference in telling the story. Lots of characters to keep track of and each of them flawed, but always moving onward. The way the tale weaves all of the character's stories together reveals that the ordinary is actually, "a sweet, lovely mess that is real life."
...more
Jul 24, 2012
Kat
marked it as to-read
Feb 24, 2013
Anika
marked it as to-read
Jul 10, 2013
Stephanie
marked it as to-read
Sep 30, 2013
Amy 💖
marked it as to-read
Oct 10, 2015
Cheryl
marked it as consider-reading
Apr 25, 2017
Wanda
marked it as to-read
