The Constant Image

by Davenport Marcia

Harriet Piers, an American divorcee vacationing in Italy, and Carlo Dalverio, a married Italian, decide to have a harmless affair, but find they can not avoid falling in love

Genres: Romance, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The #6 bestseller of 1960 was purely awful. It falls in that category of fiction by the likes of Danielle Steele: endless descriptions of clothing, jewelry, and furnishings; passages of mildly bad sex writing; the vacillating obsessive maunderings of a young woman in love with the wrong man. Perfect bestseller material for a certain type of female reader who is not me.

Set in Milan, the story makes a big deal about the difference in moral values between Americans and Italians. Of course, they are all rich and in fact, infidelity is still infidelity when such an amount of lip service is paid to the sanctity of family. Included is the old conventional wisdom that the men are expected to fool around but the women are either victims or sluts. As my straight-laced grandma used to say, "It takes two to tango."

I guess that is enough ranting. After all, it was my freely taken decision to read the bestsellers from 1940 onward and even books like this fit the premise: the popular books reflect the culture of the time.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcia Davenport’s novel Constant Image is an interesting read about the differences between old and new world attitudes about family, marriage, adultery, and divorce. Harriet Piers an American woman, recently divorced after learning her husband was having an affair. When she learned of the affair she did not react with quiet reserve. She was enraged, hurt, and vengeful in seeking a divorce. In recovering from her ruined marriage, she elects to travel after her divorce. She ends up staying the winter in Milano Italy with her oldest friend Lydia Marchisi. It is during this extended visit that Harriet meets Carlo Dalverio and becomes the other woman. Carlo, no stranger to having affairs with other women, is captivated by the beautiful American and makes every effort to seduce her. Carlo’s penchant for other women is not lost on his wife Pina, she is aware of his conquests. She has the strength to tolerate this reproachful activity, simply because she knows Carlo will never fall in love and break up their family. I’m not sure this is an enlightened woman who understands the nature of her husband or does she not care so long as her stability is not threatened. Either way this affair is different than the others, Carlo and Harriet do fall in love. It is Harriet who has the inner strength to recognize that the affair must end. She will not allow Carlo’s life and family to be ruined even if it means giving up on her personal happiness.

This seems to be an obscure book, not much activity, but I liked it, 3 Stars.

[Lindig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite novel, beautifully written, about an extra-marital affair between an American woman and an Italian man. Set in Milan, the story is solidly based in the industrial city's attitudes and mores.

[Vicki Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly moving tale of an American divorcee who is wintering in Milan and her affair with a married Italian businessman. I started this book expecting to get a chuckle from the dated story and actually found myself pretty deeply into it from the start. The characters are decent people who think they are engaging in a sophisticated, short-term, affair and are somewhat horrified to find themselves honestly falling in love with each other. Some interesting asides about American vs. European morals and lifestyles, but the main attraction here is the struggle the two main characters go through.
If cheating is a deal breaker, don't bother to pick this up. I really enjoyed the book and was pleasantly surprised to find that I still liked both characters at the end. The ending is not exactly a fairy tale type, so I wouldn't call this a romance, but it does end on an up note.

[Leslie Reiber · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointing

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Italian family and friends re mistresses and affairs. Very detailed good account of typical Italian actions and reactions. Takes place mostly in Milan.