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'The Italian Lover' Courts Multiple Story Lines

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By STEPHANIE REBEIN

Published: November 4, 2007

"The Italian Lover," by Robert Hellenga (Little, Brown & Co., $23.99)

Robert Hellenga reprises familiar characters from previous novels in his latest release, "The Italian Lover."

Set in Florence, Italy, this is the story of Margot, whose memoir about her discovery and restoration of erotic sonnets and drawings, thought to have all been destroyed, is being made into a movie, 25 years after it was first published. It's also the story of Margot's American lover, Woody, a professor and blues singer.

Several story lines intersect around the making of the movie. Margot meets Woody just as the movie logistics are being set, and he helps her write the screenplay during their courtship.

They befriend the producer, and also the lead actress, who plays Margot in the movie. Several romantic liaisons develop, along with a healthy dose of artistic tension. Part of what makes this book so enjoyable is Hellenga's simple treatment of complex emotions and situations. His direct, plain-spoken prose is a pleasure to read and helps keep the complex plot on course.

His fans will surely be thrilled with this latest installation of a story arc spanning 25 years. And for those new to his work, although it isn't necessary to read his novels in order, the rich history of Margot to be found in "The Sixteen Pleasures" and later in "Philosophy Made Simple," along with Woody's story from "The Fall of a Sparrow," makes this work, where both are main characters, even more of a treasure.

Stephanie Rebein is a freelance writer who lives in Kansas City.

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