'Beautiful Ruins' weaves together a tapestry of love and ambition, spanning decades and continents. Set against the stunning backdrop of 1960s Italy, a young innkeeper encounters a mysterious actress with a haunting secret. As their lives intertwine, the story traverses from post-war Italy to modern-day Hollywood, revealing dreams and disappointments. Jess Walter masterfully explores the complexities of human relationships, art, and the passage of time. This captivating novel challenges readers to ponder the beauty found in both the ruins of life and the relentless pursuit of love.
By Jess Walter
Published: 2013
""The past is not dead. It’s not even past.""
The #1 New York Times bestseller, now available in paperback—Jess Walter’s “absolute masterpiece” (Richard Russo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author): the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962 and resurfaces fifty years later in contemporary Hollywood. 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. Hailed by critics and loved by readers of literary and historical fiction, Beautiful Ruins is the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962...and is rekindled in Hollywood fifty years later.
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“"The past is not dead. It’s not even past."”
Beautiful Ruins
By Jess Walter
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Jess Walter is an acclaimed American author known for his engaging storytelling and sharp wit. His notable works include the bestselling novels 'Beautiful Ruins,' which explores love and ambition against the backdrop of the Italian coast, 'The Financial Lives of the Poets,' a darkly comedic take on the American Dream, and 'Citizen Vince,' which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Walter's writing is characterized by its rich character development, a blend of humor and pathos, and a keen insight into the complexities of human relationships.
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