Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter begins in a postage stamp sized coastal village in Italy where a young hotel proprietor dreams of attracting glamorous American tourists with an ill conceived tennis court and a crumbling hotel. One day a beautiful American actress happens on the hotel, and the proprietor's life is forever changed.
This early portion of the book, set in Italy in 1962, reminded me of an old, remastered movie of the sort I used to watch with my mom over Christmas holidays. Perhaps a young Grace Kelly would play the young starlet; although Princess Grace was probably always too sophisticated (but not too beautiful) for such a part.
The actress and the proprietor are together for only a few short days, and they share a strong attraction that is never discussed or consummated (which, of course, it wouldn't have been in an old movie). They continue on their separate paths living wildly different lives, but they never forget each other. The story picks back up 50 years later when they finally meet again in the United States.
There are many other characters who Walter weaves into this story, all of whom are unique and compelling. This was a fun, enjoyable read, something you might throw in your carry on or rip into on the beach, a cool drink and a shady umbrella both close at hand. My book club agreed, this was a winner, and we all liked how Walter did a short "where are they now" profile of all of the characters at the end of the book, so we weren't left to wonder what becomes of each of them after the last page is turned.
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