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christygsp's review against another edition
Sounded like an interesting premise but I was so utterly distracted by the juvenile writing that I barely made it past page 2.
I’m sorry, but we spent almost that many pages lamenting on people not pronouncing her name correctly… but her doing NOTHING about it except to silently resign herself to the fact (you can actually correct people in the moment you know).
Then we met the Italian boy.. oh sorry, man… who wasn’t like anyone else - unless of course you count almost every single “cool guy” Italian love interest in every romance movie ever made.
Yeah this was just not it for me and I laughed, rolled my eyes and gave up all within the span of ten minutes.
I’m sorry, but we spent almost that many pages lamenting on people not pronouncing her name correctly… but her doing NOTHING about it except to silently resign herself to the fact (you can actually correct people in the moment you know).
Then we met the Italian boy.. oh sorry, man… who wasn’t like anyone else - unless of course you count almost every single “cool guy” Italian love interest in every romance movie ever made.
Yeah this was just not it for me and I laughed, rolled my eyes and gave up all within the span of ten minutes.
thaleiatriestoread's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mazza57's review against another edition
1.0
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is Goodrich's debut novel and seems at least to be Semi autobiographical or else she has simplybeen precocious enough to name her MC after herself. She does create a really good image of Naples, its architecture and its residents Told in both narrative and epistolary emails the latter did at least break up the ennui of the former.
It is said that novels that create strong reactions are those that you remember for a long time. This may be true but not necessarily for the right reasons. This novel is like being in your flat listening to someone upstairs playing the same record for the nth time - a record you don't hat but don't particularly like either. The narrative is repetitive over and over Heddi is let down by the inability of Pietre to commit, to break away from his family, to actually do something. The characters are lifeless and unlikeable. I find little in the novel to make me think i would read something else from this author.
It is said that novels that create strong reactions are those that you remember for a long time. This may be true but not necessarily for the right reasons. This novel is like being in your flat listening to someone upstairs playing the same record for the nth time - a record you don't hat but don't particularly like either. The narrative is repetitive over and over Heddi is let down by the inability of Pietre to commit, to break away from his family, to actually do something. The characters are lifeless and unlikeable. I find little in the novel to make me think i would read something else from this author.
uhhlexiconic's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Between an inert romance that doesn't grab and a framing device that doesn't enrich the story, Lost in the Spanish Quarter has no substance.
zacharypolendo's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine. They say write about what you know, and reading the author's biography it was clear that's exactly what she did. I kept wondering if this was a fanfiction for herself or if this was a real experience of the author's? She named the Lead character after herself, lived in the same places, and even moved to New Zealand just like the author.
I was immediately drawn to this book because of how beautiful the cover was! I'm a sucker for a good romance in any novel.
I struggled with this book because the beginning was really confusing. They met somehow right before the start of the novel and were drawn to each other because... I still have no idea. He had a mixed tape just at the ready? The time jumps were interesting. The e-mail exchanges kept me reading. I'm not entirely sure if my interest would have been kept without it. Characters appeared and disappeared without any just or cause. Some minor story lines added nothing to the novel.
Her description of the places they visited was fantastic! I hope to encounter these sights someday. I can't say I'd recommend this book, but I really can't say that i wouldn't.
I was immediately drawn to this book because of how beautiful the cover was! I'm a sucker for a good romance in any novel.
I struggled with this book because the beginning was really confusing. They met somehow right before the start of the novel and were drawn to each other because... I still have no idea. He had a mixed tape just at the ready? The time jumps were interesting. The e-mail exchanges kept me reading. I'm not entirely sure if my interest would have been kept without it. Characters appeared and disappeared without any just or cause. Some minor story lines added nothing to the novel.
Her description of the places they visited was fantastic! I hope to encounter these sights someday. I can't say I'd recommend this book, but I really can't say that i wouldn't.
giulia_c2001's review against another edition
4.0
Heddi è una ragazza americana trasferitasi a Napoli per studiare glottologia all'Orientale. Nel romanzo Heddi parla in prima persona e racconta dei suoi anni universitari e, soprattutto, della sua storia d'amore con Pietro.
Leggendo le pagine di questo romanzo mi sono sentita immergere nelle atmosfere dei miei anni universitari; gli amici, le serate a suonare la chitarra, a chiacchierare, a condividere momenti unici e irripetibili. Solo la città non è la stessa; qui siamo a Napoli e l'autrice la rende coprotagonista della storia. Descrive, in particolare, i Quartieri Spagnoli, i suoi abitanti, i suoi bassi, le sue palazzine pericolanti e i piani abusivi. E poi descrive la Napoli sotterranea, piena di mistero, rendendo la città una figura a sè e il Vesuvio suo fedele compagno.
Il racconto è, però, la narrazione della storia d'amore tra Heddi e Pietro, studente di geologia. Durante la lettura conosciamo bene i due ragazzi. Lei è dolce e sensibile, ma allo stesso tempo determinata e sicura di se. Lui è apparentemente forte e schietto, in realtà è succube dei genitori ed è fragile e insicuro. Pietro non mi è piaciuto affatto, né durante la relazione con Heddi, né dopo quando i due instaurano una fitta corrispondenza via email. Non mi è piaciuto per la sua continua indecisione e il suo essere inchiodato alle piccole realtà della sua terra, da cui non vuole distaccarsi, nemmeno per Heddi, nonostante con le parole affermi l'esatto contrario. Heddi, a sua volta, ne è succube e continua a credergli fino alla fine.
Fondamentalmente, si tratta del racconto di due giovani, con i loro sogni, le loro aspettative, con la loro volontà di emanciparsi da una realtà quotidiana che però li lega stretti.
Il linguaggio usato dall'autrice è superlativo. È uno dei romanzi più ben scritti che abbia mai letto, nonostante l'autrice non sia nemmeno italiana. È, però, da una parte un pregio, ma dall'altra mi è sembrato che volesse far sfoggio del suo italiano perfetto lasciandosi andare a considerazioni filosofiche troppo arzigogolate che rallentano moltissimo il ritmo di lettura.
Ciononostante si tratta di un romanzo interessante e gradevole, che si legge facilmente e che fa immergere in atmosfere leggere e sognanti proprie di chi è giovane fuori sede in una città universitaria.
Leggendo le pagine di questo romanzo mi sono sentita immergere nelle atmosfere dei miei anni universitari; gli amici, le serate a suonare la chitarra, a chiacchierare, a condividere momenti unici e irripetibili. Solo la città non è la stessa; qui siamo a Napoli e l'autrice la rende coprotagonista della storia. Descrive, in particolare, i Quartieri Spagnoli, i suoi abitanti, i suoi bassi, le sue palazzine pericolanti e i piani abusivi. E poi descrive la Napoli sotterranea, piena di mistero, rendendo la città una figura a sè e il Vesuvio suo fedele compagno.
Il racconto è, però, la narrazione della storia d'amore tra Heddi e Pietro, studente di geologia. Durante la lettura conosciamo bene i due ragazzi. Lei è dolce e sensibile, ma allo stesso tempo determinata e sicura di se. Lui è apparentemente forte e schietto, in realtà è succube dei genitori ed è fragile e insicuro. Pietro non mi è piaciuto affatto, né durante la relazione con Heddi, né dopo quando i due instaurano una fitta corrispondenza via email. Non mi è piaciuto per la sua continua indecisione e il suo essere inchiodato alle piccole realtà della sua terra, da cui non vuole distaccarsi, nemmeno per Heddi, nonostante con le parole affermi l'esatto contrario. Heddi, a sua volta, ne è succube e continua a credergli fino alla fine.
Fondamentalmente, si tratta del racconto di due giovani, con i loro sogni, le loro aspettative, con la loro volontà di emanciparsi da una realtà quotidiana che però li lega stretti.
Il linguaggio usato dall'autrice è superlativo. È uno dei romanzi più ben scritti che abbia mai letto, nonostante l'autrice non sia nemmeno italiana. È, però, da una parte un pregio, ma dall'altra mi è sembrato che volesse far sfoggio del suo italiano perfetto lasciandosi andare a considerazioni filosofiche troppo arzigogolate che rallentano moltissimo il ritmo di lettura.
Ciononostante si tratta di un romanzo interessante e gradevole, che si legge facilmente e che fa immergere in atmosfere leggere e sognanti proprie di chi è giovane fuori sede in una città universitaria.
violethazel's review against another edition
1.0
this book was not good. the writing was lyrical but it went on for SO LONG.
and the racism. only a few pages in, the main character talks about a movie from New Zealand, saying "Tattooed Maori thugs bashing each other." As someone from New Zealand (although not Māori myself) I thought this was extremely insensitive and referred to the stereotype that Māori men are thugs. Considering the author moved to New Zealand and I presume has lived there for a good few years, this shows a deep lack of understanding of New Zealand culture. also a bit slut shamey.
and the racism. only a few pages in, the main character talks about a movie from New Zealand, saying "Tattooed Maori thugs bashing each other." As someone from New Zealand (although not Māori myself) I thought this was extremely insensitive and referred to the stereotype that Māori men are thugs. Considering the author moved to New Zealand and I presume has lived there for a good few years, this shows a deep lack of understanding of New Zealand culture. also a bit slut shamey.
nursays's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booknightowl's review against another edition
3.0
Lost in the Spanish Quarter is about Heddi is an american exchange student who goes to Naples and and meets Pietro and falls in love. The book starts off a few years later with an email written to Heddi from Pietro admitting that he was wrong.
This book was really descriptive about everything and I found myself getting lost at times and not knowing what was going on. I felt like she would have flashbacks about a certain situation and I wouldn't even know that what was happening. I loved the email part of the story. I just felt like I wanted more from the characters and not really the plot.
This book was really descriptive about everything and I found myself getting lost at times and not knowing what was going on. I felt like she would have flashbacks about a certain situation and I wouldn't even know that what was happening. I loved the email part of the story. I just felt like I wanted more from the characters and not really the plot.
earlgreybooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was kind of a disappointment. I was loving it in the beginning—the writing was beautiful, the characters were intriguing. I especially loved the writing of Naples—it really felt like I was there, despite having never been. After a while, it started to drag. Plus, I absolutely detest Pietro—he just annoyed the hell out of me.