Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #574 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Synopsis
This is a marvellously atmospheric tale of four strangers summoned to a grand but neglected villa on the Italian coast. Each of them has been named in a will, but not one of them knows their benefactress...Four very different people are named in a will: Delia, an opera singer robbed of her voice by illness; George, an idealistic scientist who cannot face what his skills have created; Marjorie, desperately poor and unable to dislodge her writer's block; and Lucius, ostensibly in control but whose personal life is in chaos. All are summoned to the Villa Dante, home of the late Beatrice Malaspina. But who was she? While they wait to find out, the villa begins to work its seductive magic. With its faded frescoes, overgrown garden and magnificent mediaeval tower, it is unlike anywhere they have been before. Slowly, four characters who have gone to great lengths to hide their troubles find that change - and even hope - is possible after all. But the mysterious Beatrice has a devastating secret to reveal that will affect them all!

A beautiful evocation of Italy in the aftermath of World War Two, the personal consequences of living through such a time, and a celebration of humankind's ability to heal and learn to love again, this most absorbing novel will win Elizabeth Edmondson a host of new fans.

Customer Reviews

A charming summer story
I thoroughly enjoyed this old fashioned, friendly, life affirming story. It all worked out in the end as it should if that isn't too much of a spoiler. I read it quickly and happily, immediately passing it to my mother who I knew would enjoy the puzzles, personalities and pictures painted in perfect prose.

What a disappointment!
I bought this book to read on holiday and, had it not been the only novel I took with me, I would not have persevered. The story is all right, and just about worth plodding through, and the flavour suitably Italian, but the style? Oh dear! I found the writing style and use of vocabulary poor and ponderous. Instead of sharing this book with my group of friends, as we generally do with novels we have enjoyed, I left it in a hotel in Italy - not worth bringing home! I shall not be tempted by any other novels by this author, when there are so many others who write better.

Complex Mystery
Ive recently read this book, and enjoyed it very much. It is very well written and researched, and the location of the Villa Dante is described beautifully. The author goes to great lengths to build a visual image of the villa, the town, beach and other areas, which truly sets a wonderful scene. The story itself if well thought out, and is complex in areas, but can be followed easily. Again it is full of small details which make it more realsistic. The characters are all very well developed, and we get a good insight into what they are all like at home, and in this unusual situation. I do agree with a previous reader that the only flaw is they do seem to 'gel' together awfully quickly and with great ease, even though they are complete strangers in a country unfamilar to them in this possible dangerous situation. The ending I felt was good, but seemed rushed. The whole book is full of long description and detail, and then suddenly the end is revealed to us in a matter of paragraphs, and is not what you expect. Still a very satisfing ending though.