Reviews

All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani

readwithpitties's review against another edition

5.0

I Loved this book! I was 30% into when I picked it up tonight and I couldn't put down till I was finished! I have now fallen in love with miss Loretta young and can't wait to indulge my self in her movies! I have also put Judys book on my to read list to learn more about Loretta young and Clark gable

sharppointysticks's review against another edition

2.0

Ok, so I had no idea what this book was about when I started listening to it. I checked it out from the library because I had read The Shoemaker's Wife and thought I had enjoyed it (when I looked back at my review I realized that I thought it was just ok).

Once I started listening I thought it was a pretty interesting story set in a time that I don't know much about (1930s). Then I started reading reviews on here and started having some conflicted feelings about reading a romanticized version of Gable/Young's relationship. I understand that this is a fictional accounting, but the characters are based on real people. I had very mixed feelings while listening to the second half of the book once I read this article: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/loretta-young-date-raped-clark-gable-relative-article-1.2290866

maddietenknives's review against another edition

3.0

A little schmaltzy for me but definitely a tear-jerker. But I must say that the factual inaccuracies did take me out of it occasionally. Beyond the facts of Loretta Young’s “relationship” with Gable which only really came to light after the book was published, to say that the only two women in Spencer Tracy’s life were his wife and Loretta Young is completely laughable. Hellooooo, Katherine Hepburn??? Like, I know it’s fictional, but come on. Otherwise I did honestly like the characterization and how pretty much every main character makes huge, life-changing mistakes that don’t necessarily get fixed. That feels true to me.

cherjbb_55's review against another edition

3.0

I was curious to read this fictionalized account of the relationship between Loretta Young and Clark Gable which resulted in a 'love child' way back in the 1930's. It was interesting to read about the lengths that these stars would go to (having the child in secret and then 'adopting' her own daughter) in order to stay in the good graces of the big studio bosses. Evidently just about everyone in Hollywood knew who the child's birth parents were, but nothing was ever said. This would of course NEVER happen today. There wasn't much mystery involved in the story, because the facts are widely known. I would like to know if Alda, Loretta's secretary, was based on an actual person since a great deal of the story is told from her vantage point.
I did enjoy the book and believe that anyone who enjoys reading about the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood should add this to their TBR list.

kwillen's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

mindfullibrarian's review against another edition

3.0

I adored her Lucia Lucia and the Valentine books.... this one was fine, but it felt like there was just too much time/material to be covered..... it's a 3 because I liked reading it, but not any higher because I probably won't be telling friends they have to go read it.

beelovesreading's review against another edition

4.0

I know a lot of people disliked the book due to the infamy behind what really happened between Loretta and Clark, but for me I really enjoyed the book. I didn't take anything in it as gospel, I mean there's a scene written about a take they do in the film Call of the Wild, which the director says is perfect, but it's not actually in the film.

Some of it is definitely true, but it definitely was more of a fiction. At least, in my opinion. If anyone is thinking this is a good look into their relationship, they're wrong. I did enjoy it, though.

kelseymck's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

laurenqt's review against another edition

4.0

I really liked it. Wished there was more about Alda because I liked her character most.

danidesantis's review against another edition

3.0

Maybe a 3.5