Sign in with Facebook
Patty's Reviews > The Seventh Veil of Salome
The Seventh Veil of Salome
by
by
Max Niemann is casting for the lead to his next film, The Seventh Veil of Salome. There are many actresses in Hollywood who want the role, but Max is looking for an unknown; someone with beauty and confident sensuality. The role goes to Vera Larios: a young, Mexican woman who works in her father鈥檚 office. Her acting experience is minimal; However, at her audition, her passion comes through and Max decides she is his ingenue.
Nancy Hartley believes Vera has stolen her part: she has been trying to make it in Hollywood for a few years and, to have money, she dates a thug named Benny, and poses for nude photographs. She did not have an audition, and there is no logical reason for her to believe Vera has stolen the role. However, she becomes obsessed with Vera, and vows to take the role that was rightfully meant for her, no matter the cost.
The book alternates between 1950s Hollywood, and the hills of northwestern Jordan in the year 30 AD. Vera and Salome are preparing for the dance of the seven veils: Vera for the movie and Salome for Herod鈥檚 birthday. They each have a reason to dance: for Vera, it is to prove she is the only one for the part. For Salome, it is for the head of John the Baptist served on a platter.
Filled with a behind the scenes look at the Golden Age of Hollywood鈥攚here the big movie studios controlled the lives of their actors and actresses鈥擳he Seventh Veil of Salome is a multi-layered book. Racism, sexism, hedonism, power, and love are explored, and the ending is the perfect Hollywood finale.
I highly recommend this book. I would like to thank Del Ray Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Nancy Hartley believes Vera has stolen her part: she has been trying to make it in Hollywood for a few years and, to have money, she dates a thug named Benny, and poses for nude photographs. She did not have an audition, and there is no logical reason for her to believe Vera has stolen the role. However, she becomes obsessed with Vera, and vows to take the role that was rightfully meant for her, no matter the cost.
The book alternates between 1950s Hollywood, and the hills of northwestern Jordan in the year 30 AD. Vera and Salome are preparing for the dance of the seven veils: Vera for the movie and Salome for Herod鈥檚 birthday. They each have a reason to dance: for Vera, it is to prove she is the only one for the part. For Salome, it is for the head of John the Baptist served on a platter.
Filled with a behind the scenes look at the Golden Age of Hollywood鈥攚here the big movie studios controlled the lives of their actors and actresses鈥擳he Seventh Veil of Salome is a multi-layered book. Racism, sexism, hedonism, power, and love are explored, and the ending is the perfect Hollywood finale.
I highly recommend this book. I would like to thank Del Ray Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Sign into 欧宝娱乐 to see if any of your friends have read
The Seventh Veil of Salome.
Sign In 禄
Reading Progress
July 17, 2024
–
Started Reading
July 17, 2024
– Shelved
August 5, 2024
–
Finished Reading
August 10, 2024
– Shelved as:
books-i-ve-reviewed
Comments Showing 1-3 of 3 (3 new)
date
newest »
newest »
Simon wrote: "Interesting review. The concept for this novel reminds me of one I read earlier this year: "Jitterbug Perfume" by Tom Robbins, which starts out following two parallel plotlines in different histori..."In this book, to me, I felt the writer was drawing parallels between the two women--Vera and Salome--as their stories unfolded. For example, there were similarities in their relationships with their parents, the way they were seen as commodities for the men in control, and their lack of control in their own lives (they were also, of course, devastatingly beautiful and seductive). I tried to fit the other characters together as well, succeeding in a few. I do enjoy the format--and her writing.
So it's not the type of "seemingly unrelated multiple narratives separated in time and space that eventually converge" type of novel. Thomas Pynchon's "V." being another good example.At any rate I have noticed that Silvia Moreno Garcia is an author whom people either love or hate, with a few people in the middle ground liking her first book (I think it was titled "Mexican Gothic") but feeling she lost the inspiration later in her career. I'll probably pick up this one at a public library if I see it, to see what the fuss is about. My own experience with new novels receiving very divided reactions from audience is that I sometimes end up liking them (e. g. Ann Leckie's "Ancillary Justice" and Gabrielle Zevin's "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow") but other times disliking them. (e. g. Jennifer Egan's "A Visit from the Goon Squad")
An exceedingly odd novel, but one I quite enjoyed. I can gather it's the same way you reacted to "The Seventh Veil of Salome"?