Friday, February 07, 2014

BEAUTIFUL RUINS

Author:  Jess Walter
Genre:  Fiction, Standalone
Published:  2012
Personal Rating:  2.75/5 (eh +)
Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/
Edoardo Ballerini
Yearly Count:  11


Past:  Italy, 1962 to Present:  Hollywood are the settings for Pasquale, a young man whose family owns a small, seaside hotel, and Dee, an actress who comes to stay at the hotel. 

This felt like a very, very long book.  That is not how I like to feel while reading or listening.  The story not only bounced between past and present, but had many separate stories and a vast amount of characters that caused for a lot of juggling in my mind.  I didn't really dislike the stories or characters, but nothing truly pulled me in.  The narrator did a good job, though.    

Thoughts of Joy

10 comments:

  1. I wonder if this would be better in print?

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    Replies
    1. Bermudaonion ~ The narrator did a great job, so I think he made it better for me.

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  2. I wasn't thrilled with this one either though I did think that Ballorini did a fantastic job narrating it. I do wonder if it would have been better in print or if it would have felt even longer! By the conclusion I found I just couldn't care. :-/

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    Replies
    1. Trish ~ I didn't even want to attempt the print version. I wouldn't have made it through.

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  3. Well, I will definitely skip the audio and I may just skip the book entirely. I don't have the patience for long, ho-hum books anymore.

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    Replies
    1. Les--if you do get to this one I DO recommend the audio. It was the redeeming point for me.

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    2. Les ~ Me neither! However, the audio version IS the way to go IF you decide to give it a try. :)

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    3. Trish ~ It was the redeeming point for me, too. :)

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  4. So many bloggers raved about this one when it came out and I've resisted so far even though I love all things Italy. Thanks for reinforcing my decision ;)

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    Replies
    1. Stacybuckeye ~ I'm just another blogger, but that is MY opinion. :)

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