Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter

I admit, I bought this book because of its beautiful cover, which is brilliant — designed to look like a 1930’s novel complete with water stains and rubbed edges on the cover.

I was delighted to fall into this novel and not come up for air until I turned the last page.  Spans from 1962 Italy to present-day Hollywood and the characters and their stories intertwine and evolve so that I was transfixed.  The novel explores the impact of greed, lust, love and unfulfilled dreams on people and their lives.   Mr. Walter is a master at storytelling, which he tells through complex and enchanting characters.

A young, beautiful actress named Dee Moray arrives to stay at The Hotel Adequate View and everything changes for the inhabitants of the small coastal Italian village.   The novel moves back and forth in time via alternating chapters introducing a cast of quirky and amusing characters – including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton all connected and impacted by the beautiful actress. 

The stories span continents and cultures – the simple lives in the Italian village and the intricacies of Hollywood business

One of the most bittersweet, yet joyful books I have ever read   This book is a must-read!!