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ncostell's review
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
spiderman15's review
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Mr. Turnbull isn't John Irving or E.L. Doctorow, but I'm sure he knows that and has no pretentions to write "The Great American Novel". What he does is write interesting stories about Hollywood in its Golden Age. The period is depicted flawlessly and his protagonists capture the readers attention. Can't ask for much more.
littlebird113's review against another edition
4.0
These books are period pieces, lovely little romps through classic Hollywood, and completely not the sort of thing I should like. But Turnbull so clearly loves his characters and his subject matter you cant help but get swept up and delighted. I really do adore them.
lah_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This book had some good moments, but it just doesn't compare to the previous book in the series.
The author continued with the habit of telling instead of showing while skipping the timeline a bit awkwardly, and telling the readers about things after the fact through narration instead of letting us experience it with the characters (especially frustrating toward the end when a character makes an observation about missing someone she's been spending time for the last few months after meeting up with him during a trip that wasn't included in the story).
Unlike the first book, there weren't any really exciting moments. It was just the three main characters hanging out with celebrities while trying to make their way in Hollywood. I even started to find Gwendolyn tiresome as she seemed to forget that she swore to herself in the first book that she would make it into show business on talent. It was disappointing, to say the least.
I do have to say that I love Marcus. If I continue to read the series, it will be primarily because he's a wonderful character, and I want to see where the books take him. I'm also curious to see how Kathryn's story continues and I'm hopeful that Gwendolyn comes to her senses and turns back into the character I loved so much in the first book.
I don't know for certain if I'll pick up book 3. Maybe in the future, but I think I need to take a break from this one for a bit. I'll have to try to remember them this summer when I need something light and quick.
The author continued with the habit of telling instead of showing while skipping the timeline a bit awkwardly, and telling the readers about things after the fact through narration instead of letting us experience it with the characters (especially frustrating toward the end when a character makes an observation about missing someone she's been spending time for the last few months after meeting up with him during a trip that wasn't included in the story).
Unlike the first book, there weren't any really exciting moments. It was just the three main characters hanging out with celebrities while trying to make their way in Hollywood. I even started to find Gwendolyn tiresome as she seemed to forget that she swore to herself in the first book that she would make it into show business on talent. It was disappointing, to say the least.
I do have to say that I love Marcus. If I continue to read the series, it will be primarily because he's a wonderful character, and I want to see where the books take him. I'm also curious to see how Kathryn's story continues and I'm hopeful that Gwendolyn comes to her senses and turns back into the character I loved so much in the first book.
I don't know for certain if I'll pick up book 3. Maybe in the future, but I think I need to take a break from this one for a bit. I'll have to try to remember them this summer when I need something light and quick.
laurabug65's review against another edition
5.0
"Have you ever wanted to climb into a time machine and visit Hollywood during its heyday?" Yes! Yes, I have! For as long as I can remember!
That's the quote that drew me to this book, along with a life-long fascination about "Gone with the Wind" and the making of the movie. It's the stuff of legend.
Martin Turnbull has succeeded in doing what would seem to be the impossible - transporting readers to the Golden Age of Hollywood with a story that has it's main characters mixing and mingling with the people and at the places all classic movie-aholics have heard about for so many years.
The story of the search for Scarlett, once it was announced a movie would be made from the bestselling book, ate up yards of print in publications as the speculation of who would be cast in the iconic role started immediately. In what was -- intentionally or unintentionally -- the biggest public relations campaigns in Hollywood history, every actress in town wanted the part and everyone who read the book had their own opinion of who would make the best Scarlett. It's a legendary story known by all movie buffs.
It provides a fascinating backdrop for Turnbull's second novel in his Garden of Allah series. Events and people surrounding that story are skilfully interwoven with the lives of the book's three main characters. These three - Marcus, Gwendolyn, and Kathryn - a struggling scriptwriter, an aspiring actress, and a budding columnist respectively - are all residents at the Garden of Allah. Their placement there affords them encounters with figures ranging from Robert Benchley, Dorothy Parker, and F. Scott Fitzgerald to Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and all the way up to Louis B. Mayer and George Cukor.
As their stories unfold concurrently with the search for Scarlett, the reader is taken on a pure joyride through the homes, the haunts, and the watering places of Hollywood. It's the ultimate fly-on-the wall experience for any classic movie buff who has ever wished to climb in that time machine.
Well done, Mr. Turnbull! I am a fan for life. Thanks for the pure pleasure! Long may the Garden of Allah series continue!
That's the quote that drew me to this book, along with a life-long fascination about "Gone with the Wind" and the making of the movie. It's the stuff of legend.
Martin Turnbull has succeeded in doing what would seem to be the impossible - transporting readers to the Golden Age of Hollywood with a story that has it's main characters mixing and mingling with the people and at the places all classic movie-aholics have heard about for so many years.
The story of the search for Scarlett, once it was announced a movie would be made from the bestselling book, ate up yards of print in publications as the speculation of who would be cast in the iconic role started immediately. In what was -- intentionally or unintentionally -- the biggest public relations campaigns in Hollywood history, every actress in town wanted the part and everyone who read the book had their own opinion of who would make the best Scarlett. It's a legendary story known by all movie buffs.
It provides a fascinating backdrop for Turnbull's second novel in his Garden of Allah series. Events and people surrounding that story are skilfully interwoven with the lives of the book's three main characters. These three - Marcus, Gwendolyn, and Kathryn - a struggling scriptwriter, an aspiring actress, and a budding columnist respectively - are all residents at the Garden of Allah. Their placement there affords them encounters with figures ranging from Robert Benchley, Dorothy Parker, and F. Scott Fitzgerald to Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and all the way up to Louis B. Mayer and George Cukor.
As their stories unfold concurrently with the search for Scarlett, the reader is taken on a pure joyride through the homes, the haunts, and the watering places of Hollywood. It's the ultimate fly-on-the wall experience for any classic movie buff who has ever wished to climb in that time machine.
Well done, Mr. Turnbull! I am a fan for life. Thanks for the pure pleasure! Long may the Garden of Allah series continue!
krisrid's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fun read!
If you love old Hollywood, and the golden age movies, then this should definitely go on your to-read list. This book, although revolving around three main, and fictional characters, is literally chock-a-block with cameo appearances by every old Hollywood star you can think of [and some probably few remember]. It's a terrific combination of actual historical events and a fictional plot to wrap the history in, and it all adds up to a very entertaining read!
I loved all three of the main characters, each of whom have their own challenges to face as they try - in different specific ways for each - to find a place in the film industry of the time. The author does a wonderful job of making these characters feel as real as Louella Parsons, David Selznic, Clark Gable or Vivien Leigh. And the way these fictional characters interact with the real stars of the time in the story is so natural, you almost forget that you are reading a novel, which is just as it should be.
As a fan of Gone With the Wind, I loved the connection to, and focus on the events surrounding the casting of Vivien Leigh in the role of Scarlett. The way our fictional characters get involved in those events was just a blast and I loved every minute of it.
I honestly just loved everything about this book. I should have read book one in this trilogy first, as this is book two, and is a continuation of the three main characters stories from the first book. I will definitely be going back to start at the beginning, because this is just a wonderfully entertaining story.
If you love old Hollywood, and the golden age movies, then this should definitely go on your to-read list. This book, although revolving around three main, and fictional characters, is literally chock-a-block with cameo appearances by every old Hollywood star you can think of [and some probably few remember]. It's a terrific combination of actual historical events and a fictional plot to wrap the history in, and it all adds up to a very entertaining read!
I loved all three of the main characters, each of whom have their own challenges to face as they try - in different specific ways for each - to find a place in the film industry of the time. The author does a wonderful job of making these characters feel as real as Louella Parsons, David Selznic, Clark Gable or Vivien Leigh. And the way these fictional characters interact with the real stars of the time in the story is so natural, you almost forget that you are reading a novel, which is just as it should be.
As a fan of Gone With the Wind, I loved the connection to, and focus on the events surrounding the casting of Vivien Leigh in the role of Scarlett. The way our fictional characters get involved in those events was just a blast and I loved every minute of it.
I honestly just loved everything about this book. I should have read book one in this trilogy first, as this is book two, and is a continuation of the three main characters stories from the first book. I will definitely be going back to start at the beginning, because this is just a wonderfully entertaining story.
kat2112's review
4.0
Another very good installment in the The Garden of Allah series. Looking forward to the third book.
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