The acclaimed, award-winning author of the national bestseller The Financial Lives of the Poets returns with his funniest, most romantic, and most purely enjoyable novel yet: the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962… and is rekindled in Hollywood fifty years later.
Beautiful Ruins
By jesswalter
I visited Monterrosa, Italy, in the Cinque Terre shortly after finishing this book. I had read that it was based on this little village. Both experiences did not disappoint! It’s what started my continuing love for that region in Italy and has sparked many subsequent visits.
This is on my favorites list!
I love this book for so many reasons. It’s a great read for summer.
I had a hard time getting into Beautiful Ruins and I kept thinking, “why am I still reading this novel?”. The characters weren’t all that likable (except for Pasquale) and the plot was plodding along. As I have a hard time not finishing a book (even those I hate), I kept going. I’m glad I did. For me, the novel ultimately was about redemption. …
Ah, this book is everything. Lose yourself in it — I sure did. If you don’t love the perspective the book opens with, don’t worry; the story changes and expands and becomes somehow both broad and intimate in scope. Dive right in.
I LOVED this book. I feel enthralled every time I think of it! Definitely one of my all time favorites!
I absolutely loved this book – however, I only gave it a 4 star rating because the ending seemed very “rushed” to me. It was as if the author thought – oh, I have reached my word limit – THE END. I felt the story was so wonderfully told & then it just ended. I would totally read this one again, though. It was such a beautiful story and so well …
Beautiful description of people in pursuit of dreams. 1962 to 2012 the characters mature as some grow and others remain stuck.
Great Beach Read
This is a terrific book. It starts in the Cinque Terre, Italy in 1962. Than it follows the amazing characters for fifty years until the satisfying ending in the Cinque Terre.
You should read it and enjoy.
Terrifically written.
Book Opens in 1960s on Italian coast, but travels through characters’ memories to other continents and times. Both humor and mystery are woven into this satisfying novel.
Great story, beautifully written.
A wonderful story of life’s realities. A story of love lost and rekindled through the lifetimes of the characters. Although all dreams may not be fulfilled as originally planned , the unexpected paths taken were real, not perfect. The reader can easily identify with the struggles, obstacles, and joys experienced by these intricate and complex …
Loved it!
Didnt lije it…very convaluted and all characters are very disturbed. I didnt get past 3/4 of it….just not for me. Neither a teach me something story nor a figured it out by the end. Justba complete DOWNER!
I love this book and didn’t want it to end
I found this book so amusing! Great characters, too. Loved the way it all tied together.
A genuinely interesting and entertaining book to read!
Wonderful confluence of stories through time with great humanity. Surprising at every turn. I’m going to recommend it as a reading for my book club. The opening shifts to different points of view so it may be a bit confusing at first. Stick with it!!