The Majestic Sisters

by Jessica Ilse

Dual-timeline historical fiction following the lives of two estranged sisters, once the most famous performers in midcentury Halifax, who now must come together to save their beloved theatre from ruin.

We were stars standing in tall shadows every night at the Majestic Theatre.

1939. Majestic Melly is one of Halifax, Nova Scotia's biggest It Girls. As one half of the all-singing, all-dancing Majestic Sisters duo, she knows she's poised for stardom— she just needs to get off the stage of the Majestic Theatre, where she performs nightly with her sister, Missy, and find a way to Hollywood. As the curtains close on the decade, Melly disappears from the seaside city, missing Missy's wedding and leaving her sister heartbroken, and winds up on the front pages of international newspapers a few days later with Clark Gable.

1963. Melly Calvert, Hollywood's box office queen, learns that her beloved Majestic Theatre is closing its doors. After nearly twenty-five years of estrangement between the legendary Majestic Sisters, Melly returns home to convince her socialite sister, now the wife of Halifax's most successful hotelier, to try and help her save it. But old wounds are still fresh, and as the clock ticks toward the new year, the Majestic Theatre—and the Majestic Sisters—are in danger of disappearing forever.

Suffused with backstage gossip and cinematic history, and written in the style of a tell-all Old Hollywood autobiography, The Majestic Sisters is an authentic and stirring portrait of sibling rivalry during the Golden Age of Cinema and an impeccably drawn portrait of mid-century Halifax that will appeal to fans of Beatriz Williams and Brooke Lea Foster.

Genres: Canada, Historical Fiction

282 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2024

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the late 1930s and then back and forth 25 years later, Majestic Melly recounts her life story from her humble beginning as a hometown It girl in Halifax Nova Scotia performing as a sisterly-duo, to making it big in Hollywood during the Golden Age of movie stardom.

It's very charming, brightly narrated with a tone of voice and POV that really feels convincingly authentic. Jessica Ilse has quite a few narrative twists and surprises that keep us wondering what exactly happened between these two estranged sisters and how Melly managed to get in front of the right people and realize her dream.

I really enjoyed the conversational tone Ilse writes in, it felt like Melly was telling me this herself, pushing and pulling the curtain, careful of what she revealed and when. The atmosphere is just right, and experiencing my home city Halifax right before the war felt very cinematic in and of itself.

My only qualms with this book were saving the Hollywood part of the story for the last few chapters, I'd have liked to spend equal amount of time in Halifax and Hollywood, while narratively I understand why she told it this way, I'd have enjoyed experiencing as much time in her come up in Hollywood as in Halifax. I was so invested!

This was a fun little romp and a super quick read, I'd highly recommend it to fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and especially The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo--the vibes were super similar and just as great. An impressive debut and an author I hope to read more from in the future!

[Elizabeth Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, definitely don’t read this book if you have any pressing plans in the next few days that you don’t want to be distracted from. This is one of those really unputdownable stories!

The characters are so believable – funny, imaginative, and, yes, flawed. I particularly loved the sister dynamic in the earlier time period: constantly annoyed with – but also devoted to – each other. The narrator, Melly, has a back story that could seem farfetched. Let’s be real – the entire premise of a small-town girl striking it big can be a bit overdone. But her character is so rich and relatable with her flaws and frustrations and internal struggle that I found it impossible to doubt her. I really can’t put my finger on it, but the entire thing seems so REAL to me – I mostly attribute that to the depth of the character development, but the painstakingly researched setting and brisk dialogue don’t hurt either. I completely lost myself in the story, and I know I’ll be mentally revisiting it for a long time.

Lastly, don’t be put off if you’re not an “Old Hollywood” person. I’m not into that whole scene (sorry), so I didn’t really expect this to be my thing. I’m so happy to have been proven wrong!

[Francie Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story of interest especially to Nova Scotians ; even though it’s fiction, mentions historical events and places. Good first novel by a maritime author.

[Miss Bluejeanlottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a book I'll be collecting in hardback! Jessica IIse is a maestro at penning a beautiful story; making it sing with every vowel, and phrase! Complete with a finesse of elegant and fun entertainment! 💖

Do you remember the song "Razzle Dazzle" from the movie "Chicago" ?! That's the song that was playing in my head the whole time I was reading this vintage book dessert! 🍾 (I would definitely tell Richard Gere to read this book!)

We have two sisters set in Canada called The Majestic Sisters! They are truly remarkable young women who take control of the stage with their presence and performances! This is around the 1930s! I like how the book reads in my opinion kind of like a biography with fiction!

I love how it says how both sisters ended up in the 1960s! One decided to go to Hollywood and make it big! The other became a socialite! Whenever I read a book I like to know how life progresses for characters not just in that moment. And this book truly delivers everything I wanted and more! ☕

The two sisters come back together during the time of the 1960s after they find out their beloved theater where they entertained everybody is going to close down! It kind of became like a mystery. Except both sisters had to find clues about each other's lives as time went on. This show has a Chicago and a Mad Men appeal! 🧁

Bravo to the author! I can't wait to read more! 💕

THANK YOU NETGALLEY!!!

[Ethel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halifax Canada. In 1939 Melly Calvert and Missy Calvert better known as The Majestic Sisters, named after the movie theater they were named for come into the world of entertainment. They sing, they dance, they tell jokes and perform on stage for 15 minutes before the feature film is shown. They were the "toasts" of the town...until they split up. Melly makes her way to Hollywood where she becomes a star with 2 Oscars to her name, while When Melly disappears, Missy stays in Halifax and becomes a socialite married to a wealthy hotelier. In the early 60's Melly learns that her dear theater, the Majestic, is being closed down, she returns to Halifax to meet with her estranged sibling. This story reads like a gossip column ones that were written by the likes of Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons. This novel reminds me of the movie magazines that were written in the 40's-60's with all the gossip about celebrities that you could read (weather true or not). It brings you back when Hollywood was "Tinsel Town" and the Golden era of the times. This book was quite enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone that is nostalgic for Hollywood's past. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[JANELLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story about two sisters in Halifax, Nova Scotia that are the pre-show entertainers at the Majestic Theatre. They perform skits, dance and sing before the movies start. Majestic Melly and Majestic Missy - the Majestic Sisters.

The story begins with their start at the theatre and follows their lives - Missy meets and falls in love with hotelier Edward and Melly goes on to become a famous movie star. The sisters become estranged after Melly leaves town the night before Missy's wedding and doesn't come back. They only get back together years later when their beloved Majestic Theatre needs help saving it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

[Stephanie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Melly Calvert and her rise to fame in Halifax, The Majestic Sisters was a fun read. This is one of those stories I would put into my “fun Sunday afternoon reads” category.

The story was easy to follow and the characters were likeable enough. I would argue that the relationship between Missy and Melly seemed more hostile than anything throughout the story. There weren’t enough tender moments between the sisters to build an emotional reaction to their fallout.

[Donna Flemming · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I was not impressed - I got this book thinking it was non-fiction. Then, I was put off by the flippant back and forth banter between the sisters, but in the end, it really grew on me. I have to admit that I did enjoy the read, especially all the mentions of the Halifax landmarks that are now mostly gone. It's really hard to diss something that brings back memories of so many places in your own hometown and finishing it on December 31st was just so fitting. Well done!

[Stephanie Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stepping back into time with the Majestic Sisters was wonderful. It felt like I was experiencing their joy, their pain, their excitement, and all of it alongside them.
Having lived in Halifax (and even for those who haven't lived there) Jess paints vivid scenes of the theatre, bars, and nightlife.
What a joy to experience.

[Rao · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 rounded up.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid watcher of old movies, definitely enjoyed reading this book!