Customer Reviews

Limelight: A Novel

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

Former film star Claudette Fiore' finds herself in unfamiliar territory when she's released from a psychiatric hospital only to discover that she's lost her Beverly Hills home and most of her money due to a dishonest accountant hired by her late husband.

Having lived a life of extreme luxury, she's at a complete loss on how to start over. At the urging of her step-son Michael, she heads back to her family home in Silverton, California which she inherited from her mother. Upon moving in, Claudette discovers that her nosy next door neighbor is actually "little Bea", whom she babysat for.

Bea attempts to be a good neighbor which annoys Claudette to no end and in spite of the fact that Claudette desperately needs Bea's help, she refuses to let on.

While she finds Bea to be obnoxious - she enjoys her company and feels lonely when Bea is not around. Bea's friendship helps Claudette through the difficulty of facing her sister Violet (who no longer speaks to her) and confronting some secrets from her past.

Attempting to find her domestic roots and doing a very poor job of it, "80-something" Claudette goes from living the "caviar" lifestyle amongst the rich and famous to a tuna fish budget in a run down old house and learns that sometimes the simple life is more genuine and fulfilling than being in the "limelight."

Melody Carlson's book Limelight tells the story of what happens when one old woman finds that she has no choice but to go home again. Claudette Fiore escaped her small town life of poverty by trading on her good looks and drive. Widowed, penniless and in her 80s, she finds that she has no option but to take what little she still has and regroup in the home where she grew up that was left to her when her mother died. It's not just going back to a dinky little town, but going back to face the ones she left behind. But Claudette finds more than the scorn and barely concealed gloating at her expense that she expects.

As is typical with Carlson, the characters in this book seem amazingly real. In fact, I never did get to a point where I actually liked Claudette...but I could at least tolerate her by the last page. There are several twists to the plot that add depth and turn what could be a fairy tale ending into something more real and poignant.

My only real complaint is that this doesn't have to be Christian literature. If you substituted a "higher power" or "believe in you" or "power of positive thinking" in every time someone mentions God, the story wouldn't change - and that to me is a missed opportunity. And while Claudette comes closer to finding salvation through the story, she's left in the twilight of her days still searching. Certainly there's a hint that perhaps resolution is coming, but there's not a feeling of certainty by any means. While this may be more realistic, it was a bit of a downer for an otherwise delightful end.

I swear, there is no one that can write like Melody Carlson. Each of her books have been totally distinct and unique and just simply written wonderfully. This book is no exception. We're taken this time to the story of a former It Girl from the Golden Age of Hollywood who's suddenly found herself to be old, lonely and not knowing how to live life for herself. Claudette has to adapt from living a life with servants and staff doing everything for her to having to figure out even the simplest life skill on her own. It's a moving journey for both Claudette and the reader as she has to move back to her childhood home and rediscover life.

There are parts of the book that are just hilarious yet at the same time I felt bad for laughing at Claudette's expense. I really liked how she was willing to do all these things albeit grudgingly and didn't use her age as an excuse. It really makes one think how we take all these things for granted, such as knowing how to use a washing machine or knowing that towels can be washed. To see her change throughout the book was a real eye opener that I totally enjoyed.

Something I found very interesting about this book was that there was a character who is gay, has been gay for years, and stays gay throughout the book. His lifestyle is not described in any fashion other than stating that he is gay and that he has a partner. No statements are made derogatory towards him and he is treated with respect from other characters. By the end of the book, there are hints that he has begun to go to a church that accepts him for who he is and he is interesting in knowing more about God, the Bible and church. One other thing I did find hilarious was the phrase "sex toy" being used. I honestly think that's the first time I've read that in a Christian fiction book ever!

This book REALLY makes you think, not only about about how you view life, but how your life changes when you get older and when you need to learn to stop being so prideful and accept help. Claudia's story is a wonderful read, full of humor, happiness, tears and hurt. This book is one of the best I've read this year and one that everyone should read. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

"Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone."

"Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it's too late to change."

Everyone must re-evaluate their life, especially when things do not turn out the way we would want.

Claudette Fiore' was part of the in-crowd during Hollywood's Golden Age. Now in her 80's, she is penniless and alone after her husband's death and being swindled by her crooked accountant. With the help of her husband's step-son Michael, Claudette reluctantly moves back to her childhood home to start over again.

This book was interesting but I still feel it was lacking some. Being a Christian novel, I expected Claudette to either be a Christian who is struggling or who accepts Jesus as her Lord and Savior by the end of the novel. Neither one occurred. Yes, Claudette is seeking the Lord more by joining her neighbors in church but never moves to a personal relationship by the end of the book. I do like the fact that Michael, who is openly gay, has started attending church with his long-time partner, and helps Claudette some on her spiritual journey.

I do like how Ms. Carlson makes Claudette more human by having her mess up as she learns to do things on her own without the help of servants. Simple things we take for granted, like making coffee, washing clothes or cooking a simple meal, is way out of Claudette's league. Her fumbles and mistakes make her more real and likeable.

This book was provided at no charge by Waterbrook Multnomah.

Melody Carlson has always been one of my favorite authors. She didn't disappoint me with this novel. She showed through this novel that one is never too old to change their life and money and fame don't buy happiness. The characters were real and though some of the topics covred were touchy, the author handled them with grace. I especially appreciate the delicate way she handled the issue of gays in church.

No matter how stuck in our ways we are, if we're open to Him, God will find a way to change us.

Quite honestly I did not like this book. I found it difficult to get into. I found the main character whinney and spoiled. She couldn't even wash her own hands without someone handing her a towel in her previous life. I would not recommend this book.
The only redemming part of the book was her step son, who came from Hawaii to help her move from Hollywood to settle into her family home in N. California.