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look, there was no way i WASN’T gonna enjoy a silvia moreno-garcia novel. this is now my fifth or sixth read from her and they’re all bangers. 1950s hollywood? sexism and colorism in the industry? biblical undertones?? i’m in.
i loved the format of this as well. there are three main character POVs done from third person, and then intermittent snippets from other characters who are being interviewed for some documentary on the events of the book. we don’t yet know what bad thing is going to happen, but the teases of it throughout made me devour this even faster.
vera was a darling protagonist to root for. the colorism within her own family, the imposed “rules” of gender coming from both her relatives and from the industry, her own desires for love and music pulling her in different directions. she isn’t my absolute favorite SMG heroine, but she’s a star nonetheless.
one thing SMG does really well is women who are complex and conflicted to the point of villainy. nancy is a character who is both so hateable AND so pitiable bc despite her own decisions getting her into problems, you can see the ways they seemed like the only ones available to her at the time. she fails to see that everything she believes vera has “stolen” from her is actually a construction of a white supremacist system. she directs her anger at vera bc she has no means to fight the people who are ACTUALLY keeping her down, and that’s the way the system wants it.
the only thing that really gave me pause was jay. he just felt a little too perfect throughout? however, considering the ending, that may have been intentional.
i loved the format of this as well. there are three main character POVs done from third person, and then intermittent snippets from other characters who are being interviewed for some documentary on the events of the book. we don’t yet know what bad thing is going to happen, but the teases of it throughout made me devour this even faster.
vera was a darling protagonist to root for. the colorism within her own family, the imposed “rules” of gender coming from both her relatives and from the industry, her own desires for love and music pulling her in different directions. she isn’t my absolute favorite SMG heroine, but she’s a star nonetheless.
one thing SMG does really well is women who are complex and conflicted to the point of villainy. nancy is a character who is both so hateable AND so pitiable bc despite her own decisions getting her into problems, you can see the ways they seemed like the only ones available to her at the time. she fails to see that everything she believes vera has “stolen” from her is actually a construction of a white supremacist system. she directs her anger at vera bc she has no means to fight the people who are ACTUALLY keeping her down, and that’s the way the system wants it.
the only thing that really gave me pause was jay. he just felt a little too perfect throughout? however, considering the ending, that may have been intentional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment
Minor: Gun violence
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I kept trying to figure out where this book was going and never really had a grasp on it. On paper, this should be a really engaging story, but I can’t say that the execution of the concept is always good.
I also can’t say that I found Salome to be a fully developed character in this retelling, but I didn’t think Vera was a very interesting character either. Vera’s portions of the narrative can be very bland because she really is the ingenue of this story and never makes the wrong choice. The female characters, aside from Nancy, are just too likable even when the story merits an amount of disliking from readers — especially Salome, as her story is one that’s hard to create a justifiable feminist revisionist spin to.
There’s a lot of elements (like Vera’s conflict with her family and Nancy’s storyline) that are just unresolved and really not revisited by the end, which was unsatisfying. Maybe the book could have been longer?
I also can’t say that I found Salome to be a fully developed character in this retelling, but I didn’t think Vera was a very interesting character either. Vera’s portions of the narrative can be very bland because she really is the ingenue of this story and never makes the wrong choice. The female characters, aside from Nancy, are just too likable even when the story merits an amount of disliking from readers — especially Salome, as her story is one that’s hard to create a justifiable feminist revisionist spin to.
There’s a lot of elements (like Vera’s conflict with her family and Nancy’s storyline) that are just unresolved and really not revisited by the end, which was unsatisfying. Maybe the book could have been longer?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I think this may be my *favorite* book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia! TikTok audio: No, you don't understand. I'm *obsessed* !!!!!!
Okay, so there are mostly two POVs during the 1950s in Hollywood (Vera, the Mexican ingenue who is cast as Salome; Nancy, the all-American actress who has been desperate to get her big break for the past four years in Hollywood) in this, with others' sprinkled in sporadically (the director, actors, boyfriends, extras), as if we are watching a documentary. We also get the story of Salome, who the film is about, and her chapters were incredible as well.
I was not expecting this piece of historical fiction to draw me in so resolutely. I was so fully engrossed in this story & got actively annoyed when I had to put the book down for anything. I loved how Silvia Moreno-Garcia illustrated the snowballing progression of the microaggressions and flat-out overtly racist and sexist treatment Vera endured as she rose to infamy in Hollywood and on set after such a "controversial" casting. Vera begins wide-eyed, hopeful, but cautious, (a dove, if you're wanting to connect this to the biblical Salome story) and who can blame her? Being surrounded by mega-privileged, wealthy, and powerful white entertainers is jarring, nerve-wracking, and warrants some prudence.
Vera also learns what it means to say "no" to a powerful, famous, white man; she begins to feel the coldness, discomfort, isolation, and emotional warfare that happens on set (from all angles) when you turn down a man who is never told "no". Favoritism doesn't seem dangerous until you're on the other end. I admired her for owning her decisions though, as she had already been pushed towards a life she didn't want, and she wasn't going to repeat those behaviors. That takes some guts, and with the setting being almost 75 years ago, that's incredibly admirable to me. Though Hollywood tested her with gossip rags painting her in poor light ("she's difficult to work with," "she's not a good actress," "she is frigid!") and blatant racism and misogyny, Vera maintained her integrity and stayed true to her character, which is seemingly impossible in that industry at that time.
I also felt her characterization flowed so seamlessly because of her familial context, especially how she connects with her mom and is compared to her sister. Her mother is perpetually unimpressed, disapproves of her budding romance with musician Jay, and simply never offers Vera comfort or encouragement. What is it about mothers? I'm serious. Can we do better by our daughters? (says a person who doesn't have children lmao)
It's fascinating to me that whenever I think of the 1950s, I think of the stereotypical, cookie-cutter homemaker wife, and I wonder how that translates to the women in Hollywood. Turns out, they had to deal with the same lack of agency and say that I thought "Stepford wives" had. Sure, they're on screen, glitz and glammed up, adored by fans, but they are barely directed with the same level of notes and depth that male actors receive, are spoken around, not to, and absolutely not heard or mindfully listened to. They are catered to the audience, who the directors also assume are men, so all of these choices are being made by men, which makes Vera's, Nancy's, & Salome's stories that much more important & curious. I loved that regardless of whether I stood behind their choices or not, they were theirs in the end!
Okay, let's talk about Nancy... Soooooo, everyone knows a Nancy in real life, right? If you don't, I am genuinely so relieved for you because no one needs that negativity (lmao wait, I love that SMG did that: "negative Nancy") or stress in their lives. Nancy is a 1950s "pick me," who is incensed that a "beaner" (she literally says this! I was pissed! I needed Nancy to step on Legos barefoot like yesterday!) was chosen for the role of Salome over her. She absolutely cannot fathom that Vera is a better or more deserving actress than her, and lets that envy, pride, and ego consume her unhealthily. Nancy embodies the "lion" of Salome's biblical story, and boy, does she roar, sheesh!
Nancy was such an interesting commentary on the competitiveness, darkness, vanity, and greed that sometimes comes with aspirations for fame and wealth. I generally blame systems, like capitalism and celebrity culture, but Nancy is a big girl and could have unlearned this harmful messaging, yet chose not to. She chose to keep her monthly subscription of, "I hate when other women get what I want, and refuse to be happy for them, especially if they are not white." She was a fantastic character because she was so clouded by jealousy, rage, and bitterness that she hopped, skipped, and jumped straight into self-destruction. Idk, Nancy is the character you just love to hate because she does "female rage" so well.
Salome's story was especially captivating! Salome must choose between love, revenge, or power, (all of these are tied to men in her life - prophet Jakanaan, Uncle Herod, or her cousin Marcus Agrippa) and I am going to say what I say with every story about a woman who is pushed between a rock and a hard place by the manipulative men in her life. I support women's wrongs, end of story. I loved how resourceful and cunning Salome was, and I would watch this movie within a book hahaha.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia continues to excel in her craft by delivering beautifully written novels across genre and time period, and I cannot wait for more and more people to fall in love with this one. Overall, this was excellent & would be great if optioned & adapted for film.
I think this may be my *favorite* book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia! TikTok audio: No, you don't understand. I'm *obsessed* !!!!!!
Okay, so there are mostly two POVs during the 1950s in Hollywood (Vera, the Mexican ingenue who is cast as Salome; Nancy, the all-American actress who has been desperate to get her big break for the past four years in Hollywood) in this, with others' sprinkled in sporadically (the director, actors, boyfriends, extras), as if we are watching a documentary. We also get the story of Salome, who the film is about, and her chapters were incredible as well.
I was not expecting this piece of historical fiction to draw me in so resolutely. I was so fully engrossed in this story & got actively annoyed when I had to put the book down for anything. I loved how Silvia Moreno-Garcia illustrated the snowballing progression of the microaggressions and flat-out overtly racist and sexist treatment Vera endured as she rose to infamy in Hollywood and on set after such a "controversial" casting. Vera begins wide-eyed, hopeful, but cautious, (a dove, if you're wanting to connect this to the biblical Salome story) and who can blame her? Being surrounded by mega-privileged, wealthy, and powerful white entertainers is jarring, nerve-wracking, and warrants some prudence.
Vera also learns what it means to say "no" to a powerful, famous, white man; she begins to feel the coldness, discomfort, isolation, and emotional warfare that happens on set (from all angles) when you turn down a man who is never told "no". Favoritism doesn't seem dangerous until you're on the other end. I admired her for owning her decisions though, as she had already been pushed towards a life she didn't want, and she wasn't going to repeat those behaviors. That takes some guts, and with the setting being almost 75 years ago, that's incredibly admirable to me. Though Hollywood tested her with gossip rags painting her in poor light ("she's difficult to work with," "she's not a good actress," "she is frigid!") and blatant racism and misogyny, Vera maintained her integrity and stayed true to her character, which is seemingly impossible in that industry at that time.
I also felt her characterization flowed so seamlessly because of her familial context, especially how she connects with her mom and is compared to her sister. Her mother is perpetually unimpressed, disapproves of her budding romance with musician Jay, and simply never offers Vera comfort or encouragement. What is it about mothers? I'm serious. Can we do better by our daughters? (says a person who doesn't have children lmao)
It's fascinating to me that whenever I think of the 1950s, I think of the stereotypical, cookie-cutter homemaker wife, and I wonder how that translates to the women in Hollywood. Turns out, they had to deal with the same lack of agency and say that I thought "Stepford wives" had. Sure, they're on screen, glitz and glammed up, adored by fans, but they are barely directed with the same level of notes and depth that male actors receive, are spoken around, not to, and absolutely not heard or mindfully listened to. They are catered to the audience, who the directors also assume are men, so all of these choices are being made by men, which makes Vera's, Nancy's, & Salome's stories that much more important & curious. I loved that regardless of whether I stood behind their choices or not, they were theirs in the end!
Okay, let's talk about Nancy... Soooooo, everyone knows a Nancy in real life, right? If you don't, I am genuinely so relieved for you because no one needs that negativity (lmao wait, I love that SMG did that: "negative Nancy") or stress in their lives. Nancy is a 1950s "pick me," who is incensed that a "beaner" (she literally says this! I was pissed! I needed Nancy to step on Legos barefoot like yesterday!) was chosen for the role of Salome over her. She absolutely cannot fathom that Vera is a better or more deserving actress than her, and lets that envy, pride, and ego consume her unhealthily. Nancy embodies the "lion" of Salome's biblical story, and boy, does she roar, sheesh!
Nancy was such an interesting commentary on the competitiveness, darkness, vanity, and greed that sometimes comes with aspirations for fame and wealth. I generally blame systems, like capitalism and celebrity culture, but Nancy is a big girl and could have unlearned this harmful messaging, yet chose not to. She chose to keep her monthly subscription of, "I hate when other women get what I want, and refuse to be happy for them, especially if they are not white." She was a fantastic character because she was so clouded by jealousy, rage, and bitterness that she hopped, skipped, and jumped straight into self-destruction. Idk, Nancy is the character you just love to hate because she does "female rage" so well.
Salome's story was especially captivating! Salome must choose between love, revenge, or power, (all of these are tied to men in her life - prophet Jakanaan, Uncle Herod, or her cousin Marcus Agrippa) and I am going to say what I say with every story about a woman who is pushed between a rock and a hard place by the manipulative men in her life. I support women's wrongs, end of story. I loved how resourceful and cunning Salome was, and I would watch this movie within a book hahaha.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia continues to excel in her craft by delivering beautifully written novels across genre and time period, and I cannot wait for more and more people to fall in love with this one. Overall, this was excellent & would be great if optioned & adapted for film.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment, Classism
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Pub Date: July 16, 2024
When it comes to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I will read practically anything she writes. I’m a fan of her writing and how she is able to dabble in different genres so seamlessly from speculative to science fiction or, in this case, historical fiction. THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME was one of my most anticipated books this year. Now having read it, this may just be Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s best work to date.
In 1950s Hollywood, the biggest production in town is “The Seventh Veil of Salome.” It’s bound to be a sword-and-sandal Biblical epic on the heels of other hit films alike with every actress clamoring for the lead role. After the studio casts an unknown Mexican ingénue named Vera Larios, much to the envy of bit player Nancy Hartley, she is thrown into the spotlight of celebrity and scandal alongside the whirlwind production of the film. At the same time, Salome’s story is also at the forefront and her love for a prophet who foresees her stepfather Herod’s demise.
There are so many things I love about this book, but I don’t want to give too much away. What I can say however and praise, is how Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves together an intricate tale of Hollywood and the myth that is Salome. With the story told through multiple perspectives, including Vera, Nancy, and Salome’s, there is a build up that will have you anticipating what is in store. Through this narrative, the three women are seen or epitomized in a certain way when there is actually much more to them than what we think we know. It all converges so skillfully into a cinematic climax about dreams, desire, and identity.
I love movies. Everything about them is fascinating along with what is projected on screen. The history, the behind the scene stories, the allure of Hollywood, the artistry that goes into a film, are pieces of how the silver screen became a place where dreams are made and come to life. Then, when you combine that with Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s impeccable writing, you get a novel that brings together the Golden Age of Hollywood, the magic of the movies, and the truth within the fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley, Del Rey, and the author for the ARC!
When it comes to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I will read practically anything she writes. I’m a fan of her writing and how she is able to dabble in different genres so seamlessly from speculative to science fiction or, in this case, historical fiction. THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME was one of my most anticipated books this year. Now having read it, this may just be Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s best work to date.
In 1950s Hollywood, the biggest production in town is “The Seventh Veil of Salome.” It’s bound to be a sword-and-sandal Biblical epic on the heels of other hit films alike with every actress clamoring for the lead role. After the studio casts an unknown Mexican ingénue named Vera Larios, much to the envy of bit player Nancy Hartley, she is thrown into the spotlight of celebrity and scandal alongside the whirlwind production of the film. At the same time, Salome’s story is also at the forefront and her love for a prophet who foresees her stepfather Herod’s demise.
There are so many things I love about this book, but I don’t want to give too much away. What I can say however and praise, is how Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves together an intricate tale of Hollywood and the myth that is Salome. With the story told through multiple perspectives, including Vera, Nancy, and Salome’s, there is a build up that will have you anticipating what is in store. Through this narrative, the three women are seen or epitomized in a certain way when there is actually much more to them than what we think we know. It all converges so skillfully into a cinematic climax about dreams, desire, and identity.
I love movies. Everything about them is fascinating along with what is projected on screen. The history, the behind the scene stories, the allure of Hollywood, the artistry that goes into a film, are pieces of how the silver screen became a place where dreams are made and come to life. Then, when you combine that with Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s impeccable writing, you get a novel that brings together the Golden Age of Hollywood, the magic of the movies, and the truth within the fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley, Del Rey, and the author for the ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism
Minor: Death, Sexual harassment
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was SO excited to receive this ARC and The Seventh Veil of Salome did not disappoint. Another reviewer said that Silvia Moreno-Garcia can write any genre and I completely agree.
I really loved the format of this book. It absolutely transported me to a 1950s Hollywood tabloid tell-all and also straight into Salome's story. I am entirely unfamiliar with the Bible so this definitely inspired further research and exploration. I also learned a lot about the Mexican experience in Hollywood at that time and it was clear that this book was extremely well-researched.
While the storyline was predictable and I didn't mind it, I did feel that the ending was rushed and I would have liked to have seen it drawn out a little more. There was such a crescendo in the story that the ending felt a little abrupt.
All-in-all, this was a captivating read and I cannot wait to see with the author does next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Del Rey for the e-ARC.
I really loved the format of this book. It absolutely transported me to a 1950s Hollywood tabloid tell-all and also straight into Salome's story. I am entirely unfamiliar with the Bible so this definitely inspired further research and exploration. I also learned a lot about the Mexican experience in Hollywood at that time and it was clear that this book was extremely well-researched.
While the storyline was predictable and I didn't mind it, I did feel that the ending was rushed and I would have liked to have seen it drawn out a little more. There was such a crescendo in the story that the ending felt a little abrupt.
All-in-all, this was a captivating read and I cannot wait to see with the author does next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Del Rey for the e-ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment