The Passion Dream Book
by Whitney Otto
Harper Collins Publishers
Paperback, 1997
Bought at BOOKSALE, SM North for P25.00
This book is slow and a bit disjointed. If you're looking for a fast-paced, thrilling, and exciting book, this isn't for you. This book was meant to be poignant. It feels more like a series of short stories starring the same character. Its lack of flow may be intentional and was meant to convey time that had passed, a character's emotional development, as well as the introduction of a significant setting.
The "disjointed" feel left me confused. It started with the world of Giulietta Marcel. Well, no. It actually started with art lessons. This is a recurring team in the book. I found all those parts boring as the author failed to say anything new or say things in a new way. The narrative was separate from the characters and the book could have done without it.
The book fast forwards suddenly into post-WWI Los Angeles where we meet the "real" main characters: Romy March and Augustine Marks. For the most part, it is Romy's story, with a little bit of Augustine. The two are star-crossed lovers and their love story is as complicated as it guests. I suppose this was to depict stereotypical of artists (the book leans towards this).
The love story is interesting enough. The whole first bit in Florence wouldn't tie in with the book until very late. Giulietta's box is kept by Romy, a memento from an ancestor. I didn't realize until the very end that Giulietta's quick wrap-up was a clue to Romy and Augustine's fate (because it's just that scattered).
The narrative is dry. I like dry but this is just too dry for me, a bit like Twilight's narrative. The ending is decent and I quite liked it. Overall, not my most favorite book. However, I read this book for a long time. I'm thinking that I lost a bit because I didn't read it continuously. Granted, it was difficult to pick every time.
Last, the cover is gorgeous.
Originally posted at goodreads.com
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