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bibliocat4's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure I loved the idea of a fictional story based off a real hollywood story
readingonfordearlife's review against another edition
2.0
All the Stars in the Heavens is a dramatic saga set during the 1930s in Hollywood, and is based on the true life love affair of starlet Loretta Young and movie star Clark Gable. Interwoven in this tale is also the story of Alda Ducci, who is forced to leave a convent before taking her vows as a nun, and winds up working as Loretta's secretary. The book is epic in scope, spanning from before Loretta and Clark work together on The Call of the Wild and stretching to both their deaths, decades later.
I so wanted to enjoy this novel. I have always been mesmerized with the classic movies and the actors and actresses from Hollywood's golden age. The story is a great premise for a romantic historical fiction plot. Trigiani's attempt fell short of the mark, in my eyes. I have not read this author before, but as a first time reader of her work, I would not describe her as a "masterful storyteller," as the book jacket does. The pace of the novel was plodding and the writing felt scattered, as if the author were trying to fit too many ideas about Hollywood and movies and art and life into its pages. Trigiani also attempted to vary perspectives, and did not do so well in this book. Though the whole book was written in 3rd person omniscient, the author jumped from one character's thoughts to the next quickly at times, and the result was a lack of true depth for most of the characters. I found most of the book to be rather boring, except for when Loretta and Clark began filming their first movie together and the love affair began. Otherwise, the story moved very slowly. I think the book could have been shortened by about 150 pages, and that Trigiani could have included important later events in an epilogue. There are other larger-than-life movie actors that appear as characters, but most of them do not enhance the storyline--it often felt that Trigiani was simply name-dropping to catch the reader's attention.
All in all, unless you are a Gable or Young enthusiast, I would probably skip this one and just watch some of their movies instead.
I so wanted to enjoy this novel. I have always been mesmerized with the classic movies and the actors and actresses from Hollywood's golden age. The story is a great premise for a romantic historical fiction plot. Trigiani's attempt fell short of the mark, in my eyes. I have not read this author before, but as a first time reader of her work, I would not describe her as a "masterful storyteller," as the book jacket does. The pace of the novel was plodding and the writing felt scattered, as if the author were trying to fit too many ideas about Hollywood and movies and art and life into its pages. Trigiani also attempted to vary perspectives, and did not do so well in this book. Though the whole book was written in 3rd person omniscient, the author jumped from one character's thoughts to the next quickly at times, and the result was a lack of true depth for most of the characters. I found most of the book to be rather boring, except for when Loretta and Clark began filming their first movie together and the love affair began. Otherwise, the story moved very slowly. I think the book could have been shortened by about 150 pages, and that Trigiani could have included important later events in an epilogue. There are other larger-than-life movie actors that appear as characters, but most of them do not enhance the storyline--it often felt that Trigiani was simply name-dropping to catch the reader's attention.
All in all, unless you are a Gable or Young enthusiast, I would probably skip this one and just watch some of their movies instead.
maisiesmom's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jerzgrl626's review against another edition
4.0
Yet again, another wonderful read by Trigiani! I enjoyed how she took real life people and events and wove them into a story and even still managed to tie Italy into the book. It was also fun to learn about the golden age of the movie industry and all of the Hollywood stars of the time.
leslies1212's review against another edition
2.0
As the author points out, this is all fiction except the names and the fact that Loretta Young and Clark Gable had a child. I enjoyed the first few pages of descriptions of movie sets in 1930's, but it quickly devolved to Loretta Young alternately reminding herself of her independence and whining about her loneliness/yearning for Clark Gable. I skimmed through the last 100 pages. Way too long and not very interesting.
lucyames's review
3.0
This novel romanticizes what Loretta Young herself said to be date rape. There were parts of it that were very lyrically and beautifully written, but I cannot get past how the author romanticized sexual assault. It is supposed to be fiction, but I think that when you take on a case like this, you have to write it truthfully and not turn it into a bittersweet love story.
jakreamer's review against another edition
2.0
This novel is a piece of garbage. Clark Gable was not a "good" guy. In fact, Loretta Young lived her entire life in fear of the real story about their daughter getting out and not only ruining her but Gable's career. It wasn't until 1998 that Ms. Young revealed to her daughter-in-law that she did not have an affair with Gable. In fact, he date-raped her on the way home from filming The Call of The Wild. I beg of you all to not read this novel!!! If you want the real story I suggest reading this article that was published last summer.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/annehelenpetersen/loretta-young?utm_term=.kpnvvpRGPW#.xmEyy9LG1d
The article is heartbreaking to read because Young was not the only starlet forced to go to great lengths to hide a pregnancy, especially one that comes from these circumstances. I was disgusted to see Loretta Young reduced to a simpering woman whose greatest regret in life was not marrying Gable in this novel. Not to mention the shade thrown at Norma Shearer. It was unbearable to read and I wish the story had been more balanced instead of so in favor of Gable and his behavior.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/annehelenpetersen/loretta-young?utm_term=.kpnvvpRGPW#.xmEyy9LG1d
The article is heartbreaking to read because Young was not the only starlet forced to go to great lengths to hide a pregnancy, especially one that comes from these circumstances. I was disgusted to see Loretta Young reduced to a simpering woman whose greatest regret in life was not marrying Gable in this novel. Not to mention the shade thrown at Norma Shearer. It was unbearable to read and I wish the story had been more balanced instead of so in favor of Gable and his behavior.
jhv_1984's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
sarasand253's review against another edition
3.0
Too long. Too much time spent describing what the characters were thinking or feeling without any dialogue. Too much liberty taken with the lives of real people. I liked the descriptions of old Hollywood and the behind-the-scenes view of filming, but I never really connected with any character but Alda, who was left out of much of the book. I think it might have gone better if the author had told the entire story from Alda's perspective, instead of spending so much time inside the heads of other characters.
colleenlovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
Find my full review at http://aliteraryvacation.blogspot.com.
Ah, the glitz and glamour of tinseltown! Who doesn't love the exquisite costumes and makeup, lavish set designs and larger than life personalities of the golden age of Hollywood? I've spent many an hour curled up watching old black and white movies, marveling at the splendor on the screen and own a copy of Gone with the Wind - my favorite movie of all time - in every possible format I can get my hands on so I always have it ready to watch wherever I am. But given this perfection and the powerful emotions drawing the performers together, what happened when the cameras stopped rolling and real-life began? All the Stars in the Heavens tackles not only the beauty of Hollywood during this magical time but the very real and very flawed people who inhabited it.
The story is told in the third person and jumps relatively rapidly from one person's perspective to the other. While this could be confusing at times, once I got used to it I found it a wonderful way to see inside the lives and heads of a large number of players. While the bulk of the focus is on Loretta Young and her secretary, Alda Ducci, the reader also sees into the hearts of a host of other characters, including some pretty famous names such as David Niven, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy. These characters in particular, along with Loretta's mother, sisters and a few others, are wonderfully developed and the dialogue between them is brilliant and witty and feels right out of one of those wonderful movies these people inhabited. There are a number of other high profile names sprinkled throughout this hefty story that seem more used for background development and name dropping than to actually showcase the people behind the names, but the main characters are all developed into incredibly real, flawed people. And oh how flawed they are!
I find it amazing that Adriana Trigiani was able to give me these characters with some serious imperfections in personality and still make me love them. The men are especially selfish and unfaithful - I can't think of one male character, save a few priests, that didn't in fact cheat on the women they were romantically involved with - but somehow their humor, caring hearts and/or their dedication to their careers make them endearing even when you know they are not the type of men any woman would want to marry. The women have their own lapses in judgement and many seem to trade partners and husbands like they might dresses, but their love for family, passions and even religion seemed to shine through the muck they made in their personal lives to make them very real and very endearing. This would include the big "secret" Loretta keeps from most everyone for more years than seems possible and that Alda helps her orchestrate. While I can't say I agree with many of the choices she made her heart was clearly in the right place and she did the best she could given her experiences and the times she lived in.
On top of the wonderful characters, my favorite aspect of All the Stars in the Heavens would have to be the great attention and detail given to the development of the settings. Every small detail that went into the making of a movie - from painting and rigging the settings, dressing and making up the stars, filming on locations on and off lots, negotiating contracts, press junkets and fans, and so much more - are shown to the reader so it is impossible to not feel completely enmeshed in the process. The homes and locations, from Italy to California to a snow-covered mountain in Washington State, are all perfectly presented so the reader can see it all right before them.
This is the first novel I've read by Adriana Trigiani and I am so glad I started with this one. While there might be almost too much development of the many characters and settings throughout this epic novel, it is all and all a wonderful immersion into a particularly fascinating time and place in American history and culture. I not only feel like I was presented with a wonderful story but a better understanding of what it took to make a movie at the dawn of modern cinema. With as much attention as was given to the many people involved I very much wish the author had included a detailed author note at the end of the novel to help me navigate what portions and people are true to history and what was created to advance the story. Even without this I am now ready to delve even further into the history of this golden age in movies and I look forward to reading more by the author as well.
Ah, the glitz and glamour of tinseltown! Who doesn't love the exquisite costumes and makeup, lavish set designs and larger than life personalities of the golden age of Hollywood? I've spent many an hour curled up watching old black and white movies, marveling at the splendor on the screen and own a copy of Gone with the Wind - my favorite movie of all time - in every possible format I can get my hands on so I always have it ready to watch wherever I am. But given this perfection and the powerful emotions drawing the performers together, what happened when the cameras stopped rolling and real-life began? All the Stars in the Heavens tackles not only the beauty of Hollywood during this magical time but the very real and very flawed people who inhabited it.
The story is told in the third person and jumps relatively rapidly from one person's perspective to the other. While this could be confusing at times, once I got used to it I found it a wonderful way to see inside the lives and heads of a large number of players. While the bulk of the focus is on Loretta Young and her secretary, Alda Ducci, the reader also sees into the hearts of a host of other characters, including some pretty famous names such as David Niven, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy. These characters in particular, along with Loretta's mother, sisters and a few others, are wonderfully developed and the dialogue between them is brilliant and witty and feels right out of one of those wonderful movies these people inhabited. There are a number of other high profile names sprinkled throughout this hefty story that seem more used for background development and name dropping than to actually showcase the people behind the names, but the main characters are all developed into incredibly real, flawed people. And oh how flawed they are!
I find it amazing that Adriana Trigiani was able to give me these characters with some serious imperfections in personality and still make me love them. The men are especially selfish and unfaithful - I can't think of one male character, save a few priests, that didn't in fact cheat on the women they were romantically involved with - but somehow their humor, caring hearts and/or their dedication to their careers make them endearing even when you know they are not the type of men any woman would want to marry. The women have their own lapses in judgement and many seem to trade partners and husbands like they might dresses, but their love for family, passions and even religion seemed to shine through the muck they made in their personal lives to make them very real and very endearing. This would include the big "secret" Loretta keeps from most everyone for more years than seems possible and that Alda helps her orchestrate. While I can't say I agree with many of the choices she made her heart was clearly in the right place and she did the best she could given her experiences and the times she lived in.
On top of the wonderful characters, my favorite aspect of All the Stars in the Heavens would have to be the great attention and detail given to the development of the settings. Every small detail that went into the making of a movie - from painting and rigging the settings, dressing and making up the stars, filming on locations on and off lots, negotiating contracts, press junkets and fans, and so much more - are shown to the reader so it is impossible to not feel completely enmeshed in the process. The homes and locations, from Italy to California to a snow-covered mountain in Washington State, are all perfectly presented so the reader can see it all right before them.
This is the first novel I've read by Adriana Trigiani and I am so glad I started with this one. While there might be almost too much development of the many characters and settings throughout this epic novel, it is all and all a wonderful immersion into a particularly fascinating time and place in American history and culture. I not only feel like I was presented with a wonderful story but a better understanding of what it took to make a movie at the dawn of modern cinema. With as much attention as was given to the many people involved I very much wish the author had included a detailed author note at the end of the novel to help me navigate what portions and people are true to history and what was created to advance the story. Even without this I am now ready to delve even further into the history of this golden age in movies and I look forward to reading more by the author as well.