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Venus Blue
Set in film noir chiaroscuro, this novel is narrated by a present-day Hollywood memorabilia collector, Stefan Hollander. It is a story of haunted obsession and unfailing love, in which Molly Lamanna, a 1930s bush pilot and gorgeous vagabond, becomes the focal point of devotion.
220 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 2, 2012
Another great library find.
Stefan Hollander, a collector of memorabilia, becomes particularly intrigued by the obscure 1930's starlet and aviator, Molly Lamanna. In his pursuit of all things related to the actress, he happens upon the diary of Millicent Rappaport, a contemporary of Molly's who was utterly obsessed with her. Determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding these two remarkable and enigmatic women, Stefan moves from passive observer to active player in an ever-deepening plot.
From the book jacket:
"In Venus Blue, a novel built of sunlight, secrets, and the scent of women's hair, notions of desire and its intimate relation to absence and loss--always present just beneath Sobin's celebration of the gauzy-lit hues of Hollywood film--rise urgently to the surface. . . [Sobin] deftly blends film noir coloration [with] poetic conceit . . . Dreamlike while conjuring moments of lush actuality." --Albert Mobilio, Village Voice Literary Supplement
Lush? Poetic? Diary? Old Hollywood nostalgia? Obsessive, unrequited love? Sobin, you're speakin' my language!
I'll be honest. It's not the most polished book I've ever read! --but sensuous, captivating, and frequently lovely. Definitely worth the read.
Stefan Hollander, a collector of memorabilia, becomes particularly intrigued by the obscure 1930's starlet and aviator, Molly Lamanna. In his pursuit of all things related to the actress, he happens upon the diary of Millicent Rappaport, a contemporary of Molly's who was utterly obsessed with her. Determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding these two remarkable and enigmatic women, Stefan moves from passive observer to active player in an ever-deepening plot.
From the book jacket:
"In Venus Blue, a novel built of sunlight, secrets, and the scent of women's hair, notions of desire and its intimate relation to absence and loss--always present just beneath Sobin's celebration of the gauzy-lit hues of Hollywood film--rise urgently to the surface. . . [Sobin] deftly blends film noir coloration [with] poetic conceit . . . Dreamlike while conjuring moments of lush actuality." --Albert Mobilio, Village Voice Literary Supplement
Lush? Poetic? Diary? Old Hollywood nostalgia? Obsessive, unrequited love? Sobin, you're speakin' my language!
I'll be honest. It's not the most polished book I've ever read! --but sensuous, captivating, and frequently lovely. Definitely worth the read.
September 9, 2023
I'm glad this book was only 198 pages. It was OK but didn't really hold my interest until about page 160. Sobin's writing is prosaic, poetic and just a tad long-winded. I mostly enjoyed the style but was easily bored by the content and had no sympathy with any of the characters.
November 5, 2010
I'm glad this book was only 198 pages. It was OK but didn't really hold my interest until about page 160. Sobin's writing is prosaic, poetic and just a tad long-winded. I mostly enjoyed the style but was easily bored by the content and had no sympathy with any of the characters.
May 9, 2016
I love anything written by Gustaf Sobin. I had the opportunity to study with him and he was extraordinary, as a teacher, as a writer, as a person.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews