The beauty of the writing of this book is evident from the outset. Two ladies in very different ages but with fascinating careers and personal lives. Get ready to be brought into a historical mystery of a book all the while being surrounded by the elegance and awe inspiring architecture of Rome. Perfect holiday read - grab yourself a long drink, a comfortable seat in the sun and drink in this intelligent story.
This book was a slow burner for me. It took a while to get to the plot of the novel but we are distracted with the beauty of Rome and the story of Lottie and her trials of trying to fit in with Italian culture.
Lottie begins her new job as an archivist and comes across a file of a lady called Nina - a seemingly simple gardener who creates beautiful gardens for the Italian rich. But there is more to her story and we begin to see her life in a diary that Lottie uncovers.
The novel may start as a slow burner but it sucks you in and goes on to burn as brightly as these two ladies' lives. I could not stop reading in the last third of the book and I was not disappointed.
An atmospheric exploration of the love lives of two women who lived in Rome at different times.
Two Women in Rome by Elizabeth Buchan
Elizabeth Buchan’s latest novel centres on the lives and loves of two women, with the city of Rome providing a richly depicted backdrop. The novel interweaves the experiences of Lottie Archer, a newly-married,young archivist just setting up home in Rome, with that of Nina Lawrence, an established landscape gardener who died there in 1978.
Lottie takes up a new role at Archivo Espatriati and finds what seems to be a valuable 15th century painting among Nina’s papers. Her investigation into the provenance of the painting and Nina’s life in and around Rome becomes entangled in Eternal City politics, espionage and secrets.
Buchan has created an intriguing story, seamlessly mixing danger, tragedy, loss and love for her two major characters. The supporting cast are well depicted, with their actions and motivations well described, maintaining the tension of a thriller. This novel is an atmospheric, tender exploration of love for two modern women.
This is a great read which I found difficult to put down.
This is a great read which I found difficult to put down.
Lotte Archer is newly married to Tom Archer and they have come to live in Rome where he is an employee of the British Council. She has been fortunate to be appointed as Chief Archivist at the Archivo Espatriati. They have moved into his flat which he shared with a previous partner who is still in Rome. Lotte has to overcome her insecurity about this and also win the housekeeper over.
Her new job begins with a collection of papers which belonged to an English woman named Nina Lawrence who lived in Rome in 1978. The papers include a beautiful painting as well as her diary. Nina has been employed as a garden designer, but she is also involved in other work. Lotte tries to investigate but finds more questions than answers, and she finds that Tom is very reluctant for her to continue.
Nina is killed in Rome but the event is shown as a suicide. Lotte’s enquiries uncover a secret that has been hidden since that time. Her work on the papers, however, enable her to bring a letter to the love of Nina’s life, and to begin to understand the actions of her own Mother.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. A good story, well told.
I loved the descriptions of Rome and felt like I was walking the streets.
I have read a few of Elizabeth's books before and was keen to read this especially being set in Rome.
I loved the descriptions of Rome and felt like I was walking the streets.
I learnt new things from this book too I had no idea about the fall out and unrest created from WWII that was seen in the 1970s.
It's a good story with Lottie figuring out what had happened to Nina. Dual storylines are my favourite type of book. It's well written and I enjoyed the story