The Talent: A Novel

by Daniel D'Addario

Hollywood Wives meets A Visit from the Goon Squad in this captivating Hollywood drama, an “utterly alive, dazzlingly brilliant, and so true-to-life” (Andrew Lipstein, author of Last Resort) emotional debut novel unraveling the secrets, struggles, and fierce rivalries of actresses navigating celebrity culture, complex careers, and personal truths during a high-stakes award season.

As Hollywood prepares for its most glamorous evening, five actresses compete to see who will claim the top prize.

Adria, a dignified and highly regarded grand dame of the movie industry, is intent on cementing her legacy as one of the greatest thespians of all time, even as the younger generation creeps up quickly behind her. Bitty must keep a nervous breakdown—and an increasingly debilitating alcohol addiction—at bay, as she searches for genuine closeness in an unforgiving landscape. Contessa, a former child star, is determined to make the world, and her leading man, take her seriously. Davina attempts to find her footing in superficial Los Angeles, a far cry from her roots as a serious London stage actress. And Jenny—always the underdog to her rival, Adria—sees this award season as her personal redemption, a chance to atone for past mistakes and make up for missed opportunities.

With humor, wit, and an insider’s insight, The Talent peels back the layers of women who are in the business of being perceived. And while they work to push their careers forward and maintain the public’s goodwill, all five are forced to control truths about themselves that they would rather Could Adria and Jenny have been a team all these years, rather than bitter enemies? Is it their responsibility to offer a lifeline to poor Bitty, who is clearly teetering on the edge? Should Contessa and Davina dim their own rising stars to make those around them more comfortable? What do women in the spotlight owe to each other, and themselves?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Book Club, Adult Fiction, Pop Culture, Literary Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2025

Reviews

[Jessica Woodbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juicy and frivolous, this is like the book version of reading a particularly gossipy issue of Vanity Fair. The biggest issue is that it can be hard to keep all these fake actresses straight. There are the 5 nominees but there are also several others in their orbit, all with their own histories and pedigrees and lists of fake movies. There are some recognizable types: if Meryl Streep was a diva, if Glenn Close was a recluse, the child star grown up, the party girl gone serious, and the Brit everyone assumes is a snob. We follow them around through all kinds of hijinks--festivals, photo shoots, red carpets--as they get through awards season.

I think a lot of people will have a lot of fun with this book. It isn't serious and you can tell it's written by someone who has seen a lot behind the scenes.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published February 25, 2025.

Two stars.

Contessa: “…it felt thrilling to be able to live in the moment. Like an actress, or a woman.”

Here five actresses nominated for Best Actress look at their careers during one turbulent awards season.

ADRIA BENEDICT - she’s in her late 60s and she’s won three times. She’s the grand dame, trying to cement her legacy.

BITTY HARBOR - she’s trying to hide her alcoholism and a nervous breakdown.

CONTESSA LYLE - a former child star attempting to make the world see her as a serious actress.

DAVINA SCHWARTZ - a London stage actress trying to find her place in the insanity of Hollywood.

JENNY VAN MEER - always a bridesmaid, always behind Adria, always trying to make up for missed opportunities and mistakes.

I LOVE award shows and trying to guess who is who in books like this, but I expected this to be far more salacious and gossipy, especially since written by a “Variety” chief correspondent. Instead, it was pretty subdued, a little dull. Disappointing.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

So incredibly predictable, and every character is a stereotype with nothing new or interesting. That this is arriving near Oscar season might get it more attention but... luckily it's an easy skim.

eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure I really understand the point of this book, and I was really underwhelmed by it. I kept expecting something to happen but nothing ever really did. It just abruptly ends after the award show results and the little plot we did have was left mostly unresolved. The characters felt underdeveloped and were somewhat stereotypical. There is also a lot of talk about that thing that happened without giving details to add suspense which is not my fav. I think having fewer than 6 POVs and focusing more on their development would have helped.

This is narrated by a full cast which I enjoyed but the narrators had very different delivery speeds meaning a lot of playback speed adjustments.

I wasn’t the right audience for this one, maybe bigger fans of celebrities and award shows will enjoy it more.

2⭐️ Not for me

Post read quick thoughts - Audiobook has multiple narrators making it an easy listen, but the story fell a bit flat for me.

[Bbecca_marie]

Sad to say, this is yet ANOTHER DNF for 2025. As always, I tried both the physical book and the audiobook and unfortunately It did not hold my attention. I tried but it didn’t stick. I am happy many others did enjoy it though.

happy reading

[Tess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m simply not sure what to make of this book. As a huge fan of awards season (my favorite season!) and the author’s coverage of Hollywood, I thought this would be a slam dunk. I expected a salacious, page-turning look at catty actresses and juicy drama. However, I found it quite boring and unoriginal. I truly expected more from an author who has covered this world for years and who is fantastic at creating drama himself (I had also been a fan of his Twitter and oft controversial opinions.

As we follow 5 actresses all up for the top awards of the year, we learn about each one in alternating chapters. But a vast Hollywood narrative is not made - it’s almost like those 5 actresses, along with another one who isn’t nominated and one actor who is in two of the nominated movies and in a love triangle with two of them as well, are the only celebrities in the world! It felt insular and I didn’t learn all that much about each character since we bounce around a lot. I dunno, maybe I went in with too high expectations but it just wasn’t that I wanted it to be.

[Courtney Fortin · Rating 2 out of 5]

i really wanted to like this. pacing and prose were too slow and verbose for me.

(thank u goodreads for the arc!)

[Jan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this story was poorly written. It was very difficult to determine who was speaking. The premise was good but poorly delivered. I had no connection whatsoever to any of the five leading ladies.

[Cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

had a blast, perfect read for any award season sickos

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're an awards junkie who spent high school in the aughts reading The Film Experience in the library and trolling the Gold Derby forums, this is the book for you. If you like Anne Helen Petersen's writing on celebrity and female stars, this is the book for you. If you listen to The Big Picture and The Town religiously, this is the book for you. As a person who does all of those things, this was definitely the book for me. I love the Oscars, I love movies, and I love stars and what it means to be a star - and this look at the business, emotions, strategy, and role the awards season plays in Hollywood was a lot of fun. There's a few if you know, you know mentions - Telluride, Hollywood Reporter/Variety features, and various precursor awards come to mind - but even if you don't know, it would still be a lot of fun. I thought the way the actresses were each treated was very well done, and the competition between them was enjoyable to watch, as was the discomfort of the entire process. Definitely recommend to oscar buffs and movie fans!

I received this ARC in exchange for a review

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

They have some nerve comparing this to Goon Squad

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the interwoven stories of actresses competing for Best Actress! I found it darker and sadder than I was expecting but each actress was interesting.

[Allyssa Garza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down, so predictable though. Justice for Bitty

[Evandruker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Five actresses navigate awards season in Hollywood in this novel by Daniel D’Addario, a writer for Variety who clearly is familiar with the mechanics of Hollywood. The author seems most interested in the performative nature of these womens’ lives, both on and off the screen and perhaps because of this, everything here feels a little superficial and it’s hard to muster any empathy for the characters. I couldn’t help feeling that a writer like Jackie Collins or even Harold Robbins would have made a much meatier meal out of this.

[hunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a second, third, and fourth part for this book. I wanted to email Daniel directly and ask him to write a book for every award show scenario. Jenny deserved to win and Bitty pissed me off but I neeeeed to share a cig with her. Eleanor > Contessa, I’M SORRY! Write a Gena Rowlands type character and I’m forced to fold. When is the movie remake getting made?

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and intricate glance into a world I hope never to be a part of! Probably more of a 3.5 for me. But I respect how scrupulously the author engages with such delicate and complex interpersonal dynamics. Some story lines way more engaging than others, and it took me a long while to get the characters straight.

[Joe Starosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun read! I love awards season and it really gave you a behind the curtains look at what goes into these “best actress campaigns” I liked learning about each character. Only complaint was it was short! I wish there were longer stories and we got to dig in more. Super quick and fun read!

[Skyler Luttrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book pretty much tailor-made to be my favorite thing I’ve ever read. And it almost is. I fear it’s a little safer and a little less vibrant than it could be. But it’s oh so satisfying for someone who cares as much about actresses and award season as I do. And for a Glenn Close stan? Damn. Heart wrenching. That final chapter. Glenn, I will avenge you.

[Ben Kesslen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody go buy this book!!!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this! Kinda niche but as an awards lover it was a fun look behind the curtain of these campaigns.

[Deena Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this great book, which I started yesterday which I got from the library Friday which just came out a month ago. A different sort of story, a different way of telling it. It’s about 5 fictional actresses during award season.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

the plot didn’t really exist. it was more of just rambling and the relationships between the various actresses.

[Brendan Molloy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strangely plotless for what could have been a slightly juicier book.

[Em theglitterybookworm_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

interestingly, i did not have the problems that so many people seem to be having with this. maybe the full cast audio distinguished the women enough?

[Clare M]

A fun premise, but every character was a version of the same caricature- they all blended together- and the climatic moment of the entire book happened off screen. Meh!

[k · Rating 2 out of 5]

could not finish, hated that all the characters names were alphabetical for some reason (adria, bitty, contessa, etc) but do love the name bitty harbor for a character and rooting for her x

[Morgan Wise · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars rounded up to 3.

[Kevin Keegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dragging of Award Season and its stars by and for people who love it and will be tuned in next year.

Want the sequel where they all have to survive on a desert island together.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 3 out of 5]

In his debut novel "The Talent," Daniel D'Addario—chief correspondent at Variety and a veteran entertainment journalist—delivers exactly what his professional background promises: an insider's view of Hollywood's most prestigious ritual, the awards season. Through the intertwining stories of five actresses at different stages of their careers, D'Addario constructs a narrative that is equal parts fascinating and frustrating, much like the industry it depicts.

The novel unfolds during one turbulent awards season, following Adria Benedict (the established legend), Jenny Van Meer (the perpetual runner-up), Bitty Harbor (the young star with demons), Contessa Lyle (the former child actor), and Davina Schwartz (the respected British theater transplant). Each woman is nominated for the same prestigious acting award, and D'Addario skillfully weaves between their perspectives as they navigate the gauntlet of publicity appearances, magazine shoots, and industry politics that make up modern Hollywood's most sacred ritual.

The Five-Pointed Star: Character Development

At its strongest, "The Talent" offers a nuanced exploration of women at different career stages, each grappling with the particular challenges of their position:

- Adria Benedict emerges as the most fully realized character—a three-time winner intent on breaking the record with a fourth award. D'Addario masterfully portrays her rigorous self-control and the calculated performance of her public persona, particularly in scenes where she must navigate unfamiliar territory like meeting with an old friend or dealing with a physical injury.

- Bitty Harbor, the youngest nominee, spirals through the novel in a haze of alcohol and insecurity. Her chapters provide some of the book's most affecting moments, particularly in her relationship with her ailing mother and her desperate attempts to feel valued by her costar.

- Contessa Lyle's chapters shine when exploring her complicated relationship with her manager mother, though her storyline involving text messages with a male costar feels less compelling than the mother-daughter dynamic.

- Davina Schwartz, a serious British actress navigating the superficiality of Los Angeles, offers an outsider's perspective that works best when examining the cultural clash between theatrical training and Hollywood performance.

- Jenny Van Meer, perhaps the most thinly drawn of the five, serves primarily as Adria's foil until the novel's final chapters, when her perspective gains depth through her therapy sessions.

What prevents the novel from reaching its full potential is that while each character has compelling moments, some storylines feel underdeveloped. Contessa's professional ambitions and Davina's relationship with her female director both feel like they could have been expanded. Jenny, in particular, remains somewhat enigmatic until the novel's closing pages.

The Script: Structure and Style

D'Addario employs an experimental structure that alternates between traditional narrative chapters and inventive formats: emails, magazine articles, gossip blog posts, and interview transcripts. This approach mirrors the fragmented way celebrities are perceived by the public, but it sometimes creates a distancing effect that keeps readers from fully connecting with the characters.

The prose style varies considerably depending on the character in focus. Adria's chapters feature precise, controlled language that reflects her personality, while Bitty's sections contain more stream-of-consciousness elements that effectively convey her increasingly chaotic mental state. This technique demonstrates D'Addario's technical skill, though occasionally the voices blur together, particularly in the middle sections.

A particularly innovative structural element is the way D'Addario begins the novel with a flash-forward to the awards ceremony itself, then moves backward to trace how each woman arrived at that moment. The final chapters then move forward again to reveal the winner—a clever mirroring of how awards shows themselves build dramatic tension.

The Production Design: Setting and World-Building

Where "The Talent" truly excels is in its vivid depiction of the Hollywood ecosystem. D'Addario brings to life the particular rituals of awards season with an authenticity that clearly draws from his years covering entertainment:

- The grueling magazine photoshoots where actresses must maintain perfect composure while dressed uncomfortably
- The awkward panel discussions where competitors must pretend to be supportive friends
- The strategic planning sessions with publicists who calculate every move
- The intimate-yet-performative interviews that feel authentic but are carefully choreographed

D'Addario has a keen eye for the small, telling details that reveal the power dynamics of the industry. When Bitty's publicist arranges for her to shoot alone while other actresses must share studio time, or when Adria negotiates her final position in the film's credits, these moments effectively illustrate how status is constantly asserted and challenged.

The Mixed Reviews: Strengths and Weaknesses

"The Talent" succeeds most when exploring the industry's paradoxes. D'Addario understands that for actresses, being perceived is both their product and their prison. Some of the novel's strongest passages examine how each woman attempts to maintain control over her image while being constantly evaluated, commodified, and compared to others.

The most riveting scenes occur when the actresses interact directly with each other, particularly the charged encounters between Adria and Jenny, and between Eleanor (the pioneer who paved the way for them all) and Contessa. These moments crackle with tension and unspoken history.

However, the novel occasionally falls into familiar Hollywood satire territory. Some industry figures—particularly male directors and producers—verge on caricature. The depiction of the vapid talk show host who interviews Davina, for example, feels less nuanced than other characterizations.

Additionally, while D'Addario effectively captures the particular pressures faced by women in the industry, the novel sometimes seems uncertain how deeply to explore more serious issues. Bitty's alcoholism, hints of sexual misconduct on film sets, and the particular challenges faced by women of color in Hollywood are all touched upon but rarely examined with the same detail given to awards strategy or magazine interviews.

The Final Cut: Overall Assessment

"The Talent" is an ambitious debut that provides readers a compelling peek behind Hollywood's carefully constructed façade. Like many debut novels, it reaches for more than it can fully grasp, but its ambition is admirable. D'Addario clearly understands the complex ecosystem he depicts, and his insider knowledge gives the novel an authenticity that distinguishes it from more superficial Hollywood tales.

The novel succeeds most with Adria and Bitty, whose character arcs feel most completely realized. Their chapters could almost stand alone as a compelling novella about two women at opposite ends of the industry lifecycle. The other three actresses, while interesting, sometimes feel like they're competing for narrative attention much as they compete for the award itself.

At its core, "The Talent" raises provocative questions about what women owe each other in competitive spaces, about the nature of artistic validation, and about the stories we tell ourselves to justify our ambitions. When the novel allows these questions to breathe through its characters' experiences rather than explicitly stating them, it achieves moments of genuine insight and emotional resonance.

[Dylan · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 -> 2

I thought I was gonna like this book. I had high hopes, and was IMMEDIATELY let down. Every character was so... vague? It's like you got no time to read or understand their personality before you were immediately introduced to another character, then another, then another, until you finish the book and realize you don't care about any of the nominees. Not to be "that friend who's too woke" but there were two quips about gay guys from the women that were just... odd? I don't care if the characters aren't politically correct, but they just felt randomly thrown in for no apparent reason?? We aren't given enough information about the characters themselves to understand their thought processes or ideology, so the random commentary just made them look weird and rather tone deaf. I don't care at all about the jokes, what is offensive is how plain and two-dimensional the characters are. They have their own motivations and ideas for how and why they came to be actresses. That's about it. There are far too many main characters within this novel, and even though I understand why they all had to share their own unique perspectives, I just wish we could have learned more defining things about them -- because six rapidly changing perspectives with no real force keeping you tied to any of them in the first place just leads to a dull and bizarre reading experiences.

I wanted to end with my main gripe about the vagueness in the story -- THE ENTIRE AWARD SHOW. I understand D'Addario wanted to allude to both the Golden Globes and Oscar's but could not due to copyright -- so WHY NOT just make your own version of the shows?? I understand the characters within the novel are human and are supposed to live in our current timeline, but they are all made up, in made up movies, with made up backstories -- why do they have to attend a real event? Why is the only real thing taken from actual reality the one thing you legally cannot take?? I'm sure you could even write celebrity fanfiction legally as long as it wasn't considered defamation -- so why not come up with your own version of the award shows? From the first sentence, I was confused as to why there was so much tiptoeing around the question, the vagueness of the show itself, which only amplified the vagueness of the characters. For a novel that is supposed to be about the real human emotions of celebrities, and the cutthroat way they are pinned against each other ... you really still felt like an outsider looking in. I wouldn't equate this to any sort of lesson on learning that "Wow! Celebrities are really just like us!" -- because of course they're not, and in this book, they just don't feel convincing whatsoever as either public figures or even people. By the end of the novel -- although admittedly I wanted desperately to be done with this book -- I felt nothing whatsoever, no excitement, no suspense, just... like I read 328 pages that I either completely misread and let go over my head or just didn't enjoy.