Reviews

Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures by Emma Straub

klaraperko's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

3.75

aoifes_bookshelf's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.5

owil107's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Antisemitism and Drug abuse

cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition

4.0

Recommended by staffer Andrea. Read her review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/501148430

Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Slaura+lamont%27s+life+in+pictures+Straub__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl

carmen's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

andreamontoro's review against another edition

2.0

This was between one and two stars for me, but I was generous and went for two. Man is this book boring.

The story of Elsa Emerson-turned-Laura Lamont could have been so rich in character and historical detail. Instead, this reads as a really dry Wikipedia page on some Old Hollywood figure. We're told how Laura feels, but she is one cool customer, and any deep emotions she might feel don't leave the page. What would be huge events in a person's life are skimmed over with clinical detachment.

I really enjoyed the author's latest book, THE VACATIONERS. Based on this, I would suggest new readers start with that and wait for future publications. Straub's backlist isn't worth it.

mallegar's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lola425's review against another edition

3.0

Straub really captured the era of the Big Studio era very competently. I particularly liked how she skipped through time. Many authors would have tried to be completists and given us every last detail of Laura Lamont's career. Straub just hit the high(and low)lights, but still painted a compelling picture of Elsa/Laura. Laura's troubles with her son felt tacked on, I didn't get particularly invested in the relationship, mainly because I don't think her son was as fully drawn as the other characters.

memphisholli's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lexiee_flores's review

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5