4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
I have had a most rare vision.
I have had a dream, past the wit of man.
- William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act 4, scene 2
The book opens with these lines, and there is nothing as beautiful as a work that derives strength from another work. I absolutely love the way the author starts the story. The use of such poetic lines is an indication of the kind of writing that will follow
Black Star Over Hollywood is a stunning tale by John Ravage. It amalgamates a variety of ideas and isn’t just restricted to the world of Hollywood glamor. The narrative chronicles the tale of an African-American dancer Ted Masters. It tells the story of the struggle and overcoming of the protagonist. The protagonist is asked by a famous producer to be the star of an all-Black western. However, the movie gets “bogged down” due to a number of reasons.
This novel lends voice to certain areas of silence, projecting the reality of the struggles of black actors in the ‘30s and ‘40s. It intricately describes the ordeals faced by the black actors and questions how such a narrative has been lost. This novel derives inspiration from a multitude of sources, telling the forgotten stories of many actors to shed some light on that aspect of Hollywood.
The most interesting thing about this novel is the character development of the stunningly irresistible characters. Ted is a well-rounded, dynamic character who undergoes a beautiful transformation in this story. His struggle is enhanced due to the legacy of oppression and segregation in the town. He is an optimist, but he certainly has his lows due to the obstacles that are faced by him.
The plot of the story is absolutely beautiful. The way the story proceeds is shockingly brilliant and there is an amalgamation of different stories in a single narrative. The central theme is that of survival, and the author explores this theme extensively. While this novel predominantly explores the lives of black actors, it also sheds some light on the LGBT community in that time. Francine is a transgressive person who questions and condemns the gender rigidity in the society.
The writing style of the author is quite commendable. There are many poetic lines in the novel and the author has used and experimented with language in a multitude of ways. The author also infuses elements of humour in a mainly serious work of fiction. For these reasons, I would happily rate this novel 4 out of 4 stars. I feel that this rating is well deserved.
******
Black Star Over Hollywood
View: on Bookshelves
Like HouseOfAtticus's review? Post a comment saying so!
