The author of Life is Too Short presents a novel about former child star Sunny Skies who lives in the delusionary world of his past and falls victim to a journalist's misguided attempt to readjust him to the present. 100,000 first printing.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Despite the favorable reception of this legendary film star's 1991 autobiography, it will likely surprise even Rooney's devoted fans to discover, with this faintly Raymond Chandleresque first novel, that he has genuine skill as a storyteller. Down on his luck, former high-rolling movie columnist Jay Richards uncovers a forgotten reel of film containing the screen test of '40s-era MGM child actor Sonny Skies, who, parachuting into Normandy on D-Day, became the only screen star killed in combat during WWII. When Jay is contacted by cable-TV exec Elle McBrien regarding a 50th-anniversary documentary on the invasion, the pair stumble onto a number of surprises, not the least of which is that they already know each other from AA. Then Sonny's casket turns up missing from its French cemetery, and Jay and Elle's efforts to uncover the truth lead them into a murky maze of murder, infidelity and Machiavellian influence in high places. Along the way, although Elle is 15 years Jay's junior, the two act on their libidinous attraction, as they encounter an ill-assorted cast of characters who are intriguingly reminiscent of Hollywood notables of a bygone era. Though Rooney occasionally stumbles as a fledgling literary stylist, his ability to spin a yarn is indisputable. Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
The primary rule for any aspiring author is write about what you know. Mickey Rooney follows this rule with a vengeance. His first novel concerns a disgraced gossip columnist and a struggling cable TV producer who are working together on a documentary about a 1930s child star named Sonny Skies. Sonny supposedly died as a paratrooper in the D-Day invasion, but there are no records to substantiate this fact. When his grave in France is opened so that his body can be reburied in the States, it proves to be empty. As our intrepid duo close in on the truth, they are threatened, assaulted, and forced to drink Gallo jug wine. The plot is ridiculous (Would anyone really care about all this after 50 years?), and the reader risks serious bodily harm from all the dropping names. Rooney should have skipped the last two chapters and the epilogue, which uses the old deus ex machina trick to resolve most of the book's loose ends. Still, for readers who like their Hollywood stories frothy and cynical, Rooney's debut makes a happily harmless diversion. George Needham
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Simple Little Boy in a Screen Test,
This review is from: The Search for Sonny Skies (Hardcover)
Richards is a sleezy ex-alcoholic who got himself into a libel suit at his pornographic magazine, so he's currently out of a job. He spends most of his time meeting with the Backstabbers, his group of poker buddies. One day, his friend gets ahold of some old MGM footage, everything from naked ladies flirting with the camera to a little boy's screen test. The screen test interests him, and it takes him on a whirlwind ride. Elle McBrien is a reporter for HMO doing a story on Sonny Skies, the only American actor to die during WWII. She finds out that Richards is in possession of Sonny's screen test, and requests to use it. He weasels his way into working with her on the project, and the two slowly fall for each other. Along the way, they find out that there is a lot more to the Sonny Skies story than meets the eye, and what began as easy research becomes messy very fast.It is obvious by the way he illustrates the fact that Sonny was used and abused by the studio system that Rooney feels he was taken advantage of too. As is typical of his ego, Rooney name-drops himself, a lot. It can be rather annoying, but one has to remember his reputation. It is likely that readers will be fans, because this book is not masterpiece of writing. It is certainly fun and entertaining, but it isn't challenging or terribly thought-provoking. It is funny that there is so much sex in this book considering how outspoken Rooney is about the amount of sex in modern pop culture. Perhaps his inclusion is out of mockery; the ending certainly is off-putting. However, sex is sprinkled throughout the novel, and it is completely unneccesary. Sure, it is a fact of life, and certainly one that Rooney is no stranger to, but it in no way moves the plot along.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hazy Skies and Mild,
By Bob Slawson (Laas Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Search for Sonny Skies (Hardcover)
The Search for Sonny Skies is a novel where the readin' is easy. The Richards character is a sleezeball with a heart of gold.. Sonny Skies is a sympathetic, mentall,y traumatized former movie star. He thinks he's only eight years old. He's supposed to have died in World War II combat fifty years ago. The movie giants of those days knew how to make things happen or not happen. Mickey Rooney makes it all happen in his own burlesque and vaudeville way.
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