For the first twelve
years of her life, Eva lives with a weekend father. When Eva's mother
learns that her lover's wife is dead, she grabs Eva and races to her
lover's house to find out what it's in it for them. After talking to
Eva's father, her mother disappears leaving Eva with her father and
half-sister, Iris. From this point on Iris, a would be starlet, is a
major factor in Eva's life.
After realizing that
their father is stealing money from them, the girls take off for
California where Iris becomes an actual starlet. Things are going
well until an ill-advised liaison ends Iris' career in Hollywood.
The story is told
primarily from Eva's point of view enhanced by letters from other
character like her father, Edgar, and her sister, Iris. The book is
filled with unusual characters from Francisco, the make-up man who
follows the girls when they return to the East coast, to Gus and
Renee, a German couple who become close friends and more with the
girls.
I found the book
fragmented. The portions told by Eva move smoothly, but the letters
are a jarring interruption. I'm sure the author used this technique
to keep the reader current as to what was happening with the other
characters, but it is distancing at best.
The settings both
California and later New York city are true to the time period and
help ground the story. The plot is diffuse. Eva is growing up, but
she appears to have no personal goals other than to keep the family
together. As such it makes her an interesting
but not unforgettable character, a child
trying to take care of the irresponsible adults.
I enjoyed the book,
but I would only recommend it if you like coming-of-age stories, or
are interested in the lives of people during WWII.
I reviewed this book
for Net Galley.
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