Beautiful Ruins

by Jess Walter

For two-thirds of this novel, I kept wondering, “Why is this on everyone’s Best of 2012 list?” Well, the payoff came in the final third, and it was well worth my time.

Beautiful Ruins is a then-and-now story. The tale begins in 1962 and winds its way to the present. Our three main characters are:

• Pasquale: the young innkeeper on the coast of Italy;
• Dee: the beautiful, young actress in Italy for the filming of Cleopatra; and
• Michael Deane: the legendary film producer.

Walter flashes readers between the past and present, teasing us with the trio’s initial meeting and then keeping us in suspense for a majority of the novel. As much as I may not have cared for the 3 main players (for the most part), I definitely needed to know if/how/when the three would meet again.

I would not put this on my Best of 2012 list, but I would absolutely recommend it. If it seems slow at the beginning, stick with it! Your patience will be rewarded.

1/9/13