The Garden on Sunset

Garden of Allah, Book 1

By: Martin Turnbull

Narrated by: John C. Zak

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Right before talking pictures slug Tinsel Town in the jaw, a luminous silent screen star converts her private estate into the Garden of Allah Hotel. The lush grounds soon become a haven for Hollywood hopefuls to meet, drink, and revel through the night. George Cukor is in the pool, Tallulah Bankhead is at the bar, and Scott Fitzgerald is sneaking off to a bungalow with Sheilah Graham while Madame Alla Nazimova keeps watch behind her lace curtains.

But the real story of the Garden of Allah begins with its first few residents, three kids on the brink of something big.

Marcus Adler has a lot to prove after his father catches him and the police chief's son with their pants down. He flees Pennsylvania for Hollywood with his mouth shut and his eyes open, and begins to write the lines all those starlets will say out loud. Can a smart, sensitive guy find his own voice in a town that's just learning to talk?

Kathryn Massey's childhood was a grinding routine of auditions, but she couldn't care less about being a movie star. When she takes off with her typewriter, determined to become a newspaper reporter, she finds that breaking into the boys' club is tougher than breaking free of her bossy mother. To make it in this town, she'll need some serious moxie.

Gwendolyn Brick is a sweet Southern beauty who's come a long way to try her luck on the big screen. She's hoping the same succulent lips the guys want to kiss will land her more than a bit part on a casting couch. She's going to need some help keeping everyone in line.

Nobody gets a free pass in Hollywood, but a room at the Garden on Sunset can get your foot in the door.

The Garden on Sunset is the first in Martin Turnbull's series of historical novels set during Hollywood's golden age.

©2011 Martin Turnbull (P)2013 Martin Turnbull

Narration ruins the story

What would have made The Garden on Sunset better?

The narration of this audio book is horrible! The narrator has no inflection or emotion - it almost sounds like a digital reader. Ruined the entire story for me. I had to stop after 1/2 hour. Wish I hadn't wasted my money.

What didn’t you like about John C. Zak’s performance?

See above.

Poor book

No story line. A lot of name dropping with no purpose to the story. Slow, like watching paint dry. Waste of money.

Love it

the narration is fabulous. great story line that keeps it together. very historical presentation of the movie industry.

struggle

I really struggled with this book. I didn't finish, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Multi story lines with cliffhangers.

Short chapters with twists and surprises. Reminds me of the Saturday Matinee movie Serials I watched as a kid. Good fun.

THE GARDEN ON SUNSET: ALLAH 1

What did you love best about The Garden on Sunset?

The descriptions, the author put into the era, outfits, scenery etc...

What other book might you compare The Garden on Sunset to and why?

Can't say right now, I am on his second book!

What does John C. Zak bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voices of each character. I am not used to hearing a narrator do so many voices so well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I JUST LOVE READING ABOUT THIS ERA, AND WITH THE CHARACTERS THE AUTHOR MADE UP IT MAKES THE BOOK FUN!

Any additional comments?

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Good story

The story was great but leaves you hanging in places. What happened to Broochie? And others?

rich canvas of the time

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! This book gave me an entertaining and educational view of the late 1920s to the early 1930s in Hollywood.

What did you like best about this story?

Turnbull uses three primary characters to give you an inside view of what was happening and how things worked in Hollywood during the late 1920s to the early 1930s.

Have you listened to any of John C. Zak’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Not interesting enough

I didn't care for this one! Story line was odd and seemed to try to hard to interweave with stars of the time.