Scan barcode
joannastacey's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lisakerd's review against another edition
5.0
What an absolute treat this book was after growing up listening to Michael Ball as Raoul and Marius, and all the other timeless showtunes he sang! I can’t believe this was Ball’s debut novel, it was excellent. What absolutely made the book all the more special was listening to his flawless audiobook, each character uniquely portrayed vocally. I would definitely recommend the audiobook for this reason, the only strange thing was the long pauses between chapters (which had me checking more than once to see if the NetGalley app had shut down.)
Although the number of characters is formidable, if you can follow the many storylines in Downton Abbey, The Empire’s large cast is doable. The storyline does require concentration to keep all the pieces straight, and I’m not sure if I would have liked it quite as much if it hadn’t been for Michael Ball’s notoriety and entertaining narration.
Overall, a delightful listen. As a musical theatre performer myself, I was absolutely tickled by Ball’s love letter to theatre which is this novel!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Although the number of characters is formidable, if you can follow the many storylines in Downton Abbey, The Empire’s large cast is doable. The storyline does require concentration to keep all the pieces straight, and I’m not sure if I would have liked it quite as much if it hadn’t been for Michael Ball’s notoriety and entertaining narration.
Overall, a delightful listen. As a musical theatre performer myself, I was absolutely tickled by Ball’s love letter to theatre which is this novel!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
abookaddictsbookshelves's review
3.0
*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley*
The Empire Theatre is owned by the recently widowed Lady Lassiter. Leaving for America to mourn, the running of the theatre is left to the staff, some of whom do not wish to see the theatre do well. There are even people in the town that plot to take the Empire for themselves.
When Jack Treadwell turns up at the Empire following the suggestion of his deceased mother, he finds himself flung into a new and exciting life working at the theatre.
At the Empire, Jack makes friendships and works to save the theatre. All the while, secrets and plotting threaten to ruin everything the staff are working for.
As a fan of the author, I was intrigued to see what their debut novel would be like and it did end up surprising me.
There were a lot of characters introduced at once, which I did find a little confusing. Jack Treadwell was possibly the character that had the most runtime so to speak. He was a war veteran who had recently returned back to the UK after being in France. I liked his relationships with the other characters.
Whilst I didn't particularly have a favourite character, I did like that there was a variety of different characters with different backgrounds and motives. However, some of them did seem a bit two dimensional.
One of my favourite dynamics in the book ended up being between Joe and Agnes, which I hadn't expected at the beginning.
The setting of the 1920s was interesting, and the time period affected the story line.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention throughout. There were several events that surprised me, and more layers to the novel than I expected. However, I was never gripped or sucked into the plot.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
The Empire Theatre is owned by the recently widowed Lady Lassiter. Leaving for America to mourn, the running of the theatre is left to the staff, some of whom do not wish to see the theatre do well. There are even people in the town that plot to take the Empire for themselves.
When Jack Treadwell turns up at the Empire following the suggestion of his deceased mother, he finds himself flung into a new and exciting life working at the theatre.
At the Empire, Jack makes friendships and works to save the theatre. All the while, secrets and plotting threaten to ruin everything the staff are working for.
As a fan of the author, I was intrigued to see what their debut novel would be like and it did end up surprising me.
There were a lot of characters introduced at once, which I did find a little confusing. Jack Treadwell was possibly the character that had the most runtime so to speak. He was a war veteran who had recently returned back to the UK after being in France. I liked his relationships with the other characters.
Whilst I didn't particularly have a favourite character, I did like that there was a variety of different characters with different backgrounds and motives. However, some of them did seem a bit two dimensional.
One of my favourite dynamics in the book ended up being between Joe and Agnes, which I hadn't expected at the beginning.
The setting of the 1920s was interesting, and the time period affected the story line.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention throughout. There were several events that surprised me, and more layers to the novel than I expected. However, I was never gripped or sucked into the plot.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
nerdvanafandomheart's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shell_hazell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
flatwhite's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Too many characters and I lost count of them by the mid way.
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
Look. No one is saying Michael Ball isn't an absolute legend, because he is. I've adored everything I've ever heard or seen him do, and Ball and Boe are permanently on my Christmas wish list. In fact, let me just run and see if this year's CD is showing up online yet...yes! Together in Vegas! Awesome!
Right, where was I?
Right, right! The Empire. Michael obviously has a deep, deep love of theatres and the people who populate them. The scenes set backstage are amazing. The characters are great. The fact that the bad guy is only a bad guy because he loves theatre a bit too much - wonderful. I want very much to see Hamlet!!! - I wonder if the RSC are showing anywhere near me any time soon?
However, the shenanigans were not my favourite part of the story. The prologue introduces us, very rapidly, to a lot of people who will later be varying levels of important to the story. In my proof copy, there's no spaces or definition between people, so one line is about Jack and the next is about Lillian and it took me a minute to catch up each time. Likewise, there's a cast list at the start, but in my proof it's all messed up so I couldn't track who each person was. Neither of these will be a problem in the finished copy, of course. The first half also goes by much slower than the first while pieces are being moved into place, but once it takes off it really takes off and by the end I was quite out of breath.
I don't know how closely Michael based the characters on people he's known - I'd be interested to learn who Usher might be! - but if this does ever get filmed, and I think it would be perfect for a Christmas evening movie, I'd like to suggest Michael as Ivor. He could do it perfectly!
I really did enjoy this, and I look forward to reading more in the series. I really don't know how Michael fits everything in!
Right, where was I?
Right, right! The Empire. Michael obviously has a deep, deep love of theatres and the people who populate them. The scenes set backstage are amazing. The characters are great. The fact that the bad guy is only a bad guy because he loves theatre a bit too much - wonderful. I want very much to see Hamlet!!! - I wonder if the RSC are showing anywhere near me any time soon?
However, the shenanigans were not my favourite part of the story. The prologue introduces us, very rapidly, to a lot of people who will later be varying levels of important to the story. In my proof copy, there's no spaces or definition between people, so one line is about Jack and the next is about Lillian and it took me a minute to catch up each time. Likewise, there's a cast list at the start, but in my proof it's all messed up so I couldn't track who each person was. Neither of these will be a problem in the finished copy, of course. The first half also goes by much slower than the first while pieces are being moved into place, but once it takes off it really takes off and by the end I was quite out of breath.
I don't know how closely Michael based the characters on people he's known - I'd be interested to learn who Usher might be! - but if this does ever get filmed, and I think it would be perfect for a Christmas evening movie, I'd like to suggest Michael as Ivor. He could do it perfectly!
I really did enjoy this, and I look forward to reading more in the series. I really don't know how Michael fits everything in!
jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
The Empire is the story of a theatre, of it’s productions, it’s history, it’s owners and it’s actors and actresses, stage hands, doorman, right down to the man who sells the tickets.
Jack Treadwell has spent the immediate years after the First World War in Paris. Now he returns home. He finds something at The Empire and he is drawn into the world of theatre both from the audience side and behind the stage. A world he never knew existed and could be part of.
Grace Hawkins is the managers assistant, but the manager is rather lacking and it seems a lot of the work falls to Grace. Even more so when she finds herself rewriting the most dreadful production of Macbeth.
Add in Stella the leading lady, Lance the heartthrob, Bill the washed up variety act, Ruby the musician, Evie the fading star and Lady Laisster a former showgirl herself and part owner of The Empire.
Whilst the show must go on, there is much else that is happening within the theatre and the book. The list of characters at the beginning is somewhat daunting (always completely useless I find when reading only kindle) and I waivered about carrying on as it seemed there was too many people and too much to fit in. I didn’t waiver and got consumed by life in the theatre and the romance of working on a production.
Of course it was never going to be easy. Rivalries both family and business do not seem to be resolved and there is an undercurrent of gangsters and the after affects of a war that are still being felt by everyone. With drama and romance comes humour and this is obviously an affectionate look at life in a theatre in age gone past. It was a great look at the past and anything which has a ‘behind the scenes’ element always will hold an interest for me. But too much was packed into this book, and at times it wasn’t clear where the focus was meant to be in terms of plot. That left me feeling a bit seen off when some of the more minor characters could have been fleshed out and added to the main plot line. Perhaps secondary lots could have been left for future books especially when the ending was as spectacular as it was.
This is Michael Ball’s debut novel and I understand we will get to know more about all these characters in a follow up. The cynic in me is never sure when famous (for something other than writing fiction) people start churning out novels. However, I could quite easily forget all that to be absorb in a good story to escape from the reality of everything around us – which is what going to theatre has always done. On that note, it is a job well done.
Jack Treadwell has spent the immediate years after the First World War in Paris. Now he returns home. He finds something at The Empire and he is drawn into the world of theatre both from the audience side and behind the stage. A world he never knew existed and could be part of.
Grace Hawkins is the managers assistant, but the manager is rather lacking and it seems a lot of the work falls to Grace. Even more so when she finds herself rewriting the most dreadful production of Macbeth.
Add in Stella the leading lady, Lance the heartthrob, Bill the washed up variety act, Ruby the musician, Evie the fading star and Lady Laisster a former showgirl herself and part owner of The Empire.
Whilst the show must go on, there is much else that is happening within the theatre and the book. The list of characters at the beginning is somewhat daunting (always completely useless I find when reading only kindle) and I waivered about carrying on as it seemed there was too many people and too much to fit in. I didn’t waiver and got consumed by life in the theatre and the romance of working on a production.
Of course it was never going to be easy. Rivalries both family and business do not seem to be resolved and there is an undercurrent of gangsters and the after affects of a war that are still being felt by everyone. With drama and romance comes humour and this is obviously an affectionate look at life in a theatre in age gone past. It was a great look at the past and anything which has a ‘behind the scenes’ element always will hold an interest for me. But too much was packed into this book, and at times it wasn’t clear where the focus was meant to be in terms of plot. That left me feeling a bit seen off when some of the more minor characters could have been fleshed out and added to the main plot line. Perhaps secondary lots could have been left for future books especially when the ending was as spectacular as it was.
This is Michael Ball’s debut novel and I understand we will get to know more about all these characters in a follow up. The cynic in me is never sure when famous (for something other than writing fiction) people start churning out novels. However, I could quite easily forget all that to be absorb in a good story to escape from the reality of everything around us – which is what going to theatre has always done. On that note, it is a job well done.
booksbybindu's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn’t sure what I was really expecting from this book as there have been a host of celebrities releasing books this year but it was the premise that hooked me into giving it a go - theatre based in the 1920s, which is my favourite era for historical novels! I was extremely surprised to find a book that was filled with warmth, fun, brilliant characters and a plot that kept you engaged! For a debut novel this was a great start to Michael Ball’s writing career and he has used his experience from his amazing theatre life to aplomb. I also read the whole book with his voice and I can see why he also narrated the audiobook as I can’t imagine anyone else doing it. It’s clear that Michael has taken his passion and love from the theatre and thrust it into this story and it works exceedingly well!
When Jack returns from his war experience, his parents having died with the Spanish flu he finds himself at a loss. He is directed to ask at The Empire theatre for work as his late mother once worked with the owner Lady Lassiter. Jack arrives during a rehearsal and is instantly mesmerised by it. Not just with the acting but the people behind the scenes and the life in general! There are the stars Stella and Lance but it seems that it is Grace who basically runs the show who has stolen Jack’s heart. However, the Empire is struggling since Sir Lassiter died and it rivals are hitting where it hurts. Will Jack and Grace save the day and more importantly admit their feelings…
Who couldn’t love the characters in this book?! We have a mix of social strata’s ranging from the Lassiter’s down to Jack and Grace. There are a lot of them, there is a handy guide at the start of the book, but once you grasp onto them you don’t let go! But it was the way that the social issues of the day were weaved into the stories of the characters that I loved. We have the spunky flapper types - independent, fun and fierce in their ambitions, the lasting affects of the war on Jack and Danny and we even have nods to the increase of machinery in factories leading to the lose of jobs. It’s clear someone has done their research!
I flew through this book and it can only be a testimony to how much I enjoyed it! I’m hoping that this may turn out to be a series but even if it doesn’t I enjoyed my time at the Empire.
When Jack returns from his war experience, his parents having died with the Spanish flu he finds himself at a loss. He is directed to ask at The Empire theatre for work as his late mother once worked with the owner Lady Lassiter. Jack arrives during a rehearsal and is instantly mesmerised by it. Not just with the acting but the people behind the scenes and the life in general! There are the stars Stella and Lance but it seems that it is Grace who basically runs the show who has stolen Jack’s heart. However, the Empire is struggling since Sir Lassiter died and it rivals are hitting where it hurts. Will Jack and Grace save the day and more importantly admit their feelings…
Who couldn’t love the characters in this book?! We have a mix of social strata’s ranging from the Lassiter’s down to Jack and Grace. There are a lot of them, there is a handy guide at the start of the book, but once you grasp onto them you don’t let go! But it was the way that the social issues of the day were weaved into the stories of the characters that I loved. We have the spunky flapper types - independent, fun and fierce in their ambitions, the lasting affects of the war on Jack and Danny and we even have nods to the increase of machinery in factories leading to the lose of jobs. It’s clear someone has done their research!
I flew through this book and it can only be a testimony to how much I enjoyed it! I’m hoping that this may turn out to be a series but even if it doesn’t I enjoyed my time at the Empire.