The acclaimed author of My Three Husbands takes on the ultimate Roman Holiday, when Il Principe of one of Italy's oldest and most fabulous families declares his love to a down-on-her-luck, done-with-men American.
Venus Gilroy is a broke divorced American woman who works in a Adult Video store. Several times over the years she had come acrossed Marcello Brunelli a rich, Italian, but she never knew he was a Prince. They never thought that they would see eachother again, but on her honeymoon (long story featured in My Three Husbands)they meet again. Several weeks later Marcello flys from Japan to go on a date with Venus in Portland, Oregon. During the time Marcello offers Venus to be his slacker coach and fly to Rome. He wants her to teach him how to be a slacker and hell teach her how to fall in love with him. Venus flys to Rome, but Marcello is busy with strikes so she spends time with Johnny who shows her the sites around Rome. After a while Venus gets attracted to Johnny, whom she thinks is just a driver but who is infact Marcello's son Giavanni. However after Marcello suffers a mysterious ailment Venus falls in love with him and they end up married. Soon Venus s pregnant by Marcello and they go visit his mother on Capris. Unfortunatly during the trip to the Blue Grotto he has a heart attack and dies. Venus had alread incurred the rath of Marcello's daughte Giavanna, but his death made it worse. Everything works out at the end when Venus and Johnny realize that they had fallen in love with eachother over gelattos over a decade earlier when Venus went on a trip to Capris with her fathers.
Italy on Pennies a Day
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
This book is what is known as a romp, a perfect summertime read, a delight, a laugh and a tear, and it's also something more. Without any positioning or preaching, it's a simple declarative statement about tolerance, acceptance, engagement and love. The exasperating Venus Gilroy is an unlikely heroine, yet one falls in love with her. Her entourage, a mom and two dads, are indelible characters. The Italian characters are...Italian. Molto bene! I could hardly put this book down.
Great vacation read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
I picked this book up before a vacation. I was unable to put the book down once I started. It was a great story about a strong woman, very funny, although I did cry a bit towards the end because it was so touching.
Magnifico!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Funny, sweet, tart, poignant and very insightful. The dads are too much - I especially liked Whitman - no one could ever hope for a better "faux pa." Actually, I should say I loved Whitman, because love is what this book is all about. What's Italian for "Bravo!"?
Like taking a vacation to Rome
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
I love Rome, and reading Confessions was like sitting in a piazza sipping a glass of wine and watching the spectacle of Roman life. Venus and her entourage are excellent company, and the witty prose, compelling plots, and lively descriptions of the Eternal City whisked me through the story as if I were on a Vespa. I eagerly await the next installment.
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