Jess Walter's 'Beautiful Ruins' Named Book of the Week
Jess Walter's novel 'Beautiful Ruins' (Schöne Ruinen) has been selected as the book of the week by German culture news outlet Kulturnews. Originally published in 2013, the novel spans decades and continents, telling a love story that begins in 1962 when young actress Dee Moray arrives in a small Italian fishing village and captures the heart of hotelier Pasquale. Dee is pregnant with the child of film star Richard Burton, and soon must move on. Years later, Pasquale travels to the United States to search for Dee, encountering producer Michael Deane, who was the catalyst for the events. The narrative also includes Michael's assistant Claire, screenwriter Shane, and Dee's son Pat, a drug-addicted musician. The novel is praised as a page-turner with surprising twists, time jumps, and humor, but beneath the surface lies a melancholic meditation on aging, love, and responsibility. Walter's work has been included in Kulturnews's list of the best books for August 2026.
Key facts
- Jess Walter's novel 'Beautiful Ruins' is the book of the week.
- The novel was originally published in 2013.
- The story begins in 1962 in an Italian fishing village.
- Actress Dee Moray is pregnant with Richard Burton's child.
- Hotel owner Pasquale falls in love with Dee.
- Pasquale later travels to the US to find Dee.
- Producer Michael Deane is a key character.
- The novel is on Kulturnews's best books list for August 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Jess Walter
- Richard Burton
Institutions
- Kulturnews
Locations
- Italy
- United States