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Evelyn Hugo who? Taylor Jenkins Reid who?? Wow what if you wrote a book about the movie industry and a woman of color and it was actually good? What if? What a concept? Fascinating. And what if it had an ending that didn't completely suck?
I love Vera, I love Nancy, I love that we get to see all these braided pieces of the narrative throughout. The audiobook is fantastic to listen to, I truly think it's the best way to read this book! I could probably have deeper more analytical thoughts about this book but it's 5am and I'm sleepy.
I love Vera, I love Nancy, I love that we get to see all these braided pieces of the narrative throughout. The audiobook is fantastic to listen to, I truly think it's the best way to read this book! I could probably have deeper more analytical thoughts about this book but it's 5am and I'm sleepy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Minor: Incest
Context for incest warning: Salome's uncle obviously and clearly desires her, though nothing ever comes of it.
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Moreno Garcia’s novels always leave me in awe. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.
I was raised Catholic, so reading about a biblical character in the context of this novel was refreshing to say the least. I especially loved how Salome, Vera and Nancy’s story start to somewhat blend into one. It came to a point where it felt like Salome’s story was happening in tangent with Vera and Nancy’s side, and that was really neat.
I was raised Catholic, so reading about a biblical character in the context of this novel was refreshing to say the least. I especially loved how Salome, Vera and Nancy’s story start to somewhat blend into one. It came to a point where it felt like Salome’s story was happening in tangent with Vera and Nancy’s side, and that was really neat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Violence
Minor: Gore, Gun violence
dark
emotional
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 have thoroughly enjoyed so many of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books and this book is no exception. Once again, she weaves an amazing tale that pulls you right into the setting, that being 1950s Hollywood in his book. The transition between scenes of Salome, and the actresses for the movie involving Salome was exception, well-timed, and well-paced. The characters were memorable and complex, even the ones you loved to hate (ahem, Nancy). I read the digital copy along with the audiobook when I had the chance and it is highly worth listening to as it has a full cast. Every character has a distinct voice even without the use of differing narrators, and they along with the plot felt easy to follow. I couldn’t put this down even when I had appropriate moments where I wanted to yell about what was happening, particularly when our male character has to deal with the casual racism and sexism in the film industry that was historical accurate of that time.
From both this book and the last one of Silvia’s that I have read (Silver Nitrate), it’s apparent that the author takes great strides to research the film industry and its many moving parts. I really can’t wait to read more, be it about film, about Mexico and Mexican culture (holy hell, the description of the dinner scene at Vera’s house made me hungry), or anything else.
And for those who are curious before reading this whether there's a happy ending or not,there is no happily ever after in this one, nor is the ending particularly happy.
And for those who are curious before reading this whether there's a happy ending or not,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this is one of my favorite books by this author. There's just something about 50's Hollywood that I adore. And this was just so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
Moderate: Gun violence
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, Classism
emotional
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:
No
Set in 1950s Hollywood, The Seventh Veil of Salome is the story of the film by the same name and three women tied together because of it-- Vera Laurios, the Mexican ingenue cast in the lead role of Salome after she was discovered while working a pharmacy; party girl Nancy Hartley, who despite struggling to land a major acting role is convinced that Salome should have been her part; and Salome, the biblical princess at the center of the film.
I adored this book. It was so perfectly done-- the glamour and dark underbelly of 1950s Hollywood, the characterization (even the most minor characters have distinct voices), the shifting perspectives. The book flowed from one character to the next seamlessly, which kept the momentum building to an ending that was believable while still surprising me. As in many of her books, Moreno-Garcia weaves into the compelling plot the politics of 1950s Hollywood and its racism and sexism. I listened to the audiobook, which has a full cast, and it was captivating-- I felt like I was watching a classic film.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors, and she knocked it out of the park with this one.
I adored this book. It was so perfectly done-- the glamour and dark underbelly of 1950s Hollywood, the characterization (even the most minor characters have distinct voices), the shifting perspectives. The book flowed from one character to the next seamlessly, which kept the momentum building to an ending that was believable while still surprising me. As in many of her books, Moreno-Garcia weaves into the compelling plot the politics of 1950s Hollywood and its racism and sexism. I listened to the audiobook, which has a full cast, and it was captivating-- I felt like I was watching a classic film.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors, and she knocked it out of the park with this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
dark
emotional
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Outing, Cultural appropriation
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Blood, Antisemitism, Alcohol
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
"The Seventh Veil of Salome" is set in 1950s Hollywood with all of the grit and glamour of that time. There's lots of drama as there is a slow reveal of what occurred around this movie set. Although there are multiple POVs, the main characters are: Vera, who is a new actress discovered in Mexico and cast as Salome in a sword and sandals flick; Nancy, who is an absolute hot mess and will do anything to make it in Hollywood; and Salome, who is the focus of the film. The perspective of Salome honestly slowed the pace of the book for me and I didn’t like the book as much as I hoped I would, but I did enjoy it. I listened to the audiobook and the full cast added to the experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual harassment