K
This book tackles the reality that powerful men can, and will, get away with the mistreatment of women. Set in Golden Age Hollywood, the story follows actress Edie O'Dare as she builds a career as "Tinseltown's reigning gossip columist" after helping a young actress, Sophie Melrose, publish her account of assault by an A-list actor. The story is reflective as O'Dare recounts the months following the night of the assault and the repercussions that impacted the lives of those involved with FWM Studios. Lynch manages to convey the very common progression of events that follow when a young woman accuses a famous, successful man of sexual assault. The feeling of guilt is echoed throughout the words, painting the story in melancholy. Lynch manages to weave mystery and intrigue into the events and characters' lives which leads you hanging on to find out what truly happened. The book ends, leaving you slightly unsatisfied, each character not receiving a fully happy ever after. It seems intentional the way it invokes a melancholy feeling, the way it reminds you that Sophie never did get justice. The good people endured undue hardship and suffering while those who celebrated the humiliation and violation of a young woman, were rewarded.
This is a great read that explores the manufacturing of Hollywood in a time where the studios had ultimate control over their actors. It is an easy read that will end up consuming your thoughts until you are able to finish it. This book shows the power of publicity and image and how women, in particular, utilised this power to negotiate their worth.
This book tackles the reality that powerful men can, and will, get away with the mistreatment of women. Set in Golden Age Hollywood, the story follows actress Edie O'Dare as she builds a career as "Tinseltown's reigning gossip columist" after helping a young actress, Sophie Melrose, publish her account of assault by an A-list actor. The story is reflective as O'Dare recounts the months following the night of the assault and the repercussions that impacted the lives of those involved with FWM Studios. Lynch manages to convey the very common progression of events that follow when a young woman accuses a famous, successful man of sexual assault. The feeling of guilt is echoed throughout the words, painting the story in melancholy. Lynch manages to weave mystery and intrigue into the events and characters' lives which leads you hanging on to find out what truly happened. The book ends, leaving you slightly unsatisfied, each character not receiving a fully happy ever after. It seems intentional the way it invokes a melancholy feeling, the way it reminds you that Sophie never did get justice. The good people endured undue hardship and suffering while those who celebrated the humiliation and violation of a young woman, were rewarded.
This is a great read that explores the manufacturing of Hollywood in a time where the studios had ultimate control over their actors. It is an easy read that will end up consuming your thoughts until you are able to finish it. This book shows the power of publicity and image and how women, in particular, utilised this power to negotiate their worth.