All the Stars in the Heavens

A Novel

By: Adriana Trigiani

Narrated by: Blair Brown

Length: 14 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Adriana Trigiani, the New York Times best-selling author of the blockbuster epic The Shoemaker's Wife, returns with her biggest and boldest novel yet, a hypnotic tale based on a true story and filled with her signature elements: family ties, artistry, romance, and adventure. Born in the golden age of Hollywood, All the Stars in Heaven captures the luster, drama, power, and secrets that could only thrive in the studio system - viewed through the lives of an unforgettable cast of players creating magic on the screen and behind the scenes.

In this spectacular saga as radiant, thrilling, and beguiling as Hollywood itself, Adriana Trigiani takes us back to Tinsel Town's golden age - an era as brutal as it was resplendent - and into the complex and glamorous world of a young actress hungry for fame and success. With meticulous, beautiful detail, Trigiani paints a rich, historical landscape of 1930s Los Angeles, where European and American artisans flocked to pursue the ultimate dream: to tell stories on the silver screen.

The movie business is booming in 1935 when 21-year-old Loretta Young meets 34-four-year-old Clark Gable on the set of The Call of the Wild. Though he's already married, Gable falls for the stunning and vivacious young actress instantly.

Far from the glittering lights of Hollywood, Sister Alda Ducci has been forced to leave her convent and begin a new journey that leads her to Loretta. Becoming Miss Young's secretary, the innocent and pious young Alda must navigate the wild terrain of Hollywood with fierce determination and a moral code that derives from her Italian roots. Over the course of decades, she and Loretta encounter scandal and adventure, choose love and passion, and forge an enduring bond of love and loyalty that will be put to the test when they eventually face the greatest obstacle of their lives.

©2015 The Glory of Everything Company (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Blair Brown's acting talents are brought center stage in her performance of this fictionalized account of the relationship between Loretta Young and Clark Gable.... Underlying Brown's animated narration is a subtle emotional tension, and the layered performance highlights the laughter and tears, loves and disappointments in Loretta's and Alda's lives." ( AudioFile)

Soggy In The Middle

If you could sum up All the Stars in the Heavens in three words, what would they be?

A well know story of an illegitimate child of two movie stars, with a romantic spin. Slow story, with a great reader. No problems with the reader, just with the story!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The character of Alda is more interesting then Loretta Young and Clark Gable. However, the character of Alda just disappears about half way into the story, and the focus is on Loretta. Loretta was just too good to be true, and I missed finding out more about Alda and husband, Luca.

Which character – as performed by Blair Brown – was your favorite?

Easily Alda! From a nunnery to Hollywood, she was the most interesting, and the most unpredictable. Loretta was " a saint" and Clark Gable " a womanizer." No news there.

If you could rename All the Stars in the Heavens, what would you call it?

Old Hollywood Story Retold.

Any additional comments?

Somewhat disappointed in this book. Tragiani wrote so well in the Valentina series, and this book can be read on Wickipedia. As I said, the character of Alda was fresh and engaging, but she goes away too early.

I loved this book!

I remember watching Loretta coming out the doors, watching with my sisters. I never knew the other stories. I’m sure the research was meticulous. Thank you again!

Loved it

Wonderful old Hollywood story from the perspective of the Hollywood stars and their friends I love the movies from the thirties and this really put personalization to the characters that I've always loved

A great tribute to Loretta Young.

A Hollywood story told with dignity and respect as only Adriana could do. She makes you feel her characters from the inside where it truly counts, not the superficial surface the changes with time. Another winner for a great author.

Very dissapointing

Would you try another book from Adriana Trigiani and/or Blair Brown?

I love Adriana Trigiani. this book was a dissapointment

Has All the Stars in the Heavens turned you off from other books in this genre?

I didn't like the fact it was biographical. I like more of a non fiction story.

Have you listened to any of Blair Brown’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to Blair Brown

Do you think All the Stars in the Heavens needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. The story was complete.

Wonderful!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was an easy listening and entertaining story. I enjoyed the story of Loretta's life and her love of Clark Gable.

Loretta Young Story

Loved it! As a young girl I was a Loretta Young fan so this was quite informative. Narration was so easy to listen to. highly recommend..

Whitewashing of the real story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Characters were too black and white

Would you be willing to try another book from Adriana Trigiani? Why or why not?

probably not

What about Blair Brown’s performance did you like?

She did a good job of mimicking the actores

Did All the Stars in the Heavens inspire you to do anything?

No

Any additional comments?

The characters were too simple. Loretta a saint, Gable a lovable cad. The real story of Judy is that she was a result of rape and it's insulting to the memory of the very devout Gretchen Young to imply she welcomed Gable into her bed. Gable got off far too easily in the book, everyone forgave him because that's just the way he was. He impregnated her against her will and then ignored his child, not even providing any financial support, which there is no excuse for. It bothered me that the author played so loose and fast with their history so it seems like a definitive version of what really happened.

Love biographical novels!

Slow start, but such an enjoyable story! Makes me want to know which parts are true and which parts are fiction. Really good read!

I love Adriana Trigiani, but ...

I love everything that AT writes, but this was an incredibly long story that could have been told in half the time. There were several times that I wanted to stop listening, but the narrator kept me interested ‘enough’. I typically don’t get excited to be done with a book - but this one made me tired and sooooo happy to be through