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Catch the Sun
On a rainy morning in Los Angeles, Marilyn Monroe appears on the bedroom patio of Amanda Grace, a former Playboy centerfold and jeans model whose barely-launched acting career has tanked. Dancing, laughing and gazing at Amanda through the glass doors, Marilyn seems to want something from her, but what? And how has the greatest sex symbol of her time been transported through time and space to contemporary Los Angeles?
"Catch the Sun" is a story of growing obsession as Amanda Grace, a woman whose beauty is undeniable but talents are questionable, becomes captivated by the haunting apparition of Marilyn Monroe. As she explores the fragility, beauty, and dazzling rise to fame of the once great movie star, Amanda slowly loses her own tenuous hold on reality.
"Catch the Sun" is a story of growing obsession as Amanda Grace, a woman whose beauty is undeniable but talents are questionable, becomes captivated by the haunting apparition of Marilyn Monroe. As she explores the fragility, beauty, and dazzling rise to fame of the once great movie star, Amanda slowly loses her own tenuous hold on reality.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 27, 2015
Review posted on Books and Swoons
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review and a tour stop. It did not, however, influence this review in any way.**
I was very surprised when I first started reading Catch the Sun. I found myself engaged in the storytelling, turning page after page trying to find out what would happen next. I thought I knew how it was going to end but the twist totally threw me off and I was left reeling. What really happened? Did Amanda imagined everything?
In the beginning, I found myself tearing up and sympathizing as Amanda and her sister Joanne dealt with the suicide of their mother. However, as we learn more about Amanda, I became irritated about how self-absorbed she was. Apparently, since she was so "sensitive" (as her mother, Edith, puts it) it gave her a way out on leaving all the arrangements to Joanne. And when this was pointed out to her, she ran away crying, leaving everything to be figured out by other people. Again.
This story is told in Amanda's POV as well as in Marilyn's POV. I really enjoyed Marilyn's point of view since it would give us more knowledge on the starlet's life and how it was entwined with Amanda's. I don't know much about Marilyn Monroe's life but I enjoyed how Ms. Zamloch was able to transport us back into Miss. Monroe's life and how authentic it felt.
My only issues with the story were the "woes is me, nobody loves me, men only like me for my body" that both Marilyn and Amanda talked about. I think that so much time was spent whining about everything that I rolled my eyes so many times that I was worried they were going to get stuck that way. They both complained so much about how they were stuck in their vicious cycle and were both so unhappy that I started to force myself to care about it. I just wanted for Amanda to get out of dark clouds and do something for once. Which she does but like I said, I'm still confused with how it ended.
I will probably reread this book again just so I can understand it better and pick up on those clues that I know were right in front of me. And I'm definitely curious about Marilyn Monroe and I would love to learn more about her and her short life.
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review and a tour stop. It did not, however, influence this review in any way.**
I was very surprised when I first started reading Catch the Sun. I found myself engaged in the storytelling, turning page after page trying to find out what would happen next. I thought I knew how it was going to end but the twist totally threw me off and I was left reeling. What really happened? Did Amanda imagined everything?
In the beginning, I found myself tearing up and sympathizing as Amanda and her sister Joanne dealt with the suicide of their mother. However, as we learn more about Amanda, I became irritated about how self-absorbed she was. Apparently, since she was so "sensitive" (as her mother, Edith, puts it) it gave her a way out on leaving all the arrangements to Joanne. And when this was pointed out to her, she ran away crying, leaving everything to be figured out by other people. Again.
This story is told in Amanda's POV as well as in Marilyn's POV. I really enjoyed Marilyn's point of view since it would give us more knowledge on the starlet's life and how it was entwined with Amanda's. I don't know much about Marilyn Monroe's life but I enjoyed how Ms. Zamloch was able to transport us back into Miss. Monroe's life and how authentic it felt.
My only issues with the story were the "woes is me, nobody loves me, men only like me for my body" that both Marilyn and Amanda talked about. I think that so much time was spent whining about everything that I rolled my eyes so many times that I was worried they were going to get stuck that way. They both complained so much about how they were stuck in their vicious cycle and were both so unhappy that I started to force myself to care about it. I just wanted for Amanda to get out of dark clouds and do something for once. Which she does but like I said, I'm still confused with how it ended.
I will probably reread this book again just so I can understand it better and pick up on those clues that I know were right in front of me. And I'm definitely curious about Marilyn Monroe and I would love to learn more about her and her short life.
September 23, 2012
Catch the Sun is the story of Amanda Grace – a gorgeous woman who once experienced a brief taste of fame as a fashion model, but who has since fallen from the limelight. Faced with the suicide of her terminally ill mother, being dumped by her agent, and multiple failed attempts at an acting career – she slips into a self-destructive depression and begins seeing visions of Marilyn Monroe outside her windows. She decides to learn everything she can about Marilyn Monroe and to do everything she can to look like Marilyn Monroe, so that she can make her comeback playing Marilyn Monroe in a movie about the legendary star.
Catch the Sun moves smoothly between the past – providing us with fascinating (though, of course, fictitious) glimpses of Marilyn’s life and psyche, and the present – focusing on Amanda’s growing obsession and depression. Much of the book is written in the present tense which, up until now, has been a major turn-off for me – but this is such a well written and polished novel that I am almost a convert.
Although this book deals with dark topics such as suicide, depression, substance abuse, and abandonment – it is a well crafted story. The really artful thing about the book is the way the author, Lee Zamloch, weaves a tapestry of intertwining, parallel lives. For example these include: Amanda’s own inability to separate her incredible good looks from her personal identity and Marilyn’s frustrations that no one else can separate these two in her; and Amanda’s feeling of loneliness and abandonment by her mother’s death and her neighbor’s foster-daughter, Cherry’s, sorrow at the loss of her own mother.
Despite the book’s somber topics and events, I found the story kept my interest throughout. However, I did find that some intriguing plotlines were not pursued and that the ending was somewhat inconclusive. Catch the Sun’s strength definitely lies in the unique and interesting character developments for all of the women in this book.
This review was originally posted as part of a blog tour:
http://indiepicks.wordpress.com/2012/...
Catch the Sun moves smoothly between the past – providing us with fascinating (though, of course, fictitious) glimpses of Marilyn’s life and psyche, and the present – focusing on Amanda’s growing obsession and depression. Much of the book is written in the present tense which, up until now, has been a major turn-off for me – but this is such a well written and polished novel that I am almost a convert.
Although this book deals with dark topics such as suicide, depression, substance abuse, and abandonment – it is a well crafted story. The really artful thing about the book is the way the author, Lee Zamloch, weaves a tapestry of intertwining, parallel lives. For example these include: Amanda’s own inability to separate her incredible good looks from her personal identity and Marilyn’s frustrations that no one else can separate these two in her; and Amanda’s feeling of loneliness and abandonment by her mother’s death and her neighbor’s foster-daughter, Cherry’s, sorrow at the loss of her own mother.
Despite the book’s somber topics and events, I found the story kept my interest throughout. However, I did find that some intriguing plotlines were not pursued and that the ending was somewhat inconclusive. Catch the Sun’s strength definitely lies in the unique and interesting character developments for all of the women in this book.
This review was originally posted as part of a blog tour:
http://indiepicks.wordpress.com/2012/...
September 11, 2012
Catch the sun starts with an artist name Edith who commits suicide. She has left her two daughters, Joanne and Meredith behind to divide up her property. Meredith takes the name of Amanda Grace and after her mother’s death sees Marilyn Munroe on her patio dancing in the rain. Amanda becomes obsessed with Marilyn and is convinced she is talking to her and appearing occasionally.
Marilyn Munroe is such an icon actress but I actually have never read much about her. I was aware of the basic facts of her life but nothing to in depth. Catch the Sun gives flashes into the life of Marilyn Munroe and gives her a new series of events in her life. Joanne was not a character that played a large part in the book, as Amanda’s obsession grows her sister fades out of the story. Amanda was complex character that got her fame in a not so glamour way. Amanda slowly sinks into madness and complete separates herself from the remainder of her family.
The concept was an interesting one; I found the book very engaging and hard to put down. I had to know what was going to happen next with Marilyn and Amanda. I enjoyed the duel points of view from Marilyn and Amanda as their lives intertwined together.
I really enjoyed everything about this book, I thought the characters were all complex and had depth. The story was interesting, I thought I had the ending figured out but the last twist in the end caught me off guard and the book ended on a good note. I was intrigued by the ending and find myself wondering what is going to happen next with Amanda. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Marilyn Munroe is such an icon actress but I actually have never read much about her. I was aware of the basic facts of her life but nothing to in depth. Catch the Sun gives flashes into the life of Marilyn Munroe and gives her a new series of events in her life. Joanne was not a character that played a large part in the book, as Amanda’s obsession grows her sister fades out of the story. Amanda was complex character that got her fame in a not so glamour way. Amanda slowly sinks into madness and complete separates herself from the remainder of her family.
The concept was an interesting one; I found the book very engaging and hard to put down. I had to know what was going to happen next with Marilyn and Amanda. I enjoyed the duel points of view from Marilyn and Amanda as their lives intertwined together.
I really enjoyed everything about this book, I thought the characters were all complex and had depth. The story was interesting, I thought I had the ending figured out but the last twist in the end caught me off guard and the book ended on a good note. I was intrigued by the ending and find myself wondering what is going to happen next with Amanda. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
November 21, 2012
Did I enjoy this book: I really did not enjoy this book. I wanted to, but I did not. The problem was that I did not care about any of the characters. I read this book in a bit over a day but there were some parts that I found myself skimming over because I just wasn't that interested.
The story itself was quite creative. That was what piqued my interest in this book. But the back and forth between the Marilyn and Amanda time frames (1962 and 1995) did not flow well. I've read plenty of books with jumping time periods, and they have worked, but this one was just confusing. So were some of the transitions between parts of the story.
The characters drew no sympathy from me. I didn't like Edith. She was selfish in death when she didn't have the decency to finalize her deception to Amanda. If she didn't want to tell her daughter that she was adopted - which was the wrong decision from the start, in my opinion - then she should have taken the necessary steps to make sure that secret went with her to the grave. That was horrible. Amanda was a product of her own making. She could have had a great, bright future when she was younger but she tossed it all away. Then she started to spiral out of control and reality. What was even true? What was in her head? I just kept thinking "why am I still reading this?" (The answer to that is because I participated in the blog tour and I wanted to finish the book to the end to see if it redeemed itself. It did not.)
Would I recommend it: I would not.
Will I read it again: I will not.
http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...
The story itself was quite creative. That was what piqued my interest in this book. But the back and forth between the Marilyn and Amanda time frames (1962 and 1995) did not flow well. I've read plenty of books with jumping time periods, and they have worked, but this one was just confusing. So were some of the transitions between parts of the story.
The characters drew no sympathy from me. I didn't like Edith. She was selfish in death when she didn't have the decency to finalize her deception to Amanda. If she didn't want to tell her daughter that she was adopted - which was the wrong decision from the start, in my opinion - then she should have taken the necessary steps to make sure that secret went with her to the grave. That was horrible. Amanda was a product of her own making. She could have had a great, bright future when she was younger but she tossed it all away. Then she started to spiral out of control and reality. What was even true? What was in her head? I just kept thinking "why am I still reading this?" (The answer to that is because I participated in the blog tour and I wanted to finish the book to the end to see if it redeemed itself. It did not.)
Would I recommend it: I would not.
Will I read it again: I will not.
http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...
September 24, 2012
Catch the Sun revolves around Amanda Grace, a woman who at one point experienced the limelight of fame but has since fallen out of favor of the rich and famous. The suicide of her mother begins the downward spiral for the once-adored actress. Her agent leaves her and her career as an actress is overshadowed by her past and the loss of her mother. As her world continues to crumble around her, she begins to see flashes of a woman outside her window. A woman who could understand her loneliness and betrayal - Marilyn Monroe. Inspired, Amanda is determined to find out all she can about the beloved actress in hopes of mimicking her. It is her comeback in the making.
What I loved most about this book are the perspectives that we see from each of the female characters. The story moves wonderfully from the past, showing glimpses of Amanda's mother and Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn's narrative is fictional, of course, but it does not detour from the emotion of the individual.
And, as you may have guessed, I look out for my readers. That said, this story involves much talk about suicide, depression, abandonment and just plain loneliness - pretty grim stuff. However, it does not ever sound fake or exploited, but real and understood. These are realities and the story treats them as such. This book kept my interest until the end. This is, in large part, due to the wonderful character developments for each of the strong women portrayed in this book.
What I loved most about this book are the perspectives that we see from each of the female characters. The story moves wonderfully from the past, showing glimpses of Amanda's mother and Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn's narrative is fictional, of course, but it does not detour from the emotion of the individual.
And, as you may have guessed, I look out for my readers. That said, this story involves much talk about suicide, depression, abandonment and just plain loneliness - pretty grim stuff. However, it does not ever sound fake or exploited, but real and understood. These are realities and the story treats them as such. This book kept my interest until the end. This is, in large part, due to the wonderful character developments for each of the strong women portrayed in this book.
September 19, 2012
After hearing about her mother’s suicide, Amanda Grace falls into a deep depression. She battles feelings of inadequacy, abandonment, and desperation. In the midst of Amanda’s darkness, Marilyn Monroe begins to appear around her. The sightings encourage Amanda to attempt to revive her lifeless acting career, but can she conquer her demons?
Lee Zamloch has written two stories that beautifully interweave in Catch the Sun. Zamloch introduces us to Amanda Grace, a former model and struggling actress, and shares the intimate side of Marilyn Monroe who walked a similar path as Grace, some thirty years earlier. Both women battle depression, substance abuse, and the desire to be loved for who they truly are opposed to the persona that everyone else sees.
Catch the Sun deals with stardom, obsession, losing yourself to please others, and grasping onto strings to regain control while dealing with intense issues.
Lee Zamloch has written two stories that beautifully interweave in Catch the Sun. Zamloch introduces us to Amanda Grace, a former model and struggling actress, and shares the intimate side of Marilyn Monroe who walked a similar path as Grace, some thirty years earlier. Both women battle depression, substance abuse, and the desire to be loved for who they truly are opposed to the persona that everyone else sees.
Catch the Sun deals with stardom, obsession, losing yourself to please others, and grasping onto strings to regain control while dealing with intense issues.
May 19, 2013
"Catch the Sun" is an extremely interesting read that shows insights of Marilyn Monroe's life one never realizes within the storyline...loneliness and how trapped she was. Well written plot with strong characters. Recommended for all Marilyn Monroe and celebrity fans.
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
August 31, 2012
My review will be available on my blog on the 09/03
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews