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101 Pieces of Me
Written in 101 numbered parts, this story is set in the late 1920s against the backdrop of the early days of British cinema. By 1925, the rate of 24 frames per second had been established worldwide for silent films. So 101 frames - the "pieces" of the title - make about four seconds. Four seconds of film is enough for 16-year-old Sarah Freebody to become an object of fascination for a young producer who will not rest until he has secured her for his next project. Sarah becomes Clara Hope, acts in films, meets exciting people, falls in love and, in the end, has to decide whether a life in film is right for her.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Bennett
26 books16 followersVeronica Bennett is a children's novelist. Until recently, she worked part-time as an English Lecturer; she now writes fiction full-time. She graduated from University College, Cardiff in 1975 with an Honours degree in English. She began her writing career as a freelance journalist, but soon moved into fiction. Her first book, Monkey, was published in 1998 and was acclaimed by The Times Educational Supplement as "an impressively well-written and audacious debut". Veronica Bennett is married to a university professor and has two children, and currently resides in Middlesex.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 4, 2016
Although this started out slow, it ended sweet and I was satisfied with that. Of course I hoped for this ending, and I got it. I had a secret ship early on, and I was so glad to see it come to pass. I can't really go into it any more than that without spoilers, but suffice to say I was happy ;). I liked the filming, and some of the minor characters that developed there. Of course this is mainly the story of Clara, David and Aidan, and Clara gets the central role. Her innocence, much like the movie title, is taken away by the end of the book and I did love seeing how she grew but maintained her sweetness.
A light, quick read but nevertheless engaging. Four stars.
A light, quick read but nevertheless engaging. Four stars.
January 19, 2016
The other day when we stopped by the local library so my daughter could pick up a few books she'd reserved, I noticed this book in the YA section. The cover caught my eye because it's so pretty and elegant. As soon as I read the blurb, I was intrigued. So I asked her to borrow it for me. :)
Sarah Freebody lives in a Welsh town and is very interested in movies. One day when she's filmed during the May Day parade, she catches the eye of a famous director and he wants her in one of his movies. She's offered a job as an actress and travels to the studio to get started. Suddenly she's become Clara Hope, and is thrust into the life of living in hotel rooms, acting alongside some well-known actors, make-up, fashion, parties, and falling in love with the older man who gives her so much attention.
But things aren't always what they seem, and she soon finds herself in an awful situation that turns her life upside down. It also forces her to re-evaluate her life and make a choice about where she wants to go. She knows she can no longer trust who she thought she could, and instead realises that the one person she thought was vain and obnoxious is the one who cared about her the most all along.
I LOVED this book! It's seriously addictive.
Sarah/Clara was such an awesome narrator as she takes us through the turn of events that turned her from a young naïve girl enamoured with silent movies, into a woman who learns the hard way that sometimes what you think you want the most doesn't turn out the way you thought it would. This is ultimately a story of disillusionment. But it's also one about personal growth and growing up.
The 1920's setting during the silent film era was fascinating. I loved being swept into the past and looking at the world through the eyes of a girl who was strong and independent during a time when girls/women didn't get the credit they deserved. Yet at the same time, so many of them did as they desired. I also really enjoyed the way the industry was portrayed. I guess some things never change. LOL.
This little book is a fast, interesting read that hooked me in right away. It's intriguing and filled with great characters. It also takes several unexpected turns that all lead to a very satisfying end. Loved it!
*thumb up*
Sarah Freebody lives in a Welsh town and is very interested in movies. One day when she's filmed during the May Day parade, she catches the eye of a famous director and he wants her in one of his movies. She's offered a job as an actress and travels to the studio to get started. Suddenly she's become Clara Hope, and is thrust into the life of living in hotel rooms, acting alongside some well-known actors, make-up, fashion, parties, and falling in love with the older man who gives her so much attention.
But things aren't always what they seem, and she soon finds herself in an awful situation that turns her life upside down. It also forces her to re-evaluate her life and make a choice about where she wants to go. She knows she can no longer trust who she thought she could, and instead realises that the one person she thought was vain and obnoxious is the one who cared about her the most all along.
I LOVED this book! It's seriously addictive.
Sarah/Clara was such an awesome narrator as she takes us through the turn of events that turned her from a young naïve girl enamoured with silent movies, into a woman who learns the hard way that sometimes what you think you want the most doesn't turn out the way you thought it would. This is ultimately a story of disillusionment. But it's also one about personal growth and growing up.
The 1920's setting during the silent film era was fascinating. I loved being swept into the past and looking at the world through the eyes of a girl who was strong and independent during a time when girls/women didn't get the credit they deserved. Yet at the same time, so many of them did as they desired. I also really enjoyed the way the industry was portrayed. I guess some things never change. LOL.
This little book is a fast, interesting read that hooked me in right away. It's intriguing and filled with great characters. It also takes several unexpected turns that all lead to a very satisfying end. Loved it!
*thumb up*
February 24, 2016
I received a copy of 101 Pieces of Me to review from Walker Books Australia and New Zealand.
This book started slow for me. I liked when Sarah was still in her village preparing for the May Day parade but when she became Clara and moved to London to become an actress she seemed really naive. I know she led a sheltered life in a small village but she was kind of too trusting of strangers.
When Clara witnesses someone she cares about attacking another person on set she doesn’t even question why or them. She somehow still sees them as someone she could love. He’s clearly violent. I do not understand how she could still trust him. She also let his opinion of people influence her own opinions instead of getting to know them herself.
101 Pieces of Me caught my interest a little past halfway. Something happened to Clara that she didn’t see coming or understand and she turns to the only person she can, someone she never considered trustworthy. But with no other option Clara decides she has to suck up her pride and ask them for help.
After that I was interested to see what would happen to Clara. She was still naive about the real world. She’d never heard of cocaine but then she was bought up in a small village, where it was frond upon to live with someone of the opposite sex outside of marriage. She falls in love really fast too. I don’t know if it’s just me saying that or if it is Clara though.
I did end up liking 101 Pieces of Me even if it did annoy me how naive Clara was.
This book started slow for me. I liked when Sarah was still in her village preparing for the May Day parade but when she became Clara and moved to London to become an actress she seemed really naive. I know she led a sheltered life in a small village but she was kind of too trusting of strangers.
When Clara witnesses someone she cares about attacking another person on set she doesn’t even question why or them. She somehow still sees them as someone she could love. He’s clearly violent. I do not understand how she could still trust him. She also let his opinion of people influence her own opinions instead of getting to know them herself.
101 Pieces of Me caught my interest a little past halfway. Something happened to Clara that she didn’t see coming or understand and she turns to the only person she can, someone she never considered trustworthy. But with no other option Clara decides she has to suck up her pride and ask them for help.
After that I was interested to see what would happen to Clara. She was still naive about the real world. She’d never heard of cocaine but then she was bought up in a small village, where it was frond upon to live with someone of the opposite sex outside of marriage. She falls in love really fast too. I don’t know if it’s just me saying that or if it is Clara though.
I did end up liking 101 Pieces of Me even if it did annoy me how naive Clara was.
November 14, 2019
Review for 101 Pieces of Me by Veronica Bennett
Just four seconds of a young teenage girl’s life, and yet it changed everything. Because this was no ordinary four seconds - no, these were four short moments in time captured on 101 frames of film by a famous movie director when he spied a beautiful young Welsh girl enjoying life at a May Day Parade in the early 1920s.
From that short space of time, Sarah Freebody, a struggling farmer’s daughter, metamorphoses into Clara Hope, upcoming movie star, who is soon whisked off to the bright lights of London for a screen test and then is immediately offered the lead role in ‘Innocence’, David Penn’s latest moving picture.
Those initial 101 small celluloid frames have the power to transport Clara’s entire world from her own innocence as a country teenager into one riddled with glamour, wealth, and lavish parties frequented by the rich and famous from this new branch of show business that, unbeknown to her, is also underpinned with layers of subterfuge and sleazy manipulations.
Written in very short chapters that take readers into that glamorous new world through the eyes of Sarah/Clara, this was an easy read. Even though I’ve never been a fan of the 20s era, the author managed to peak my interest and hold it steady as the dramas unfolded both in England and onto that famous playground of the mega rich and famous - the Italian Riviera.
Having dabbled myself in that exciting world of movie making as an assistant film editor while in my early 30s, and then walked those palm-lined streets of the Italian Riviera on my first European holiday, I was immediately drawn to the title and the storyline - yes, there are 24 frames in every second of film shot - so I was intrigued to find out what impact those mere four seconds had on this young fictional woman’s life.
This novel is quite short so it doesn’t have long descriptive prose or in-depth dialogue, however it is well researched and kept me wondering how this young woman will fare in this unfamiliar world so far from everything she holds dear. I enjoyed Ms Bennett’s writing style and the ripple of intrigue and suspense she wove within the first few chapters continued for the entire 264 pages.
I give it 3 1/2 out of five stars.
Just four seconds of a young teenage girl’s life, and yet it changed everything. Because this was no ordinary four seconds - no, these were four short moments in time captured on 101 frames of film by a famous movie director when he spied a beautiful young Welsh girl enjoying life at a May Day Parade in the early 1920s.
From that short space of time, Sarah Freebody, a struggling farmer’s daughter, metamorphoses into Clara Hope, upcoming movie star, who is soon whisked off to the bright lights of London for a screen test and then is immediately offered the lead role in ‘Innocence’, David Penn’s latest moving picture.
Those initial 101 small celluloid frames have the power to transport Clara’s entire world from her own innocence as a country teenager into one riddled with glamour, wealth, and lavish parties frequented by the rich and famous from this new branch of show business that, unbeknown to her, is also underpinned with layers of subterfuge and sleazy manipulations.
Written in very short chapters that take readers into that glamorous new world through the eyes of Sarah/Clara, this was an easy read. Even though I’ve never been a fan of the 20s era, the author managed to peak my interest and hold it steady as the dramas unfolded both in England and onto that famous playground of the mega rich and famous - the Italian Riviera.
Having dabbled myself in that exciting world of movie making as an assistant film editor while in my early 30s, and then walked those palm-lined streets of the Italian Riviera on my first European holiday, I was immediately drawn to the title and the storyline - yes, there are 24 frames in every second of film shot - so I was intrigued to find out what impact those mere four seconds had on this young fictional woman’s life.
This novel is quite short so it doesn’t have long descriptive prose or in-depth dialogue, however it is well researched and kept me wondering how this young woman will fare in this unfamiliar world so far from everything she holds dear. I enjoyed Ms Bennett’s writing style and the ripple of intrigue and suspense she wove within the first few chapters continued for the entire 264 pages.
I give it 3 1/2 out of five stars.
December 13, 2020
Quite and enjoyable read!
A young girl, dreams to be an actress and embarks on the chance of becoming one without knowing the power of blinding lights and movie glamour. She quickly finds out the pitfalls of the movie-making scene are not ones to ignore lightly.
The story is not exactly typical, which makes it also a fresh and quick read. The action in the first 2/3s is a bit on the slower side, but not enough to annoy!
A young girl, dreams to be an actress and embarks on the chance of becoming one without knowing the power of blinding lights and movie glamour. She quickly finds out the pitfalls of the movie-making scene are not ones to ignore lightly.
The story is not exactly typical, which makes it also a fresh and quick read. The action in the first 2/3s is a bit on the slower side, but not enough to annoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2021
This book started very slow and the whole plot started after the second half but still I wasn’t impressed. If I hadn’t read a review here saying that the end is interesting I would have stopped reading and frankly I wouldn’t have missed much. I was kind of pleasant to read though. I wouldn’t recommend it but if you have it, I would say you finish it.
October 14, 2019
It had an interesting story, but just felt I couldn't connect to the character because the chapters are so short making the scenes short. Think more could been added to it....and I really didn't like the ending either.
July 26, 2020
The premise is good but the book just got a bit boring. The character was pretty predictable and you really did not develop compassion for her. The idea of her break through in the film industry was interesting but how realistic, I don't think so.
June 25, 2017
I loved this book. Happy Ending - Check! Brave Heroine - Check! Original Plot - Check! Definitely do recommend it....
June 15, 2024
Enjoyment 8/10
Concept 5/10
Execution 7/10
Writing 6/10
Plot & Logic 7/10
Pacing & Structure 9/10
Atmosphere 7/10
Characters 7/10
Intrigue 9/10
Rating: 3.58/5
Concept 5/10
Execution 7/10
Writing 6/10
Plot & Logic 7/10
Pacing & Structure 9/10
Atmosphere 7/10
Characters 7/10
Intrigue 9/10
Rating: 3.58/5
February 4, 2017
This was so beautifully written. Sarah/Clara's voice was just perfect! I absolutely loved the story - small town Welsh girl plucked from obscurity to star in a silent film... she is very young and naive and has to learn a lot of hard truths! I loved the movie-making detail as well.
June 19, 2019
Entertaining tale of a pretty Welsh girl, unaware of her own attractiveness, who is caught up in the world of silent film...
January 18, 2016
Hmmm... What to say about this book. Firstly, I didn't enjoy it and felt like I was forcing myself to read it. The original story was ok but then it all just went downhill. For me, the main problem with this novel was Clara's naivety. It was beyond annoying. Although I understand that an 18 year old girl from rural Wales in the 20s would have been very naive and would have known little about the world, she came across as more than naive and just downright stupid. She fell for every little thing and could never work it out on her own (especially when she finds out that David has been using her and still believes that his house is being renovated and that the women who answered the phone was his housekeeper). I just wanted to slap her.
The short chapters to make up 101 by the end of the novel were stupid. Although it was a good idea, it just didn't work. Chapters would change where it made absolutely no sense and was still in the middle of a scene or conversation. It chopped up the narrative obtrusively and didn't add anything to the story. It was just a novelty.
Finally, the romance between Aidan and Clara was ridiculous. They just get together at the end, despite her disliking him for the whole book and the fact that there was absolutely no romantic tension. Blerg. Did not like it.
The short chapters to make up 101 by the end of the novel were stupid. Although it was a good idea, it just didn't work. Chapters would change where it made absolutely no sense and was still in the middle of a scene or conversation. It chopped up the narrative obtrusively and didn't add anything to the story. It was just a novelty.
Finally, the romance between Aidan and Clara was ridiculous. They just get together at the end, despite her disliking him for the whole book and the fact that there was absolutely no romantic tension. Blerg. Did not like it.
January 31, 2016
Got getting me. Moving on.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews