Coins in the Fountain

by John H. Secondari

Genres: Literature

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

Reviews

[Jimmy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the basis for the romantic comedy "Three Coins in the Fountain" starring Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, Louis Jourdan, Rossano Brazzi, and Maggie McNamara. The film is about three American women working in Rome who dream of finding romance (with varying results). The book also features an ensemble cast based in Rome, but is primarily about the lives of the married male head of an American news agency, a famed and ill male American author, a married male lead at the American "Agency," and his unmarried female secretary. It is the existence of the latter and her roommates that is closest to one of the plot lines of the movie.

I bought the book to see what the movie was based on, and what the differences were. Clearly significant differences - since there were fewer girl romances - but the stories of the author, and the married news agency head were entertaining and enough to keep me reading. Secondari shows clear insight into office politics, family dynamics, and female gossip, and has the ability to keep you hooked. It's a book in the same vein as "Ship of Fools" but a lot less depressing, and sadly harder to find.

The title, by the way, refers to the legend that if you throw a coin in to the Fontana di Trevi/Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgia. Romance. Grit. Non-movie watcher here: Coins in the Fountain took me on a journey of human love and attraction, life and death, and social norms in a small American foreign service and media expat community living in post-WWII Rome. The men and women's lives weave around each other as they hold on to the thrills and luxuries of Italian life (with expense accounts) when U.S. political and popular attention has already moved on elsewhere. Meanwhile, most if not all the Italian characters–from servants to lovers–are socially subdued to stay subservient to the Americans.

On men and women: Although the American boss-men plainly exercise their overt power, narcissism, and gaslighting over everyone and everything, the covert power of the women is even stronger, even if subconsciously: from Bruna managing her husband Frank’s homesickness and her own desire to stay and be seen in Rome; to Anita, Virginia, and Flicka managing their lovers so they can feel strong and powerful themselves; to Frances managing her Uncle Fred’s love for life and Rome in the face of his terminal illness.

But it’s not so depressing. Nearly 75 years on, Rome is painted beautifully in words, filling my senses with the cafes, streets, architecture, and of course, the Fountain of Trevi that beckons people to stay.

A timely read, revisiting a pre-digital era when we relied on community for information and social support, even when it wasn’t perfect. I was able to fully follow and appreciate each character’s trajectory since I hadn’t watched the 1954 film Three Coins in the Fountain before reading the book.

Thanks to Studiolo Secondari, Independent Book Publishers Association, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of Linda Secondari's 2026 reissue of her father John H. Secondari's original 1952 publication!

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not know how in the world anyone could read this depressing book and think: "This would make a charming romantic comedy/drama!" For that matter, I wonder what the author thought of how Hollywood treated his novel. Some of the story lines coincide a little bit, but others were made up out of whole cloth (including my favorite one, the romance between Shadwell and Miss Frances). And the tone of the novel could not be more contrary to that of the film. The novel's characters are mostly desperate, lonely, misplaced people whose lives are depressing and occasionally sordid. I did not enjoy reading this despite the author's technical skill as a writer. He has a most unfortunate habit of referring to—or of having his male characters refer to—women as bitches. Especially any woman who is attractive or outspoken. Even the fictional writer in the story, Shadwell, shares this trait, pointing out that "Most of my feminine characters are whores." Charming. I'm not a huge fan of the movie version of this—some of the (made-up) story lines are downright silly—but I would re-watch it 100 times before I read this book again.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good snapshot of expat life & romance in post WWII Rome⛲

4.5🌟 stars
I hadn't seen the movie based on the book recently but wanted to see how much the movie plot jived with the novel. It was quite different. One of the romances in the movie (Maria with an Italian Prince) took place before the novel starts and the novel has a broader focus on both men and women expats working for U.S. agencies and journalists. I enjoyed the journey back to the past. Yes, the way local contractors and women were treated does not jive with our contemporary standards, but it was a good story authentic to the era when it was written. My favorite characters: Anita and Giorgio with all the obstacles they faced in their romance, and ill author Fred Shadwell. Shadwell's decline and acknowledgment of his mortality were especially touching and his visit to the U.S. Consulate to discuss arrangements for repatriating remains darkly humorous.

Thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An American secretary just moving to Rome to work for the United State Distribution Agency is told by two othe girls that according to legend, if she throws a coin in the fountain and makes a wish to return to Rome, she will. Maria and Frances throw in their coins, but Anita, who is planning to return to the United States to marry, declines. And the story goes on thru all the book to tell their stories. Was interesting, entertaining and probably better if you had seen the movie!

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful reissue of the novel that inspired the famous '50s film, Three Coins in the Fountain. I remember watching the movie with fascination as a child (and can still sing the theme song!), so discovering the original story was a treat. Recommended!