"The Picture Book"

Author: Susannah Keating
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2000
Pages:  244
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Fresh from school, Patrizia Orman, 22, works as a gallery assistant in Soho, and is dreaming of success in the art world, when her mother is killed in an accident. She is still reeling from shock when her godmother presents her with a cache of letters from the father she never knew. A Roman art dealer, he had once given her mother a terrible choice: their relationship, or their unborn child. Hurt and confused by the revelations, but longing to know the truth, Patrizia travels to Rome to find her father, and weaves her way into his life—all the while concealing her identity. In Italy, Patrizia feels revitalized, and indulges her artistic passion as well as her deepening interest in a young Italian named Andrea. But her unresolved relationship with her father threatens her happiness, when she begins to fear that like her father before him, Andrea might also abandon her, and surrender his chance to deserve her love. The Picture Book is sure to be one of the most moving, memorable, and inspiring love stories of the season.

Review: This was a sweet story with the wonderful backdrop of Rome. In fact, while I was reading this, I kept thinking, "I really need to go back to Rome" (I was there in 2000).

It would be impossible to write about Italy/Rome without including a romance, but there is plenty of substance and depth.

The Picture Book is a neatly wrapped package and one of my favorite reads in a long time.