By: J. P. Roarke
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J.P. Roarke spent nearly thirty years defending clients in court, training new lawyers, and running one of the oldest law firms in California. He has written two other books, several short stories, and a number of poems. He lives with his wife in the Coachella Valley, in Southern California.
Wow! I was hooked from the first chapter, and had a VERY hard time putting this down. So many twists and turns, such beautiful imagery. Really, really wonderful book. Thank you, J.P., whoever you are.
My wife's friend recommended this book. It took a little while to get, but I sat down with it in front of the fire three nights ago. Four hours later the fire was still going, and I was still reading. The plot is very unusual, very touching, and very gripping, especially as the story proceeds. It was very hard to put down. Highly recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries, loyalty dramas, courtroom edge of the seat stuff.
Just finished this book, and have to say, what a ride! It does have its share(actually, more than its share) of beautiful scenes, but the atmosphere is more Dan Brown than Nicholas Sparks, with some John Grisham thrown in, with Really gripping, intense parts. One of those stories that I sorry it ended.
Excellent book, very creative, yet reads a lot like a classic.
Village of Lucca:
The story of a young lawyer, Paul, somewhat arrogant, who dedicates himself to finding a long lost friend of an elderly client. This search, resulting in a dramatic trial, is the heart of the book.
Paul’s search reveals a heartbreaking series of events which he must face and resolve; in the end, he comes to accept that life doesn’t always turn out the way one wants. The story spans several decades—starting in Lucca, moving to Arizona and comes full circle, ending back in Lucca where Paul comes to terms with his losses. There is a sadness and acceptance, but no bitterness on the part of Paul.
A beautifully written, touching read, and at the same time, a fast-paced intense thriller.
Really, really enjoyed this book. It's different, but took hold of me until, by the end, I was there, with these characters, in the desert, then Italy, in the courtroom, and...well. Very impressive.
Beautiful read. This story is complex, with several themes, but a powerful thread of loyalty, heroism, and sacrifice; and so well written. It's a wonderful experience to take in.
It's been a long time since I read a book this good. It starts slow, but builds momentum, with so much emotion and drama. Haven't seen these kinds of characters in a while, either--I mean, truly heroic people dealing with true evil. Sorry it had to end. Would like to read more by this author, but can't find other works.
I was struck by how this book is really about women. Sure, the narrator is a young (then old) man, but the story is really about the extreme difficulties of women, and how dedicated, loyal and heroic they can be. Beautiful story, wonderfully written, and well worth my time. Where's your next story, Roarke?
Excellent. Beautiful book.
This was my favourite book of the year. These two women were both heroes, and their stories are dreamlike--terrible, really wonderfull loved it.
Wonderful. Really liked this, and the women--not just the two main characters, but how he/she (whatever) brought in Isabel, the Buffalo Soldier's daughter.
I agree with the others. This is really about two very, very brave women. Sure, Paul comes in to help, but what Lou (isa) and Laura went through was remarkable. Really liked it.
There’s nothing easy about writing a novel. Some authors spend years working on their manuscripts while for a lucky few the entire process, from start to finish, might take a handful of months. Sadly, there is no magic formula for creating narratives that excite or sadden, or characters who are flawed, endearing or somewhere in between. For what it’s worth the best advice is to write about what you know and let your imagination do the rest. J.P Roarke’s, From the Village of Lucca, is a good example of a book that embodies those principles. Roarke, a California based lawyer, has written a gripping story with an ambitious structure that brilliantly exploits his knowledge of the legal world.
It opens with a prologue that reveals an elderly Italian/American thief getting ready to commit a brutal crime, twenty-five years after pulling off “his greatest heist”. Joe Seppe may be old and absentminded, but he hasn’t lost his violent, spiteful streak and it’s that vindictiveness which causes his death before he can put his hideous plan into effect. In an ideal world he should have been snuffed out towards the end of the 19th century before he could destroy the lives of a prominent family in the Italian village of Lucca. They eventually moved to the United States for a new beginning, only for the adventure to end in tragedy!
From the Village of Lucca is a novel which once read will never be forgotten. It is an engrossing, realistic and complex book with a narrative that seamlessly moves between countries and centuries. Everything about it works (including the moving plot twist near the end) and I’m confident this exciting, talented writer will continue to produce more novels of a similarly high quality.
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