Thank you Netgalley and Doubleday Books for providing me with an advanced copy of the ebook of Kate Alcott's newest novel, The Hollywood Daughter, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and do not reflect the views of anyone affiliated with the publishing of this book.
Kate Alcott is a master story teller. She has the ability to choose a place in time, hone in on it and develop the most beautiful stories. One of my favorite historical fiction novels is her book, The Dressmaker, which follows a young woman through the tragic sinking of the Titanic and to New York in pursuit of becoming a dressmaker. It's a wonderful book - so I had high expectations for her latest novel, The Hollywood Daughter. I was not disappointed and I enjoyed this book as much as Alcott's prior work.
The Hollywood Daughter is a dazzling and emotional coming of age tale about Jessica Malloy, a young girl who is caught between the glamorous allure of the Hollywood stars and movies her father works with and the morality and rigid rules dictated by her catholic upbringing. Caught between two worlds whose morals and values seem to be ever at odds with each other, she is forced to search for her own truth during the McCarthy era in the United States.
The main character, Jesse, is the daughter of a well known Hollywood publicist and a devout Catholic mother, who from an early age develops an intense fandom for Ingrid Bergman, her father's most high profile client. For many years Jesse continues to view Ingrid Bergman's career from afar, picturing her as the pious, upright woman that she appears to be in her films. When news of Bergman's scandalous affair with Italian director Roberto Rossellini reaches Jesse and her family, it serves as a catalyst for Jesse to question everything she ever thought was true about life, love and her family. Caught in the midst of such a scandal she begins to see the fault lines in her own parent's marriage and the faith she was raised to stand on, causing her to question her own values and beliefs.
I enjoyed this book immensely and loved the story of a young girl who must come to terms with her own views on morality, values and faith in the midst of an intense political environment in the United States. The novel has a steady pace, is highly readable and fun in the sense that it gives the reader a small glimpse into the glittery world of old Hollywood and its famous icons. The political and religious themes throughout the book offer great material for discussion - I believe this would be a solid book club choice. If you're looking for a great new read for Spring, check this one out!
The Hollywood Daughter is available to pre-order and released on March 7, 2017
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