When in Rome

A Novel

By: Liam Callanan

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

From nationally bestselling, award-winning author Liam Callanan, the story of an opportunity to start over at midlife, a chance to save a struggling convent in the Eternal City, and the dramatic re-emergence of an old flame . . .

Claire, fifty-two, desperately desires a fresh start. After decades as a real estate broker specializing in old religious properties, she’s looking for something new. And then, on the eve of her thirtieth college reunion, a call comes from Rome.

It’s from a struggling convent facing a precipitous end, and Claire isn’t so sure she can help out. But once in Rome, she finds a group of funny, fearless nuns in a gorgeous, if crumbling, villa, a city whose colors deepen as she spends miles running its streets, and above all, a chance to reflect. It leads her unexpectedly to wonder: maybe she should stay in Rome. In the convent. Forever. 

Her college roommate and business partner has thoughts. So does Claire’s daughter. And so does Marcus, a once-buzzy actor, who’s still as devastatingly handsome as he was when he first fell for Claire at eighteen. He’s come and gone from Claire’s life since college but reappears in Rome just as she’s about to decide what’s next.

A look at faith, in oneself as much as a higher power, and love, romantic and familial, lost and found, this is the thoroughly charming story of one woman who sets out to rewrite her past and future, only to be surprised by the plot twists life takes . . . when in Rome.

©2023 Liam Callanan (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Callanan’s Claire is a soulful seeker, and his Rome, a sensory pleasure."—Oprah Daily

“If Eat, Pray, Love was organized in a different order, it might feel a bit like Callanan's introspective and genuine exploration of the sacrifices and opportunities that come with a new outlook on life. Taking a wide view of love of all types—platonic, spiritual, romantic, geographic—When in Rome should appeal to fans of Kate Atkinson, Kate Weinberg, and Emma Straub.”—Booklist (starred)

“Callanan (Paris by the Book) builds a charming story from a woman’s midlife crisis…Callanan keeps things moving with the question of the convent’s fate hanging over the characters, and carefully outlines Claire’s complicated feelings about her relationships and vocation. This is a delight.”—Publishers Weekly

Could not finish this book- I really tried.

It is entirely too slow. I could not devote any more of my time to try to understand or empathize with Claire’s thoughts and actions- both past and present.

Not great, some nice parts

I read this for a book club, so perhaps my mind will change after our discussion because someone in the group clearly liked it enough to add it to our list, but I had a really hard time finishing this book. I didn't like the main character, found many scenes unbelievable, and the amount of times the word "said" was used in dialogue scenes was entirely distracting. Claire said. Marcus said. Monica said. Dorothy said. Sister so-and-so said. Said. Said. Said. Said.

The narrator was good. No issues with her reading of the material. Just the material itself.

On the positive side, I enjoyed the descriptions of the Italian scenery. Beautiful, descriptive, flowing language really made the setting a character in and of itself, probably my favorite one.

I found Claire to be weak and flighty. Marcus too. Dorothy was okay. Monica came across as a stereotypical type-A *gasp* ambitious woman who we're not meant to like. I don't know enough about any of the nuns to have an opinion or really care.

*Spoilers*
I had a hard time buying that a woman who spent her college years preparing to become a nun (foregoing parties and dates and love) would, immediately after graduation, follow the advice of the bossy friend to hook up with a random guy for a one-night stand. And get pregnant.

She's in love with Marcus, but she made a secret deal with God to not be with him if God healed him after an non-existent illness. She wants to be nun and should know better, and it is mentioned in the story that she knows it's ridiculous and not how God works, yet for 30 years, she denies her and Marcus' happiness because...reasons? And it's a secret. Because of course it is.

Sure, Claire and Marcus can talk about everything with each other, except their true feelings for one another FOR 30 YEARS. How can that possibly be a good and healthy relationship?

There's an author's note at the end, where it's mentioned that you can't impulsively marry someone in an airport chapel. While I appreciate that note, I found that scene unnecessary for the story, especially because it's so implausible. Marcus is twice divorced, did he get those annulled? I haven't practiced Catholicism in a minute, but that is (or at least used to be) a pretty big deal. What about licenses and government paperwork? Also, he checked himself out of the hospital and is going to jump on plane right away? Is that safe/allowed?

The convent in Rome is going to close if they don't get one more member because one lady died and it dropped them below the minimum number required. So this organization that has been around for centuries just waits until the last minute and pins all of their hopes on one person joining? And Claire wants to jump up and save the day and the organization. Why wouldn't they be doing massive outreach before it reached the point where they would close? Very contrived. Also, what about the shady sister back in the States who wants to sell it for cheap to her brother? What's going on there? But the real estate broker and not-doing-so-great actor can afford to outbid the shady brother?

Honestly, by this point, I was just trying to finish the book so I could be done with it, and probably being more nitpicky than necessary, but my suspension of disbelief had been lifted and there was no lowering it again. I disliked all of the characters and the plot in this book, so without the beautiful descriptions of Rome, it would have been a total loss for me. I admire and appreciate authors for their work, but this one just isn't for me.

Slow, no plot

Literally, nothing happens in this 10 hours of listening. There’s no plot or storyline just endless repetition. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. 

great potential but overall frustrating

Although I didn't think the topic would be interesting, it could have been.
the author seems to repeat both portions of the narrative and its themes.
It seems like the author could have showed more progress in Claire's thinking and decision making throughout the book, instead of coming to an abrupt decision at the end, that was anti-climactic. We also could have learned more about the supporting characters in those middle chapters where nothing much was going on.
The final chapter was the most satisfying, but too little too late.

Wonderful!

Whew - love the way the author weaves the story in and out of the streets of Rome. I began this last night and couldn’t stop listening as I just had to know how the story ended - thank you Liam for a beautiful story. ♥️

Love Rome but too slow

I love Rome and I love the church. But the story bogged way down too many times with Clair not deciding.