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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Limelight, October 27, 2009
This review is from: Limelight: A Novel (Paperback)
Claudette Fiore' is one pampered, spoiled rich woman. Perhaps the better way is to say she was rich. A dishonest accountant, has avoided taxes on her husband's wealth and the IRS has stepped in and taken nearly everything. Not used to being destitute, and having everything she wants, Claudette is depressed, mean and hateful. If ever there was a main character you really wanted to dislike, and perhaps smack some sense into, it is definitely Claudette Fiore'.
Totally a me, type personality, she does not understand why her sister dislikes her. Why everyone thinks she is a snob. And she does not like having to leave Beverly Hills for her hometown of Silverton. Her stepson, graciously helps her set up her new home, and leaves her to settle in, with lists of how to do things, and things that need taken care of immediately.
Follow along as she blunders her way through. There are some hilariously funny and some very sad moments also. This book was awesome. I was thinking at the beginning, a book about a rich selfish woman, and then as I got into the book I was drawn in by how Melody Carlson worked out the character of Claudette. A book to read and share, group discussion questions at the end. 378 pages $US 13.99 4 stars.
This book was provided by Multnomah for review purposes only, no cash or payment was received for this review.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chock-Full of Fun, Laughter and Ongoing Internal Commentary, November 2, 2009
This review is from: Limelight: A Novel (Paperback)
Melody Carlson is well known for creating spirited, spunky characters who persist beyond their dismal circumstances and find unique ways of solving problems and bettering their situations. In her newest novel, LIMELIGHT, she offers her countless fans a thoroughly delightful escape into the fictional world of a former jet-set actress named Claudette Fioré.
In her early 80s, Claudette is one miserable widow who decided to take her future into her own hands and kill herself. The story opens in a "home" where Claudette is convalescing, or, in other words, where doctors and nurses are keeping a close eye on her. As her beautiful mansion in Beverly Hills has been taken from her due to an unscrupulous accountant and years of back taxes, Claudette's current living situation is nothing like the opulent lifestyle to which she had grown accustomed as the wife to famed Hollywood director Gavin Fioré. Having taken for granted all the perks that go along with money and power, Claudette is completely terrorized by the mere thought of living a "normal" life sans housekeepers, cook and chauffeur.
Gavin's son Michael (who is close in age to Claudette) resides in Hawaii with his lover, Richard, but arrives in gentlemanly style to remove Claudette from the "home" and help her get acclimated into real life. Michael, similarly used to the same pampered existence as Claudette, tries his level best to caress positive emotions out of her. He gallantly leads Claudette by the hand to her storage unit where they tag the valuables to be transported to the house in Silverton that belonged to her deceased mother. Without any other option, the old modest homestead is Claudette's only hope.
Traveling in her Jaguar, Claudette barely makes the trip to Silverton where Michael sets up housekeeping for his stepmother. Having succeeded in settling Claudette in, Michael returns home to Hawaii, leaving her to figure out minor tasks that most adults (and even children) take for granted. It is one comical scene after another as Claudette discovers novel ways of eating, drinking, bathing and staying warm. Having never had to lift a finger, she struggles to put away her groceries in an orderly manner and has to prep herself to tackle doing the dishes. From antic to antic, Claudette somehow survives the "common" life and even finds little victories to celebrate.
But there are more weighty considerations to contemplate than simple survival. Claudette's estranged younger sister, Violet, also lives in Silverton, and when the two meet and greet, fireworks spark a whole history of resentment and unforgiveness. With no friends to speak of, Claudette's quiet hours force her to reminisce about the past and consider her own part in the painful distance between herself and Violet. Circumstances of the most hilarious type fall like dominos around Claudette's feet, and she eventually does business with the past, present and future.
Melody Carlson's tale is chock-full of fun, laughter and ongoing internal commentary by Claudette, which will leave readers longing for a sequel to this lovable (though acidic) elderly character's foibles and follies.
--- Reviewed by Michele Howe
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hoping For the Twist That Never Came, November 2, 2009
This review is from: Limelight: A Novel (Paperback)
Limelight tells the story of aging Hollywood actress, Claudette. Her husband passed away leaving her with an accountant who padded his own wallet with their money.
Now she has to move back to her mother's old rustic house and learn how to fend for herself.
Claudette and her sister haven't spoken in years and she isn't going to be the one to make new friends.
How will the fading starlett survive on her own?
I didn't know what to expect with this book. I would say it's written for women. I wasn't too thrilled with it.
About halfway through the story I thought it may turn into a twist-and-turn story where the main character only thought she was a Hollywood actress when, in reality, she was really just a woman dealing with dementia.
This is not the case.
The story isn't exactly the most fun to read (but I'm a guy so take this review as a grain of salt) but the ending is a gut-retching surprise...
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
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