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uhhlexiconic's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Between an inert romance that doesn't grab and a framing device that doesn't enrich the story, Lost in the Spanish Quarter has no substance.
zacharypolendo's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine. They say write about what you know, and reading the author's biography it was clear that's exactly what she did. I kept wondering if this was a fanfiction for herself or if this was a real experience of the author's? She named the Lead character after herself, lived in the same places, and even moved to New Zealand just like the author.
I was immediately drawn to this book because of how beautiful the cover was! I'm a sucker for a good romance in any novel.
I struggled with this book because the beginning was really confusing. They met somehow right before the start of the novel and were drawn to each other because... I still have no idea. He had a mixed tape just at the ready? The time jumps were interesting. The e-mail exchanges kept me reading. I'm not entirely sure if my interest would have been kept without it. Characters appeared and disappeared without any just or cause. Some minor story lines added nothing to the novel.
Her description of the places they visited was fantastic! I hope to encounter these sights someday. I can't say I'd recommend this book, but I really can't say that i wouldn't.
I was immediately drawn to this book because of how beautiful the cover was! I'm a sucker for a good romance in any novel.
I struggled with this book because the beginning was really confusing. They met somehow right before the start of the novel and were drawn to each other because... I still have no idea. He had a mixed tape just at the ready? The time jumps were interesting. The e-mail exchanges kept me reading. I'm not entirely sure if my interest would have been kept without it. Characters appeared and disappeared without any just or cause. Some minor story lines added nothing to the novel.
Her description of the places they visited was fantastic! I hope to encounter these sights someday. I can't say I'd recommend this book, but I really can't say that i wouldn't.
giulia_c2001's review against another edition
4.0
Heddi è una ragazza americana trasferitasi a Napoli per studiare glottologia all'Orientale. Nel romanzo Heddi parla in prima persona e racconta dei suoi anni universitari e, soprattutto, della sua storia d'amore con Pietro.
Leggendo le pagine di questo romanzo mi sono sentita immergere nelle atmosfere dei miei anni universitari; gli amici, le serate a suonare la chitarra, a chiacchierare, a condividere momenti unici e irripetibili. Solo la città non è la stessa; qui siamo a Napoli e l'autrice la rende coprotagonista della storia. Descrive, in particolare, i Quartieri Spagnoli, i suoi abitanti, i suoi bassi, le sue palazzine pericolanti e i piani abusivi. E poi descrive la Napoli sotterranea, piena di mistero, rendendo la città una figura a sè e il Vesuvio suo fedele compagno.
Il racconto è, però, la narrazione della storia d'amore tra Heddi e Pietro, studente di geologia. Durante la lettura conosciamo bene i due ragazzi. Lei è dolce e sensibile, ma allo stesso tempo determinata e sicura di se. Lui è apparentemente forte e schietto, in realtà è succube dei genitori ed è fragile e insicuro. Pietro non mi è piaciuto affatto, né durante la relazione con Heddi, né dopo quando i due instaurano una fitta corrispondenza via email. Non mi è piaciuto per la sua continua indecisione e il suo essere inchiodato alle piccole realtà della sua terra, da cui non vuole distaccarsi, nemmeno per Heddi, nonostante con le parole affermi l'esatto contrario. Heddi, a sua volta, ne è succube e continua a credergli fino alla fine.
Fondamentalmente, si tratta del racconto di due giovani, con i loro sogni, le loro aspettative, con la loro volontà di emanciparsi da una realtà quotidiana che però li lega stretti.
Il linguaggio usato dall'autrice è superlativo. È uno dei romanzi più ben scritti che abbia mai letto, nonostante l'autrice non sia nemmeno italiana. È, però, da una parte un pregio, ma dall'altra mi è sembrato che volesse far sfoggio del suo italiano perfetto lasciandosi andare a considerazioni filosofiche troppo arzigogolate che rallentano moltissimo il ritmo di lettura.
Ciononostante si tratta di un romanzo interessante e gradevole, che si legge facilmente e che fa immergere in atmosfere leggere e sognanti proprie di chi è giovane fuori sede in una città universitaria.
Leggendo le pagine di questo romanzo mi sono sentita immergere nelle atmosfere dei miei anni universitari; gli amici, le serate a suonare la chitarra, a chiacchierare, a condividere momenti unici e irripetibili. Solo la città non è la stessa; qui siamo a Napoli e l'autrice la rende coprotagonista della storia. Descrive, in particolare, i Quartieri Spagnoli, i suoi abitanti, i suoi bassi, le sue palazzine pericolanti e i piani abusivi. E poi descrive la Napoli sotterranea, piena di mistero, rendendo la città una figura a sè e il Vesuvio suo fedele compagno.
Il racconto è, però, la narrazione della storia d'amore tra Heddi e Pietro, studente di geologia. Durante la lettura conosciamo bene i due ragazzi. Lei è dolce e sensibile, ma allo stesso tempo determinata e sicura di se. Lui è apparentemente forte e schietto, in realtà è succube dei genitori ed è fragile e insicuro. Pietro non mi è piaciuto affatto, né durante la relazione con Heddi, né dopo quando i due instaurano una fitta corrispondenza via email. Non mi è piaciuto per la sua continua indecisione e il suo essere inchiodato alle piccole realtà della sua terra, da cui non vuole distaccarsi, nemmeno per Heddi, nonostante con le parole affermi l'esatto contrario. Heddi, a sua volta, ne è succube e continua a credergli fino alla fine.
Fondamentalmente, si tratta del racconto di due giovani, con i loro sogni, le loro aspettative, con la loro volontà di emanciparsi da una realtà quotidiana che però li lega stretti.
Il linguaggio usato dall'autrice è superlativo. È uno dei romanzi più ben scritti che abbia mai letto, nonostante l'autrice non sia nemmeno italiana. È, però, da una parte un pregio, ma dall'altra mi è sembrato che volesse far sfoggio del suo italiano perfetto lasciandosi andare a considerazioni filosofiche troppo arzigogolate che rallentano moltissimo il ritmo di lettura.
Ciononostante si tratta di un romanzo interessante e gradevole, che si legge facilmente e che fa immergere in atmosfere leggere e sognanti proprie di chi è giovane fuori sede in una città universitaria.
violethazel's review against another edition
1.0
this book was not good. the writing was lyrical but it went on for SO LONG.
and the racism. only a few pages in, the main character talks about a movie from New Zealand, saying "Tattooed Maori thugs bashing each other." As someone from New Zealand (although not Māori myself) I thought this was extremely insensitive and referred to the stereotype that Māori men are thugs. Considering the author moved to New Zealand and I presume has lived there for a good few years, this shows a deep lack of understanding of New Zealand culture. also a bit slut shamey.
and the racism. only a few pages in, the main character talks about a movie from New Zealand, saying "Tattooed Maori thugs bashing each other." As someone from New Zealand (although not Māori myself) I thought this was extremely insensitive and referred to the stereotype that Māori men are thugs. Considering the author moved to New Zealand and I presume has lived there for a good few years, this shows a deep lack of understanding of New Zealand culture. also a bit slut shamey.
nursays's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booknightowl's review against another edition
3.0
Lost in the Spanish Quarter is about Heddi is an american exchange student who goes to Naples and and meets Pietro and falls in love. The book starts off a few years later with an email written to Heddi from Pietro admitting that he was wrong.
This book was really descriptive about everything and I found myself getting lost at times and not knowing what was going on. I felt like she would have flashbacks about a certain situation and I wouldn't even know that what was happening. I loved the email part of the story. I just felt like I wanted more from the characters and not really the plot.
This book was really descriptive about everything and I found myself getting lost at times and not knowing what was going on. I felt like she would have flashbacks about a certain situation and I wouldn't even know that what was happening. I loved the email part of the story. I just felt like I wanted more from the characters and not really the plot.
earlgreybooks's review
3.0
This was kind of a disappointment. I was loving it in the beginning—the writing was beautiful, the characters were intriguing. I especially loved the writing of Naples—it really felt like I was there, despite having never been. After a while, it started to drag. Plus, I absolutely detest Pietro—he just annoyed the hell out of me.
viralmysteries's review
3.0
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC at BEA 2019, and to Heddi Goodrich for signing my copy!
There are a lot of books that are written every year. As a small time reviewer who reads a lot, I often think about a book on the follow scale: you need to buy this book RIGHT NOW; you should get this!; if you get the chance, get it from your library, but don't pay for it; ehh, I mean, if you don't have better stuff to read...; don't read this book.
This book fell into the second to last category for me.
I wanna say that Goodrich clearly has potential as a writer. Her descriptions of Naples and the Italian countryside were really nice. I felt like I was looking at a really nice painting.
The problem is, that's what the whole first 150 pages of the book felt like; staring at a pretty landscape painting. Pretty, but, not much actually happening.
The book picked up more about halfway through, and I thought the tension between Heddi and Pietro was well written. I mean, it's a classic love story of someone going to a foreign place, they fall in love with a local, but they can't be together b/c [work, cultural/family problems, different career goals].
I think this book had a tension internally. Is it a true-story romance, or a reflective memoir? It kinda switched between the two and as a result I felt like it hurt itself on both ends.
I will commend the use of the emails written months/years after the events interspersed throughout the book.
Ultimately, I read an ARC. It's possible things change before it comes out this September. But as of right now, I wouldn't really recommend this book for purchase. It just didn't stand out for me.
There are a lot of books that are written every year. As a small time reviewer who reads a lot, I often think about a book on the follow scale: you need to buy this book RIGHT NOW; you should get this!; if you get the chance, get it from your library, but don't pay for it; ehh, I mean, if you don't have better stuff to read...; don't read this book.
This book fell into the second to last category for me.
I wanna say that Goodrich clearly has potential as a writer. Her descriptions of Naples and the Italian countryside were really nice. I felt like I was looking at a really nice painting.
The problem is, that's what the whole first 150 pages of the book felt like; staring at a pretty landscape painting. Pretty, but, not much actually happening.
The book picked up more about halfway through, and I thought the tension between Heddi and Pietro was well written. I mean, it's a classic love story of someone going to a foreign place, they fall in love with a local, but they can't be together b/c [work, cultural/family problems, different career goals].
I think this book had a tension internally. Is it a true-story romance, or a reflective memoir? It kinda switched between the two and as a result I felt like it hurt itself on both ends.
I will commend the use of the emails written months/years after the events interspersed throughout the book.
Ultimately, I read an ARC. It's possible things change before it comes out this September. But as of right now, I wouldn't really recommend this book for purchase. It just didn't stand out for me.
bookedinthebayou's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book from HarperVia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lost in the Spanish Quarter is not your typical love story. It’s a story of the enduring, lasting pain that comes from loving someone, or some place, deeply and unconditionally.
Goodrich writes with passion and a deep understanding of language that transcends story telling. (The fact that she wrote this book first in Italian then translated it into English hung with me the entire time I read this book.) She transports you into the story—the story she very much lived herself— without making you feel like you’re losing yourself. In fact, it is so easy to see yourself in Heddi that I often found myself laughing at her internal dialogue thinking, “I have been there, done that!” Her characters are raw, with no pretenses and no ulterior motive to gloss over the hardships of life, love and family.
Heddi’s story begins with her unwavering love of Naples, second only to language. Immediately, you’re transported to the contentious city that baffles tourists and natives alike. You feel the frustration, the smog, the heat. All of this is no bother to Heddi, as her infatuation blinds her— sometimes to a fault. It seems that Naples and words would be her only love, until Pietro offers a gift to her in the hopes of forming a connection.
The gift turns into a lifetime of love, lust and longing between the two. The two battle familial acceptance, tradition diverging with modernity, slumlords, dissertations, money, health and distance. Their relationship is believable and relevant, and anyone who has loved will see themselves in these characters.
Goodrich exquisitely weaves Heddi’s story in Naples with exchanged “present day” letters between Heddi and Pietro, detailing their lives and dedication to one another. The letters are open, heart wrenching and make you question your devotion to Heddi and Pietro’s relationship, or if either of them was truly the “good guy” in the relationship.
Goodrich’s novel is one that completely swept me away. It is full of beautiful prose, history, linguistics and romance without being heavy. I truly cannot overstate how beautiful this book is. If you love exquisitely written stories that refuse to provide a conventional ending, then this book is for you.
Lost in the Spanish Quarter is not your typical love story. It’s a story of the enduring, lasting pain that comes from loving someone, or some place, deeply and unconditionally.
Goodrich writes with passion and a deep understanding of language that transcends story telling. (The fact that she wrote this book first in Italian then translated it into English hung with me the entire time I read this book.) She transports you into the story—the story she very much lived herself— without making you feel like you’re losing yourself. In fact, it is so easy to see yourself in Heddi that I often found myself laughing at her internal dialogue thinking, “I have been there, done that!” Her characters are raw, with no pretenses and no ulterior motive to gloss over the hardships of life, love and family.
Heddi’s story begins with her unwavering love of Naples, second only to language. Immediately, you’re transported to the contentious city that baffles tourists and natives alike. You feel the frustration, the smog, the heat. All of this is no bother to Heddi, as her infatuation blinds her— sometimes to a fault. It seems that Naples and words would be her only love, until Pietro offers a gift to her in the hopes of forming a connection.
The gift turns into a lifetime of love, lust and longing between the two. The two battle familial acceptance, tradition diverging with modernity, slumlords, dissertations, money, health and distance. Their relationship is believable and relevant, and anyone who has loved will see themselves in these characters.
Goodrich exquisitely weaves Heddi’s story in Naples with exchanged “present day” letters between Heddi and Pietro, detailing their lives and dedication to one another. The letters are open, heart wrenching and make you question your devotion to Heddi and Pietro’s relationship, or if either of them was truly the “good guy” in the relationship.
Goodrich’s novel is one that completely swept me away. It is full of beautiful prose, history, linguistics and romance without being heavy. I truly cannot overstate how beautiful this book is. If you love exquisitely written stories that refuse to provide a conventional ending, then this book is for you.
xsupersarah's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 2.75 out of 5. Not quite a 3-worthy.