Customer Reviews

My House in Umbria

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

but we love to read her novels for her understanding of social psychology, and the graceful penetrating voice in which she tells her stories. William Trevor's focus is on modern English and Irish folk, typically working or middle class, but his understanding of their psychology is as masterful as Austen (or Henry James, for that matter); and his style is perfectly shaded to reveal their lives. I've read most of his novels and stories and always valued his prodigious talent. This book, in my opinion, rises to genius. The characterization of Emily Delahunty is superb. The understanding, and rendering, of how we live our lives by telling our stories is brilliant.

A fascinating tale from one of my favorite authors; Mr Trevor has an incredible gift for transporting the reader into the worlds he creates on paper!
I have nothing to add to the good initial Amazon description, (certainly would not want to give away to much)only can say this is a well written story with a fascinating cast of characters,in a wonderful setting.
A first class read, certainly not boring as the idiot looking for a travel/ tour guide book would have one believe!
A pretty good film with Maggie Smith (whose face appears on this editions cover) as well!

I have to say that although a previous reviewer has been blasted, I have to agree at least in part with their sentiment. This book really isn't very exciting. I can appreciate the writing and style presented, but all-in-all, upon finishing a book, appreciation never wins out over enjoyment for me, and this story seems as if it could have been presented in 25-35 pages, as opposed to its 150, and had the same characterization and probably more impact.

This is a fantastic movie. I must admit that I have watched it over and over and over again. Maggie Smith is enchanting and the story is so engaging. I love this movie. I totally love it. Beautiful and clever and enthralling.

This is a giant of an achievement, dont be fooled by the harmless sweet appearance and tone of this book. Its full of deceit and lies. And most of all misdirection. I am not one to tell about plot, who cares to reveal the story. But in this book, one can feel the touch of genius...not at first, but later in the book, when you begin to realise what is being done to your mind. In this brillant twist on the conventions of the modern novel, there is a deceit made all the more brilliant and delightful because of its subtlety. I wont ruin it for you. In the end, the author reveals to you who really tells the story of a life, including your own, and that is the genius of this deceptive book---- it gives you the reader this extraordinary insight. But you could miss it and say, what is going on? To speak is to not know it. It is there for you, waiting quietly, with no pointing, no shouting, no direction at all, otherwise, you would not ever feel the boundaries of your own story. There is a reason this author is so acclaimed.

35 pages are missing from this book. Pages 217 to 241. I would really like a complete book. Very frustrating!

I have to admit flat out that I have not read this particular William Trevor book, but to call any book by him "boring" surely only reflects the reader's inability to look beyond her desire for a nice travel book and appreciate the book for itself. Trevor is perhaps the most under-appreciated great writer of our time. He works in a style that is at first dated to the reader of modern literature-it feels almost like reading Dickens--but let yourself keep going, allow his books to work on you, and you will soon appreciate his utterly breathtaking ease and control of the language and your emotions.

I don't understand why anyone would want to read this book. I picked it up because I am interested in Umbria and hoped for a good story which took place in that area of Italy. The book was boring and unbelievable; I kept waiting for something to happen, but it never did. I would not recommend this book.