Helpful Score: 4
Couldn't get into this book. Read until page 80 and gave up! Boring.....
Helpful Score: 2
I had trouble getting started with this book. It could not hold my interest, but I decided to complete it and I glad I did. Once all the people and places fell into place, it was a great read and captivated me completely. Did not end at all as I expected.
Helpful Score: 2
I think that I liked this more than most I've talked to about this book. Yes, most of the characters were self-absorbed and a bit annoying at times but I found it a bit amusing when these characters collided getting in each others' way. "They deserved each other," I told my mother who was also reading this story and was finding their selfishness tiresome.
Though I understand why one might feel indignant toward these annoying people on behave of the few redeeming characters that found themselves hindered by the plethora of 'take, take, take...' personalities. I actually was pleased to see that the more likable characters simply moved on. They took the knocks, said, "to hell with this", and found a way step away on their own terms. It was refreshing.
Though I understand why one might feel indignant toward these annoying people on behave of the few redeeming characters that found themselves hindered by the plethora of 'take, take, take...' personalities. I actually was pleased to see that the more likable characters simply moved on. They took the knocks, said, "to hell with this", and found a way step away on their own terms. It was refreshing.
Helpful Score: 1
Outrageously silly and overwritten. The plot had some promise and some comic moments, but it got too ridiculous for me and I quit reading for something I would actually enjoy.
Helpful Score: 1
I tried to like this book, but got lost in it about 2/3s of the way through and though I read the rest, I wasn't enjoying it.
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely adored this book. I have no other way of describing it other than to say it was just a lovely read. Enjoyable. Nothing intense. Very vivid imagery. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Absolutely awful and absurd. I don't know why it got so much positive press when it first came out. I don't think I was the only one disappointed by this ridiculous book.
Beautiful Ruins is a beautiful book with a beautiful title and a beautiful cover. I was so very pleased that the inside matched the outside. Complex and flawed characters are supported by the changing scenery, and connections that span years and oceans surprise and delight. I highly recommend this one.
This book is beautifully written. The language will wish over you. I could taste it, smell it and feel it. What a wonderful set of stories of lives interwoven in the oddest ways. Beautiful, lyrical language feast!
This was a good story and the author did a great job creating the characters which is important to me. I only gave it 3.5 stars because one of the main characters was not very likable. That is a distraction to me, and if you are more open minded than I am (or have a job that doesn't involve people who are struggling with addiction) you will likely enjoy the book a bit more than I did.
I don't even know where to start with this one. There's so much going on here and many other reviewers have tried to sum up what this book is about, so I'll just share a few things I loved.
This book is about people who want to be famous, to leave their mark on the world in a variety of different ways. Most are incredibly self-obsessed and yet most are likeable by the end of the book. (Most, not all.)
The structure of this book is so artful. It begins in 1962, then moves forward to the present -- basically the beginning and the end (but not quite the end) and then everything that happened to connect those two worlds is slowly revealed. It's a marvelous ride.
The last chapter was gorgeous. The way he wrapped everything together. Loved it. You have to read it for yourself.
Along with the beautiful, sad, and hopeful, Walter throws in a lot of funny...some satirical, some just straight-out funny, like the bawdy insults of Italian fishermen that made me guffaw.
He's kind of local. Walter lives in Spokane, Washington (about 200 miles north of me) and sets most of his books in the Pacific Northwest. Parts of this one take place in Seattle and Sandpoint, Idaho (with a brief trip through Spokane on the way).
This book is about people who want to be famous, to leave their mark on the world in a variety of different ways. Most are incredibly self-obsessed and yet most are likeable by the end of the book. (Most, not all.)
The structure of this book is so artful. It begins in 1962, then moves forward to the present -- basically the beginning and the end (but not quite the end) and then everything that happened to connect those two worlds is slowly revealed. It's a marvelous ride.
The last chapter was gorgeous. The way he wrapped everything together. Loved it. You have to read it for yourself.
Along with the beautiful, sad, and hopeful, Walter throws in a lot of funny...some satirical, some just straight-out funny, like the bawdy insults of Italian fishermen that made me guffaw.
He's kind of local. Walter lives in Spokane, Washington (about 200 miles north of me) and sets most of his books in the Pacific Northwest. Parts of this one take place in Seattle and Sandpoint, Idaho (with a brief trip through Spokane on the way).
Disclaimer---I am definitely someone who enjoys an unrealistic happy ending, and since this book has a realistic ending, I gave it one less star. ;-)
but it was a good ending, appropriate, fair..not everything tied up in a neat bow.
And a page turner!!! The way the author went back and forward from flashback to present, etc, kept me saying "one more chapter one more chapter", when I should have been turning out the light.
And as someone who has lived in Italy and has an affinity for anything that takes me back, I ADORED all the italian language and references (hence why this book caught my eye in the first place).
Am very tempted to check out this guy's other work.
Do yourself a favor and read his "about the book" at the end, entitled something like "the galley slaves"....intriguing and fun insight...
but it was a good ending, appropriate, fair..not everything tied up in a neat bow.
And a page turner!!! The way the author went back and forward from flashback to present, etc, kept me saying "one more chapter one more chapter", when I should have been turning out the light.
And as someone who has lived in Italy and has an affinity for anything that takes me back, I ADORED all the italian language and references (hence why this book caught my eye in the first place).
Am very tempted to check out this guy's other work.
Do yourself a favor and read his "about the book" at the end, entitled something like "the galley slaves"....intriguing and fun insight...
Romantic tale that takes place in remote village in Italy during filming of 'Cleopatra' and follows story of the characters to present day.
Wow! Really good! Really interesting and readable AND good writing--a nice combo.
I enjoyed this book.
