9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great example of McMurtry's diversity, December 12, 2000
In a novel about one of Larry McMurtry's most lovable female characters, McMurtry shows the literary diversity that has caused some critics to claim that he has the best male insight into the female world of any modern American novelist. The novel develops the stories of memorable but minor characters from All My Friends and Moving On into an insightful look at late 1970s Hollywood, and McMurtry's creative literary strategy shows that he is a master of characterization.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Uneventful, December 7, 2006
The concept of the book(s) itself was good. I enjoyed reading into more than one character's life during the same period in time. However, I found the whole book, uneventful, and boring. I feel the author did not fulfill the female character's 'realness' in her narration. It's a male author's version of a females thoughts, feelings, and conversations. And with that, the female character's chapter is not compelling, insightful, nor does it have a bit of true emotion. I was very disappointed in the end.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining, humorous, and a little seedy, January 31, 2009
Using first person, an unusual perspective for McMurtry, Somebody's Darling traces the development of three people through the lens of the film industry replete with its glories, disappointments, and mostly confusions. Because making a film is so complex including securing actors, dealing with their personalities, wading through the swamps of writers, producers, directors, and finally critics, it makes sense to write a book that seems awash with people, their unpredictable reactions to events, and mostly their poor decisions.
Unlike many books about film-making, Somebody's Darling avoids the gossipy soap-opera scene or the inevitable demonstration of every technical aspect that exists in the industry. Instead, the book uses an appropriate balance of realism mixed with the oft quirky and odd personalities that seem to accompany people in the arts. Nobody presented is perfect, but nobody (with maybe one exception) is all bad. This gives the reader a healthy look at the many challenges presented in relationships that develop in the work place and how to juggle the constant demands of work and play.
Yet, even though a plot such as this would normally be filled with tragedy and sadness, somehow McMurtry finds the comedy amidst the bleakness of the lives presented. The constant flow of human energy has an embracing quality that lends itself to sympathy with many of the characters and a deep appreciation for Jill, the main character in the book.
The concept of the book is creative and interesting, but the use of first person which would normally cause a connection to the narrator, actually resulted in quite a bit of disdain for the people's reactions. In addition, the extensive use of dialog should have caused an understanding and sympathy with many of the people, but instead, it gave a disjunct quality to the story. When that element melds with excessive low standard behavior from most of the characters, the result is a book that seems rather seedy in a humorous way and lacks in purpose. It is difficult to recommend a book that is missing redeeming qualities in the people and instead focuses on constant human failings.
Still, it is a fun read by an important American author about an industry most people know very little about. Not one of his best, but certainly valuable for its new perspective.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
