• 5 Star Reads
  • Audiobooks
  • Books on Screen
  • Children’s Books
  • Christian
  • Fiction
  • Giveaways

5 Minutes For Books

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Are We? Reviewer Bios
    • 5 Star Reads
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
  • Join In
    • 5 Minutes for Books Bookclub
    • Children’s Classics
    • Kids’ Picks
    • What’s on Your Nightstand
  • Link To Us
  • Contact
    • Advertise

Beautiful Ruins

April 12, 2013 by Nancy

In 1962, in a village so small it’s not even on the map of Italy, a woman arrives by boat in search of quiet and discretion. Pasquale Tursi, owner of the only hotel in Porto Vergogna, is creating a beach in hopes of attracting tourists, and instantly falls for the tall blonde American. Dee is an actress working on Cleopatra, filming in Rome, has been told she has stomach cancer, and is waiting for a man to come and meet her.

Fast forward to Hollywood in the present day. Claire Silver has to deal with her strip club-loving boyfriend, her boss, a Hollywood legend whose surgically altered face doesn’t match his aging body, and pitches for movies and reality TV shows from anyone who has ever met the man. When an old Italian man presents a signed Michael Deane business card, the ticket to gaining an audience with Claire, she thinks he’s just another pitch, but he turns out to be searching for the actress from so long ago.

Beautiful Ruins, now out in paperback, jumps around from the past and the present, following a large cast of characters (including Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor) that come together seamlessly. Interspersed between third person narratives are a pitch from a hopeful screenwriter for a movie about the Donner Party, and the first chapter of Michael Deane’s memoir that was never written, but fills in some of the holes in the story not told elsewhere. The unique storytelling devices add to an already wonderfully written story. Walter throws out bits of information that he comes back to later, leaving the reader to enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. The final chapter closes the book, so to speak on not only the main characters, but all of the minor ones introduced throughout.

Win it! We have 1 copy of Beautiful Ruins to giveaway (US/Canada only). Leave a comment below to enter and the winner will be announced in our regular giveaway column on April 24.The giveaway is closed.

Thanks to the TLC Book Tour for the review copy and giveaway.

Don’t Miss a Thing: Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.

Filed Under: Fiction, Historical, Literary, Nancy

« Bear-themed Picture Books
Cooking for Your Gluten-Free Teen »

Comments

  1. Cindy Brooks says

    April 12, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    Sounds like an intriguing love story!
    someluckydog at gmail dot com

  2. Heather J. says

    April 12, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    I was so surprised that the author could successfully bring all the crazy, different plotlines together – very well done!

    Thanks for being on the tour.

  3. Ms Yingling says

    April 12, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    What a great cover. It looks just like a vintage postcard. Even thefont is right!

    • Jennifer says

      April 12, 2013 at 10:30 pm

      I was JUST thinking of you as I read over the list my daughter’s freshman English teacher sent out. They are starting an independent reading Sci Fi/Fantasy unit, so there’s a big list for them to choose from. LOTS of fun titles. I know you think they should be able to read fun stuff. They just finished Tale of Two Cities, so a little escapism is probably in order.

  4. Jenna Evans says

    April 12, 2013 at 8:19 pm

    Sounds like a pretty interesting premise! Looks like something I would like to read.

  5. Liz says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    Your review has me intrigued about how all fits together. Please enter my name.

    • Jennifer says

      April 23, 2013 at 10:04 pm

      You won it Liz! Please reply to this info with your shipping info.

  6. Twisty J says

    April 13, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    I have read so many really great and positive reviews about this book, and am taking it as a sign that I must read it soon!

  7. pearl says

    April 13, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    This novel would be fascinating and unique.

  8. ellie says

    April 13, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    I would enjoy this captivating story.

  9. anne says

    April 13, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    A great review which interested me.

  10. Erika says

    April 13, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    I’d love to read this! Thanks for the chance to win!

  11. diane says

    April 14, 2013 at 9:27 am

    I have heard a great deal about this book. Thanks for this opportunity.

  12. Melissa Mc says

    April 14, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    In love with the cover! Would love to win!

  13. Beth C says

    April 16, 2013 at 8:51 am

    I’d like to read this love story. Italy is a wonderful setting.

  14. nfmgirl says

    April 16, 2013 at 11:38 am

    This is our book club selection next month. I’d love to win it! Thank you!

  15. Staci A says

    April 16, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    I’d love to read this!

  16. riTa says

    April 18, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    Great giveaway! Would love to share with my friend in Italy.

  17. chris says

    April 18, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    I’d love this for my summer reading!

  18. Anita Yancey says

    April 20, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    Sounds like a really good book with some great characters. I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance.

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to 5 Minutes for Books. We are a team blog dedicated to sharing reviews and information about children's lit, fiction, memoir, and more. Read More…

Reviews

5 Minutes for Books

Jennifer Donovan
Managing Editor

MEET OUR TEAM



Connect With Us


Pinterest

Community

Cybils Logo Draft 3

Disclosure:

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

Recent Posts

  • Central Places
  • Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
  • The House of Eve
  • Bright and Deadly Things
  • Long Story Short

Categories

Privacy Policy    |     Disclosure Policy
Terms & Conditions
© 5 Minutes for Mom

Let’s Socialize

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Pinterest is Our FAVORITE!

Find and Follow Us at
pinterest.com/5min4books

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316