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fbroom's review against another edition
3.0
I thought the book was sweet and I enjoyed listening to it. Every chapter tells a story and connects characters and events together.
Summary
In 1962 Dee, a beautiful american actress arrives in the town of Porto Vergogna. She meets Pasquale Tursi the owner of a small Inn. Pasquale hopes that one day he can make Porto Vergogna a tourist destination like all the famous Italian cities. Dee tells Pasquale that she is dying from cancer. The story switches to recent times in Hollywood. Claire is a graduate students who dropped out of school to get a job in Hollywood. She works as an assistant to Michael Dean. Though she is sick of all the crap she hears everyday from stupid show pitches to reading lame scripts, etc. Claire is also dating a guy for his good looks. Darrel is addicted to porn and strip clubs. The story goes back and forth between recent times in Hollywood, the sixties in Italy, Germany and Seattle. More characters are introduced and with every chapter you learn how two or more characters are related to each other.
Summary
In 1962 Dee, a beautiful american actress arrives in the town of Porto Vergogna. She meets Pasquale Tursi the owner of a small Inn. Pasquale hopes that one day he can make Porto Vergogna a tourist destination like all the famous Italian cities. Dee tells Pasquale that she is dying from cancer. The story switches to recent times in Hollywood. Claire is a graduate students who dropped out of school to get a job in Hollywood. She works as an assistant to Michael Dean. Though she is sick of all the crap she hears everyday from stupid show pitches to reading lame scripts, etc. Claire is also dating a guy for his good looks. Darrel is addicted to porn and strip clubs. The story goes back and forth between recent times in Hollywood, the sixties in Italy, Germany and Seattle. More characters are introduced and with every chapter you learn how two or more characters are related to each other.
sannedijckmans's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
nanlikesbooks14's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised by how touching this was. Definitely more sincere and emotional than I thought it would be. I got a little sick of the sleazier, Hollywood-life elements though. It felt jarring against such a sweet love story! But otherwise, I liked it. It made me feel a little less cynical.
jessica_esme's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Book on CD performed by Edoardo Ballerini
On a sunny day in 1962, a young hotel owner, Pasquale, spies a boat approaching his small Italian village. Aboard is a beautiful, young, American actress, Dee, and Pasquale is instantly smitten. Fast forward to the present day, and a Hollywood producer’s assistant is hearing “pitches” on the studio’s back lot, when an elderly Italian gentleman approaches looking for Michael Deane. He’s hoping Deane can help him find Dee.
What a delightful story! Moving back and forth in time, and with multiple styles and points of view, Walter has crafted a love story with wide appeal. The twists and turns in the story stretched the bounds of credulity, but I didn’t care. I was engaged and entertained from page one, and was so sorry to see it end.
Edoardo Ballerini was simply marvelous performing the audio version. I loved the way he voiced Pasquale, Dee, Michael Deane and the many supporting cast members – including Richard Burton, Aunt Valeria, and a host of fishermen.
On a sunny day in 1962, a young hotel owner, Pasquale, spies a boat approaching his small Italian village. Aboard is a beautiful, young, American actress, Dee, and Pasquale is instantly smitten. Fast forward to the present day, and a Hollywood producer’s assistant is hearing “pitches” on the studio’s back lot, when an elderly Italian gentleman approaches looking for Michael Deane. He’s hoping Deane can help him find Dee.
What a delightful story! Moving back and forth in time, and with multiple styles and points of view, Walter has crafted a love story with wide appeal. The twists and turns in the story stretched the bounds of credulity, but I didn’t care. I was engaged and entertained from page one, and was so sorry to see it end.
Edoardo Ballerini was simply marvelous performing the audio version. I loved the way he voiced Pasquale, Dee, Michael Deane and the many supporting cast members – including Richard Burton, Aunt Valeria, and a host of fishermen.
perhamj's review against another edition
need to read something else for work, coming back to it though! love the audiobook
mrs_bonaventure's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyable, a great ensemble mash up of characters and a most satisfying tying up of all the loose ends. Wonderfully complicated and interwoven but with a strong centre narrative.
moshalala's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0