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dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an interesting concept! The author interweaves the story of Salome with the story of two young budding actresses in the Golden age of Hollywood, desperate to play the role in a new film. Just like in the story of Salome, there is a love-triangle, with an extra somewhat cunning side character with few scruples. Culture/Race/Religious relations are highlighted throughout both stories and come to a head (too on the nose?).
The author changes narrator between Salome, Vera, and Nancy throughout with interjections of celebrity tabloid reports and documentary like interview monologues from side characters reflecting on a mysterious tragedy that took place while filming. The shifting perspective creates intrigue into what will happen/happened at the conclusion of filming and which of the lovely budding actresses is at fault? What act will their desperation lead them to perform and who else will be dragged into the drama.
One question plagues me after finishing the text... It is clear that Nancy is tied to the crime, why would she not face punishment of any nature? Conspiracy to murder at a minimum... Was that not a thing back then?
The author changes narrator between Salome, Vera, and Nancy throughout with interjections of celebrity tabloid reports and documentary like interview monologues from side characters reflecting on a mysterious tragedy that took place while filming. The shifting perspective creates intrigue into what will happen/happened at the conclusion of filming and which of the lovely budding actresses is at fault? What act will their desperation lead them to perform and who else will be dragged into the drama.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Gun violence, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Classism
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Outing, Cultural appropriation
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Blood, Antisemitism, Alcohol
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I received a copy of the book from Quercus Books in exchange for an honest review**
CW: racism, racial slurs, sexism, sexual harassment, infidelity, mild sexual content, gun violence, murder, alcohol, drugs, emotional abuse, toxic relationship
--
No matter the genre Silvia Moreno-Garcia will hands down sweep you away with her eloquent writing style and evocative characters.
The Seventh Veil of Salome is a historical drama that beautifully fuses the stories of 3 women during the Golden Era of Hollywood. Vera Larios, a young Mexican woman who has landed the lead role in the next blockbuster, Nancy Hartley a seasoned bit player who feels like she has been snubbed for said role and the biblical figure of Salome who is the central character in the film.
Much like the tale of Salome it is made clear from the get go that this book is a tragedy so there is also an air of mystery that unfurls, and additional interview segments from supporting characters slotted within the storyline give us little insights into Vera and Nancy’s lives leading us through everything that goes down.
It took me maybe 100 pages or so to actually get into the story as it is definitely on the slower side when it comes to pacing but the narrative meticulously immerses you into the setting through the eyes, experiences and emotions of the characters, fantastically bringing 1950’s LA to life.
Through the third person perspectives of the two actresses we see the industry in all its glitz and glamour as well as the glumness and the grudges. Moreno-Garcia seamlessly blends together fact and fiction, mentioning titbits from actual history and real life figures that set the scene as much as all the descriptions do. Plus there isn’t any shying away from all the racism, sexism and white privilege that shaped all the gossip and scheming of the time.
Salome’s story also plays out alongside all of this again in third person perspective essentially bringing the film script to life and it was the part of the book that I was most taken away by. I segued into reading the original Oscar Wilde play that the book and fictional film title were lifted from and the interpretation and expansion of her story is so enticing and well done it kept me hooked all the way through.
As expected the relationships within the book were fantastically developed and explored. There is a parallel with the toxic relationships – both familial and romantic – that surround and shape all three of the protagonists that connects their stories all the more.
I think everything did wrap up a little too abruptly after the fallout, which led to it not hitting as hard as it could have but this was a worthwhile read all the same.
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
**I received a copy of the book from Quercus Books in exchange for an honest review**
CW: racism, racial slurs, sexism, sexual harassment, infidelity, mild sexual content, gun violence, murder, alcohol, drugs, emotional abuse, toxic relationship
--
No matter the genre Silvia Moreno-Garcia will hands down sweep you away with her eloquent writing style and evocative characters.
The Seventh Veil of Salome is a historical drama that beautifully fuses the stories of 3 women during the Golden Era of Hollywood. Vera Larios, a young Mexican woman who has landed the lead role in the next blockbuster, Nancy Hartley a seasoned bit player who feels like she has been snubbed for said role and the biblical figure of Salome who is the central character in the film.
Much like the tale of Salome it is made clear from the get go that this book is a tragedy so there is also an air of mystery that unfurls, and additional interview segments from supporting characters slotted within the storyline give us little insights into Vera and Nancy’s lives leading us through everything that goes down.
It took me maybe 100 pages or so to actually get into the story as it is definitely on the slower side when it comes to pacing but the narrative meticulously immerses you into the setting through the eyes, experiences and emotions of the characters, fantastically bringing 1950’s LA to life.
Through the third person perspectives of the two actresses we see the industry in all its glitz and glamour as well as the glumness and the grudges. Moreno-Garcia seamlessly blends together fact and fiction, mentioning titbits from actual history and real life figures that set the scene as much as all the descriptions do. Plus there isn’t any shying away from all the racism, sexism and white privilege that shaped all the gossip and scheming of the time.
Salome’s story also plays out alongside all of this again in third person perspective essentially bringing the film script to life and it was the part of the book that I was most taken away by. I segued into reading the original Oscar Wilde play that the book and fictional film title were lifted from and the interpretation and expansion of her story is so enticing and well done it kept me hooked all the way through.
As expected the relationships within the book were fantastically developed and explored. There is a parallel with the toxic relationships – both familial and romantic – that surround and shape all three of the protagonists that connects their stories all the more.
I think everything did wrap up a little too abruptly after the fallout, which led to it not hitting as hard as it could have but this was a worthwhile read all the same.
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual content, Murder