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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book weaves together a biblical tragedy, golden age Hollywood and romance! It was an interesting look at racism in Hollywood, sexism across the ages.
It was sometimes hard to follow. I wish I understood the references to Hollywood movies or actors more, I feel like I would have gotten more out of it.
But, it was written beautifully and very different from what I normally go for. Worth a read if you e like Moreno-Garcia’s other work!
It was sometimes hard to follow. I wish I understood the references to Hollywood movies or actors more, I feel like I would have gotten more out of it.
But, it was written beautifully and very different from what I normally go for. Worth a read if you e like Moreno-Garcia’s other work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism
Moderate: Sexual content, Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I want this to be adapted into a show so bad. Like Daisy Jones style for real. The micro-trope of “tragic Hollywood star behind the scenes true story told from decades later” really pulls my heart strings for some reason. Can’t explain it.
In a similar vein as Mexican Gothic, it dawned on me in the final act that there is a subliminal message about how women perform and are perceived that was under the plot the whole time. I’d like to read it (instead of listening to it, like I did this time) to try and grasp that better. Because the character peeves I had were because I was evaluating all the characters individually instead of what they were saying as a whole, if that makes sense. That being said, I hate Nancy and Vera has commitment issues. And EVERYONE likely has mommy issues. Such is life.
I thought the formatting of foreshadowing third party/minor character accounts of the main characters was compelling, as was including Salome as her own storyline parallel to the Hollywood people’s. I ate that up it was fun.
In a similar vein as Mexican Gothic, it dawned on me in the final act that there is a subliminal message about how women perform and are perceived that was under the plot the whole time. I’d like to read it (instead of listening to it, like I did this time) to try and grasp that better. Because the character peeves I had were because I was evaluating all the characters individually instead of what they were saying as a whole, if that makes sense. That being said, I hate Nancy and Vera has commitment issues. And EVERYONE likely has mommy issues. Such is life.
I thought the formatting of foreshadowing third party/minor character accounts of the main characters was compelling, as was including Salome as her own storyline parallel to the Hollywood people’s. I ate that up it was fun.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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 structure of this book was very interesting. The three main perspectives are all interesting and compliment each other well, and interspersed occasionally (very well chosen places and not so many that it is overkill) are short chapters that function as if a documentary is being made on the unknown horrible event that occurred surrounding the making of the film Vera stars in, Nancy wants to star in, all of which is based around the story of our third perspective, Salome. I personally had never heard Salome's story before, but that didn't matter. Her story on its own is just okay, but the way it parallels and reflects what's going on in Vera and Nancy's stories really highlights Salome's perspective. Sometimes this is done in a subtle way of referencing a scene we've read before mentioned in passing having been shot or being prepared to shoot in Nancy or Vera's (usually Vera's) perspectives. Salome's perspective on it's own did still have some solid parts that stood out on it's own, such as it's discussion of power through the decisions Salome has to make and what Salome's mother has to say about being a woman and their relationship to power versus that of men.
Nancy's character is the most vibrant of the three, as well as the most notorious. She is very fun to be following, even if you are completely disagreeing with what she is saying. Let's face it, Nancy is not a good person, and she is a bit delusional. However, none of this takes away from her impact.
Vera's character is very sweet, and she is pushed to her limit. In her perspective, we feel the setting of 1950s Hollywood the strongest. We discuss the racism and sexism of the time, and her relationships with every character is always interesting and has a purpose.I was fully expecting Benny, Nancy's boyfriend, to kill her on Nancy's command, and I was shocked that he shot Jay (Vera's boyfriend, and Nancy's fling at the beginning of the book) instead, and that he was the one that died, not Vera. I was happy that Vera ended up being a composer, as the discussion around music with her and Jay was a large part of their bond.
The balance between the three main perspectives were perfectly proportioned, and I like how they started to intentionally blend together (especially during the dance scene, where the perspectives overlapped) at the end of the book. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I do think that I am more likely to read Mexican Gothic by this author, but this was a fun (though sometimes stressful, though in an enjoyable way) read and I could see myself reread this in the future.
Nancy's character is the most vibrant of the three, as well as the most notorious. She is very fun to be following, even if you are completely disagreeing with what she is saying. Let's face it, Nancy is not a good person, and she is a bit delusional. However, none of this takes away from her impact.
Vera's character is very sweet, and she is pushed to her limit. In her perspective, we feel the setting of 1950s Hollywood the strongest. We discuss the racism and sexism of the time, and her relationships with every character is always interesting and has a purpose.
The balance between the three main perspectives were perfectly proportioned, and I like how they started to intentionally blend together (especially during the dance scene, where the perspectives overlapped) at the end of the book. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I do think that I am more likely to read Mexican Gothic by this author, but this was a fun (though sometimes stressful, though in an enjoyable way) read and I could see myself reread this in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, Murder
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Antisemitism
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
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
Really liked the author’s style of storytelling. There is a lot of back and forth between POVs, but I didn’t feel like it was too much. I do understand why the ending was written the way that it was, almost like the events happening were a blurry rush, but it felt a bit too rushed. Also, loved the tie-in with Old Hollywood - you can tell Moreno-Garcia did her research and wanted to make sure the story fit into the time.
i liked how the different narratives and POVs were interwoven, adding in historical elements and the like. rip the men tho
dark
mysterious
sad
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
I didn’t think I would like this book. It seemed confusing at first being told in so many different voices but I ended up really liking it. I liked how the stories and voices were entwined. I found it hard to put down in the end and I found each women’s story interesting, heartbreaking and relatable.
I’m glad I read the actual book and not a Kindle/Nook version.
I’m glad I read the actual book and not a Kindle/Nook version.