Publication Date: September 27, 2022 (US Release)
Type: Historical Fiction, Biographical, Film
Links: Goodreads/Bookshop /Libro.fm
Content Warnings: Discussions of Abortion (Minor)
Get ready to enter the dazzling, and not-so-dazzling, world of the Hollywood Film industry. This Historical Fiction about the famous who have past their prime is a bit of a slow burn, but an interesting view into the later life of Billy Wilder. I didn’t know very much about Wilder going in, but I found this characterization of him to be magnetic and the overall themes were meaningful and thought provoking. Though the story itself is told by a fictional character, Calista, she often feels like just the vehicle through which we can see Wilder instead of a strong, unique presence in this world. If you are interested in learning about Billy Wilder and old Hollywood, this is definitely a book for you!
After a chance meeting with Billy Wilder in California, Calista finds herself enamored with both the film producer and the seemingly glamorous life of the rich and famous. She soon gets the opportunity to immerse herself in this world when she is hired as a translator for Wilder as he films “Fedora”. Now late in his career, Wilder’s star is waning as he struggles to compete with the new generation of movie makers and consumers. As Calista travels the world with Wilder to produce one of the last movies in his career, she learns much more about the man behind the camera and the bittersweet realities of being past your prime in an industry that celebrates the young and trendy.
Though this story is narrated by a fictional character, Billy Wilder is truly who it is about. Like Calista herself, you are drawn to his magnetic presence from the first meeting and he feels like an old friend by the end. We enter both Calista’s and Wilder’s stories as they struggle to remain relevant as they approach the end of their careers. Though fading stardom in the fickle film industry is nothing new, I was really impressed by this particular approach. Even as he works on his newest film, Wilder is not disillusioned and his own awareness leads to a more meaningful exploration of his past. The weight of this journey is never lost on the reader and each encounter feels intimate and important.
We begin the book with a present day Calista at a moment in her life and career that has some parallels to Wilder when she met him in 1977. Despite an interesting setup, most of the story is told as a flashback to her younger self with meaningful connections to the present few and far between. Unfortunately, the Calista of 1977 doesn’t seem as interested in being an active participant in her own story and is more of a passive observer that things happen to. Where I don’t mind her as a character, I also don’t think the story would change much if she simply wasn’t there. There are simply a lot of missed opportunities with this character which is the only thing keeping me from giving this book top marks.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rowan Hill 