blevins's review
4.0
I'm a fan of Wagner's Hollywood set tales of misfits, outcasts, castoffs, wannabees, no hopers, insiders, and other assorted California types. This is no different. Get out your dictionary to look words up as you read this, ha. I'd like to see Wagner step out of his element soon and try something kind of different.
murakamiangel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hollywood tragedy writes itself
the power of parental units
the power of parental units
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
charliemudd's review against another edition
5.0
I definitely shouldn't have loved this book as much as I did -- I read it in 3 or 4 sittings. The writing seemed over-fancy at first, like Wagner was trying too hard; but after 10 or 20 pages I relaxed, gave into it, and really enjoyed his style. The story crashed along and I couldn't wait to see what happened next -- it also had just enough cameos and references to actual people to make it feel like it really happened. Main character is Bertie, son of Starwatch (aka Star Trek) creator, who has two other friends both kids of even famouser parents -- Clea, daughter of a Marilyn Monroe character and Thad, son of asshole Pulitzer prize dad (maybe Mailer crossed with Faulkner). Thad is a famous actor and frustrated writer, Clea is a semi-famous actor and frustrated addict, and they end up in a tragic relationship.
gotterdammerung's review against another edition
3.0
The typical Wagner novel, but with the most heart compared to the savage Dead Stars and the clumsy Still Holding. The tragic structure makes The Chrysanthemum Palace more plot centric than the ambitious Dead Stars and more coherent than Still Holding. The best book of Wagner to recommend to newcomers.
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