Beautiful writing, intricate plot with lots of story lines finally converging is a satisfying resolution, the action sweeping in time and place from 60s to today, from Italy to Idaho and LA. My only problem with this book was how Richard Burton's complex personality got used and abused. This probably would pass unnoticed for the readers for whom Richard Burton is only a tabloids' curiosity, a colorful bunch of stereotypes. But if you genuinely appreciate Richard Burton's talent and are aware of a couple of other sides of his multifaceted personality except drinking, hell-raising and womanising you may end up giving this book three stars instead of five, as an homage to the real Richard Burton.:)