Scan barcode
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Castellani's Leading Men is everything "biographical" fiction should be. I am a sucker for fiction with a biographical bent, maybe I am too lazy to read an in-depth biography or maybe I just prefer fiction, but for whatever reason, I will read anything fictional about a real-life subject, even if I often end up disappointed by a point by point rehashing of a subject's life with fanciful, but rarely fully fleshed out, fictional sidetrips.
Leading Men is a book that brings Frank Merlo vibrantly to life. In the process you learn about Tennessee Williams, you get a glimpse of Truman Capote, but this story is really about Frank. What is it like to be a helpmeet to a famous, and famously troubled, man? How do you inhabit that role when it is hidden in euphemism, unacknowledged by society? Frank Merlo was Williams' companion during the years when he wrote his most famous and enduring plays. That means something and yet you may never have known Frank Merlo's name if not Castellani bringing him to life. Castellani also does the nearly impossible--creating an original character around which to build Frank's story that feels real and completely of the story. You believe that Anya existed. She is not just plausible, but vital. That the true action of the book is set in gorgeous sun-drenched Italy, that you get a little frisson of rubbing elbows with the literary elite is a bonus.
Recommended for readers who don't think they like biographical fiction. This might change your mind.
Leading Men is a book that brings Frank Merlo vibrantly to life. In the process you learn about Tennessee Williams, you get a glimpse of Truman Capote, but this story is really about Frank. What is it like to be a helpmeet to a famous, and famously troubled, man? How do you inhabit that role when it is hidden in euphemism, unacknowledged by society? Frank Merlo was Williams' companion during the years when he wrote his most famous and enduring plays. That means something and yet you may never have known Frank Merlo's name if not Castellani bringing him to life. Castellani also does the nearly impossible--creating an original character around which to build Frank's story that feels real and completely of the story. You believe that Anya existed. She is not just plausible, but vital. That the true action of the book is set in gorgeous sun-drenched Italy, that you get a little frisson of rubbing elbows with the literary elite is a bonus.
Recommended for readers who don't think they like biographical fiction. This might change your mind.
albertthief's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-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
4.0
sully6's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
mileskeenan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
chloecc15's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
strahbary's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
sireno8's review against another edition
3.0
A brave and intriguing study of the inner waves of relationships- of both lovers and friends--and how they're impacted by ambition, talent and age. I loved the elastic quality of time - both haunting and healing -- that holds the story together. I also love the sense of desperation that seems to bubble under the surface of what most would consider and idyllic lifestyle. Also the ending is simple and perfect.
jomack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25