From Dust to Stardust

A Novel

By: Kathleen Rooney

Narrated by: Xe Sands

From the bestselling author of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk comes a novel about Hollywood, the cost of stardom, and selfless second acts, inspired by an extraordinary true story.

Chicago, 1916. Doreen O’Dare is fourteen years old when she hops a Hollywood-bound train with her beloved Irish grandmother. Within a decade, her trademark bob and insouciant charm make her the preeminent movie flapper of the Jazz Age. But her success story masks one of relentless ambition, tragedy, and the secrets of a dangerous marriage.

Her professional life in flux, Doreen trades one dream for another. She pours her wealth and creative energy into a singular achievement: the construction of a one-ton miniature Fairy Castle, the likes of which the world has never seen. So begins Doreen’s public tour to lift the nation’s spirits during the Great Depression—and a personal journey worth remembering.

A sweeping journey from the dawn of the motion picture era through turbulent twentieth-century America, From Dust to Stardust is a breathtaking novel about one determined woman navigating change, challenging the price of fame, and sharing the gift of real magic.

©2023 Kathleen Rooney. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Xe Sands and author Rooney reunite years after their multiple award-winning Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk for another award-worthy collaboration.… Sands's voice and cadence mesmerize and will make listeners wholly invested in Eileen's rise to fame and subsequent fall to obscurity. As Eileen recounts tumultuous times…Sands gives her voice a mature pragmatism. She performs other Hollywood characters with glitz and glam, joy and bitterness, demonstrating the breadth of her skill.… A delight of a historical novel about the Golden Age of Hollywood, perfect for fans of Juliette Fay's City of Flickering Light, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong's When Women Invented Television, and Elizabeth Gilbert's City of Girls.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“After captivating listeners in Rooney’s 2017 hit Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, Sands returns to voice Rooney’s latest historical novel. Sands’ low, gravelly voice is again a fine choice for an older lead character looking back on life.… Sands convincingly embodies Eileen’s ambition and strength and captures the story’s nostalgic, moving tone. Her performance helps keep listeners engaged. Fans who love a solid blend of biography and fiction are in for a treat.”—Booklist

“Kathleen Rooney deftly weaves delectable film and women’s history into her enrapturing tale… [Her] delight in the real story behind this richly faceted novel burnishes it to a bewitching luster.”—Booklist (starred review)

Great read!

Entertaining and interesting to learn about the history of the mini mansion and the rising stardom of Colleen Moore.

I loved this story! So unique!

I listened to Lillian boxfish takes a walk, and when I saw this, I knew I had to listen! Great story, great characters based on real people, lots of love, trials, and successes! Fantastic story!

loved all the background info within the story

I lived this book it brought me back to taking our sins the Museum of Science and Industry and visiting the Fariy Castle

Loved this glimpse into history of Hollywood

Truly enjoyed every moment of this! The story is well developed and based on history while not getting weighted down by its accuracy. As usual, Xe Sands does a superb job reading it to us…I’d listen to anything she narrates!

Old Hollywood from silent to talkies

I absolutely loved listening to the performance of this amazing story of the beginning of the film industry. Enjoyed hearing the struggles of young women who were the early stars of Hollywood. The main character is rich and deep, self reflective and connected with the unseen fairy world. Such interesting twists and yet common themes that still circle around the world for women. Very self empowering. Highly recommend beautiful storytelling.