Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

An interesting novel about the morality of the world of film.  The book starts in Italy in the 1960s, describing the idealistic attempts of a young Italian man, Pascal, to turn his rural hotel into a high class resort drawing American tourists. The book then takes us straight to the modern day and the dubious attractions of Hollywood where a young woman is torn between following her dreams and the allure of celebrity. As the plot switches between these two characters and times, their connection is gradually revealed.  The writing in this excellent book is wonderful but it is the unusual characters and interesting plot which make this a great book to read. Definitely recommended.