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morgan_s_312's review against another edition
3.0
It just didn't read as well as her others. A lot felt stilted and forced I guess? I don't know if it's because it was about people whose history we could look up easily and she was trying to not overdo it on conversations we can't know happened or not, or if it was just a problem. Or it was me!!
cammmiam's review against another edition
DNF - December 2015.
As someone who loves the previous work by this author, I am amazed by my reaction to her latest story. I thought this book was made for me, with my love of Old Hollywood, but I could not have been more wrong.
The characters are so incredibly wooden. It's as if since these are real people she couldn't be bothered to give them personalities. The dialogue also went on forever; this isn't a positive when the characters are so flat.
I hope Ms. Trigiani's future books return to historical fiction or contemporary fiction about Italian Americans and families because that is where she excels with character, dialogue, setting, emotions, etc. I cannot recommend this story at all.
As someone who loves the previous work by this author, I am amazed by my reaction to her latest story. I thought this book was made for me, with my love of Old Hollywood, but I could not have been more wrong.
The characters are so incredibly wooden. It's as if since these are real people she couldn't be bothered to give them personalities. The dialogue also went on forever; this isn't a positive when the characters are so flat.
I hope Ms. Trigiani's future books return to historical fiction or contemporary fiction about Italian Americans and families because that is where she excels with character, dialogue, setting, emotions, etc. I cannot recommend this story at all.
mrskreads84's review against another edition
3.0
I came across this book in one of my FB book groups, and the premise of it intrigued me. It’s based on Loretta Young (real name Gretchen) and her rise to fame in movies, radio, and television series during and after the golden age in Hollywood. Other famous stars of the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s included Clark Gable and his many love interests. I love stories of old Hollywood. This one, however, was rather heartbreaking.
The only reason for the 3
jalba18's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this book as an audio book and really enjoyed it. i know very little about classic movies or the actors but I knew enough to recognize the names and movies etc. It felt a little long at points which is why I didn't go for 5 stars but I felt like it deserved 4 because I found myself talking to people about the book and looking up more information about the characters. To me, that is a sign of a good book.
This is definitely written a little differently than most Adriana Trigliani books however so if you are someone who follows her writing, I would approach this one with different expectations.
This is definitely written a little differently than most Adriana Trigliani books however so if you are someone who follows her writing, I would approach this one with different expectations.
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
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
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.
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.