What do you think?
Rate this book
Sterne über Rom
Die Engländerin Cesca lebt in Rom und betreibt einen erfolgreichen Blog, der eine Hommage an die ewige Stadt und das Dolce Vita ist. Als sie Bekanntschaft mit ihrer Nachbarin macht, der berühmten Viscontessa Elena, sind sich beide sofort sympathisch. Nach einiger Zeit willigt Cesca sogar ein, Elenas Memoiren zu verfassen. Doch je mehr Zeit sie miteinander verbringen, desto mehr beschleicht Cesca das Gefühl, dass Elena etwas vor ihr verbirgt. Als auf einer Baustelle ein wertvoller Diamantring gefunden wird, der angeblich Elena gehört, stellt Cesca zusammen mit dem attraktiven Archäologen Nico Nachforschungen an – und fördert ein tragisches Geheimnis zu Tage ...
631 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2017
335 people are currently reading
3989 people want to read
About the author
Karen Swan
61 books2,377 followersKaren Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and a puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest in Sussex, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs. Her books include Christmas at Tiffany's, Summer at Tiffany's, The Perfect Present, Christmas in the Snow, The Summer Without You, The Paris Secret, and Christmas Under the Stars.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 512 reviews
April 27, 2022
Изключително увлекателна книга, която отчасти ми напомни на "Скандалният живот на Евелин Хюго", но лично за мен беше още по-интересна и пленителна. Определено се нарежда на челно място в класацията ми на книги от Карън Суон, точно преди "Перфектният подарък".
August 17, 2017
“Rome is the city of echoes, the city of illusions, and the city of yearning.”
----Giotto di Bondone
Karen Swan, an English author, has penned a compelling, stirring and riveting contemporary romance novel, The Rome Affair that revolves around a former British barrister who after escaping a not-so-sweet-past into the Rome and works as a tour guide besides writing a blog, but one day she chances upon a stolen handbag in a dust bin that belongs to an Italian socialite and aristocrat old lady living in a grand mansion, with her own past demons and when these two women's paths are crossed, history is bound to get unraveled amidst of lies and secrets, and taking the tour guide to places, where she could never imagine to be, until she comes across the mystery of the old lady's not so grand life.
Synopsis:
The glamorous capital city of Italy is brought to startling life in The Rome Affair, a compelling summer novel by Karen Swan.
1974 and Elena Damiani lives a gilded life. Born to wealth and a noted beauty, no door is closed to her, no man can resist her. At twenty-six, she is already onto her third husband when she meets her love match. But he is the one man she can never have, and all the beauty and money in the world can't change it.
2017 and Francesca Hackett is living la dolce vita in Rome, leading tourist groups around the Eternal City and forgetting the ghosts she left behind in London. When she finds a stolen designer handbag in her dustbin and returns it, she is brought into the orbit of her grand neighbor who lives across the piazza - famed socialite Viscontessa Elena dei Damiani Pignatelli della Mirandola. Though the purse is stolen, Elena greets the return of the bag with exultation for it contains an unopened letter written by her husband on his deathbed, twelve years earlier.
Mutually intrigued by each other, the two women agree to collaborate on a project, with Cesca interviewing Elena for her memoirs. As summer unfurls, Elena tells her sensational stories, leaving Cesca in her thrall. But when a priceless diamond ring found in an ancient tunnel below the city streets is ascribed to Elena, Cesca begins to suspect a shocking secret at the heart of Elena's life.
Francesca Hackett has barely manged to escape her ugly past and left it behind in her home city, London and found a new meaning with a new job title as a tour guide at the elegant capital city of Italy called Rome, where besides being a tour guide she writes a blog called, The Rome Affair. But one day, her sweet life turns into something extraordinary, where she can never turn back, when she chances upon a stolen ladies handbag containing one one unopened letter inside a dust bin, and that letter has been addressed to an lady named, Elena Damiani. Elena, born into good fortune and with good looks, never found herself in any murky situation until she falls head over heels in love with a mysterious Italian man, even though she is married to one of the richest man in Rome, but pursuing that man will leave behind a trail of mysteries, that years later will come to haunt her, when a young woman walks up her grand palazzo in Rome with her handbag containing an unopened letter from her husband. Eventually Elena decides to let Cesca pen the memoirs of her life, even though that would mean opening the doors to some unsolved mysteries of her life. Can they both resolve their past mistakes, all the while unraveling one mystery after another?
After reading this book, I was left with the thought that Karen Swan is an incredible writer, not just her writing is flawless, but her style of spinning the story is also polished and perfect. Firstly, my heart was left arrested by that enchanting and "Ammàzzalo!" artwork of the book cover that instantly begged me to open the book and start reading it. And needless to say, right from the very first chapter, the story left me wanting for more and to know what will happen next with the characters.
The author's writing style is eloquent, evocative and exquisite, laced perfectly with intense emotions and mind-blowing tension. The author narrates the story with many layers without giving away too much, but enough to make her readers to stay glued to the story line. The dialogues are convincing and free-flowing as well as articulate enough to help the readers comprehend or lose themselves into it. The pacing of the book is moderate, as this is the kind of book that readers need to enjoy in a subtle way or rather say, to taste it like a wine.
The backdrop of Rome is bound to leave the readers awe-struck not only to those who have visited Rome but to also those who are yet to visit or haven't visited it. The author has vividly captivated the charm, the perfect flair as well as the essence of a real Roman landscape, streets, restaurants, bakery, ice cream parlors, people, weather, flora as well as the fashion, and the aristocratic lifestyle. The author has brought alive the eternal city with her fascinating words that strikingly portrays the city with its finest details for the readers to visually imagine it in their mind's eyes. Apart from Rome, the author also depicts so Rhode Island with careful observation and in proper depth so that the readers can imagine and feel the change in the landscape. This book is like a direct portal that opens up to the city of Rome and right at the center of Elena's palazzo where a twisted mystery lies buried under.
The characters from this book are extremely well developed, laced with realism, their flaws and their strengths. The main character, Elena, is a complex and bewildering old lady with a hidden past, that she keeps it away from the world, but gradually, it opens up (in a literal sense) right in the middle of her palatial mansion, when Cesca begins to pick the needle from the haystack. Whereas Cesca is extremely confident and as a former barrister, she knows where to look for if she comes across a mystery. moreover, she too is running away from her past, but that too comes to unwind before her when a man enters her life. Both the characters' backgrounds are enriched with depth and layers of emotions and events that make them look riveting in the eyes of the readers. The supporting cast, although, failed to peak any interest in me.
In a nutshell, this book is perfect while one is traveling to their next summer vacation getaway. A must have in one's traveling bag, enriched with emotions and suspense, this story will only enthrall the minds and souls of the readers.
Verdict: Rich with history, Roman flair and romantic mysteries, this is a perfect contemporary read!
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
----Giotto di Bondone
Karen Swan, an English author, has penned a compelling, stirring and riveting contemporary romance novel, The Rome Affair that revolves around a former British barrister who after escaping a not-so-sweet-past into the Rome and works as a tour guide besides writing a blog, but one day she chances upon a stolen handbag in a dust bin that belongs to an Italian socialite and aristocrat old lady living in a grand mansion, with her own past demons and when these two women's paths are crossed, history is bound to get unraveled amidst of lies and secrets, and taking the tour guide to places, where she could never imagine to be, until she comes across the mystery of the old lady's not so grand life.
Synopsis:
The glamorous capital city of Italy is brought to startling life in The Rome Affair, a compelling summer novel by Karen Swan.
1974 and Elena Damiani lives a gilded life. Born to wealth and a noted beauty, no door is closed to her, no man can resist her. At twenty-six, she is already onto her third husband when she meets her love match. But he is the one man she can never have, and all the beauty and money in the world can't change it.
2017 and Francesca Hackett is living la dolce vita in Rome, leading tourist groups around the Eternal City and forgetting the ghosts she left behind in London. When she finds a stolen designer handbag in her dustbin and returns it, she is brought into the orbit of her grand neighbor who lives across the piazza - famed socialite Viscontessa Elena dei Damiani Pignatelli della Mirandola. Though the purse is stolen, Elena greets the return of the bag with exultation for it contains an unopened letter written by her husband on his deathbed, twelve years earlier.
Mutually intrigued by each other, the two women agree to collaborate on a project, with Cesca interviewing Elena for her memoirs. As summer unfurls, Elena tells her sensational stories, leaving Cesca in her thrall. But when a priceless diamond ring found in an ancient tunnel below the city streets is ascribed to Elena, Cesca begins to suspect a shocking secret at the heart of Elena's life.
Francesca Hackett has barely manged to escape her ugly past and left it behind in her home city, London and found a new meaning with a new job title as a tour guide at the elegant capital city of Italy called Rome, where besides being a tour guide she writes a blog called, The Rome Affair. But one day, her sweet life turns into something extraordinary, where she can never turn back, when she chances upon a stolen ladies handbag containing one one unopened letter inside a dust bin, and that letter has been addressed to an lady named, Elena Damiani. Elena, born into good fortune and with good looks, never found herself in any murky situation until she falls head over heels in love with a mysterious Italian man, even though she is married to one of the richest man in Rome, but pursuing that man will leave behind a trail of mysteries, that years later will come to haunt her, when a young woman walks up her grand palazzo in Rome with her handbag containing an unopened letter from her husband. Eventually Elena decides to let Cesca pen the memoirs of her life, even though that would mean opening the doors to some unsolved mysteries of her life. Can they both resolve their past mistakes, all the while unraveling one mystery after another?
After reading this book, I was left with the thought that Karen Swan is an incredible writer, not just her writing is flawless, but her style of spinning the story is also polished and perfect. Firstly, my heart was left arrested by that enchanting and "Ammàzzalo!" artwork of the book cover that instantly begged me to open the book and start reading it. And needless to say, right from the very first chapter, the story left me wanting for more and to know what will happen next with the characters.
The author's writing style is eloquent, evocative and exquisite, laced perfectly with intense emotions and mind-blowing tension. The author narrates the story with many layers without giving away too much, but enough to make her readers to stay glued to the story line. The dialogues are convincing and free-flowing as well as articulate enough to help the readers comprehend or lose themselves into it. The pacing of the book is moderate, as this is the kind of book that readers need to enjoy in a subtle way or rather say, to taste it like a wine.
The backdrop of Rome is bound to leave the readers awe-struck not only to those who have visited Rome but to also those who are yet to visit or haven't visited it. The author has vividly captivated the charm, the perfect flair as well as the essence of a real Roman landscape, streets, restaurants, bakery, ice cream parlors, people, weather, flora as well as the fashion, and the aristocratic lifestyle. The author has brought alive the eternal city with her fascinating words that strikingly portrays the city with its finest details for the readers to visually imagine it in their mind's eyes. Apart from Rome, the author also depicts so Rhode Island with careful observation and in proper depth so that the readers can imagine and feel the change in the landscape. This book is like a direct portal that opens up to the city of Rome and right at the center of Elena's palazzo where a twisted mystery lies buried under.
The characters from this book are extremely well developed, laced with realism, their flaws and their strengths. The main character, Elena, is a complex and bewildering old lady with a hidden past, that she keeps it away from the world, but gradually, it opens up (in a literal sense) right in the middle of her palatial mansion, when Cesca begins to pick the needle from the haystack. Whereas Cesca is extremely confident and as a former barrister, she knows where to look for if she comes across a mystery. moreover, she too is running away from her past, but that too comes to unwind before her when a man enters her life. Both the characters' backgrounds are enriched with depth and layers of emotions and events that make them look riveting in the eyes of the readers. The supporting cast, although, failed to peak any interest in me.
In a nutshell, this book is perfect while one is traveling to their next summer vacation getaway. A must have in one's traveling bag, enriched with emotions and suspense, this story will only enthrall the minds and souls of the readers.
Verdict: Rich with history, Roman flair and romantic mysteries, this is a perfect contemporary read!
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 14, 2024
*The Cost of Love*
This is a story that runs over two timelines in 1974 we are introduced to Elena who is born of wealth and has everything money can buy but she is searching for love. Her parents are far too busy and in her quest for love she marries far too young at 16 and she makes one mistake after another.
Ten years on she is married to her third husband she decided to marry someone from a similar background. He has a brother she is yet to meet. But upon meeting him she instantly knows that he is the one. What to do?…. The brothers have one face and one heart….
In 2017 we are introduced to Francesca aka Cesca who is living in Rome as a tour guide. She is British and is running away from her life in the U.K. for a fresh start.
Elena is now an old lady living across the square from Cesca in a lavish mansion where she lived with her late husband. She is intrigued by Cesca and has a proposal for her. She wants Cesca to write her memoir.
Over time we find out what happens in Elena’s life but, as Cesca digs into her life she realises that some truths are being withheld from her. The more she uncovers more secrets materialise. Elena was a barrister and can sniff out lies and goes after the truth.
One day there is a mighty sound when a sinkhole opens up on the grounds of the mansion. This reveals a secret tunnel below the property. When something priceless is discovered in the tunnel, Cesca finds out more than she bargained for as time goes by. Why when Elena is confronted by some of the truths that Cesca has found out, why is she unwilling to engage? Why is Elena
carrying around a unopened letter from her late husband who died 15 years ago?
This is a story that runs over two timelines in 1974 we are introduced to Elena who is born of wealth and has everything money can buy but she is searching for love. Her parents are far too busy and in her quest for love she marries far too young at 16 and she makes one mistake after another.
Ten years on she is married to her third husband she decided to marry someone from a similar background. He has a brother she is yet to meet. But upon meeting him she instantly knows that he is the one. What to do?…. The brothers have one face and one heart….
In 2017 we are introduced to Francesca aka Cesca who is living in Rome as a tour guide. She is British and is running away from her life in the U.K. for a fresh start.
Elena is now an old lady living across the square from Cesca in a lavish mansion where she lived with her late husband. She is intrigued by Cesca and has a proposal for her. She wants Cesca to write her memoir.
Over time we find out what happens in Elena’s life but, as Cesca digs into her life she realises that some truths are being withheld from her. The more she uncovers more secrets materialise. Elena was a barrister and can sniff out lies and goes after the truth.
One day there is a mighty sound when a sinkhole opens up on the grounds of the mansion. This reveals a secret tunnel below the property. When something priceless is discovered in the tunnel, Cesca finds out more than she bargained for as time goes by. Why when Elena is confronted by some of the truths that Cesca has found out, why is she unwilling to engage? Why is Elena
carrying around a unopened letter from her late husband who died 15 years ago?
April 28, 2017
Brilliantly clever, mesmerizing, and unequivocally unputdownable!
This is an absorbing, enigmatic tale about all-consuming love; the lengths we will go for it and the unimaginable and limitless things we will do in the name of it.
It is predominantly set in the idyllic city of Rome and takes us into the lives of the rich and glamorous and reminds us that not everything is always as it seems and behind the majestic palaces, priceless jewels and designer clothes often lives a lot of loneliness, deception, sex, temptation, secrets, scandals, heartbreak and tragedy.
The prose is expressive, vivid and flawless. The characters are multi-layered, sympathetic and unique. And the plot is a wondrous travel guide to the city of Rome itself, the culture, the history, the food; as well as an intriguing mystery, an emotional drama and a beautiful love story.
Karen Swan's books always entertain me, beguile me and transport me to another time and place and immerse me so thoroughly into the feelings, lives, and stories of her characters that I never want to leave and this novel is no exception. I loved this story and I can honestly tell you I will be patiently or not so patiently be eagerly awaiting her next novel.
Thank you to Karen Swan and PGC Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
This is an absorbing, enigmatic tale about all-consuming love; the lengths we will go for it and the unimaginable and limitless things we will do in the name of it.
It is predominantly set in the idyllic city of Rome and takes us into the lives of the rich and glamorous and reminds us that not everything is always as it seems and behind the majestic palaces, priceless jewels and designer clothes often lives a lot of loneliness, deception, sex, temptation, secrets, scandals, heartbreak and tragedy.
The prose is expressive, vivid and flawless. The characters are multi-layered, sympathetic and unique. And the plot is a wondrous travel guide to the city of Rome itself, the culture, the history, the food; as well as an intriguing mystery, an emotional drama and a beautiful love story.
Karen Swan's books always entertain me, beguile me and transport me to another time and place and immerse me so thoroughly into the feelings, lives, and stories of her characters that I never want to leave and this novel is no exception. I loved this story and I can honestly tell you I will be patiently or not so patiently be eagerly awaiting her next novel.
Thank you to Karen Swan and PGC Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
March 26, 2018
Esta foi uma leitura verdadeiramente incrível.
Este livro tem todos os ingredientes que me fazem apaixonar pela sua leitura, é um romance, com viagens, neste caso na capital num país que adoro, Roma em Itália, com duas histórias bem fundamentadas entre o passado e o presente, histórica rica, personagens cativantes e enigmáticos, segredos, intrigas e mistérios.
Uma jovem ex-advogada londrina que decidiu mudar a sua vida e ir viver para Roma, trabalha como guia turística e é blogger, o seu blog é o "The Rome Affair", na origem desta mudança está um segredo que Francesca esconde.
A vida de Francesca cruza-se com Elena, na casa dos 70 anos, uma mulher que nasceu numa elite social americana e mais tarde se tornou princesa em Itália, Elena pede a Francesca para fazer a sua biografia e aí começa o desenrolar da história de vida da princesa e consequentemente o desvelar de muitos segredos.
Uma história carregada de reviravoltas, a autora brincou forte e feio com as minhas intuições e eu adorei isso, adoro que uma leitura me surpreenda, me desafie, que seja imprevisível, que me engane! Este romance foi uma verdadeira e feliz surpresa.
Este livro tem todos os ingredientes que me fazem apaixonar pela sua leitura, é um romance, com viagens, neste caso na capital num país que adoro, Roma em Itália, com duas histórias bem fundamentadas entre o passado e o presente, histórica rica, personagens cativantes e enigmáticos, segredos, intrigas e mistérios.
Uma jovem ex-advogada londrina que decidiu mudar a sua vida e ir viver para Roma, trabalha como guia turística e é blogger, o seu blog é o "The Rome Affair", na origem desta mudança está um segredo que Francesca esconde.
A vida de Francesca cruza-se com Elena, na casa dos 70 anos, uma mulher que nasceu numa elite social americana e mais tarde se tornou princesa em Itália, Elena pede a Francesca para fazer a sua biografia e aí começa o desenrolar da história de vida da princesa e consequentemente o desvelar de muitos segredos.
Uma história carregada de reviravoltas, a autora brincou forte e feio com as minhas intuições e eu adorei isso, adoro que uma leitura me surpreenda, me desafie, que seja imprevisível, que me engane! Este romance foi uma verdadeira e feliz surpresa.
August 8, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The Rome Affair by Karen Swan, came to me via a loan from my guest reviewer, Mrs R. After I enjoyed reading Swan’s latest Christmas themed release, The Christmas Secret, I discovered the blurb of The Rome Affair in the back of my copy of The Christmas Secret. The synopsis seemed to speak to me and after thoroughly enjoying my last read by Karen Swan, I was keen to catch up on her previous releases. The Rome Affair is a wonderful tribute to Rome, a city I have visited in the past and this book definitely conjured some fantastic memories of my short jaunt at this historic European destination. The Rome Affair features an appealing modern day romance story of a tour guide operating in Rome. It is also a dual time narrative, which includes a historic romance and a hint of mystery for the reader to uncover. The added bonus of an unlikely friendship that sparks between the two leads, tour guide Cesca and a Viscontessa, really makes this an absorbing tale from start to finish. Unfortunately, my review pile is slightly overwhelming at present, so I am unable to complete a full scale review of this book. I implore you to seek this perfect summer read out if you are a fan of Swan’s work, or you simply enjoy a straight forward love story.
The Rome Affair by Karen Swan, came to me via a loan from my guest reviewer, Mrs R. After I enjoyed reading Swan’s latest Christmas themed release, The Christmas Secret, I discovered the blurb of The Rome Affair in the back of my copy of The Christmas Secret. The synopsis seemed to speak to me and after thoroughly enjoying my last read by Karen Swan, I was keen to catch up on her previous releases. The Rome Affair is a wonderful tribute to Rome, a city I have visited in the past and this book definitely conjured some fantastic memories of my short jaunt at this historic European destination. The Rome Affair features an appealing modern day romance story of a tour guide operating in Rome. It is also a dual time narrative, which includes a historic romance and a hint of mystery for the reader to uncover. The added bonus of an unlikely friendship that sparks between the two leads, tour guide Cesca and a Viscontessa, really makes this an absorbing tale from start to finish. Unfortunately, my review pile is slightly overwhelming at present, so I am unable to complete a full scale review of this book. I implore you to seek this perfect summer read out if you are a fan of Swan’s work, or you simply enjoy a straight forward love story.
April 19, 2018
Adorei este livro que nos envolve na sua leitura desde a primeira página.
Este livro apresenta-nos personagens fortes, marcantes, envolventes e com bastantes segredos do passado.
Cada página que lemos é um convite à descoberta de todos os segredos e também uma descoberta de Roma uma maravilhosa cidade italiana.
Este livro apresenta-nos personagens fortes, marcantes, envolventes e com bastantes segredos do passado.
Cada página que lemos é um convite à descoberta de todos os segredos e também uma descoberta de Roma uma maravilhosa cidade italiana.
April 25, 2017
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
2.5 Star read. It ended much stronger than it started (actually it's an excellent ending), but I would have completely eliminated one of the storylines which is why I'm not ranking it higher.
I struggled with this book a little; I found the beginning a little slow-going while the author established a relationship between Elena Damiani (aka Laney Valentine) and Francesca Hackett (aka Cesca). When Cesca finds a very expensive purse in the bin outside her flat, everything is taken except a sealed envelop with the name "Elena" written on it. Turns out her landlord knows of an "Elena" - the one that lives in the palace across the square. Cesca returns the purse and unopened letter - which convinces Elena that she is the perfect person to write her memoir. (Seriously - it reads better than I just wrote it, but that's the basis of the first 30-50 pages).
Once we establish that a memoir is going to be written, the story starts to flip between the past and present; Laney in Newport in the 1960s, California in the 1970s, NYC in the late 1970s and then Rome in the 1980s. We follow Laney from the 16 year old daughter of one of the wealthiest American entrepreneurs to Laney the bride ... and the divorcee ... the wife ... the divorcee ... the wife (again) ... the divorcee... and finally meeting the man of her dreams. Meanwhile, Francesca needs to have a little storyline as well; and so while she's researching the book, she also starts a romance with a Roman named Nicco.
I wish the book had actually been divided into parts - with more focus on Laney's story before she went to Rome. Actually, the entire story could have been simply about Laney/Elena and I think I would have liked it better. Laney was a super interesting character - and by only being shown little snippets of her past, without really going back to them when she was recounting her stories to Cesca felt like a loss of a really good story.
Cesca had moved to Rome for a gap year because something terrible had happened back home in London. The thing is - that whole mystery didn't need to be there. She finally spills the beans on what happened and ... because there wasn't really a lead up to it ... it didn't change anything. I would have rather had a split-narrative story told from Laney and Vito's perspectives.
Love story - check.
Rome - check.
Past and Present story lines - check.
Split-narrative - check.
Decent little story - sure.
As I mentioned, it ended stronger than it started for me. And had this been more about Elena's past life when she was known as "Laney" I would have enjoyed it more.
I know I will be in the minority of readers who pick this up and not love it. If you want a little romance and to escape to the world of the rich and famous and love Rome, you'll likely enjoy this book very much.
ps. The blurb provided by the publisher is wrong. Francesca isn't a new graduate. The necklace isn't a necklace but rather a ring. Nothing is found under the Trevi fountain ... I don't know if the blurb was written with a prior version of the book in mind - but it's not correct.
2.5 Star read. It ended much stronger than it started (actually it's an excellent ending), but I would have completely eliminated one of the storylines which is why I'm not ranking it higher.
I struggled with this book a little; I found the beginning a little slow-going while the author established a relationship between Elena Damiani (aka Laney Valentine) and Francesca Hackett (aka Cesca). When Cesca finds a very expensive purse in the bin outside her flat, everything is taken except a sealed envelop with the name "Elena" written on it. Turns out her landlord knows of an "Elena" - the one that lives in the palace across the square. Cesca returns the purse and unopened letter - which convinces Elena that she is the perfect person to write her memoir. (Seriously - it reads better than I just wrote it, but that's the basis of the first 30-50 pages).
Once we establish that a memoir is going to be written, the story starts to flip between the past and present; Laney in Newport in the 1960s, California in the 1970s, NYC in the late 1970s and then Rome in the 1980s. We follow Laney from the 16 year old daughter of one of the wealthiest American entrepreneurs to Laney the bride ... and the divorcee ... the wife ... the divorcee ... the wife (again) ... the divorcee... and finally meeting the man of her dreams. Meanwhile, Francesca needs to have a little storyline as well; and so while she's researching the book, she also starts a romance with a Roman named Nicco.
I wish the book had actually been divided into parts - with more focus on Laney's story before she went to Rome. Actually, the entire story could have been simply about Laney/Elena and I think I would have liked it better. Laney was a super interesting character - and by only being shown little snippets of her past, without really going back to them when she was recounting her stories to Cesca felt like a loss of a really good story.
Cesca had moved to Rome for a gap year because something terrible had happened back home in London. The thing is - that whole mystery didn't need to be there. She finally spills the beans on what happened and ... because there wasn't really a lead up to it ... it didn't change anything. I would have rather had a split-narrative story told from Laney and Vito's perspectives.
Love story - check.
Rome - check.
Past and Present story lines - check.
Split-narrative - check.
Decent little story - sure.
As I mentioned, it ended stronger than it started for me. And had this been more about Elena's past life when she was known as "Laney" I would have enjoyed it more.
I know I will be in the minority of readers who pick this up and not love it. If you want a little romance and to escape to the world of the rich and famous and love Rome, you'll likely enjoy this book very much.
ps. The blurb provided by the publisher is wrong. Francesca isn't a new graduate. The necklace isn't a necklace but rather a ring. Nothing is found under the Trevi fountain ... I don't know if the blurb was written with a prior version of the book in mind - but it's not correct.
February 23, 2021
Започнах Римска тайна много въодушевена, че ще прочета още една от историите на Карън Суон. Но тази книга е малко по-различна. Не започва така ударно като другите, първоначално е по-бавна, човек по-мудно се настройва към сюжета. Но постепенно набира скорост като при скоростно влакче, а в края си е истинска вихрушка (последните 150 страници се четат за миг, не могат да се оставят за по-късно).
Тук отново имаме две времеви линии - на богата аристократка живееща в дворец в Рим, но на вече преклонна възраст и на млада, ексцентрична и вдъхновена от живота, който кипи във вечния град блогърка, избягала от мрачните си спомени от Лондон. Двете на пръв поглед се срещат случайно и младата Ческа е натоварена със задачата да напише биографията на строгата Елена Дамяни, но при условие, че започне да пише непредубедено и не отваря интернет, за да прави някакви предварителни проучвания. Докато Елена разказва на Ческа живота си подреден като вълшебна приказка, паралелно с него се редуват глави за миналото на същата тази Елена, но като Лейни Валънтайн - богата и купонясваща галеница на съдбата. Читателят веднага разбира, че нещо не е наред - истинският живот е тъмен, жестоко обрулващ, с много проблеми, а това, което старицата разказва е сякаш нейна версия от паралелна вселена. Множеството сирени в главата на читателя започват да вият, докато не се появяват в сюжета любовта на живота на Елена - Вито, но и неговият еднояйчен брат близнак Аурелио. От там нататък авторката така умело е заплела конците на историята, че накрая всички са надхитрени. Сигурна съм, че всеки като мен си казва - ооо, тук разкрих мистерията и знам какво се е случило (все пак такива игри с близнаци не ми минават на мен), докато в един момент WTF, всичко което съм си мислела, че е било се оказва, че не е вярно. Ето затова я харесвам Суон - много умело си играе със съзнанието на публиката, много умело манипулира, всички факти и случки така жестоко объркват ума, тайните и мистериите са някъде там съвсем близо под повърхността и само чакат да бъдат извадени, а всяко едно предположение е предпоследно. А след това, когато човек затвори и последната страница седи и се чуди - ама как така???
И всичко това разбира се е подплатено и с една съвременна любовна история случваща се на самата Ческа с един красив, секси италианец, но тя остава малко на заден план в сравнение с основната история и интриги в света на богатите.
Не са пълни 5 звезди само заради бавното и мудно начало, но много ми хареса и тази книга.
Тук отново имаме две времеви линии - на богата аристократка живееща в дворец в Рим, но на вече преклонна възраст и на млада, ексцентрична и вдъхновена от живота, който кипи във вечния град блогърка, избягала от мрачните си спомени от Лондон. Двете на пръв поглед се срещат случайно и младата Ческа е натоварена със задачата да напише биографията на строгата Елена Дамяни, но при условие, че започне да пише непредубедено и не отваря интернет, за да прави някакви предварителни проучвания. Докато Елена разказва на Ческа живота си подреден като вълшебна приказка, паралелно с него се редуват глави за миналото на същата тази Елена, но като Лейни Валънтайн - богата и купонясваща галеница на съдбата. Читателят веднага разбира, че нещо не е наред - истинският живот е тъмен, жестоко обрулващ, с много проблеми, а това, което старицата разказва е сякаш нейна версия от паралелна вселена. Множеството сирени в главата на читателя започват да вият, докато не се появяват в сюжета любовта на живота на Елена - Вито, но и неговият еднояйчен брат близнак Аурелио. От там нататък авторката така умело е заплела конците на историята, че накрая всички са надхитрени. Сигурна съм, че всеки като мен си казва - ооо, тук разкрих мистерията и знам какво се е случило (все пак такива игри с близнаци не ми минават на мен), докато в един момент WTF, всичко което съм си мислела, че е било се оказва, че не е вярно. Ето затова я харесвам Суон - много умело си играе със съзнанието на публиката, много умело манипулира, всички факти и случки така жестоко объркват ума, тайните и мистериите са някъде там съвсем близо под повърхността и само чакат да бъдат извадени, а всяко едно предположение е предпоследно. А след това, когато човек затвори и последната страница седи и се чуди - ама как така???
И всичко това разбира се е подплатено и с една съвременна любовна история случваща се на самата Ческа с един красив, секси италианец, но тя остава малко на заден план в сравнение с основната история и интриги в света на богатите.
Не са пълни 5 звезди само заради бавното и мудно начало, но много ми хареса и тази книга.
August 8, 2021
Тази беше наистина най-добрата от поредицата за тайните.Интригуваща,любопитна,с неочаквани обрати до самия край.И всеки персонаж си имаше своя малка тайна.Чудесно лятно четиво 🌊⛱⛱☀️
March 28, 2018
Em quatro dias engoli e devorei esta obra que me foi gentilmente oferecida pela editora Clube do Autor. Numa altura em que o trabalho domina os meus dias e quase não me deixa respirar, é extremamente saboroso aproveitar as migalhinhas de tempo que me sobram para mergulhar numa leitura fácil, que nos prende e que nos obriga a “papá-la” com sofreguidão. Foi o que aconteceu com este romance de Karen Swan, uma autora que até agora desconhecia.
A narrativa, partida entre presente e passado e entre duas protagonistas de idades muito diferentes, entrelaça tão bem tempos e as histórias das duas mulheres que, sem que me desse conta, me levou a ler páginas atrás de páginas, absorvida nas vidas de Cesca e Elena e desejosa de saber que segredos escondiam, que reviravoltas o presente lhes reservava e sobretudo qual o verdeiro motivo que havia levado Elena a contratar Cesca para que esta escrevesse as suas memórias de menina milionária e de mulher detentora de um título aristocrático.
A ação centra-se, como é óbvio, nestas duas mulheres e nas suas vidas tão díspares. As duas conhecem-se em Roma, cidade milenar e carregada de perfumes fortes e inesquecíveis. Cesca é uma jovem inglesa que decidiu refugiar-se na capital italiana após ter deixado para trás uma vida de advogada de sucesso. Vive a poucos metros do palácio sumptuoso de Elena Damiani e o acaso permite que as duas travem conhecimento e uma acabe trabalhando para a outra. Enquanto Cesca se debruça sobre uma pilha interminável de fotos que retratam a vida de Elena, nós, leitores, vamos saltitando do presente para o passado e percebendo que há muito mais por detrás da vida glamorosa de Elena do que as referidas fotos contam. Vamos percebendo igualmente que há algo no passado de Cesca que não lhe permite relaxar e viver a vida que tem pela frente. Tudo isto nos chega através de uma narrativa fresca, cativante e com todos os ingredientes para querermos devorar o mais rápido possível os seus capítulos curtinhos e bem enredados entre si.
Admito que esta obra nada tem de espetacular nem é dona de nenhuma fórmula inovadora. Mas isso não é motivo para que a não recomende, sobretudo àqueles que queiram mergulhar numa leitura mais leve, entusiasmante e que lhes sairá das mãos em pouco tempo, tal será a vontade de avançarem na sua narrativa e chegarem ao seu desenlace satisfeitos e saciados. Por isso, se andarem à procura de uma leitura deste género, arrisquem com este romance, pois as vossas expectativas não sairão defraudadas.
Termino fazendo referência à única coisa que verdadeiramente me desagradou. Falo da tradução e/ou adaptação do título ao português, pois acho um disparate completo darem o título de Herdeira dos olhos tristes a uma obra protagonizada por alguém como Elena. É certo que ela não teve uma vida fácil, mas herdou um título e uma vida aristocráticas que não se podem reduzir e caracterizar como apenas “tristes”. Elena é uma personagem complexa, contraditória e que não ganha facilmente a simpatia da parte dos leitores. Viveu uma existência pautada por desamores, alguma violência e perdas, mas conseguiu sempre superar tudo isso, muitas vezes de formas pouco ortodoxas e corretas. Como tal, considero que é muito redutor aquilo que se retira do título e que este não espelha nem se ajusta àquilo que que foi e é Elena Damiani. Mas, e digo-o com alguma frustração, este não é nem será o último exemplo de um título traduzido/adaptado de forma completamente despropositada.
Agradeço, uma vez mais, à editora Clube do Autor que me enviou esta obra em troca de uma opinião sincera.
NOTA – 08/10
A narrativa, partida entre presente e passado e entre duas protagonistas de idades muito diferentes, entrelaça tão bem tempos e as histórias das duas mulheres que, sem que me desse conta, me levou a ler páginas atrás de páginas, absorvida nas vidas de Cesca e Elena e desejosa de saber que segredos escondiam, que reviravoltas o presente lhes reservava e sobretudo qual o verdeiro motivo que havia levado Elena a contratar Cesca para que esta escrevesse as suas memórias de menina milionária e de mulher detentora de um título aristocrático.
A ação centra-se, como é óbvio, nestas duas mulheres e nas suas vidas tão díspares. As duas conhecem-se em Roma, cidade milenar e carregada de perfumes fortes e inesquecíveis. Cesca é uma jovem inglesa que decidiu refugiar-se na capital italiana após ter deixado para trás uma vida de advogada de sucesso. Vive a poucos metros do palácio sumptuoso de Elena Damiani e o acaso permite que as duas travem conhecimento e uma acabe trabalhando para a outra. Enquanto Cesca se debruça sobre uma pilha interminável de fotos que retratam a vida de Elena, nós, leitores, vamos saltitando do presente para o passado e percebendo que há muito mais por detrás da vida glamorosa de Elena do que as referidas fotos contam. Vamos percebendo igualmente que há algo no passado de Cesca que não lhe permite relaxar e viver a vida que tem pela frente. Tudo isto nos chega através de uma narrativa fresca, cativante e com todos os ingredientes para querermos devorar o mais rápido possível os seus capítulos curtinhos e bem enredados entre si.
Admito que esta obra nada tem de espetacular nem é dona de nenhuma fórmula inovadora. Mas isso não é motivo para que a não recomende, sobretudo àqueles que queiram mergulhar numa leitura mais leve, entusiasmante e que lhes sairá das mãos em pouco tempo, tal será a vontade de avançarem na sua narrativa e chegarem ao seu desenlace satisfeitos e saciados. Por isso, se andarem à procura de uma leitura deste género, arrisquem com este romance, pois as vossas expectativas não sairão defraudadas.
Termino fazendo referência à única coisa que verdadeiramente me desagradou. Falo da tradução e/ou adaptação do título ao português, pois acho um disparate completo darem o título de Herdeira dos olhos tristes a uma obra protagonizada por alguém como Elena. É certo que ela não teve uma vida fácil, mas herdou um título e uma vida aristocráticas que não se podem reduzir e caracterizar como apenas “tristes”. Elena é uma personagem complexa, contraditória e que não ganha facilmente a simpatia da parte dos leitores. Viveu uma existência pautada por desamores, alguma violência e perdas, mas conseguiu sempre superar tudo isso, muitas vezes de formas pouco ortodoxas e corretas. Como tal, considero que é muito redutor aquilo que se retira do título e que este não espelha nem se ajusta àquilo que que foi e é Elena Damiani. Mas, e digo-o com alguma frustração, este não é nem será o último exemplo de um título traduzido/adaptado de forma completamente despropositada.
Agradeço, uma vez mais, à editora Clube do Autor que me enviou esta obra em troca de uma opinião sincera.
NOTA – 08/10
August 5, 2024
Karen Swan "Žvaigždės virš Romos"
"Po visų mūsų gyvenimais tiksi bomba, vardu Meilė, taip ir turi būti."
Anglų rašytoja Karen Swan jau du kartus lankėsi Vilniaus knygų mugėje ir abu kartus man teko garbė su ja susitikti. Man visad begalo malonu susitikti su autoriais, kurių knygas skaitau su malonumu. Taip jau nutiko, kad iki šiol skaičiau beveik visas K. Swan kalėdines istorija, o vasaros romanus taupiau. Tačiau, kodėl gi nepradėjus nuo amžinojo miesto Romos?
Frančeska kiekvieną dieną rengia ekskursijas turistams Romoje. Mergina pasakoja apie nuostabaus grožio miestą ir skatina savo tinklaraščio "Romos byla" skaitytojus atrasti ką nors naujo amžinajame mieste. Česė čia turi draugų, moka nuomą už savo mažą butelį ir jaučiasi laiminga pasprukusi iš šalto ir darganoto Londono. Netikėtai Česė susipažįsta su itin galbinga aristokrate Elena, kuri paprašo merginos būti jos biografe. Tik ar abi moterys yra iki galo atviros viena kitai? O jeigu dar įsimaišo meilė, tai virš Romos sužimba pačios ryškiausios žvaigždės.
Skaityti K. Swan knygas tai keliauti po neatrastas šalis, skonius, žmonių jausmus ir gyvenimus. Abi pagrindinės veikėjos buvo įdomios, nors labai savotiškos. Negaliu smerkti Elenos pasirinkimų, kadangi šios veikėjos gyvenimas, požiūris į jį ir apskritai sukusi aplinka buvo visai kitokia nei Frančeskos ar mano. Česė turi kitokių demonų, kurie gana ilgai jos nepaleido, tačiau, suvokimas, kad gyjimas prasideda nuo atleidimo pačiam sau, leidžia merginai judėti pirmyn.
Buvo labai įdomu skaityti apie Romą ir jos paslaptis, aristokratų gyvenimą. Puslapiai slydo gana greitai, veikėjai buvo įdomūs, veiksmo, paslapčių netrūko. Man iki pilnos laimės tetrūko šiek tiek mažiau puslapių, tačiau tai nesugadino skaitymo malonumo. Tad jeigu norite pakeliauti po amžinąjį miestą, labai kviečiu perskaityti K. Swan "Žvaigždės virš Romos". O gal ir jūs perskaitę knygą pulsite ieškoti lėktuvo bilietų į šį nepaprastą pasaulio miestą?
"Po visų mūsų gyvenimais tiksi bomba, vardu Meilė, taip ir turi būti."
Anglų rašytoja Karen Swan jau du kartus lankėsi Vilniaus knygų mugėje ir abu kartus man teko garbė su ja susitikti. Man visad begalo malonu susitikti su autoriais, kurių knygas skaitau su malonumu. Taip jau nutiko, kad iki šiol skaičiau beveik visas K. Swan kalėdines istorija, o vasaros romanus taupiau. Tačiau, kodėl gi nepradėjus nuo amžinojo miesto Romos?
Frančeska kiekvieną dieną rengia ekskursijas turistams Romoje. Mergina pasakoja apie nuostabaus grožio miestą ir skatina savo tinklaraščio "Romos byla" skaitytojus atrasti ką nors naujo amžinajame mieste. Česė čia turi draugų, moka nuomą už savo mažą butelį ir jaučiasi laiminga pasprukusi iš šalto ir darganoto Londono. Netikėtai Česė susipažįsta su itin galbinga aristokrate Elena, kuri paprašo merginos būti jos biografe. Tik ar abi moterys yra iki galo atviros viena kitai? O jeigu dar įsimaišo meilė, tai virš Romos sužimba pačios ryškiausios žvaigždės.
Skaityti K. Swan knygas tai keliauti po neatrastas šalis, skonius, žmonių jausmus ir gyvenimus. Abi pagrindinės veikėjos buvo įdomios, nors labai savotiškos. Negaliu smerkti Elenos pasirinkimų, kadangi šios veikėjos gyvenimas, požiūris į jį ir apskritai sukusi aplinka buvo visai kitokia nei Frančeskos ar mano. Česė turi kitokių demonų, kurie gana ilgai jos nepaleido, tačiau, suvokimas, kad gyjimas prasideda nuo atleidimo pačiam sau, leidžia merginai judėti pirmyn.
Buvo labai įdomu skaityti apie Romą ir jos paslaptis, aristokratų gyvenimą. Puslapiai slydo gana greitai, veikėjai buvo įdomūs, veiksmo, paslapčių netrūko. Man iki pilnos laimės tetrūko šiek tiek mažiau puslapių, tačiau tai nesugadino skaitymo malonumo. Tad jeigu norite pakeliauti po amžinąjį miestą, labai kviečiu perskaityti K. Swan "Žvaigždės virš Romos". O gal ir jūs perskaitę knygą pulsite ieškoti lėktuvo bilietų į šį nepaprastą pasaulio miestą?
January 12, 2021
Каквото и да напиша ще е малко! Римска тайна е една много поучителна история за мен, също така е много емоционална и трогателна. В книгата имаме две главни героини, които са независими и силни жени, паралелно се развива действието в миналото и настоящето. Хубавото е, че писателката е написала тази история от две гледни точки само, а не от четири, както е смятала да го направи първоначално, защото е щяла да изгуби очарованието и посланието, което е искала да ни остави. Тук тайните и мистериите са толкова много, че се преплитат и в един момент не знаеш кое е истина и кое - лъжа. В началото, да си призная, осъдих поведението на едната героиня - Елена. Но животът ѝ така протече, стечения на обстоятелствата и лична сила до някъде, че макар да я наричаха момичето с най-големия късмет, за мен тя си остана момичето, което взе някои грешни решения и трябваше да живее с последствията от тях, въпреки всичко, което бе постигнала. Не материалните неща ни правят щастливи, Елена имаше всичко, което си пожелае, дори се сдоби с титла и дворец, но останах с усещането, че не се чувства пълноценна и все нещо не ѝ достигаше да бъде истински щастлива. Франческа от своя страна беше толкова праволинейна и съвестна, че успя да впечатли своята работодателка и макар да бе използвана от нея за постигането на дадена цел, то това действие бе оправдано на финала. Краят на тази история беше тъжен от една страна, един живот пропилян, един живот изживян в лъжи и пълен с преструвки, в преследване на щастието и търсене на любовта. Така и не разбрах дали Елена осъзнава това, което успя да причини на любимите си хора, дали съжалява и защо нямаше смелостта да се изправи пред истината в края на дните си. Оценката ми е 5 звезди, защото успя да ме развълнува тази история и ме накара да се замисля за това, че дори да вземем грешни решения в нашия живот, което е неизбежно (никой не е съвършен), винаги може да се поправим и да тръгнем в правилната посока, стига да имаме смелостта да признаем пред себе си и околните за тези грешки - избори много, от нас зависи какви ще бъдат те!
September 14, 2021
Прексраната Суон отново не ни разочарова с качествена история, добре проучени факти и достъпно поднесена информация и сюжет.
Успя да ме накара да се почувствам сякаш тичам из уличките на Рим, да виждам преминаващите жители и туристи, трафикът, малките коли и всепите. Аромата на пица, уютните сгради и приветливите съседи.
Разходи ни в тайните тунели под града, в коридорите на бляскав замък и ни потопи в сюжет изпъстрен с блясък, тайни и лъжи.
Елена, една бляскава и възрастна жена, разказва за своя живот изпълнен с късмет и разкош на обикновенната ни героиня Франческа.
Но къде започва истината и къде свършва лъжата, двете героини ще ни заплетат в една мистерия за любовта, загубата, разочарованието, болката и изкуплението.
Сюжета е в две линии на минало и сегашно време.
За мен и двете линии бяха интересни.
Като сюжет и развързка 5*
Но като емоция 4*
Имаше напрежение, но на места не така силно (поне за мен), както в другите ѝ книги и за това оценката ми е 4,5*
Успя да ме накара да се почувствам сякаш тичам из уличките на Рим, да виждам преминаващите жители и туристи, трафикът, малките коли и всепите. Аромата на пица, уютните сгради и приветливите съседи.
Разходи ни в тайните тунели под града, в коридорите на бляскав замък и ни потопи в сюжет изпъстрен с блясък, тайни и лъжи.
Елена, една бляскава и възрастна жена, разказва за своя живот изпълнен с късмет и разкош на обикновенната ни героиня Франческа.
Но къде започва истината и къде свършва лъжата, двете героини ще ни заплетат в една мистерия за любовта, загубата, разочарованието, болката и изкуплението.
Сюжета е в две линии на минало и сегашно време.
За мен и двете линии бяха интересни.
Като сюжет и развързка 5*
Но като емоция 4*
Имаше напрежение, но на места не така силно (поне за мен), както в другите ѝ книги и за това оценката ми е 4,5*
November 22, 2021
Quite intriguing and a quick escapist read so to speak! I am bothered by her use of Jesus's name as a curse word sadly....and the G damm etc :( Otherwise, interesting as I learned more about Rome and the underground tunnels.....
Read
August 7, 2023Su Karen kūryba susipažinau prieš tris metus, Maldyvuose. Tada, į tokią egzotišką ir tolimą kelionę norėjosi pasiimti visokių paprastų, nesudėtingų romanų. Tokių ir pasiėmiau, tik ne du, ne penkis, bet visus dešimt! Tarp jų buvo ir Karen Swan „Paryžiaus paslaptis“. Iš knygos nieko per daug nesitikėjau: vėl Paryžius, vėl banalokas viršelis. Tikėjausi, kad bus paprasta, lengva, ką tam Maldyvų paplūdimyje ir pamiršiu netrukus. Bet likau maloniai nustebinta! Knyga turėjo ir kabliukų, ir netikėtumų ir veikėjai įsimintini buvo. Šią žiemą, su didžiausiu malonumu perskaičiau tos pačios autorės „Tobulą dovaną“. Vėl viršelis nykus, bet pasakojimas labai smagus. Na, ir atėjo metas naujausiai Swan knygai – „Žvaigždėms virš Romos“ .
Frančeska, nuo savo praeities, apie kuria su niekuo nesikalba, pabėgo į Romą. Ji čia gyvena jau kuris laikas, nuomojasi jaukų kambarėlį, turi italų draugų būrį ir dirba gide. Tačiau kartą, konteineryje rasta rankinė, apverčia merginos gyvenimą aukštyn kojom. Norėdama grąžinti brangią rankinę savininkei, ji atsikapsto iki didžiulio, prabangaus namo, kuriame gyvena vikontė Elena. Garbinga, senyvo amžiaus dama, tarp savo titulų turinti net „princesės“, susižavi merginos nuoširdumu ir pasiūlo jai darbą. Nors dirba gide, Frančeska be galo mėgsta rašyti. Ji net turi gan populiarų tinklaraštį. Tad vikontė jai pasiūlo tapti jos asmenine biografe: surūšiuti ilgus metus kauptas nuotraukas, išklausyti jos gyvenimo istoriją ir parašyti knygą. Pasirodo, savo laiku Elena buvo tikra bulvarinių laikraščių žvaigždė, vienas skandalas vijo kitą, tad dama paprašo Frančesko internete informacijos neiškoti, klauytis tik jos pasakojimo. Mergina sutinka, tačiau kuo daugiau Elena psakoja, tuo daugiau klausimų kyla, ir Frančeska įkiša nosį ten, kur jai visai nereikia.
Pasakojimas skirstosi į du laikus: dabartis ir Elenos istorija, kuri buvo žymiai įdomesnė. Pati Elena buvo tikrai įdomus personažas, ko nepasakyčiau apie Frančeską ir, mano galva, nereikalingą jos meilės istoriją. Dabarties dalis buvo kiek ištęsta, tad vis laukiau ir laukiau skyrelių apie Elenos praeitį. Knyga išties lengvai skaitėsi. Neapsigaukit jos storiu: stori ir lapai, ir paraštės nemažos, o ir šriftas ne smulkutis. Perskaitysit greit ir visai skaniai. Karen Swan turi savo mielą stilių, tačiau visgi, anos dvi skaitytos jos knygos man paliko didesnį įspūdį. Ir net nepaisant super malonių, gražius prisiminimus atgaivinusių pasakojimų apie Romą ir lankytinas jos vietas. Su vyru ten lnkėmės pernai ir patyriau tirai didelį malonumą mintimis grįždama į šį nuostabų miestą. Karen Swan kūryba labai patiks besimėgaujantiems Nicky Pellegrino ar Nicolo Barreau knygomis. Įtraukiančios, „greitos“, nesudėtingos, bet kažką šilto paliekančios knygos.
Frančeska, nuo savo praeities, apie kuria su niekuo nesikalba, pabėgo į Romą. Ji čia gyvena jau kuris laikas, nuomojasi jaukų kambarėlį, turi italų draugų būrį ir dirba gide. Tačiau kartą, konteineryje rasta rankinė, apverčia merginos gyvenimą aukštyn kojom. Norėdama grąžinti brangią rankinę savininkei, ji atsikapsto iki didžiulio, prabangaus namo, kuriame gyvena vikontė Elena. Garbinga, senyvo amžiaus dama, tarp savo titulų turinti net „princesės“, susižavi merginos nuoširdumu ir pasiūlo jai darbą. Nors dirba gide, Frančeska be galo mėgsta rašyti. Ji net turi gan populiarų tinklaraštį. Tad vikontė jai pasiūlo tapti jos asmenine biografe: surūšiuti ilgus metus kauptas nuotraukas, išklausyti jos gyvenimo istoriją ir parašyti knygą. Pasirodo, savo laiku Elena buvo tikra bulvarinių laikraščių žvaigždė, vienas skandalas vijo kitą, tad dama paprašo Frančesko internete informacijos neiškoti, klauytis tik jos pasakojimo. Mergina sutinka, tačiau kuo daugiau Elena psakoja, tuo daugiau klausimų kyla, ir Frančeska įkiša nosį ten, kur jai visai nereikia.
Pasakojimas skirstosi į du laikus: dabartis ir Elenos istorija, kuri buvo žymiai įdomesnė. Pati Elena buvo tikrai įdomus personažas, ko nepasakyčiau apie Frančeską ir, mano galva, nereikalingą jos meilės istoriją. Dabarties dalis buvo kiek ištęsta, tad vis laukiau ir laukiau skyrelių apie Elenos praeitį. Knyga išties lengvai skaitėsi. Neapsigaukit jos storiu: stori ir lapai, ir paraštės nemažos, o ir šriftas ne smulkutis. Perskaitysit greit ir visai skaniai. Karen Swan turi savo mielą stilių, tačiau visgi, anos dvi skaitytos jos knygos man paliko didesnį įspūdį. Ir net nepaisant super malonių, gražius prisiminimus atgaivinusių pasakojimų apie Romą ir lankytinas jos vietas. Su vyru ten lnkėmės pernai ir patyriau tirai didelį malonumą mintimis grįždama į šį nuostabų miestą. Karen Swan kūryba labai patiks besimėgaujantiems Nicky Pellegrino ar Nicolo Barreau knygomis. Įtraukiančios, „greitos“, nesudėtingos, bet kažką šilto paliekančios knygos.
July 7, 2017
You will fall in love with the eternal city with this read!
Visit the locations with Karen Swan herself! Rome the eternal city
Karen Swan writes some amazing stories and this has to be my favourite one yet. Transported to Rome? Right at the heart of the city and its underground caverns no less. The story had as many layers as the city itself – a missing ring, a hidden letter, secrets from the past and an old woman who hides away and who picks a young girl to write her memoirs.
Karen does locations and evocative ones at that like no one else. The setting is exquisite – the cobbled streets of the city, a huge plaza and then a mysteriously rich and ornate mansion where much of the story is set. If you wonder what goes on behind the gilded facade of those Rome homes, then this might well contain the answer. The sense of the city is also what shines – the cobbled streets, the passing scooters and the shouting in in the street. I could picture everything very clearly from the stone steps up the girl’s flat and the ornate stair case in the large house. Oh and I was as nervous as Cesca when she got to meet the great lady herself.
The story of the hidden past was exceptionally well done. I lingered over this book and it made me feel so good, dreaming of Italy and the hidden secrets we all could have. A famous woman perhaps has more than most and the story unravels to a fascinating denouement. I was enthralled throughout – the writing is just lovely and more than transports and evokes the language as well as the location.
It always helps to have a few nice Italians in the mix and again Karen delivers. The Italian passion for life, their mixed pasts and their torid emotions are characters in themselves here. What a joy of a read and I was just sorry to leave that little enclave of Rome I’d felt at home in when reading.
It played out so exquisitely in my head that I only hope this is a movie one day. Bellisima!
Visit the locations with Karen Swan herself! Rome the eternal city
Karen Swan writes some amazing stories and this has to be my favourite one yet. Transported to Rome? Right at the heart of the city and its underground caverns no less. The story had as many layers as the city itself – a missing ring, a hidden letter, secrets from the past and an old woman who hides away and who picks a young girl to write her memoirs.
Karen does locations and evocative ones at that like no one else. The setting is exquisite – the cobbled streets of the city, a huge plaza and then a mysteriously rich and ornate mansion where much of the story is set. If you wonder what goes on behind the gilded facade of those Rome homes, then this might well contain the answer. The sense of the city is also what shines – the cobbled streets, the passing scooters and the shouting in in the street. I could picture everything very clearly from the stone steps up the girl’s flat and the ornate stair case in the large house. Oh and I was as nervous as Cesca when she got to meet the great lady herself.
The story of the hidden past was exceptionally well done. I lingered over this book and it made me feel so good, dreaming of Italy and the hidden secrets we all could have. A famous woman perhaps has more than most and the story unravels to a fascinating denouement. I was enthralled throughout – the writing is just lovely and more than transports and evokes the language as well as the location.
It always helps to have a few nice Italians in the mix and again Karen delivers. The Italian passion for life, their mixed pasts and their torid emotions are characters in themselves here. What a joy of a read and I was just sorry to leave that little enclave of Rome I’d felt at home in when reading.
It played out so exquisitely in my head that I only hope this is a movie one day. Bellisima!
February 8, 2025
Frančeska pabėgo nuo savo sudėtingos, skaudžios praeities ir džiaugiasi pradėjus naują gyvenime Romoje. Čia gyvenimas tikrai nepaprastas ir nuostabus. Frančeska – dirba gide, turistus vedžioja po miestą ir rašo tinklaraštį apie įstabaus grožio Romą. Tačiau mergina netikėtomis aplinkybėmis susipažįsta su princese, vikonte, tikra aukštuomenės dama – Elena. Moteris paprašo Frančeskos, kad ji galėtų padėti parašyti autobiografiją apie jos stulbinantį gyvenimą, mylimuosius, santuokas. Ir taip prasideda Elenos ir Frančeskos draugystės kelionė, kuri pakeis abiejų moterų gyvenimus.. Jautri, jausminga, įtraukianti istorija, kurioje susipina Romos istorijos elementai, paslaptys, išgyventi sunkumai, dramos, aristokratiškas gyvenimas ir svarbiausia - begalinė meilė ir laimė, kuri yra visą ko pradžia ir pabaiga...
July 5, 2023
Visada pradėjus skaityti Karen Swan knygą žinau, kad turėsiu ir gerą laiką, ir įdomią istoriją, ir meilės, ir emocijų. Šį kartą pavadinčiau dviejų Romeo dvynių ir Džuljetos meilės istorija, kuri turėjo labai netikėtą pabaigą, kuri vedė iki istorijos šių dienų. Kas.žino šią autorę, tai jau nebus netikėta, o kam ji nauja, tai tiesiog supažindinimas, kad veiksmas visada vyksta šiomis dienomis ir 30 ar 50 metų iki šios dienos, kas turėjo įtakos įvykiams. Tai labai smagu vynioti tą siūlą kartu su autore ir bandyti spėti, kaip viskas susiję ir kuo baigsis 😊
February 16, 2023
Mano nuomonė: Ši autorė gana gerai pažįstama ir daugelis iš mūsų jos knygas skaito Kalediniu laikotarpiu. Tokios knygos kaip: „Kalėdų šviesos“,“Vidurnaktį sningant“, „Kalėdų dovana“ pamėgtos jau ne vieno skaitytojo ir labai tinka šventiškam laikotarpiui , bet „Žvaigždės virš Romos" – labai vasariška knyga apie meilę, apie pasirinkimus gyvenime ir netikėtus gyvenimo vingius.
Šią knygą, beja, daug skaitytojų įvardina kaip vieną geriausių Karen Swan knygų. Aš perskaičiau 4 ir tikriausiai prisidedu prie tų, kurie mano, kad tai labai gera knyga.
Knyga „Žvaigždės virš Romos“ skirta visiems, kurie ieško meilės istorijos sujungiančios dabarties ir praeities gijas. Paprastas, tačiau įtraukiantis siužetas ir puikus Karen Swan rašymo stilius sužavės visus, pasiilgusius nuoširdžios ir kiek paslaptingos dramos. Nors romantikos gerbėjus užburs aistra ir prabanga, knygoje netrūks intrigų, istorijos vingių ir šešėliuose tūnančių paslapčių.
Dar kas labai gražu buvo knygoje -tai ūžianti tūkstantmetė Roma... Jos kultūra, žmonės, istorija ir maistas sukurė nepaprastą potyrį – kur mes skaitytojai pasijuntome payts bežingsniuoją siauromis ir vingiuotomis Romos miesto gatvėmis.
Jau supratot teisingai: labai rekomenduoju. Gražus meilės romanas, su nuostabiai gera pabaiga. Siūlau nespelioti nieko, o tiesiog prisijungti prie veikėjų šelionių ir keliauti su jais siužeto vingiais.
Šią knygą, beja, daug skaitytojų įvardina kaip vieną geriausių Karen Swan knygų. Aš perskaičiau 4 ir tikriausiai prisidedu prie tų, kurie mano, kad tai labai gera knyga.
Knyga „Žvaigždės virš Romos“ skirta visiems, kurie ieško meilės istorijos sujungiančios dabarties ir praeities gijas. Paprastas, tačiau įtraukiantis siužetas ir puikus Karen Swan rašymo stilius sužavės visus, pasiilgusius nuoširdžios ir kiek paslaptingos dramos. Nors romantikos gerbėjus užburs aistra ir prabanga, knygoje netrūks intrigų, istorijos vingių ir šešėliuose tūnančių paslapčių.
Dar kas labai gražu buvo knygoje -tai ūžianti tūkstantmetė Roma... Jos kultūra, žmonės, istorija ir maistas sukurė nepaprastą potyrį – kur mes skaitytojai pasijuntome payts bežingsniuoją siauromis ir vingiuotomis Romos miesto gatvėmis.
Jau supratot teisingai: labai rekomenduoju. Gražus meilės romanas, su nuostabiai gera pabaiga. Siūlau nespelioti nieko, o tiesiog prisijungti prie veikėjų šelionių ir keliauti su jais siužeto vingiais.
August 26, 2017
Too much "name-dropping" = lazy writing in my opinion and this book is rife with it. One of the main characters is ridiculously self-indulgent and lacking in self-discipline, and an important premise (will not divulge so as not to drop a spoiler) was beyond my bounds of belief. I enjoyed the various twists and turns of the plot, as well as the descriptions of Rome, and the fact that the Italians were presented in a non-stereotypical light. My rating would be a 2.5 if I could give half-stars. I can't say I really liked the book but I didn't hate it so much as was annoyed by a lot of it.
July 11, 2017
Karen Swan is one of the authors from my auto - buy list. I love all of her books and she always surprises me with the plot, the storyline and the setting, easily transporting me to the fictional world of the characters and getting me immersed in her multi - layered novels. And also this book, "The Rome Affair", was so exceptionally well done, and the way it was unravelling all the secrets had me hooked. Guys, I think this book would make an excellent movie! I'd say that it was a character driven story. There were surprises on the way, and secrets, some of them really shocking but to be totally honest there were maybe two or three real twists, and all of them actually at the end of the book, so the whole long story was actually a great build - up to a brilliant, explosive ending, and while usually such constructed story would drag on, "The Rome Affair" was a complex, curvy, totally brilliant book that I fell in love with. And the end was so fantastic that I could cry. Really. And I also loved how many meanings the title of this book - The Rome Affair - had.
The characters are more than brilliant. They are unforgettably complex, multi - layered, all of them experienced so much in their lives, and it was such a great thing to see all the layers slowly unpeeling, our eyes getting bigger and bigger not totally believing what they see. The author has - again - so easily transported me to the characters' worlds and I quickly found myself immersed in their lives, feelings, emotions and history. Elena, thrice married, is a proud, enigmatic woman. The story shows us her past, both happy and unhappy and how she was actually made to love. Francesca is confident, lovely and you just want to have such a girl in your circle of closest friends. A barrister from London, but fleeing from her past and now living in Rome, working as a tour guide - and she's the one who's going to write Elena's memories. You could trust Cesca, no matter what she was always telling the truth. She had principles and she wasn't afraid to put her foot down when things started to go out of a hand. They are the two main characters in this story, accompanied by some really great background characters that won't want to leave your head, even days after you've finished reading the book.
The story flips between past and present, between lies and truth and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the two versions of Laney's life! This juxtaposing of Elena's "real" life and the version she gave to Cesca worked so, so well and I couldn't wait for the moment that she's going to discover the truth - because I hoped that she will do. We were in much better and comfortable position than Cesca as we were able to quickly establish that there are many layers to the Principessa and so many layers to her life. And so we follow Laney - also known as the luckiest girl in America - but was she really? - starting when she's 16 years old in the 1960s, then following her to California and the NYC in the 1970s and finally to Rome in 1980s. We accompany her in her journey through life, as young bride, wife, divorcee, widow... Elena is not a straight - forward character. At the beginning you can't help but fell for this poor, rich girl schema but then, gradually, you start to think if she's really worth your feelings, if it's the real face she's showing to the world - and I loved this complexity! And then there comes the end and you change your mind again, seeing that she was a woman with passion, a woman who loved unconditionally. There were so many faces to Laney, guys, and it was thrilling and fascinating. To be honest, I couldn't wait for the story to get us back to Laney's story again, it was engrossing and so colourful, and while I loved Cesca, Elena's life was truly much more fascinating - even with Cesca having her own secrets! However, after those secrets being so highlighted in the story, with Cesca mentioning them all over again you could expect it is going to be a huge part of the book, or be a very significant point of the story - but the thing is, it wasn't. It didn't change anything. It maybe helped to understand Cesca this little bit more. But still, it brilliantly work altogether with the whole plot.
No one can probably do a setting like Karen Swan do. I loved the setting of this book - the very idyllic city of Rome, with restaurants, piazzas, with the forgotten places and glamorous, majestic palaces with 1000 rooms. It was like a much better version of a travel guide, introducing us to Rome's culture, traditions, secret places, food and people.
It was simply an addictive read, even though it was not the easiest one - you know how sometimes you just go with the flow and everything is so light - hearted and easy? Well, it was a little different with this book and I can put my finger on why it was like this, but it also doesn't mean that I couldn't get into this story - I could, however I had to concentrate more on this beautiful, expressive and very vivid prose - I loved the writing style. It is a slow burner, this book, and the beginning feels a little slow, when the author introduces us to the characters and their history, but I also appreciate the fact she took her time to do so and gave us the opportunity to get to know every single smallest detail of their lives. Altogether, "The Rome Affair" was incredibly clever and absorbing novel about the lengths one will go for unconditional love, about sorrows, grief and appearances, showing us that often behind the glamour, designer clothes and jewels there is loneliness, lies, scandals and tragedy. The mystery there was so clever and so intriguing, with plenty of lies and secrets, misunderstandings, glamour, glitter, mystery and intrigue, written in incredibly clear way - there was not a single moment that I felt confused, it was so easy to keep track of all the things. Brilliant and well - developed, this book took me on a great roller - coaster ride into emotionally charged past and present. A gorgeous story full of dolce vita and romance about passion, abuse, loss, heartbreak and hope. A must - have page - turner! Highly recommended!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
May 13, 2025
Много ми хареса историята! Определено Карън Суон е много умел разказвач!
Хареса ми да се потопя в миналото на главната ни героиня, в колоритния ѝ живот, в интересните преживявания, в търсенето ѝ на любовта!
И за пореден път се убеждавам - някои тайни не трябва да бъдат разкривани!
Хареса ми да се потопя в миналото на главната ни героиня, в колоритния ѝ живот, в интересните преживявания, в търсенето ѝ на любовта!
И за пореден път се убеждавам - някои тайни не трябва да бъдат разкривани!
April 7, 2019
Sterne über Rom ist ein Buch zum Davonträumen. Die Autorin entführt den Leser nach Rom und beschreibt alles so bildhaft, dass man das Gefühl erhält, selbst in der ewigen Stadt zu leben und alles vor sich zu sehen. Detaillierte Beschreibungen liegen Karen Swan, denn Sterne über Rom steckt voller solcher. Nicht nur Orte der Stadt werden bildhaft beschrieben, sondern auch die Outfits der Charaktere. Das unterstützt den flüssigen Schreibstil der Autorin, der das Lesen sehr angenehm macht. Es ist, als ob man ein Märchen erzählt bekommen würde und man würde am liebsten ewig Cescas und Elenas Geschichte verfolgen. Viel zu schnell kommt das Ende.
Nicht nur der Schreibstil zeigt das Talent der Autorin, sondern auch die gut ausgearbeiteten Charaktere. Sie wirken echt und was mir besonders gut gefällt ist, dass keiner perfekt dargestellt wird. Jeder hat seine Stärken und Schwächen, was sie sympatisch macht. Vor allem durch Elena wird gezeigt, dass ein Mensch mehrere Facetten hat und man niemanden sofort verurteilen darf. Meine Meinung zu Elena habe ich mehrmals während dem Lesen geändert. Man erfährt durch Kapitel aus ihrer Sicht schrittweise, was in ihrer Vergangenheit passiert ist. Anfangs habe ich sie sehr ins Herz geschlossen, doch je mehr Zeit vergeht, desto schwieriger wird es, sie uneingeschränkt zu mögen, denn sie trifft Entscheidungen aus Liebe, die nicht für jeden nachzuvollziehen sind. Doch genau von dieser Echtheit lebt die Geschichte, da wie bereits erwähnt niemand perfekt ist.
Cesca ist ein sehr aufgeweckter Mensch und hat auch selbst ein Geheimnis, denn zu Beginn weiß keiner ihrer Freunde warum sie ihren Beruf als Anwältin aufgegeben hat. Erst später erfährt man davon. Sie ist bodenständig und man spürt auf jeder Seite, wie sehr sie Rom liebt, was sie mir sympatisch macht.
Auch die Nebencharaktere schließt man ins Herz und die Dynamik zwischen allen stimmt. Genauso wie die Dialoge natürlich wirken, welche die Geschichte voranbringen.
Die Handlung steckt voller Spannung, obwohl der Klappentext das vielleicht nicht vermuten lässt. Es gibt keine langen Pausen, sondern geht immer weiter, weil man nach und nach mehr über Elenas Vergangenheit erfährt. Ihre Kapitel finde ich am Interessantesten, auch weil sie ein rundes Bild zu ihrer Persönlichkeit abgeben. Cesca durchläuft eine Entwicklung in dem Buch, die ich gut finde. Anfangs lässt sie sich noch fast naiv auf das Projekt ein, doch irgendwann merkt sie, dass Elena etwas verheimlicht und sie dem auf den Grund gehen muss. Das bringt erneute Spannung in die Geschichte. Genauso wie auch ihr Privatleben. Man möchte nicht nur wissen, was in Elenas Vergangenheit passiert ist und ob ihr schlechter Ruf berechtigt ist, sondern auch, warum Cecsa ihren alten Job als Anwältin aufgegeben hat und, ob sie selbst der Liebe eine Chance geben wird. Das macht die Geschichte vielseitig.
Das Ende ist überraschend, weil die Autorin nach einer Offenbarung noch eine drauflegt, sodass man atemlos zurückgelassen wird. Es lässt nichts offen und liefert ein würdiges Ende für beide Frauen.
Somit kann ich Sterne über Rom jedem empfehlen, weil das Buch in eine komplett andere Welt entführt, die einen alles um sich herum vergessen lässt.
Fazit: Eine spannende Geschichte voller bildhafter Beschreibungen, die die Schönheit Roms präsentiert.
Nicht nur der Schreibstil zeigt das Talent der Autorin, sondern auch die gut ausgearbeiteten Charaktere. Sie wirken echt und was mir besonders gut gefällt ist, dass keiner perfekt dargestellt wird. Jeder hat seine Stärken und Schwächen, was sie sympatisch macht. Vor allem durch Elena wird gezeigt, dass ein Mensch mehrere Facetten hat und man niemanden sofort verurteilen darf. Meine Meinung zu Elena habe ich mehrmals während dem Lesen geändert. Man erfährt durch Kapitel aus ihrer Sicht schrittweise, was in ihrer Vergangenheit passiert ist. Anfangs habe ich sie sehr ins Herz geschlossen, doch je mehr Zeit vergeht, desto schwieriger wird es, sie uneingeschränkt zu mögen, denn sie trifft Entscheidungen aus Liebe, die nicht für jeden nachzuvollziehen sind. Doch genau von dieser Echtheit lebt die Geschichte, da wie bereits erwähnt niemand perfekt ist.
Cesca ist ein sehr aufgeweckter Mensch und hat auch selbst ein Geheimnis, denn zu Beginn weiß keiner ihrer Freunde warum sie ihren Beruf als Anwältin aufgegeben hat. Erst später erfährt man davon. Sie ist bodenständig und man spürt auf jeder Seite, wie sehr sie Rom liebt, was sie mir sympatisch macht.
Auch die Nebencharaktere schließt man ins Herz und die Dynamik zwischen allen stimmt. Genauso wie die Dialoge natürlich wirken, welche die Geschichte voranbringen.
Die Handlung steckt voller Spannung, obwohl der Klappentext das vielleicht nicht vermuten lässt. Es gibt keine langen Pausen, sondern geht immer weiter, weil man nach und nach mehr über Elenas Vergangenheit erfährt. Ihre Kapitel finde ich am Interessantesten, auch weil sie ein rundes Bild zu ihrer Persönlichkeit abgeben. Cesca durchläuft eine Entwicklung in dem Buch, die ich gut finde. Anfangs lässt sie sich noch fast naiv auf das Projekt ein, doch irgendwann merkt sie, dass Elena etwas verheimlicht und sie dem auf den Grund gehen muss. Das bringt erneute Spannung in die Geschichte. Genauso wie auch ihr Privatleben. Man möchte nicht nur wissen, was in Elenas Vergangenheit passiert ist und ob ihr schlechter Ruf berechtigt ist, sondern auch, warum Cecsa ihren alten Job als Anwältin aufgegeben hat und, ob sie selbst der Liebe eine Chance geben wird. Das macht die Geschichte vielseitig.
Das Ende ist überraschend, weil die Autorin nach einer Offenbarung noch eine drauflegt, sodass man atemlos zurückgelassen wird. Es lässt nichts offen und liefert ein würdiges Ende für beide Frauen.
Somit kann ich Sterne über Rom jedem empfehlen, weil das Buch in eine komplett andere Welt entführt, die einen alles um sich herum vergessen lässt.
Fazit: Eine spannende Geschichte voller bildhafter Beschreibungen, die die Schönheit Roms präsentiert.
August 19, 2021
Frančeska meta visą savo rimtą gyvenimą ir atvyksta į Romą, kur jos tikslas - susipažinti su miesto dvasia ir rašyti tinklaraštį apie savo atradimus. Visai netrukus Frančeska šiukšliadėžėje atranda rankinę, labai greit - ir jos savininkę. Tai kaimynystėje gyvenanti princesė, dama, aukštuomenės atstovė, Elena. Česė netrunka su ja susipažinti ir moteris jos paprašo, kad ši padėtų jai parašyti jos biografiją... Apie labai ilgą ir margą jos gyvenimą, tik prašo vieno - neieškoti informacijos apie ją pačiai, o išklausyti jos pasakojamą istoriją.
Visų pirma, nieko mandro nesitikėjau. Jau žinojau, kad laukia daug dramos, pasakojimas dviem laikais, sena dama, jauna moteris. Viskas aišku kaip 2x2. Tikrai. Bet buvo keli dalykai, kurie, vis tik, man kėlė daug minčių.
Moters vieta visuomenėje. Šeimoje. Įvairiuose skirtinguose socialiniuose ratuose. Kai matome žmogų iš elito, dažnas iš mūsų susimąstome: aha, nuskilo, sėkmingai ištekėjo... Pasisekė gyvatei... O realybė, deja, būdavo kiek kitokia. Naivi jauna mergina įsimyli, išteka, o vyras lošia. Arba geria. Arba abu. Ir visiems tai normalu, nes kam tais laikais rūpėjo moterų gerovė? Turi savo rūmus ir deimantus, bling bling, sėdėk tyliai kaip po šluota. Tokių liūdnų dalykų šioje knygoje buvo ne vienas ir ne du.
Ar man kai kas kliuvo? Žinoma kliuvo. Elenos pasirinkimai, skubėjimas, naivumas. Bet ar mes patys nedarome klaidų gyvenime? Kartais visai įdomu tokias knygas skaityti, galima pasimokyti: nebėgti kaip akis išdegus nuo vieno vyro prie kito. Suvokti, kad kiekvienas, atrodytų, nuostabus dalykas slepia po savimi tam tikrus niuansus, kurie gali trukdyti ateityje. Juk ir nusipirkus butą su kosmetiniu remontu pelėsis ima rastis tik po kurio laiko...
Kai istorijoje atsirado dvynių linija, man pasirodė, kad viskas, kaip gaila, jau aišku kaip čia kas. O vat ir nebuvo aišku. Kaip ir Elena, iki pat pabaigos, taip ir skaitytojas lieka pasimetęs.
Ar buvo įdomu? Tikrai taip, nemažai sužinojau apie Romą. Ar intrigavo? Irgi taip, iki pat pabaigos nežinojau kas ir kaip, kur čia šuo pakastas. Ar intelektualus skaitinys? Gal nelabai, bet viena iš tų knygų, kurių siužetą atsiminsiu ilgai.
Susitikime instagrame:
www.instagram.com/gretabrigita.lt
Visas apžvalgas rasite čia:
www.gretabrigita.lt
Leidyklos dovana.
Visų pirma, nieko mandro nesitikėjau. Jau žinojau, kad laukia daug dramos, pasakojimas dviem laikais, sena dama, jauna moteris. Viskas aišku kaip 2x2. Tikrai. Bet buvo keli dalykai, kurie, vis tik, man kėlė daug minčių.
Moters vieta visuomenėje. Šeimoje. Įvairiuose skirtinguose socialiniuose ratuose. Kai matome žmogų iš elito, dažnas iš mūsų susimąstome: aha, nuskilo, sėkmingai ištekėjo... Pasisekė gyvatei... O realybė, deja, būdavo kiek kitokia. Naivi jauna mergina įsimyli, išteka, o vyras lošia. Arba geria. Arba abu. Ir visiems tai normalu, nes kam tais laikais rūpėjo moterų gerovė? Turi savo rūmus ir deimantus, bling bling, sėdėk tyliai kaip po šluota. Tokių liūdnų dalykų šioje knygoje buvo ne vienas ir ne du.
Ar man kai kas kliuvo? Žinoma kliuvo. Elenos pasirinkimai, skubėjimas, naivumas. Bet ar mes patys nedarome klaidų gyvenime? Kartais visai įdomu tokias knygas skaityti, galima pasimokyti: nebėgti kaip akis išdegus nuo vieno vyro prie kito. Suvokti, kad kiekvienas, atrodytų, nuostabus dalykas slepia po savimi tam tikrus niuansus, kurie gali trukdyti ateityje. Juk ir nusipirkus butą su kosmetiniu remontu pelėsis ima rastis tik po kurio laiko...
Kai istorijoje atsirado dvynių linija, man pasirodė, kad viskas, kaip gaila, jau aišku kaip čia kas. O vat ir nebuvo aišku. Kaip ir Elena, iki pat pabaigos, taip ir skaitytojas lieka pasimetęs.
Ar buvo įdomu? Tikrai taip, nemažai sužinojau apie Romą. Ar intrigavo? Irgi taip, iki pat pabaigos nežinojau kas ir kaip, kur čia šuo pakastas. Ar intelektualus skaitinys? Gal nelabai, bet viena iš tų knygų, kurių siužetą atsiminsiu ilgai.
Susitikime instagrame:
www.instagram.com/gretabrigita.lt
Visas apžvalgas rasite čia:
www.gretabrigita.lt
Leidyklos dovana.
June 2, 2020
Karen Swan nepažįstu, buvau neskaičius, tik girdėjus gerų atsiliepimų. Anotacijos perskaičiau lygiai du sakinius, užteko Romos paminėjimo ir išskydau, imu.
⠀
💧Knyga prasidėjo visai neblogai. Nustebino, kad nors ir pop stiliaus knyga, bet be keiksmažodžių (kas dažnai madinga), kalba neskurdi ir veikėjai iškart nesuerzino.
⠀
💧Skaitosi labai lengvai ir greitai. Nors knyga kaladė, bet jei skaitai, nepastebi, kiek puslapių jau praskriejo. Knygos storis tikrai neturėtų gąsdinti. Knygos formatas ir šifras - malonus skaityti. Rašymas labai moteriškas, rašytojos tonas švelnus, minkštas.
⠀
💧Romos buvo šiek tiek pradžioje, vėliau ji paskendo pasakojime. Išnyko. Knygos pradžia gal ir buvo žadanti, bet, bet, bet... Įsibėgėjus rūkas pradėjo sklaidytis. Istorija - šabloniška, pasakojimas standartinis dviejų laikotarpių - praeities, dabarties. Įprastos melodramos, melrouzai. Not my taste. Buvo nuobodu ir prėska. Vietomis trūko logikos. Nesudomino nei siužetas, nei veikėjai.
⠀
💧Pabaigą autorė pynė supynė, bet nei nustebino, nei rūpestį sukėlė. Džiaugiausi, kad knygą užverčiau, susipažinau su Karen ir tyliai išsiskiriu. Vargu, ar norėsiu besusitikt.
⠀
💦Knyga manau patiks L. Riley, S. Montefiore, D. Chamberlain gerbėjams. Kažkoks panašus vibe'as. Lengviems, mąstyti nereikalaujantiems, atostogų vakarams gali irgi tikti. Per daug nesigilinant gali ir nebūti prastai.
⠀
💧Knyga prasidėjo visai neblogai. Nustebino, kad nors ir pop stiliaus knyga, bet be keiksmažodžių (kas dažnai madinga), kalba neskurdi ir veikėjai iškart nesuerzino.
⠀
💧Skaitosi labai lengvai ir greitai. Nors knyga kaladė, bet jei skaitai, nepastebi, kiek puslapių jau praskriejo. Knygos storis tikrai neturėtų gąsdinti. Knygos formatas ir šifras - malonus skaityti. Rašymas labai moteriškas, rašytojos tonas švelnus, minkštas.
⠀
💧Romos buvo šiek tiek pradžioje, vėliau ji paskendo pasakojime. Išnyko. Knygos pradžia gal ir buvo žadanti, bet, bet, bet... Įsibėgėjus rūkas pradėjo sklaidytis. Istorija - šabloniška, pasakojimas standartinis dviejų laikotarpių - praeities, dabarties. Įprastos melodramos, melrouzai. Not my taste. Buvo nuobodu ir prėska. Vietomis trūko logikos. Nesudomino nei siužetas, nei veikėjai.
⠀
💧Pabaigą autorė pynė supynė, bet nei nustebino, nei rūpestį sukėlė. Džiaugiausi, kad knygą užverčiau, susipažinau su Karen ir tyliai išsiskiriu. Vargu, ar norėsiu besusitikt.
⠀
💦Knyga manau patiks L. Riley, S. Montefiore, D. Chamberlain gerbėjams. Kažkoks panašus vibe'as. Lengviems, mąstyti nereikalaujantiems, atostogų vakarams gali irgi tikti. Per daug nesigilinant gali ir nebūti prastai.
September 14, 2019
The ending made the entire book for me. I found to slow to start, but once the secrets started to come out it was un-put-down-able. This was a story where I thought the split narrative truly served the larger story at hand and worked.
March 6, 2017
This is a stunning, sweeping and romantic story, from the absolute master. Karen's new book lives up to all the rest, and completely hooked me from the beginning.
November 8, 2021
Frančeska metusi advokatės darbà išvyksta į Romà, kad pamirštù slegiančius sàžinè praeities įvykius, čia susiranda gidės darbà, kelis vietinius draugus italus, rašo tinklaraštį apie Romà ir taip tikisi pakeisti savo gyvenimà. Tačiau vienà vakarà savo konteineryje randa pavogtà ir išmesta rankinukà, o jame laiškà , ir nuspredžia gràžinti savininkei. Visa tai ir vel apverčia jos gyvenimà. Pasirodo savininkė gyvena čia pat šioje aikštėje, prabangiausiame name, ji- vikontė Elena, kažkada buvusi vienos žymiausiù Amerikoje šeimos narė, bulvarinės spaudos žvaigždė. Elenai patinka Frančeska ir ji sugalvoja, kad Frančeska turi parašyti knygà apie jos gyvenimà, juo labiau, kad merginai patinka ir ji moka rašyti. Frančeska pradeda dirbti Elenai, kasdiena klausosi jos pasakojimù, ieško įdomiù nuotraukù, bet laikui bėgant mergina supranta, kad vikontė pasakoja jai toli gražu ne viskà, įdomiausius gyvenimo įvykius ji slepia. Bet Fračeska moka viskà išsiaiškinti ir kai vikontės sode atsiveria senovinis pasleptas tunelis pasidaro vis aiškiau ir aiškiau, atsiranda liudininkù žinančiù tiesà ir pažystančiù Elenà. O šioji jau tikrai nėra tokia nekalta kokia dedas pasakodama apie save, paslapties šydas ima ir prasiskleidžia, visa tiesa kaip ant delno.
Man visai patiko knyga, skaitės lengvai, įdomiai, įtraukiančiai, šià rašytojà esu atradus seniau ir pažystu iš kalėdiniù jos knygù, kurios man taip pat labai patiko🥰
Man visai patiko knyga, skaitės lengvai, įdomiai, įtraukiančiai, šià rašytojà esu atradus seniau ir pažystu iš kalėdiniù jos knygù, kurios man taip pat labai patiko🥰
March 23, 2018
8 de 10*
Itália. Italianos. Principessa. Segredos. Amores proibidos. Passado. Presente.
Para mim foram ingredientes mais do que suficientes para querer ler este livro. Ainda bem que o fiz! Foi uma leitura muito agradável. Leve, mas com uma história onde entrei e que viveu em mim vários dias (e continuará a viver).
Comentário completo em:
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.pt/...
Itália. Italianos. Principessa. Segredos. Amores proibidos. Passado. Presente.
Para mim foram ingredientes mais do que suficientes para querer ler este livro. Ainda bem que o fiz! Foi uma leitura muito agradável. Leve, mas com uma história onde entrei e que viveu em mim vários dias (e continuará a viver).
Comentário completo em:
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.pt/...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 512 reviews