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All the Stars in the Heavens
Adriana Trigiani, the New York Times bestselling author of the blockbuster epic The Shoemaker's Wife, returns with her biggest and boldest novel yet, a hypnotic tale based on a true story and filled with her signature elements: family ties, artistry, romance, and adventure. Born in the golden age of Hollywood, All the Stars in the Heavens captures the luster, drama, power, and secrets that could only thrive in the studio system—viewed through the lives of an unforgettable cast of players creating magic on the screen and behind the scenes.
In this spectacular saga as radiant, thrilling, and beguiling as Hollywood itself, Adriana Trigiani takes us back to Tinsel Town's golden age—an era as brutal as it was resplendent—and into the complex and glamorous world of a young actress hungry for fame and success. With meticulous, beautiful detail, Trigiani paints a rich, historical landscape of 1930s Los Angeles, where European and American artisans flocked to pursue the ultimate dream: to tell stories on the silver screen.
The movie business is booming in 1935 when twenty-one-year-old Loretta Young meets thirty-four-year-old Clark Gable on the set of The Call of the Wild. Though he's already married, Gable falls for the stunning and vivacious young actress instantly.
Far from the glittering lights of Hollywood, Sister Alda Ducci has been forced to leave her convent and begin a new journey that leads her to Loretta. Becoming Miss Young's secretary, the innocent and pious young Alda must navigate the wild terrain of Hollywood with fierce determination and a moral code that derives from her Italian roots. Over the course of decades, she and Loretta encounter scandal and adventure, choose love and passion, and forge an enduring bond of love and loyalty that will be put to the test when they eventually face the greatest obstacle of their lives.
Anchored by Trigiani's masterful storytelling that takes you on a worldwide ride of adventure from Hollywood to the shores of southern Italy, this mesmerizing epic is, at its heart, a luminous tale of the most cherished ties that bind. Brimming with larger-than-life characters both real and fictional—including stars Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy, David Niven, Hattie McDaniel and more—it is it is the unforgettable story of one of cinema's greatest love affairs during the golden age of American movie making.
In this spectacular saga as radiant, thrilling, and beguiling as Hollywood itself, Adriana Trigiani takes us back to Tinsel Town's golden age—an era as brutal as it was resplendent—and into the complex and glamorous world of a young actress hungry for fame and success. With meticulous, beautiful detail, Trigiani paints a rich, historical landscape of 1930s Los Angeles, where European and American artisans flocked to pursue the ultimate dream: to tell stories on the silver screen.
The movie business is booming in 1935 when twenty-one-year-old Loretta Young meets thirty-four-year-old Clark Gable on the set of The Call of the Wild. Though he's already married, Gable falls for the stunning and vivacious young actress instantly.
Far from the glittering lights of Hollywood, Sister Alda Ducci has been forced to leave her convent and begin a new journey that leads her to Loretta. Becoming Miss Young's secretary, the innocent and pious young Alda must navigate the wild terrain of Hollywood with fierce determination and a moral code that derives from her Italian roots. Over the course of decades, she and Loretta encounter scandal and adventure, choose love and passion, and forge an enduring bond of love and loyalty that will be put to the test when they eventually face the greatest obstacle of their lives.
Anchored by Trigiani's masterful storytelling that takes you on a worldwide ride of adventure from Hollywood to the shores of southern Italy, this mesmerizing epic is, at its heart, a luminous tale of the most cherished ties that bind. Brimming with larger-than-life characters both real and fictional—including stars Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy, David Niven, Hattie McDaniel and more—it is it is the unforgettable story of one of cinema's greatest love affairs during the golden age of American movie making.
480 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
1183 people are currently reading
10590 people want to read
About the author
Adriana Trigiani
66 books6,825 followersJoin Adriana Trigiani and the great authors and luminaries of our time on the YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ PODCAST! Available wherever you listen to podcasts: https://linktr.ee/adrianatrigiani
Beloved by millions of readers around the world for her "dazzling" novels (USA Today), Adriana Trigiani is "a master of palpable and visual detail" (Washington Post) and "a comedy writer with a heart of gold" (New York Times). She is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including her latest, The Good Left Undone- an instant New York Times best seller, Book of the Month pick and People's Book of the Week. Her work is published in 38 languages around the world. An award-winning playwright, television writer/producer and filmmaker, Adriana's screen credits include writer/director of the major motion picture of her debut novel, Big Stone Gap, the adaptation of her novel Very Valentine and director of Then Came You. Adriana grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she co-founded The Origin Project, an in-school writing program serving over 2,700 students in Appalachia. She is at work on her next novel for Dutton at Penguin Random House.
Follow Adriana on Facebook and Instagram @AdrianaTrigiani and on TikTok @AdrianaTrigianiAuthor or visit her website: AdrianaTrigiani.com.
Beloved by millions of readers around the world for her "dazzling" novels (USA Today), Adriana Trigiani is "a master of palpable and visual detail" (Washington Post) and "a comedy writer with a heart of gold" (New York Times). She is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including her latest, The Good Left Undone- an instant New York Times best seller, Book of the Month pick and People's Book of the Week. Her work is published in 38 languages around the world. An award-winning playwright, television writer/producer and filmmaker, Adriana's screen credits include writer/director of the major motion picture of her debut novel, Big Stone Gap, the adaptation of her novel Very Valentine and director of Then Came You. Adriana grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she co-founded The Origin Project, an in-school writing program serving over 2,700 students in Appalachia. She is at work on her next novel for Dutton at Penguin Random House.
Follow Adriana on Facebook and Instagram @AdrianaTrigiani and on TikTok @AdrianaTrigianiAuthor or visit her website: AdrianaTrigiani.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,832 reviews
September 28, 2022
5 star rating.
ALL THE STARS IN THE HEAVENS is a beautifully crafted story of historical fiction that takes place during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Alda’s life path is redirected when she is sent to work as a secretary for one of Hollywood’s hardest working actors. Swept up into this new family and world, Alda finds herself in the same universe as Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy, David Niven, Loretta Young, etc just to name a few.
While in this Hollywood universe, Alda has a front row seat to all the love and romance, disappointment and despair, and all things in between. Many lessons are learned and none more than life is not always like the movies…the ending does not always come together with a nice big bow.
This bittersweet tale is recommended for everyone—lovers of old Hollywood, romance, or just fantastic characters and writing.
ALL THE STARS IN THE HEAVENS is a beautifully crafted story of historical fiction that takes place during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Alda’s life path is redirected when she is sent to work as a secretary for one of Hollywood’s hardest working actors. Swept up into this new family and world, Alda finds herself in the same universe as Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy, David Niven, Loretta Young, etc just to name a few.
While in this Hollywood universe, Alda has a front row seat to all the love and romance, disappointment and despair, and all things in between. Many lessons are learned and none more than life is not always like the movies…the ending does not always come together with a nice big bow.
This bittersweet tale is recommended for everyone—lovers of old Hollywood, romance, or just fantastic characters and writing.
November 10, 2015
A vast departure from the warmth and authentic characters in Trigiani's previous novels. I found this book extremely dull and struggled to stay engaged.
November 4, 2015
Disappointed in that the character Alda was not the core of this tale. Liking Trigiani's work and her more original plots, this highly fictionalized rendition of Loretta Young's life falls far short. Too many words, too few authentic emotive or associative links to the crux issues during that time, IMHO. Some of the under characters were completely flat and never began to come alive, not even after 100 pages of them. Like Alda's husband Luca and nearly every Catholic clergy person in the mix. The opposite of "pop"- they just lay down there like a deflated balloon. This one was for easy money and the crowd who lives on celebs? Regardless, it was a terrible idea and I wish she wouldn't have used this route at all.
November 1, 2015
Kept me turning pages, and I'm torn about the rating, I'm a huge Adriana Trigiani fan. This wasn't my favorite of her many books, More a 3.5 for me. I remember Loretta Young, Clark Gable, and many of the other stars involved, but didn't know about the event that is at the center of this story. I'm intrigued about the research that must have gone into writing this and how much of the story is fiction vs. based on reported facts. Creating dialogue for characters who were real people fascinates me. Can't wait to hear an interview with A.T. to learn more about her process
October 26, 2015
I'm really disappointed in this book from the woman who wrote 'The Shoemaker's Wife', which I loved. I felt as if I was reading a movie magazine, and had to force myself to finish it.
Too wordy, overloaded with detail (often repeated), and not as much depth as I prefer in a storyline. It made me sad, also, to read how unhappy the movie stars I admired were in real life. I had a crush on Clark Gable when I was just a little girl. Even then I thought he had sad eyes.
I hope the author's next book is more like her other books.
Too wordy, overloaded with detail (often repeated), and not as much depth as I prefer in a storyline. It made me sad, also, to read how unhappy the movie stars I admired were in real life. I had a crush on Clark Gable when I was just a little girl. Even then I thought he had sad eyes.
I hope the author's next book is more like her other books.
November 9, 2015
Reading Adriana Trigiani's newest novel All The Stars In The Heavens feels like watching a fascinating Turner Classic Movies documentary. I felt like putting on my best peignoir, slipping on my feathered mules, applying the reddest shade of lipstick, and mixing myself a martini garnished with olives as I dove into the story-behind-the-story of Loretta Young and Clark Gable's forbidden Hollywood romance while reclining on my bedroom chaise.
Loretta Young was a hardworking, well-known young actress when she was cast as the thirteen-years-older Clark Cable's love interest in the movie The Call of The Wild. The movie was to be shot on location in a remote area near Seattle.
Young's assistant, the former-almost-nun-until-she-was-told-by-Mother-Superior-that-she-was-not-nun-material Alda Ducci accompanied Loretta. They were among the very few women on the set, so they managed to attract the attentions of more than a few of the men.
Clark Gable avidly pursued Loretta, even though he was married. Loretta had just ended a romantic, though chaste, relationship with actor Spencer Tracy and even though she had a reputation for falling a little bit in love with her leading men, she was determined not to do so with Gable.
She resisted until she couldn't anymore, and when Loretta and Gable traveled to Seattle to be witnesses to a wedding between Alda and a set painter after a whirlwind romance, she gave in.
The affair had long-lasting consequences, and although Gable promised that he was going to divorce his wife to be with Loretta, he strung Loretta along. Loretta had a career to worry about, and home wrecker would not look good in the tabloids or on her resume.
There were so many things I loved about All The Stars In The Heavens, it could be a multi-part post, but I will just touch on the highlights.
The novel takes real people and a true story and imagines what really happened, and those kind of stories I find irresistible when done well, and Trigiani aims high and hits a home run here.
I love Hollywood behind-the-scenes-stories, and to see a different side of have such unforgettable characters as Young, Gable, a young David Niven, Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy and Hattie McDaniel was thrilling.
The scene with Gable and Hattie McDaniel on the set of Saratoga, the 1937 movie where Jean Harlow died on set, made me giddy. We see their bantering and flirting, and now I remember why I loved the scenes between Mammy and Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind so much. (GWTW is my favorite movie!)
Women in Trigiani's books are strong women, and always strive to have a career. Here we see that Loretta worked hard to support her mother and sisters, and invested her money in real estate. How many women (or men) in Hollywood were smart enough to do that? Loretta's mother, a single mom, had to raise her four daughters, and built a stellar career in real estate investment and interior design. She was a terrific example for her girls, and Trigiani's protagonists are good examples for women to work hard and follow their dreams to get ahead.
I could go on and on, but I'll just tell you that I loved that Trigiani has stepped up her already stellar game in All The Stars In The Heavens, and you will lose yourself in a dazzling Hollywood love story that will have you googling Loretta Young/Clark Cable to find out the story that inspired this gorgeous novel. I give it my highest recommendation.
Loretta Young was a hardworking, well-known young actress when she was cast as the thirteen-years-older Clark Cable's love interest in the movie The Call of The Wild. The movie was to be shot on location in a remote area near Seattle.
Young's assistant, the former-almost-nun-until-she-was-told-by-Mother-Superior-that-she-was-not-nun-material Alda Ducci accompanied Loretta. They were among the very few women on the set, so they managed to attract the attentions of more than a few of the men.
Clark Gable avidly pursued Loretta, even though he was married. Loretta had just ended a romantic, though chaste, relationship with actor Spencer Tracy and even though she had a reputation for falling a little bit in love with her leading men, she was determined not to do so with Gable.
She resisted until she couldn't anymore, and when Loretta and Gable traveled to Seattle to be witnesses to a wedding between Alda and a set painter after a whirlwind romance, she gave in.
The affair had long-lasting consequences, and although Gable promised that he was going to divorce his wife to be with Loretta, he strung Loretta along. Loretta had a career to worry about, and home wrecker would not look good in the tabloids or on her resume.
There were so many things I loved about All The Stars In The Heavens, it could be a multi-part post, but I will just touch on the highlights.
The novel takes real people and a true story and imagines what really happened, and those kind of stories I find irresistible when done well, and Trigiani aims high and hits a home run here.
I love Hollywood behind-the-scenes-stories, and to see a different side of have such unforgettable characters as Young, Gable, a young David Niven, Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy and Hattie McDaniel was thrilling.
The scene with Gable and Hattie McDaniel on the set of Saratoga, the 1937 movie where Jean Harlow died on set, made me giddy. We see their bantering and flirting, and now I remember why I loved the scenes between Mammy and Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind so much. (GWTW is my favorite movie!)
Women in Trigiani's books are strong women, and always strive to have a career. Here we see that Loretta worked hard to support her mother and sisters, and invested her money in real estate. How many women (or men) in Hollywood were smart enough to do that? Loretta's mother, a single mom, had to raise her four daughters, and built a stellar career in real estate investment and interior design. She was a terrific example for her girls, and Trigiani's protagonists are good examples for women to work hard and follow their dreams to get ahead.
I could go on and on, but I'll just tell you that I loved that Trigiani has stepped up her already stellar game in All The Stars In The Heavens, and you will lose yourself in a dazzling Hollywood love story that will have you googling Loretta Young/Clark Cable to find out the story that inspired this gorgeous novel. I give it my highest recommendation.
February 16, 2017
*3.5 stars
Hollywood of the bygone era is the principal subject of Adriana Trigiani’s newest book, a historical crossed with biographical fiction novel, titled All the Stars in the Heavens.
All the Stars in the Heavens focuses heavily on the life of Hollywood glamour girl and renowned actress Gretchen Young, known to many by her stage name, Loretta Young. It examines Loretta’s life in her catholic home, where she was raised with her sisters by her single parent mother. Loretta’s modest home life as an Italian Catholic, is starkly contrasted to the opulence of her Hollywood career. All the Stars in the Heavens begins to tell Loretta’s story at a pivotal part in Loretta’s life, as she makes the transition from a child star, to a headlining movie star. The reader learns Loretta has just embarked on a love affair with Spencer Tracy, a married man and leading star in Hollywood. Much of the novel is focussed on Loretta’s time spent filming the iconic movie Call of the Wild, with Clark Gable. It is on this fateful movie set that a passionate love affair sparks behind the scenes between Gable and Young. It also becomes a love affair that has long lasting implications for Loretta. So much seems to stand in Loretta and Clark’s way, as they are prevented from officially cementing their relationship as a couple. Trigiani highlights the strict moral codes and studio obligations of the time that stood in the way of this golden couple. In addition to Loretta’s star studded life, the book also chooses to focus on the life of Alda Ducci. Alda is a young Italian woman from a convent, sent to work with Loretta as her personal secretary.
I haven’t read a novel written by Adriana Trigiani before this one. I was keen to read this novel, as the golden age of Hollywood completely fascinates me. I surprised myself by knowing very little about Loretta Young, despite having researched this area in depth during high school. It was enlightening to discover what a rich life Loretta lead. I also didn’t know anything about her affair with Gable, an actor who I have always held in high regard. As far as research and content goes, Trigiani does this very well. She presents her reader with a highly interesting narrative, based on a fascinating period and topic in history. The choice to focus on Loretta Young was a good one, as Loretta appeared to be both a likeable person, with a colourful life to match.
The device of using Alda, the sister turned secretary sent to Loretta near the opening of the novel was also a wise move. Alda offers the reader a completely different set of eyes on Hollywood. Alda’s version of the events that take place in Loretta’s life are from someone outside the movie making business, which was refreshing. Alda’s story itself was an interesting one, full of secrets and revelations, as the book progressed. As well as Alda’s memorable friendship and loyalty to Loretta, there is also a gentle love story that develops between Alda and a set designer.
What I enjoyed overwhelmingly about this novel, was how Trigiani was able to resurrect the forgotten and iconic pillars of Hollywood. I have admired many of the stars featured in this novel from the screen and it was a lovely experience watching them come alive through Trigiani’s dialogue. All the Stars in the Heavens also gave me a behind the scenes look at how Hollywood operated in the era of tight moral codes and highlighted the lack of rights experienced by the actor/actresses. It astounded me just how many movies a year were churned out by certain stars.
The central relationship between Young and Gable did not sweep me off my feet as much as I would have liked to. Gable came across as a complete womaniser, who was unable to stand up to the people in his life and make a decision for himself. I did begin to wonder if he truly did want to be with Loretta, or he was happy to play the field. The fallout from their relationship is handled well by Trigiani. I felt devastated by the choices women in this era had to face, as it seemed so unfair compared to the men.
All the Stars in the Heavens provided me with the ultimate journey back into Hollywood’s yesteryear. It was a glamorous age to be a part of, but also a tough one for many stars. It inspired me to do some further reading on this fascinating era and brush up on my knowledge of the talented set of celebrities that paved the way for our stars today. I warn you, it is best to do this after completing the novel, as this may spoil your version of events. Loretta Young’s story, told through Loretta herself and the memorable Alda, made this book a most pleasant way to end a weekend of reading. All the Stars in the Heavens is a book I highly recommended to fans of history, biopics and Hollywood.
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Hollywood of the bygone era is the principal subject of Adriana Trigiani’s newest book, a historical crossed with biographical fiction novel, titled All the Stars in the Heavens.
All the Stars in the Heavens focuses heavily on the life of Hollywood glamour girl and renowned actress Gretchen Young, known to many by her stage name, Loretta Young. It examines Loretta’s life in her catholic home, where she was raised with her sisters by her single parent mother. Loretta’s modest home life as an Italian Catholic, is starkly contrasted to the opulence of her Hollywood career. All the Stars in the Heavens begins to tell Loretta’s story at a pivotal part in Loretta’s life, as she makes the transition from a child star, to a headlining movie star. The reader learns Loretta has just embarked on a love affair with Spencer Tracy, a married man and leading star in Hollywood. Much of the novel is focussed on Loretta’s time spent filming the iconic movie Call of the Wild, with Clark Gable. It is on this fateful movie set that a passionate love affair sparks behind the scenes between Gable and Young. It also becomes a love affair that has long lasting implications for Loretta. So much seems to stand in Loretta and Clark’s way, as they are prevented from officially cementing their relationship as a couple. Trigiani highlights the strict moral codes and studio obligations of the time that stood in the way of this golden couple. In addition to Loretta’s star studded life, the book also chooses to focus on the life of Alda Ducci. Alda is a young Italian woman from a convent, sent to work with Loretta as her personal secretary.
I haven’t read a novel written by Adriana Trigiani before this one. I was keen to read this novel, as the golden age of Hollywood completely fascinates me. I surprised myself by knowing very little about Loretta Young, despite having researched this area in depth during high school. It was enlightening to discover what a rich life Loretta lead. I also didn’t know anything about her affair with Gable, an actor who I have always held in high regard. As far as research and content goes, Trigiani does this very well. She presents her reader with a highly interesting narrative, based on a fascinating period and topic in history. The choice to focus on Loretta Young was a good one, as Loretta appeared to be both a likeable person, with a colourful life to match.
The device of using Alda, the sister turned secretary sent to Loretta near the opening of the novel was also a wise move. Alda offers the reader a completely different set of eyes on Hollywood. Alda’s version of the events that take place in Loretta’s life are from someone outside the movie making business, which was refreshing. Alda’s story itself was an interesting one, full of secrets and revelations, as the book progressed. As well as Alda’s memorable friendship and loyalty to Loretta, there is also a gentle love story that develops between Alda and a set designer.
What I enjoyed overwhelmingly about this novel, was how Trigiani was able to resurrect the forgotten and iconic pillars of Hollywood. I have admired many of the stars featured in this novel from the screen and it was a lovely experience watching them come alive through Trigiani’s dialogue. All the Stars in the Heavens also gave me a behind the scenes look at how Hollywood operated in the era of tight moral codes and highlighted the lack of rights experienced by the actor/actresses. It astounded me just how many movies a year were churned out by certain stars.
The central relationship between Young and Gable did not sweep me off my feet as much as I would have liked to. Gable came across as a complete womaniser, who was unable to stand up to the people in his life and make a decision for himself. I did begin to wonder if he truly did want to be with Loretta, or he was happy to play the field. The fallout from their relationship is handled well by Trigiani. I felt devastated by the choices women in this era had to face, as it seemed so unfair compared to the men.
All the Stars in the Heavens provided me with the ultimate journey back into Hollywood’s yesteryear. It was a glamorous age to be a part of, but also a tough one for many stars. It inspired me to do some further reading on this fascinating era and brush up on my knowledge of the talented set of celebrities that paved the way for our stars today. I warn you, it is best to do this after completing the novel, as this may spoil your version of events. Loretta Young’s story, told through Loretta herself and the memorable Alda, made this book a most pleasant way to end a weekend of reading. All the Stars in the Heavens is a book I highly recommended to fans of history, biopics and Hollywood.
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
April 15, 2016
I can sum this one up in one word: boring. Which is extremely disappointing because the last Trigiani novel I read, THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE, was spectacular. While Trigiani does have a couple of Italian characters and a brief scene in Italy, which is usually where and how her writing shines as she brings the old and intimate villages to life, for the most part, this book was flat and monotonous. Over and over again, we hear about Loretta's thoughts concerning Gable, her thoughts concerning her daughter, other people's thoughts on other matters. Then two or three pages later, we hear those same thoughts again. And again. Oh, and once more just in case you didn't fully understand Loretta's dilemma. The dialogue was also confusing since there were hardly ever any allusions to who was speaking. Instead, you find two or three pages of dialogue quotes going back and forth. Would it kill the editors to throw in a "Loretta said" or "Clark said" every once in a while?
Finally, I didn't think the Alda/Loretta relationship was that strong or deep. Alda spoke her mind to Loretta, Loretta took Alda in from the convent. Then they barely ever talk to each other, except behind the scenes. The book focused more on Clark and Loretta, which was a mistake because I never bought into the intensity of their relationship. History over time equals a deep and understanding love? Sure, if you bother to see one another more often than in passing once every few years.
It probably didn't help that I also found Clark Gable repulsive and couldn't understand why Loretta was yearning for him. Or that I am not familiar with old Hollywood and the movies associated with that time period.
All in all, this 400+ page internal dialogue was boring. Try THE SUPREME MACARONI COMPANY or THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE instead.
Finally, I didn't think the Alda/Loretta relationship was that strong or deep. Alda spoke her mind to Loretta, Loretta took Alda in from the convent. Then they barely ever talk to each other, except behind the scenes. The book focused more on Clark and Loretta, which was a mistake because I never bought into the intensity of their relationship. History over time equals a deep and understanding love? Sure, if you bother to see one another more often than in passing once every few years.
It probably didn't help that I also found Clark Gable repulsive and couldn't understand why Loretta was yearning for him. Or that I am not familiar with old Hollywood and the movies associated with that time period.
All in all, this 400+ page internal dialogue was boring. Try THE SUPREME MACARONI COMPANY or THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE instead.
October 5, 2015
I have never read anything by Adriana Trigiani before, but I read an excerpt from this book in a preview style galley for fall 2015 fiction, and was hooked. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Goodreads, and I am so glad.
"All the Stars in the Heavens" is about the golden age of Hollywood, the age of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Spencer Tracy, and Loretta Young. Our protagonist is Loretta, who has been in "the business" since she was four. She seems to fall in love with her costars, and the virile Clark Gable is no exception.
Loretta Young, circa 1930's
Loretta becomes pregnant with Gable's child, and they both decide to lie and scheme to hide the child, because Gable was still married to No.2 (of 5) wives, and it would cause a scandal and violate codes of conduct mandated by their respective studios.
This novel begins as a love story, and evolves into a life story. The focus is on Young, but the supporting characters and background information are just as interesting.
4 stars for a funny, sweet, strong historical fiction. Well done.
"All the Stars in the Heavens" is about the golden age of Hollywood, the age of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Spencer Tracy, and Loretta Young. Our protagonist is Loretta, who has been in "the business" since she was four. She seems to fall in love with her costars, and the virile Clark Gable is no exception.
Loretta Young, circa 1930's
Loretta becomes pregnant with Gable's child, and they both decide to lie and scheme to hide the child, because Gable was still married to No.2 (of 5) wives, and it would cause a scandal and violate codes of conduct mandated by their respective studios.
This novel begins as a love story, and evolves into a life story. The focus is on Young, but the supporting characters and background information are just as interesting.
4 stars for a funny, sweet, strong historical fiction. Well done.
August 31, 2015
I received an advance reader's edition of this novel from HarperCollins.
This novel tells the fictional account of the relationship between actors Loretta Young and Clark Gable on the set of The Call of the Wild in 1935. Told largely through the perspective of Loretta and her secretary Alda, this novel portrays the world of Hollywood in its early years and imagines the behind the scenes romances that fans could only read about in tabloids.
I love the glamorous setting of this novel in the early years of Hollywood. Trigiani has revived almost forgotten scandals and stars in this novel and recalls the early years of movies in America. Additionally, the inclusion and focus on the character of Alda was an excellent addition to this story. Alda was a fascinating character since she had originally planned to become a nun and had worked delivering unmarried women's babies in the convent before leaving to work for Loretta Young. Her friendship and loyalty to Loretta added greatly to the story.
The most recent novel I read by Trigiani was The Supreme Macaroni Company and I was left wary of reading another of her novels. While I did find this novel to be more entertaining, it suffers from some of the same issues I had with her earlier novel, namely poor characterization and stilted plot development. This novel frequently jumps through time to cover the actors' whole lives and thus resorts to summaries of events and feelings rather than having the characters actually experience events. To me, the true drama of this novel is the dilemma over hiding Loretta's pregnancy from the press. I would have enjoyed a novel that focused on that and then jumped forward in time in the epilogue to reveal the ending of the Clark Gable and Loretta Young story. Yet in an effort to condense the full saga into one novel, the author has had to rely on summarized accounts of the relationships between characters, whole marriages and children, and background information that would have been more effective coming directly from the characters themselves or through the reader witnessing the events as they unfolded. In short, there was too much telling and not even showing.
Additionally, a major theme of this novel is male infidelity and the assumption among the characters that men are incapable of being loyal to their wives and families. This is seen throughout and even baldly stated by Loretta when she asks, "Is there a man in this world who could be faithful?" (349). In fact, there doesn't seem to be a single male character in the book who is faithful to his wife. I realize that this sadly seems to be a reality of celebrity life, but as a reader it was difficult to buy that Clark truly loved Loretta when he was constantly looking for his next woman, oblivious to his daughter, and constantly remarrying throughout the book. Alda's marriage is little better, since their relationship was rocky and full of arguments from the start. When her husband misses her, he reflects on what she has brought to his life: "Alda provided a closet full of pressed clothes, a cup of black coffee in bed every morning, a hot meal on the table every night, and someone to talk to about his frustrations at work" (280). Any paid servant could do the same. In other words, there was no genuine sign of true love and romance in this novel for me despite the author frequently reminding me of how true their love was.
Furthermore, it was doubly hard to buy into the "true love" between Loretta and Clark, knowing that in real life, Loretta accused Clark Gable of raping her. Obviously this is a fictionalized portrayal of events, but it was hard to dismiss the actual events' influence on my perception of their relationship. Obviously this is unproven and it would greatly degrade Clark Gable's name to even fictionalize him as a rapist. Yet if it is true, I can't imagine that Loretta Young would appreciate seeing her rapist portrayed as her one great love.
2.5 Stars
This novel tells the fictional account of the relationship between actors Loretta Young and Clark Gable on the set of The Call of the Wild in 1935. Told largely through the perspective of Loretta and her secretary Alda, this novel portrays the world of Hollywood in its early years and imagines the behind the scenes romances that fans could only read about in tabloids.
I love the glamorous setting of this novel in the early years of Hollywood. Trigiani has revived almost forgotten scandals and stars in this novel and recalls the early years of movies in America. Additionally, the inclusion and focus on the character of Alda was an excellent addition to this story. Alda was a fascinating character since she had originally planned to become a nun and had worked delivering unmarried women's babies in the convent before leaving to work for Loretta Young. Her friendship and loyalty to Loretta added greatly to the story.
The most recent novel I read by Trigiani was The Supreme Macaroni Company and I was left wary of reading another of her novels. While I did find this novel to be more entertaining, it suffers from some of the same issues I had with her earlier novel, namely poor characterization and stilted plot development. This novel frequently jumps through time to cover the actors' whole lives and thus resorts to summaries of events and feelings rather than having the characters actually experience events. To me, the true drama of this novel is the dilemma over hiding Loretta's pregnancy from the press. I would have enjoyed a novel that focused on that and then jumped forward in time in the epilogue to reveal the ending of the Clark Gable and Loretta Young story. Yet in an effort to condense the full saga into one novel, the author has had to rely on summarized accounts of the relationships between characters, whole marriages and children, and background information that would have been more effective coming directly from the characters themselves or through the reader witnessing the events as they unfolded. In short, there was too much telling and not even showing.
Additionally, a major theme of this novel is male infidelity and the assumption among the characters that men are incapable of being loyal to their wives and families. This is seen throughout and even baldly stated by Loretta when she asks, "Is there a man in this world who could be faithful?" (349). In fact, there doesn't seem to be a single male character in the book who is faithful to his wife. I realize that this sadly seems to be a reality of celebrity life, but as a reader it was difficult to buy that Clark truly loved Loretta when he was constantly looking for his next woman, oblivious to his daughter, and constantly remarrying throughout the book. Alda's marriage is little better, since their relationship was rocky and full of arguments from the start. When her husband misses her, he reflects on what she has brought to his life: "Alda provided a closet full of pressed clothes, a cup of black coffee in bed every morning, a hot meal on the table every night, and someone to talk to about his frustrations at work" (280). Any paid servant could do the same. In other words, there was no genuine sign of true love and romance in this novel for me despite the author frequently reminding me of how true their love was.
Furthermore, it was doubly hard to buy into the "true love" between Loretta and Clark, knowing that in real life, Loretta accused Clark Gable of raping her. Obviously this is a fictionalized portrayal of events, but it was hard to dismiss the actual events' influence on my perception of their relationship. Obviously this is unproven and it would greatly degrade Clark Gable's name to even fictionalize him as a rapist. Yet if it is true, I can't imagine that Loretta Young would appreciate seeing her rapist portrayed as her one great love.
2.5 Stars
December 5, 2015
At the end of the novel was a copyright disclaimer - that the book is a work of fiction and while many of the characters lived and worked in Hollywood, the storytelling around them in this novel is completely made up by the author.
And therein lies the problem.
If you are going to fictionalise the lives of real people, you need to make sure that they have been dead long enough that people are not going to feel uncomfortable, thinking about how this sort of book reads to the children of the people in it. With so much of their lives is already made up by so-called entertainment journalists, having it further fictionalised must just be another stretch too far. Especially when something that has since been reported by Loretta Young's daughter to have been date rape is now treated as this grand romance. True or not, it is hardly something to make light of is it?
How much better might it have been if the characters were loosely based on the ideas of the past, but named something completely different. Mix in the world of the real, but firmly anchored in the world of fiction.
Although that would not have helped the somewhat stilted writing and internal discord either. Many times I had to flick back to check something as a few pages later, the absolute opposite was said (for example when Loretta marries, her new husband gives Judy a gift with a lovely letter, then within pages it becomes obvious that he barely tolerates the child, and treats her rather badly - so why romanticise the first, without showing why he would switch so quickly? No motives are given for any of these turn-abouts, and the book is full of them). Somehow anything of real drama is glossed over, and I felt that the whole story was very flat.
I had really enjoyed a previous book by Adriana Trigiani - Lucia, Lucia - so had great hopes for this. Now I recall that the same narrative device is used (bookended with a story teller starting and finishing the story), and I wonder if perhaps my previous rating was too generous. Disappointing from start to finish.
And therein lies the problem.
If you are going to fictionalise the lives of real people, you need to make sure that they have been dead long enough that people are not going to feel uncomfortable, thinking about how this sort of book reads to the children of the people in it. With so much of their lives is already made up by so-called entertainment journalists, having it further fictionalised must just be another stretch too far. Especially when something that has since been reported by Loretta Young's daughter to have been date rape is now treated as this grand romance. True or not, it is hardly something to make light of is it?
How much better might it have been if the characters were loosely based on the ideas of the past, but named something completely different. Mix in the world of the real, but firmly anchored in the world of fiction.
Although that would not have helped the somewhat stilted writing and internal discord either. Many times I had to flick back to check something as a few pages later, the absolute opposite was said (for example when Loretta marries, her new husband gives Judy a gift with a lovely letter, then within pages it becomes obvious that he barely tolerates the child, and treats her rather badly - so why romanticise the first, without showing why he would switch so quickly? No motives are given for any of these turn-abouts, and the book is full of them). Somehow anything of real drama is glossed over, and I felt that the whole story was very flat.
I had really enjoyed a previous book by Adriana Trigiani - Lucia, Lucia - so had great hopes for this. Now I recall that the same narrative device is used (bookended with a story teller starting and finishing the story), and I wonder if perhaps my previous rating was too generous. Disappointing from start to finish.
October 4, 2015
The author likely researched and wrote this book without knowledge of the news stories that broke a couple of months ago. According to Young's daughter-in-law, they were watching a date rape segment on Larry King Live and when Young learned what that was, she allegedly exclaimed, "That's what happened with me and Clark." That this book was published shortly after the news came out ... and there's no reason not to believe Young's daughter-in-law ... makes it horribly timed and I honestly wish the publisher had just yanked it. A dubious love story to begin with is now tainted by rape, and whether or not it's a whitewash or ignorance, who would want to read it knowing the truth? Reading it left a bad taste in my mouth because I could not separate the facts from the fiction. The facts sat there, looming like an elephant in the room.
So, it's not the author's fault that the book earned a single star from me, but that's not the point.
So, it's not the author's fault that the book earned a single star from me, but that's not the point.
March 24, 2016
4 1/2 stars
See my review and others here: http://onceuponatime-bookblog.blogspo...
I was first introduced to Adriana Trigiani a little over two years ago when I read The Shoemaker's Wife. I really enjoyed that book and I loved this one too. I was a bit spectacle to start it - it got somewhat mixed reviews from what I've seen and there has been a lot a negative feedback due to the fact that Loretta Young's daughter-in-law publicly claimed that the birth of Loretta's daughter, Judy Lewis, had been a result of date rape by Clark Gable and that they did not have an affair that had been previously assumed. I believe that this happened in 2015 - shortly before the book came out. Since this is a fictional account of the characters and their lives, I am going to base my review of the book on that and not the accuracy of the events - which I am assume that the author did not know about when the book was being written.
This novel was the story of two women - the famous movie star of the 1930s and 1940s, Loretta Young, and her secretary, Alda Ducci. They novel covered several decades of their always intertwining lives. I would have liked to see a little more character development of both women, but what really draw me into the novel was the writing of the setting and the time period - primarily Hollywood in the 1930s. I'm not sure if I would have gotten this as much if I had read the book instead of listening to the audio version, but what I loved most about the novel was the energy. From Loretta's life at home with her sisters and mother to the set of Call of the Wild, I could almost feel as if I were there. The sections focusing on Loretta were also a very interesting contrast to that of Alda - who was involved in show business, but in a much more simple and mostly removed way.
I felt for both women, who had their own set of life-long struggles and burdens to bare. And when Judy Lewis was born, I felt for her as well. Even though I understood the circumstances, I felt that it was unfair that she wasn't even given the option to know her father, especially when she grew older. Gable seemed to love Loretta (to an extent) and Judy, but - as the book states many times - he didn't know how to love them. And he knew nothing about how to be a good father or husband, despite the fact that he was married several times. Despite what was true and what wasn't, I really enjoyed this book: the energy, the setting, the characters, and the tragic love stories that I kept cheering on even though I ultimately knew the outcome.
And now to go watch some old Hollywood movies :)
"Everything was the same. Nothing had changed. Everything but the snow."
See my review and others here: http://onceuponatime-bookblog.blogspo...
I was first introduced to Adriana Trigiani a little over two years ago when I read The Shoemaker's Wife. I really enjoyed that book and I loved this one too. I was a bit spectacle to start it - it got somewhat mixed reviews from what I've seen and there has been a lot a negative feedback due to the fact that Loretta Young's daughter-in-law publicly claimed that the birth of Loretta's daughter, Judy Lewis, had been a result of date rape by Clark Gable and that they did not have an affair that had been previously assumed. I believe that this happened in 2015 - shortly before the book came out. Since this is a fictional account of the characters and their lives, I am going to base my review of the book on that and not the accuracy of the events - which I am assume that the author did not know about when the book was being written.
This novel was the story of two women - the famous movie star of the 1930s and 1940s, Loretta Young, and her secretary, Alda Ducci. They novel covered several decades of their always intertwining lives. I would have liked to see a little more character development of both women, but what really draw me into the novel was the writing of the setting and the time period - primarily Hollywood in the 1930s. I'm not sure if I would have gotten this as much if I had read the book instead of listening to the audio version, but what I loved most about the novel was the energy. From Loretta's life at home with her sisters and mother to the set of Call of the Wild, I could almost feel as if I were there. The sections focusing on Loretta were also a very interesting contrast to that of Alda - who was involved in show business, but in a much more simple and mostly removed way.
I felt for both women, who had their own set of life-long struggles and burdens to bare. And when Judy Lewis was born, I felt for her as well. Even though I understood the circumstances, I felt that it was unfair that she wasn't even given the option to know her father, especially when she grew older. Gable seemed to love Loretta (to an extent) and Judy, but - as the book states many times - he didn't know how to love them. And he knew nothing about how to be a good father or husband, despite the fact that he was married several times. Despite what was true and what wasn't, I really enjoyed this book: the energy, the setting, the characters, and the tragic love stories that I kept cheering on even though I ultimately knew the outcome.
And now to go watch some old Hollywood movies :)
"Everything was the same. Nothing had changed. Everything but the snow."
October 21, 2018
I like old Hollywood and liked the idea of reading about Loretta Young who I honestly knew nothing about. Come to find out she started in Hollywood as a four year old little girl and really never stopped! Then, the mystery of her having a child with Clark Gable and not telling the truth about it until she was elderly...all very interesting!
Often there was too much description and "internal thinking" on the part of the characters which had me skimming the middle of the book. I did like the story line and wanted to know how it ended; it just could've been more A to B.
If you enjoy old Hollywood I think you'd be interested in the story.
Often there was too much description and "internal thinking" on the part of the characters which had me skimming the middle of the book. I did like the story line and wanted to know how it ended; it just could've been more A to B.
If you enjoy old Hollywood I think you'd be interested in the story.
October 12, 2015
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is October 13th, 2015.
I have to admit that this story took me a long time to read. This is because I kept stopping to google the characters in the story. I have to be honest, the only one I had ever heard of was Clark Gable and that was only from one movie that to this day I don't believe I have ever seen from beginning to end in one sitting. One downfall of google is that I also knew how the story was going to play out.
This story was fascinating in how it depicted the era that was 1930's Hollywood. From all the leading men and woman, the glamorous lifestyles, and the double standards and hypocrisy that was the movies and its players. The stars of this era seem to stand alone as legends compared to the stars of today, perhaps because they are so much more accessible today than back then.
I really liked Loretta's spunk and how she cared for those in her life. I did not like how she fell for her leading men as none of them seemed right for her. In fact based on this story none of her choices were good. Although they did have some chemistry, I also didn't really feel Loretta and Clark together. I don't know why, perhaps his womanizing ways, the fact that he was married, or the fact that he just reads slime ball to me. As a side note, did the woman back in the day really swoon for him? I have seen a ton of photo's and he simply does not look like the attractive guy described and also looks like he could use a good shower in all of them. I am glad I have grown up on much better eye candy in show business!
That aside, this story was rather tragic. Although there is obviously artistic liberty taken with the storyline, it does outline the storyline of Loretta Young. The details of the story may have been different in real life but the outcome is the same. I enjoyed my time researching all of these characters just as much as reading the story.
One last thought. To address the elephant in the room as I have seen some mention in some other reviews. Some information has come to light that the romance between these two was perhaps not what it was depicted and that it was something a lot more dark with unpleasant consequences. This has dampened somes opinion of this story. As there is nobody alive to validate the facts I recommend to treat this story as it is meant to be...a work of fiction. This story could be just as entertaining if the characters had made up names.
I enjoyed this one!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is October 13th, 2015.
I have to admit that this story took me a long time to read. This is because I kept stopping to google the characters in the story. I have to be honest, the only one I had ever heard of was Clark Gable and that was only from one movie that to this day I don't believe I have ever seen from beginning to end in one sitting. One downfall of google is that I also knew how the story was going to play out.
This story was fascinating in how it depicted the era that was 1930's Hollywood. From all the leading men and woman, the glamorous lifestyles, and the double standards and hypocrisy that was the movies and its players. The stars of this era seem to stand alone as legends compared to the stars of today, perhaps because they are so much more accessible today than back then.
I really liked Loretta's spunk and how she cared for those in her life. I did not like how she fell for her leading men as none of them seemed right for her. In fact based on this story none of her choices were good. Although they did have some chemistry, I also didn't really feel Loretta and Clark together. I don't know why, perhaps his womanizing ways, the fact that he was married, or the fact that he just reads slime ball to me. As a side note, did the woman back in the day really swoon for him? I have seen a ton of photo's and he simply does not look like the attractive guy described and also looks like he could use a good shower in all of them. I am glad I have grown up on much better eye candy in show business!
That aside, this story was rather tragic. Although there is obviously artistic liberty taken with the storyline, it does outline the storyline of Loretta Young. The details of the story may have been different in real life but the outcome is the same. I enjoyed my time researching all of these characters just as much as reading the story.
One last thought. To address the elephant in the room as I have seen some mention in some other reviews. Some information has come to light that the romance between these two was perhaps not what it was depicted and that it was something a lot more dark with unpleasant consequences. This has dampened somes opinion of this story. As there is nobody alive to validate the facts I recommend to treat this story as it is meant to be...a work of fiction. This story could be just as entertaining if the characters had made up names.
I enjoyed this one!
November 19, 2015
ALL THE STARS IN HEAVEN
Adriana Trigiana
Ms. Trigiana has long been a favorite author and I’ve enjoyed so many of her books I won’t give up on her, but this was not her forte.
The author wrote a fairy tale version of the love affair of Clark Gable and Loretta Young and their child. Mr. Gable was notorious as a love them and leave them co star, and Ms. Young was obsessive about her virginal career and her Catholicism. Needless to say it was not a match made in heaven, but the novel makes you believe that Ms. Young thought it was. Of course, they both went on to have extremely successful and long careers and prospered.
This is not the usual warm and incisive writing usually associated with Ms.
Trigiani, and a laborious read especially if you were aware of the story before reading the book.
Adriana Trigiana
Ms. Trigiana has long been a favorite author and I’ve enjoyed so many of her books I won’t give up on her, but this was not her forte.
The author wrote a fairy tale version of the love affair of Clark Gable and Loretta Young and their child. Mr. Gable was notorious as a love them and leave them co star, and Ms. Young was obsessive about her virginal career and her Catholicism. Needless to say it was not a match made in heaven, but the novel makes you believe that Ms. Young thought it was. Of course, they both went on to have extremely successful and long careers and prospered.
This is not the usual warm and incisive writing usually associated with Ms.
Trigiani, and a laborious read especially if you were aware of the story before reading the book.
June 17, 2022
An enjoyable historical fiction book about the love affair between Loretta Young and Clark Gable and the golden age of movies.
Loretta Young started in movies when she was 4 (4!) and she and her sisters were always a part of the film industry, as extras, or with small parts. Loretta worked hard and became a bankable movie star. When she was 21, she made a movie with Clark Gable, who was unhappily married to his second wife. They had an affair while they were filming The Call of the Wild on frozen Mount Baker. This affair resulted in a pregnancy for Loretta, and because of the morals clauses in both their contracts, the pregnancy had to remain a secret. Also, because Loretta was a devout Catholic, abortion was out of the question. So with the assistance of her ever loyal secretary, Alda Ducci Chetta, a former novitiate who was kicked out of a nunnery where she helped unwed mothers, Loretta successfully had her baby, and two years later “adopted” her. Gable wanted nothing to do with his daughter, mainly because his wife was bitterly fighting him about the divorce. As the years went on, Loretta and Clark came to terms with their mutual past, although they loved each other deeply in their own ways.
Many of Hollywood’s elite make appearances throughout the book: Spencer Tracy, David Niven, Myrna Loy, Carole Lombard, Hattie McDaniel among others. From what I can determine, Alda Chetta is one of the few fictional characters in this book, although she has a huge presence in the story. My guess is that she is a compilation of many loyal people in Loretta’s life.
There are some overriding themes throughout the book, the main one being that women need to look out for themselves and not depend on men. Loretta’s mother, Gladys raised her 5 children by herself, after divorcing 2 ne’er do well husbands. She became a successful interior designer. Loretta depended on her movie, radio and television careers to support herself and her family, with she and her mother making shrewd real estate investments. They were not going to rely on the fickleness of the men in their lives ever again. Even after Loretta finally married, she maintained her career, much to the consternation of her controlling husband.
The main part of the book concentrates on her affair with Gable, and how she hid her daughter for two years. Once the story moves past this, time suddenly goes quickly, and the later parts of her life are hurried through. The story only slows down a bit when she interacts with Gable over the years.
The book is a good read, and the writing is good, but the pacing is erratic at times. You feel like you are a part of the golden age of movies and you really get to know and care about the characters. I loved that the people closest to her called her by her real name: Gretchen. It kept her grounded, and she never seemed like a movie star, just someone who successfully worked in show business.
One of the hallmarks of her TV show was her grand entrance through a set of double doors. I have a friend who referred to making a grand entrance or exit as doing a Loretta Young. She always cracked me up.
Now to watch “The Call of the Wild” to see the chemistry between Loretta and Clark. (I found it on You Tube.)
Loretta Young started in movies when she was 4 (4!) and she and her sisters were always a part of the film industry, as extras, or with small parts. Loretta worked hard and became a bankable movie star. When she was 21, she made a movie with Clark Gable, who was unhappily married to his second wife. They had an affair while they were filming The Call of the Wild on frozen Mount Baker. This affair resulted in a pregnancy for Loretta, and because of the morals clauses in both their contracts, the pregnancy had to remain a secret. Also, because Loretta was a devout Catholic, abortion was out of the question. So with the assistance of her ever loyal secretary, Alda Ducci Chetta, a former novitiate who was kicked out of a nunnery where she helped unwed mothers, Loretta successfully had her baby, and two years later “adopted” her. Gable wanted nothing to do with his daughter, mainly because his wife was bitterly fighting him about the divorce. As the years went on, Loretta and Clark came to terms with their mutual past, although they loved each other deeply in their own ways.
Many of Hollywood’s elite make appearances throughout the book: Spencer Tracy, David Niven, Myrna Loy, Carole Lombard, Hattie McDaniel among others. From what I can determine, Alda Chetta is one of the few fictional characters in this book, although she has a huge presence in the story. My guess is that she is a compilation of many loyal people in Loretta’s life.
There are some overriding themes throughout the book, the main one being that women need to look out for themselves and not depend on men. Loretta’s mother, Gladys raised her 5 children by herself, after divorcing 2 ne’er do well husbands. She became a successful interior designer. Loretta depended on her movie, radio and television careers to support herself and her family, with she and her mother making shrewd real estate investments. They were not going to rely on the fickleness of the men in their lives ever again. Even after Loretta finally married, she maintained her career, much to the consternation of her controlling husband.
The main part of the book concentrates on her affair with Gable, and how she hid her daughter for two years. Once the story moves past this, time suddenly goes quickly, and the later parts of her life are hurried through. The story only slows down a bit when she interacts with Gable over the years.
The book is a good read, and the writing is good, but the pacing is erratic at times. You feel like you are a part of the golden age of movies and you really get to know and care about the characters. I loved that the people closest to her called her by her real name: Gretchen. It kept her grounded, and she never seemed like a movie star, just someone who successfully worked in show business.
One of the hallmarks of her TV show was her grand entrance through a set of double doors. I have a friend who referred to making a grand entrance or exit as doing a Loretta Young. She always cracked me up.
Now to watch “The Call of the Wild” to see the chemistry between Loretta and Clark. (I found it on You Tube.)
March 6, 2016
It's 1935 and it's the Golden Age of Hollywood. Loretta Young is a young actress living at home with her mother and sisters. She has already been in many successful movies and hires a new assistant named Alda. Alda has just left the St. Elizabeth's Infant Hospital where she assisted many unwed mothers, but has recently been let go, because the nun in charge felt she wasn't the best fit. Instead she set her up with a job as Loretta Young's secretary. It's a good fit, because Loretta is known to be a devout Roman Catholic. Alda's life changes completely as she goes from living a simple life as an almost-nun to living at Loretta's luxurious mansion. The two women hit it off instantly and Loretta introduces Alda to Hollywood. Alda helps Loretta navigate the rough seas of Hollywood, the many failed romances with her leading men, and even accompanies her to the far-off set of The Call of the Wild starring the infamous and utterly charming Clark Gable. What happens on set will change both women's lives forever. Adriana Trigiani's All the Stars in the Heavens is an interesting glimpse into Old Hollywood as well as the star-crossed relationship between Clark Gable and Loretta Young.
Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
August 31, 2018
I didn't know *anything* about Loretta Young and very little about Clark Gable so I think Trigiani did a great job in spinning a yarn about their friendship. If a writer's goal is to make a reader aware of a whole new world, then mission accomplished.
Of course Trigiani always has an Italian family (at least in the stories I've read) and this is no exception...but I wish she had just concentrated on the Hollywood stars. She would have stepped out of her comfort zone but I think the story was strong enough without having a secondary story.
(getting out soapbox) That introduction and epilogue just annoyed me. I'd forgotten about the intro by the time the epilogue was read, and I had an huh? moment. In fact this book came very close to my 59 page trial period where I decide to keep going or not. Readers want to get right to the story. OK, I'm older, but I'm not going to remember characters who aren't mentioned for 435 pages.
Of course Trigiani always has an Italian family (at least in the stories I've read) and this is no exception...but I wish she had just concentrated on the Hollywood stars. She would have stepped out of her comfort zone but I think the story was strong enough without having a secondary story.
(getting out soapbox) That introduction and epilogue just annoyed me. I'd forgotten about the intro by the time the epilogue was read, and I had an huh? moment. In fact this book came very close to my 59 page trial period where I decide to keep going or not. Readers want to get right to the story. OK, I'm older, but I'm not going to remember characters who aren't mentioned for 435 pages.
June 21, 2019
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. Considering I write in the same genre, I was prepared to be taking notes on what I needed to do that maybe I wasn't already.
The first 1/3 I loved. Lots of great detail about old Hollywood and the stars within. But then cracks started to show.
I've never been a big Loretta Young fan anyway. From what I've read, she pushed her religion on everyone else (something I can't stand). This book makes her a bit more likable, but it wasn't very realistic to me. She loves Gable, but pushes him away. That plot device never ceases to annoy me. I know I know....she's trying to protect her career. But she was being a total bitch to him. If she really loved him as she said she did, they could conveniently not meet but be in touch through their intermediaries and try to keep the connection going. She wouldn't, but then was mad that he moved onto Carole Lombard? Yeah...not buying that.
Also, I ran across a laughable error at the beginning of Chapter 11. In the first paragraph, Clark is driving in his "forest-green Jaguar convertible", but then 3 paragraphs later, he "drove up to the portico on Sunset House in his Duesenberg." Oops! Editor, you're fired.
The last quarter was the worst. It is literally ALL tell, not show. This guy dies, then that guy dies, then this happens, then that happens. For over TWENTY YEARS! The first part of the book takes its leisurely time introducing Loretta, Alda, and all the other characters, but the last part races downhill at breakneck speed.
I'm still trying to figure out what the prologue and epilogue had to do with anything. If you're going to write about old Hollywood, WRITE about old Hollywood. This was a story about Loretta and Clark and Judy. In my opinion, those wasted pages dedicated to the modern day would have been better served fleshing out the people and situations between the 1940s and 1990s. I would love to have seen a big fight between Judy and her stepfather. There was all this tension there....show us why she hated him so much! Show us the strain on the relationship between mother and daughter because of this big secret. Show us Judy's curiosity about where she came from, and THEN Loretta's eventual forced confession.
So disappointed.
The first 1/3 I loved. Lots of great detail about old Hollywood and the stars within. But then cracks started to show.
I've never been a big Loretta Young fan anyway. From what I've read, she pushed her religion on everyone else (something I can't stand). This book makes her a bit more likable, but it wasn't very realistic to me. She loves Gable, but pushes him away. That plot device never ceases to annoy me. I know I know....she's trying to protect her career. But she was being a total bitch to him. If she really loved him as she said she did, they could conveniently not meet but be in touch through their intermediaries and try to keep the connection going. She wouldn't, but then was mad that he moved onto Carole Lombard? Yeah...not buying that.
Also, I ran across a laughable error at the beginning of Chapter 11. In the first paragraph, Clark is driving in his "forest-green Jaguar convertible", but then 3 paragraphs later, he "drove up to the portico on Sunset House in his Duesenberg." Oops! Editor, you're fired.
The last quarter was the worst. It is literally ALL tell, not show. This guy dies, then that guy dies, then this happens, then that happens. For over TWENTY YEARS! The first part of the book takes its leisurely time introducing Loretta, Alda, and all the other characters, but the last part races downhill at breakneck speed.
I'm still trying to figure out what the prologue and epilogue had to do with anything. If you're going to write about old Hollywood, WRITE about old Hollywood. This was a story about Loretta and Clark and Judy. In my opinion, those wasted pages dedicated to the modern day would have been better served fleshing out the people and situations between the 1940s and 1990s. I would love to have seen a big fight between Judy and her stepfather. There was all this tension there....show us why she hated him so much! Show us the strain on the relationship between mother and daughter because of this big secret. Show us Judy's curiosity about where she came from, and THEN Loretta's eventual forced confession.
So disappointed.
September 27, 2017
Given the setting (the Golden Age of Hollywood) and the cast of characters (none other than Loretta Young, Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable and others) I was pretty disappointed. This is purported to be the story of the grand love affair between Ms. Young and Mr. Gable. A side story is that of Ms. Young's personal secretary, Alda, and the love of her life, Luca Chetta, a sought-after scene painter. I googled my way through this, trying to determine how much of the story is supported by fact. As it turns out, most of it. Ms. Young had an affair with Mr. Gable when she was in her early 20s and he was married and in his 30s. This affair produced a child, which in those days, would have meant the end of Ms. Young's career. The aftermath of this affair and the lengths to which Ms. Young went to hide the truth about her daughter form the basis of most of this book. I've tried, but I can't determine whether Alda actually existed. It seems that Luca Chetta did.
Unfortunately, I found the writing to be clunky and awkward and the characters to be hollow and soulless. I noticed at some point that the entire narrative consisted of declarative sentences.
"Alda raced home after the radio broadcast to pack for Loretta's weekend trip to San Francisco. Usually Loretta took the train, but this weekend she would drive, because she planned to stay an extra day. Ruby had backed a hamper of food to take to San Francisco."
This style of writing wore on me after a while.
That, and the notion that Loretta, a supposedly devout Catholic, who engaged in at least one and maybe two affairs with married men, was unfailingly kind and generous to everyone around her just didn't seem believable. We're also supposed to believe that the Young/Gable love affair was the true love of each of their lives, despite the fact that Gable married Carole Lombard and from most other accounts, was devastated by her sudden death in a plane crash. And the fact that Gable never acknowledged or had anything to do with his daughter by Young, Judy.
Sorry, this one gets a big "meh" from me.
Unfortunately, I found the writing to be clunky and awkward and the characters to be hollow and soulless. I noticed at some point that the entire narrative consisted of declarative sentences.
"Alda raced home after the radio broadcast to pack for Loretta's weekend trip to San Francisco. Usually Loretta took the train, but this weekend she would drive, because she planned to stay an extra day. Ruby had backed a hamper of food to take to San Francisco."
This style of writing wore on me after a while.
That, and the notion that Loretta, a supposedly devout Catholic, who engaged in at least one and maybe two affairs with married men, was unfailingly kind and generous to everyone around her just didn't seem believable. We're also supposed to believe that the Young/Gable love affair was the true love of each of their lives, despite the fact that Gable married Carole Lombard and from most other accounts, was devastated by her sudden death in a plane crash. And the fact that Gable never acknowledged or had anything to do with his daughter by Young, Judy.
Sorry, this one gets a big "meh" from me.
September 13, 2015
Baby, It's Cold Outside: "All the Stars" in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani
from the Militant Recommender Book review Blog:
http://militantrecommender.blogspot.com/
Adriana Trigiani's dishy, addictive new book, All the Stars in the Heavens, is a fictionalized look at one of Golden Age Hollywood's great (and sssshhhh... secretive!) love stories! The story of Loretta Young and Clark Gable. Anyone who grew up on the great films of that era in the movies or on TV or maybe on TCM will find this look into their love and lives fascinating and you can imagine those larger than life figures acting exactly the way Ms. Trigiani captures them. Loretta, actually Gretchen, was one of four beautiful sisters raised by a single Mom who was a star in her own right, an interior designer to the stars. These amazing women lived and worked in the early days of the studios, all having jobs in the industry. Loretta was in film from the age of 4 and had made 50 movies by the time she met Clark and starred opposite him in William Wellman's "Call of the Wild". Loretta has been given a secretary in this story. A young woman from Italy who had been hoping to become a nun. Circumstances lead her to Ms. Young's employ and she acts as a witness to the drama unfolding both on and off camera in the wilds of Washington State on the wintery, snowy Mt. Baker. What happened on Mt. Baker stayed on Mt. Baker... to a degree, but you'll be in on the scoop as you follow the story to its moving conclusion. Highly recommended!
from the Militant Recommender Book review Blog:
http://militantrecommender.blogspot.com/
Adriana Trigiani's dishy, addictive new book, All the Stars in the Heavens, is a fictionalized look at one of Golden Age Hollywood's great (and sssshhhh... secretive!) love stories! The story of Loretta Young and Clark Gable. Anyone who grew up on the great films of that era in the movies or on TV or maybe on TCM will find this look into their love and lives fascinating and you can imagine those larger than life figures acting exactly the way Ms. Trigiani captures them. Loretta, actually Gretchen, was one of four beautiful sisters raised by a single Mom who was a star in her own right, an interior designer to the stars. These amazing women lived and worked in the early days of the studios, all having jobs in the industry. Loretta was in film from the age of 4 and had made 50 movies by the time she met Clark and starred opposite him in William Wellman's "Call of the Wild". Loretta has been given a secretary in this story. A young woman from Italy who had been hoping to become a nun. Circumstances lead her to Ms. Young's employ and she acts as a witness to the drama unfolding both on and off camera in the wilds of Washington State on the wintery, snowy Mt. Baker. What happened on Mt. Baker stayed on Mt. Baker... to a degree, but you'll be in on the scoop as you follow the story to its moving conclusion. Highly recommended!
December 14, 2015
A beautifully researched and written historical fiction novel focusing on actress Loretta Young and her 1935 love affair with actor Clark Gable during the filming of the movie Call of the Wild. Trigiani's take on the famous "secret" affair (Gable was married at the time) and their child will be an eye opener for some.
Based on facts and including many Hollywood names from the Golden Age of film, readers will be swept up in the era and the lives of many of the famous and fabulous. The love of the subject and the detail of characterization is evident on every page. I found Trigiani's channeling of Gable's "voice" through the novel especially gratifying, but found the plot at times slow and ponderous, burdened by a devotion by the author to tell the Young/Gable story in such detail. If I have one niggling complaint, it is with the pacing.
Some readers will be aware of the new information about the actual events regarding the couple's sexual relationship that came out after this book was put to bed with its publisher. While this could have changed Trigiani's decision to write this book at all, I am glad that she did not re-write it or pull it all together.
Regardless, this is a fictionalization of the most famous love affair that could never be more than that, and their secret love child that grew up never knowing, beyond gossip, who her father was.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
Based on facts and including many Hollywood names from the Golden Age of film, readers will be swept up in the era and the lives of many of the famous and fabulous. The love of the subject and the detail of characterization is evident on every page. I found Trigiani's channeling of Gable's "voice" through the novel especially gratifying, but found the plot at times slow and ponderous, burdened by a devotion by the author to tell the Young/Gable story in such detail. If I have one niggling complaint, it is with the pacing.
Some readers will be aware of the new information about the actual events regarding the couple's sexual relationship that came out after this book was put to bed with its publisher. While this could have changed Trigiani's decision to write this book at all, I am glad that she did not re-write it or pull it all together.
Regardless, this is a fictionalization of the most famous love affair that could never be more than that, and their secret love child that grew up never knowing, beyond gossip, who her father was.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
July 25, 2017
Mixed feelings about this, which prior reviews have covered re unknowable thoughts, feelings, attributes, and quotes being constantly used for real people, but that's the bargain in historical fiction. But the imagined conversations were also the weakest part of the writing.
I did enjoy the behind-the-scenes info at the studios and on location, with details like Loretta's "carwash."
If Loretta in real life did indeed tell her child her birth and life were a "walking mortal sin," I doubt she was ever as sympathetic as she's portrayed here. The decisions she made over and over and over to withhold this information from her daughter are so profoundly damaging that those choices seem rather monstrous, especially given the opportunities to be truthful to her daughter and to herself, as time progressed.
So I guess it's ok to dress this up as a tale of ill-fated romantic love, but I think I'll stick to the version straight from Judy Lewis in Uncommon Knowledge. That resonates with all the emotions, drama, wreckage, and ultimate resilience a multi-generational secret like this engenders.
I did enjoy the behind-the-scenes info at the studios and on location, with details like Loretta's "carwash."
If Loretta in real life did indeed tell her child her birth and life were a "walking mortal sin," I doubt she was ever as sympathetic as she's portrayed here. The decisions she made over and over and over to withhold this information from her daughter are so profoundly damaging that those choices seem rather monstrous, especially given the opportunities to be truthful to her daughter and to herself, as time progressed.
So I guess it's ok to dress this up as a tale of ill-fated romantic love, but I think I'll stick to the version straight from Judy Lewis in Uncommon Knowledge. That resonates with all the emotions, drama, wreckage, and ultimate resilience a multi-generational secret like this engenders.
December 13, 2015
I was interested in reading this new Adriana Trigiani book when I read the synopsis. Having read her books, I knew this would be a treat. It reads like a movie itself. It's based on the true story of Clark Gable and Loretta Young's tumultuous love affair, of which I knew nothing about. This books sizzles with glamour, romance, and heartache. It's the Golden Age in Hollywood and beautiful actresses compete for leading roles in blockbuster films among the picks- Loretta, Carole Lombard, Rosalind Russell, and Myrna Loy.
This book kept me up late. It's a delightful romp through an unforgettable era
of cinematography. You will laugh and you will cry. Adriana has written another wonderful book.
This book kept me up late. It's a delightful romp through an unforgettable era
of cinematography. You will laugh and you will cry. Adriana has written another wonderful book.
October 6, 2019
הספר מספר את סיפורה של לורטה יאנג, כוכבת הוליוודית משנות ה-30-40 של המאה הקודמת. הספר מתמקד בחייה האישיים, ברומן שלה עם קלארק גייבל וגם בחייה של מזכירתה הנאמנה.
אני לא יודעת מה לא עבד לי בספר הזה. קראתי אותו דווקא במהירות יחסית בלי להיתקע באמצע. ועדיין, העלילה לא עניינה אותי, לא הטילה עלי שום קסם, לא לקחה אותי לתקופה ולמקום שבו עסק הספר. היו המון קטעים בספר שבעיני לא תרמו דבר לעלילה אלא סתם התישו, ולכן קראתי אותם בדילוגים.
אם הייתה אפשרות לחצאי נקודות, הייתי נותנת לספר 2.5 נקודות, אבל בבחירה בין 2 נקודות ל-3, נראה לי שלספר הזה מגיעות 2 נקודות ולא 3.
אני לא יודעת מה לא עבד לי בספר הזה. קראתי אותו דווקא במהירות יחסית בלי להיתקע באמצע. ועדיין, העלילה לא עניינה אותי, לא הטילה עלי שום קסם, לא לקחה אותי לתקופה ולמקום שבו עסק הספר. היו המון קטעים בספר שבעיני לא תרמו דבר לעלילה אלא סתם התישו, ולכן קראתי אותם בדילוגים.
אם הייתה אפשרות לחצאי נקודות, הייתי נותנת לספר 2.5 נקודות, אבל בבחירה בין 2 נקודות ל-3, נראה לי שלספר הזה מגיעות 2 נקודות ולא 3.
February 18, 2024
A fictionalized tale that takes us to the back lot of Hollywood 1935.
Meet the stars, Loretta Young, Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, David Niven and more.
An unforgettable tale of cinema's greatest love affairs during the heyday of American moviemaking.
An enjoyable read for those fascinated by that era.
Meet the stars, Loretta Young, Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, David Niven and more.
An unforgettable tale of cinema's greatest love affairs during the heyday of American moviemaking.
An enjoyable read for those fascinated by that era.
February 12, 2020
Read this book already
June 16, 2018
I've long been a fan of Adriana Trigiani and when one trade review compared my latest book to this one, naturally I had to pick it up! And I must say, I greatly appreciate the compliment. This book is about the affair between Loretta Young and Clark Gable and although it was on the longer side, I was immediately captivated and read it in one day. I liked the angle she took with telling this from the secretary's point of view. A fabulous read for historical fiction fans, especially those interested in Old Hollywood.
July 9, 2023
I enjoyed this story of Loretta Young and those surrounding her. It seemed to be a little longer than necessary, but it was interesting to read about an actress I had heard of, but knew nothing about.
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