Beautiful Ruins Q&A

Thank you, Gransnet, and of course, Jess, for a great read! I quickly became engrossed with the wonderful story, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I found the device of switching between times and characters' lives a little frustrating at first - I would be fully engaged with the story, and it would suddenly switch - but once I settled in, I thought it a very clever way of filling in the back (or forward) story. Your Italy is gorgeous! I loved the update at the end of the book - it was brilliant finding out what happened to the characters. I'm now going to read your back catalogue, Jess! Thank you again x

I think everybody is goose except me !

I'm loving this book - am I the only one?

Thank you for my copy. I finished it this morning. I had trouble getting into the story until Pasquale turned up in US looking for Dee and then I had to know how the story panned out - urgently!

The questions that I could come up with are all answered in the notes at the back of the book. However, has Jess got a connection with Italy and does he speak Italian?

I found the book quite difficult to get into at first, probably not the fault of the author more down to me. I became more interested in the characters as I read further into the story.
I wasn't sure about the cover to begin with but now I think that it does fit in with the style of story well.

I'm pretty much in agreement with treebee about this book so far (received my copy on return from holiday - thank you - and am about halfway through).

I'm enjoying it especially on the back of having watched 'Richard and Elizabeth' on telly recently, also my mother was completely immersed in Hollywood and all the glamour when I was little, and it is bringing back so many memories of sitting with her and going through all the studio glamour pics of the great stars of the day (she used to send away for them), I can still picture them and sense the enchantment she felt with the "stars of the silver screen". I wish I had kept those posters, they'd be worth something today!

I don't have a question - sorry!

I was going to save this until next month when we'll be on holiday but I'm half way through it.

Echoes of David Niven's 'Bring On The Empty Horses' in some parts. I love the humour.

Thank you so much for my copy of Beautiful Ruins. Have just finished reading it, and was very impressed with the storyline which realistically brought to life a small Italian fishing village of the 1960's. Does Jess have Italian relatives or was the excellent portrayal down to detailed research?

After finishing this book it took me some time to come back to "real life".
it was so gripping and so many emotions - Sadness for Dee, admiration for Dee, pity for Pasquale, concern for young Pasquale and his future etc.
etc.
But I was also concerned that a real person Richard Burton had been
portrayed in a fictitious manner. Is this "allowed" will the author be
sued by his family?
Others have mentioned the cover, when the assistant brought the book
to me I thought Oh no I wont like this, but its the July Gransnet book
so I will give it a go, how glad I am that I did. Would the author agree
that covers are very important in selling a book.
Another silly thing was that all through the book I thought Yes this is
written by a woman, and then at the end found the photo! How wrong
I was!

Just got back from holiday and my copy of 'Beautiful Ruins' was brought to my door by nice neighbour. Im looking forward to starting reading it. Many thanks gransnet.

Just finished it last night. What a great book with quite an insight into the Hollywood film world. Loved all the wee stories within the main one. It is well written with an intelligent use of language without being convoluted or tortuous. I will highly recommend it.

I'm only half way through so far, but am really enjoying the "stories within stories" theme. The characters are interesting - I want to find out more about them so am snatching a read when ever I can. More depth than a lot of books around.
I like the cover - it has a 60s look to it

Belated thanks for my copy of Beautiful Ruins. I will be taking it on holiday so haven't started it yet. Looking forward to reading it.

Thanks for book: just finished it. Definitely a book to be read over a short period, if, like me, you need to concentrate. But I did read it quickly and loved it - especially the quirky idea of having Richard Burton in it! I don't often read books by men, but this doesn't come across as over macho. Clever use of different styles of print.

I just wondered if Richard Burton's family could sue the author for libel!!!!!?

Thank you for my copy, looking forward to starting it this week.

I finished this today having borrowed it from the library. I was so interested in Pasquale, Dee and the Hotel Adequate View that I begrudged leaving their story and being plunged into another character's world.
The humour is exquisite though, and the threads are brought together well. I appreciated being told the fate of even very minor characters too.
My question is, why such a dire jacket? This book, though having had great reviews, sat on the new books stand for several days before I borrowed it.

Thanks for 'Beautiful Ruins'.I now have two books to read as Galen kindly passed onto me her copy of 'Cleaner of Chartres'.
Find that in the hot weather I tend to fall asleep over my book.
Just had a light shower of rain here so might get some reading done today

Should add NOT chick lot but Hilary Mantel and Jodi Picoult et al.

I agree Gorki, am finding it hard going at the moment, but in view of other comments I will continue. Have read a lot of female writers lately and having to adjust a bit!

Arrived back from holiday and found my copy waiting. Thank you. Will settle down and commence reading this weekend. Be in touch later with comment.

I Vtoo found it a mite confusing at the beginning, but am enjoying it now.

Thank you for this book . I will read it as soon as possible.I will submit a question as soon as i have done that

Hope for me yet then ! I have read about 70 pages and have found it difficult to get really interested in any of the characters.

Thanks for my copy which I am half way through. Found it somewhat disjointed at the beginning but I am enjoying it now that I have got further into it.

Thank you for my copy. I started it last night and have read half already. It takes a while to get the hang of the various stories and writers, but it is very cleverly done. A hit for me.