Helpful Score: 4
Goodman's character's deeply woven pasts always tell a haunting tale full of imagery. The past and present is sensory and immediate. The mystery is in not only with the present characters, but also in the story of people dead for two thousand years, who also had their own mythology believed to be true. By far the best of the three I have read: Lake of Dead Languages (second favorite) and The Seduction of Water.
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book. It was colorful, I could smell the smells, see the sparkle on the bay of Naples, taste the dust in the tunnels of the Night Villa. The ending was twisty and very satisfying. I'll be reading more Carol Goodman!
Helpful Score: 2
An interesting book with secret rooms, unknown attackers, cults, ancient rites and excavations. So a lot to offer in a book. At times, it gets a bit muddy when she is talking about her feelings and dreams, but over all intersting and keeps you guessing until the last chapter.
Helpful Score: 2
I really had a hard time getting through this one. I would not recommend it unless you are into scholarly looks into Greek literature. It was really dull.
Helpful Score: 1
Started this at the beach and became enthralled. In fact, the last third of the book had me asking the hubby to watch the tot so I could finish. Admittedly, I was worried at first that it would require me to remember a lot from Ulysses, but that didn't pan out. Familiarity with some of the classics does help, but is certainly not required.
There were times in the first 100 pages that I wondered if I wanted to continue. If you feel this way, please be patient. The first third of the book is really setting the stage for the remainder. The plot has plenty of twists and the ending did wrap up somewhat unexpectedly (which is good, I hate it when I figure it all out and then have no real reason to read to the end).
There were times in the first 100 pages that I wondered if I wanted to continue. If you feel this way, please be patient. The first third of the book is really setting the stage for the remainder. The plot has plenty of twists and the ending did wrap up somewhat unexpectedly (which is good, I hate it when I figure it all out and then have no real reason to read to the end).
Helpful Score: 1
Travel with Sophie to the Villa della Notte...the ruined village that was buried under the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. This novel is filled with secrets, symbols and ancient myths. A hard book to put down.
I found Sophie a likable and well written character. The plot was a little sensationalist and the author could have add more detail about the secondary characters.
The book is mostly written in the present tense. I find that such an affectation that it was hard for me to get through it. I wound up skimming it.
