Stardust

De: Joseph Kanon

Narrado por: T. Ryder Smith

The acclaimed, bestselling author of The Good German and Los Alamos returns with his most absorbing and accomplished novel yet—a mesmerizing tale of Hollywood, postwar political intrigue, and one man's determination to learn the truth about his brother's death.

Hollywood, 1945. Ben Collier has just arrived from war-torn Europe to find his brother has died in mysterious circumstances. Why would a man with a beautiful wife, a successful movie career, and a heroic past choose to kill himself?

Ben enters the uneasy world beneath the glossy shine of the movie business, where politics and the dream factories collide and Communist witch hunts are rendering the biggest star makers vulnerable. Even here, where the devastation of Europe seems no more real than a painted movie set, the war casts long and dangerous shadows. When Ben learns troubling facts about his own family’s past and embarks on a love affair that never should have happened, he is caught in a web of deception that shakes his moral foundation to its core.

Rich with atmosphere and period detail, Stardust flawlessly blends fact and fiction into a haunting thriller evoking both the glory days of the movies and the emergence of a dark strain of American political life.

Hollywood as a smalltown

What made the experience of listening to Stardust the most enjoyable?

historical tidbits, movie making and studio craft, the red scare which reader "knows" but characters don't. gossip columnists and studio's power. Narrator was willing to clip and slur words just like a real person would do when tired or dismayed. Voices and pacing of lines was perfect. I think the read aloud version beats the printed text on this one.

What did you like best about this story?

authenticity and character variety

Which scene was your favorite?

the CA pools, the on the studio sets and back lots with the "fixer" Bunny, former child star.

Almost a Five Star

Kanon is a favorite. His books make many another look like Ned and The Reader. He has captured the period and dialogue to a "T." As with almost I've read, the denouement is a stretch and let down. Otherwise, it's a clear five.

The narration is superb! I cannot believe it's only one person. He brings Kanon's dialogue to absolute life. The Jewish manner and speech patterns are perfectly captured.

The "Old Hollywood"

Would you consider the audio edition of Stardust to be better than the print version?

Yes, at least for me.

What does T. Ryder Smith bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His great character voices helped to make a complicated plot with many developed characters easier to follow. Although I really liked this book and found its period descriptions fascinating, I think I may have gotten lost in reading a print version.

Any additional comments?

I grew up in California during the period this book covers with its absurd, but scary commie hearings, and the continued work on the atom bomb by the big government labs. It was fun to hear descriptions of the emigrant community, the (now old) Hollywood mansions and all the glitter. His historical coverage rings true. I was too young to recall details of the hearings, but expect they are also pretty true to detail. Great book, but you better pay attention or you'll get lost! The plot may sound far fetched today, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to find "that only the names have been changed".

A bit too much soul-searching, but a good read.

Was Stardust worth the listening time?

Yes. The story line was interesting & the author covered a pivotal moment in Hollywood history. Well done!

A Hollywood As it was

I loved the characters lay down their. Hand Prints on the street of remembered time