The Sixteen Pleasures: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Viva Margot and Florence!
Review: I loved this book from the moment I picked it up. Anyone who has ever been to Florence will know that Hellenga captured the essence of the city and its people . Contrary to other reviews that were disappointed this book was not more erotica, I was relieved and delighted about the artistic manner that Hellenga handled the eroticism. Well written. The ending is perfection! Go Margot!

Rating:
Summary: why did this get good reviews?
Review: This book completely disappointed me, and it's reassuring to see I'm not the only one. The premise of a young book restorer going off to Italy last-minute and to discover herself and, ultimately, a rare example of Renaissance 'pornography,' is fabulous. The characters, dialogue, and narrative are not. The voice is not consistent, the main character unsympathetic, the story amorphous, and the entire experience unsatisfying. Avoid this book unless you'd like a primer on book restoration.

Rating:
Summary: evocative writing, unsympathetic character
Review: The descriptions of Italy and the convent were fascinating. Margot, however was a male fantasy. I not only could not sympathize with her, I found myself actively disliking her. The fawning and obsessed way she wrotes about a lover, who had no iteresting qualities, disgusted me. Even though I couldn't finish it I consider this one of the worst books I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Not at *all* what I was expecting
Review: Though a fairly interesting introduction to the nuances of book preservation, this book was wholly disappointing. I bought it because it was billed as "a sensual, life-altering journey of loss and rebirth in this exquisite novel of spiritual longing and earthly desire." Obviously, the marketing person who wrote this copy read something else. Did I find the book interesting? Yes, but not for the reasons I wanted to.

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Summary: Interesting restoration angle - flat characters
Review: Although Hellenga's book is very readable, I did not find the characters terribly compelling. Our man in Florence (Sandro) doesn't pan out (hey I sure wouldn't loose any sleep over him). At times I was swept up in the narrative only to be disappointed by the plot's awkward turns. The book restoration angle is really the best part of this read. So... there are some good parts, but I wouldn't avidly recommend it to friends (especially female friends - the negative reviews are right on that score. Many other male writers have illuminated feminine emotions with much greater depth and accuracy).

Rating:
Summary: Not just for lovers of Italy
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as did everyone I've given a copy to. I expected a bit more of an erotic flavor but actually ended up being most fascinated by the sensual descriptions of the chemistry and art of book restoration and art preservation. The plot is simple, the mood quiet, and the climax intentionally a bit anti-climatic. But this book, like its characters and old Italy itself, has a subtle but irrestible charm. I found myself not quite sure why I loved it so much. But I loved it anyway.

Rating:
Summary: Flat and a bit obtuse
Review: I was really disappointed in this book. I had expected something along the lines of The English Patient...something transcendent. I found the "pleasures" to be flat and really dull. The writing had little spark, and I agree with the reviewer who felt that the Margot would never had acted or thought the way she did....it is a male based shallowness that guides her through a particularly feminine experience. I got really tired of the lists of three metaphors...especially when they were relative to baseball and bowling.

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected.
Review: After reading the book's summary, I was prepared for an evocative, lush, story that would draw me in with it's sensuality. But I felt very little sexuality in either of the characters, and less so in Hellenga's portrayal of the book and it's secrets. Although the technical description of book restoring was interesting I found the characters to be flat and difficult to identify with.

Rating:
Summary: All too realistic
Review: The story itself, I found boring. I didn't care what happened to most of the characters, and cared only mildly about Margot. I did find the insights into Italian culture and book conservation very interesting, but it barely made it worth it. I typically like books the have a sense of adventure to them, and I bought this book because it sounded like the plot would have that. The overall plot was quite normal, in the sense that it could happen to anyone. I like books to take my away from the normal world and this just didn't do it for me.

Rating:
Summary: Get some tea for this one, you won't be able to put it down
Review: As soon as the Arno floods its banks, everyone will be caught in this erotic yet modest story about the journey of a lifetime. So lovely, I've suggested it to everyone I know, and am currently reading it for the third time. The story within the story, of nuns who defy a bishop, and live their own lives is inspiring and touching. Moving from a convent in Florence, to the auction houses in London, this story about an erotic book and the people it touches can go on holiday with you, or let you curl up with a cup of tea on a rainy day.