emilyjaynefry's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️
Amanda Lee Koe skilfully blends biography and fiction to tell the story of three iconic women in Hollywood cinema. The book is comprised of three parts covering different periods in time: each of these parts feature three separate narrative strands that tell stories from the lives of Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong and Leni Riefenstahl. While each of these women have very different stories to tell about their careers and subsequent fame/stardom/controversies, the stories all highlight the dilemmas these women faced when navigating the different aspects of their identity - their gender, their race, their sexuality - and the intersections of these. In Delayed Rays of a Star, Amanda Lee Koe transports readers back in time to show us the sacrifices and struggles these three women encountered in their attempts to break into the male-dominated world of cinema and to make a name for themselves.
I thought this book was incredibly well written and that it was very, very interesting - it has since inspired further research about these women! I was already familiar with Marlene Dietrich after (briefly) studying Hollywood cinema at university, but I loved learning more about her/her career-defining roles, as well as learning about Anna May Wong and Leni Riefenstahl - both of whom I was not previously familiar with. I also really liked all the layers to this book and all the side characters in this book, especially when it came to exploring their respective connections to these women.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of cinema/film, diversity & representation on screen and feminism.
Amanda Lee Koe skilfully blends biography and fiction to tell the story of three iconic women in Hollywood cinema. The book is comprised of three parts covering different periods in time: each of these parts feature three separate narrative strands that tell stories from the lives of Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong and Leni Riefenstahl. While each of these women have very different stories to tell about their careers and subsequent fame/stardom/controversies, the stories all highlight the dilemmas these women faced when navigating the different aspects of their identity - their gender, their race, their sexuality - and the intersections of these. In Delayed Rays of a Star, Amanda Lee Koe transports readers back in time to show us the sacrifices and struggles these three women encountered in their attempts to break into the male-dominated world of cinema and to make a name for themselves.
I thought this book was incredibly well written and that it was very, very interesting - it has since inspired further research about these women! I was already familiar with Marlene Dietrich after (briefly) studying Hollywood cinema at university, but I loved learning more about her/her career-defining roles, as well as learning about Anna May Wong and Leni Riefenstahl - both of whom I was not previously familiar with. I also really liked all the layers to this book and all the side characters in this book, especially when it came to exploring their respective connections to these women.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of cinema/film, diversity & representation on screen and feminism.
whippetyfriend's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
seitenreise's review
1.0
Ich woltle es mögen. Aber zu viel Nationalsozialismus, der mir zu verträumt herüberkommt, zu viele racial slurs, zu viel drama porn. Es ist leider überhaupt nicht meins.
guinness74's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Doubleday giveaway on Instagram.
An incredible first novel from Koe that delves into the lives of three women who were integral in film in the 20s and 30s and that's putting it mildly. This is definitely historical fiction, but Koe writes in such a way as to make believe you're seeing their lives from the 'fly on the wall' perspective, creating unilateral 'interviews' to interpret their views, their failures, their anger, and their success. I didn't know much about Wong, but Dietrich and Riefenstahl are household names at least, if not controversial trendsetters in their field. This is an outstanding book, even if you have very little interest in the era, the stars create their own world, all from the chance photograph of the three of them. Stunning work.
An incredible first novel from Koe that delves into the lives of three women who were integral in film in the 20s and 30s and that's putting it mildly. This is definitely historical fiction, but Koe writes in such a way as to make believe you're seeing their lives from the 'fly on the wall' perspective, creating unilateral 'interviews' to interpret their views, their failures, their anger, and their success. I didn't know much about Wong, but Dietrich and Riefenstahl are household names at least, if not controversial trendsetters in their field. This is an outstanding book, even if you have very little interest in the era, the stars create their own world, all from the chance photograph of the three of them. Stunning work.
mcomer's review
5.0
This amazing book follows the intertwined lives of three cinematic women: Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Leni Riefenstahl. Photographed together at a party in Berlin before they become famous, Amanda Lee Koe uses the facts of their lives to imagine their journeys towards stardom. Along the way, other characters are drawn into their improbable orbits, as the book proves repeatedly that truth is often stranger than fiction (or film). Each of the main characters makes different sacrifices and compromises in the pursuit of their art and fame, and the novel provides an unstinting look at the costs of their successes as ambitious women in a world tipped against them. This is most notable with Leni's portions, which deal with her notorious Nazi associations, but Marlene and Anna May don't escape unscathed. The book is incredibly well-researched and seems to transport you into places as diverse as Berlin, North Africa, Shanghai, and Los Angeles across distinct time periods and settings. The author also provides a peek into the film industry of the time, which I enjoyed. Highly recommend for a painstakingly assembled, beautiful look into three turbulent lives and the span of the twentieth century.
inka333's review against another edition
4.0
I've hesitated for a long time - should I give it four stars? three? Let's assume it's 3.75.
I really like Amanda's writing, although I feel that the best parts were fictional. Usually I'm all up for experiments, jumping through time and mixing up threads, but somehow the result in "Delayed Rays of Star" seemed a bit chaotic at times. But! I am a huge fan of Amanda's work and so I am really glad I could read that and get (even if for a moment) into the world that fascinates the author herself.
I really like Amanda's writing, although I feel that the best parts were fictional. Usually I'm all up for experiments, jumping through time and mixing up threads, but somehow the result in "Delayed Rays of Star" seemed a bit chaotic at times. But! I am a huge fan of Amanda's work and so I am really glad I could read that and get (even if for a moment) into the world that fascinates the author herself.
ickl333's review against another edition
4.0
while the middle section drags, and there’s maybe one to many tangents, the novel makes up for it in brilliant, nuanced examination of fame, gender/sexuality, aging, and the human condition.
nomadreader's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sumia's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: War and Antisemitism
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Pedophilia, Deportation, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
mariebitt's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0