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Crowned Heads
Thomas Tryon brings to breathtaking life the Golden Age of Hollywood and the great golden people who became the crowned heads of this kingdom of stars.
FEDORA: Her enigma unriddled—the greatest, the most exquisite, the longest-reigning Hollywood star of them all. Now she has made an incredible comeback, her glorious face strangely untouched by time....
LORNA: She zoomed from high school cheerleader to sex goddess. Now after many men, many jobs, and much trouble, she has come to a remote Mexican resort to find herself....
BOBBITT: He was a star at ten. Now he's in his thirties and as winsome as ever. But today the Bobbitt movies are forgotten. And Bobbitt himself—does he exist at all?
WILLIE: For decades a worldwide symbol of elegance and wit. Now he is alone in his showplace Hollywood villa—his precious "Bee" dead—morning the past. Then suddenly, viciously, with a knock on the door, the future breaks in....
FEDORA: Her enigma unriddled—the greatest, the most exquisite, the longest-reigning Hollywood star of them all. Now she has made an incredible comeback, her glorious face strangely untouched by time....
LORNA: She zoomed from high school cheerleader to sex goddess. Now after many men, many jobs, and much trouble, she has come to a remote Mexican resort to find herself....
BOBBITT: He was a star at ten. Now he's in his thirties and as winsome as ever. But today the Bobbitt movies are forgotten. And Bobbitt himself—does he exist at all?
WILLIE: For decades a worldwide symbol of elegance and wit. Now he is alone in his showplace Hollywood villa—his precious "Bee" dead—morning the past. Then suddenly, viciously, with a knock on the door, the future breaks in....
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
69 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Tryon
26 books303 followersIt was Noel Coward’s partner, Gertrude Lawrence, who encouraged Tom to try acting. He made his Broadway debut in 1952 in the chorus of the musical Wish You Were Here. He also worked in television at the time, but as a production assistant. In 1955, he moved to California to try his hand at the movies, and the next year made his film debut in The Scarlet Hour (1956). Tom was cast in the title role of the Disney TV series Texas John Slaughter (1958) that made him something of a household name. He appeared in several horror and science fiction films: I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958) and Moon Pilot (1962) and in westerns: Three Violent People (1956) and Winchester '73 (1967). He was part of the all-star cast in The Longest Day (1962), a film of the World War II generation, credited with saving 20th Century Fox Studios, after the disaster of Cleopatra. He considered his best role to be in In Harm's Way (1965), which is also regarded as one of the better films about World War II.
While filming the title role in The Cardinal (1962), Tom suffered from Otto Preminger's Teutonic directing style and became physically ill. Nevertheless, Tom was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1963. He appeared with Marilyn Monroe in her final film, Something's Got to Give (1962), but the studio fired Monroe after three weeks, and the film was never finished. That experience, along with the Cardinal ordeal, left Tom wary of studio games and weary at waiting around for the phone to ring.
After viewing the film Rosemary's Baby (1968), Tom was inspired to write his own horror novel, and in 1971 Alfred Knopf published The Other. It became an instant bestseller and was turned into a movie in 1972, which Tom wrote and produced. Thereafter, despite occasional film and TV offers, Tom gave up acting to write fiction full-time. This he did eight to ten hours a day, with pencil, on legal-sized yellow tablets. Years later, he graduated to an IBM Selectric.
The Other was followed by Lady (1975), which concerns the friendship between an eight-year-old boy and a mysterious widow in 1930s New England. His book Crowned Heads became an inspiration for the Billy Wilder film Fedora (1978), and a miniseries with Bette Davis was made from his novel Harvest Home (1978). All That Glitters (1986), a quintette of stories about thinly disguised Hollywood greats and near-greats followed. Night of the Moonbow (1989), tells of a boy driven to violence by the constant harassment he endures at a summer camp. Night Magic, about an urban street magician with wondrous powers, written shortly before his death in 1991, was posthumously published in 1995. The dust jackets and end papers of Tom's books, about which he took unusual care, are excellent examples of his gifts as an artist and graphic designer, further testimony to the breadth of his talents.
While filming the title role in The Cardinal (1962), Tom suffered from Otto Preminger's Teutonic directing style and became physically ill. Nevertheless, Tom was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1963. He appeared with Marilyn Monroe in her final film, Something's Got to Give (1962), but the studio fired Monroe after three weeks, and the film was never finished. That experience, along with the Cardinal ordeal, left Tom wary of studio games and weary at waiting around for the phone to ring.
After viewing the film Rosemary's Baby (1968), Tom was inspired to write his own horror novel, and in 1971 Alfred Knopf published The Other. It became an instant bestseller and was turned into a movie in 1972, which Tom wrote and produced. Thereafter, despite occasional film and TV offers, Tom gave up acting to write fiction full-time. This he did eight to ten hours a day, with pencil, on legal-sized yellow tablets. Years later, he graduated to an IBM Selectric.
The Other was followed by Lady (1975), which concerns the friendship between an eight-year-old boy and a mysterious widow in 1930s New England. His book Crowned Heads became an inspiration for the Billy Wilder film Fedora (1978), and a miniseries with Bette Davis was made from his novel Harvest Home (1978). All That Glitters (1986), a quintette of stories about thinly disguised Hollywood greats and near-greats followed. Night of the Moonbow (1989), tells of a boy driven to violence by the constant harassment he endures at a summer camp. Night Magic, about an urban street magician with wondrous powers, written shortly before his death in 1991, was posthumously published in 1995. The dust jackets and end papers of Tom's books, about which he took unusual care, are excellent examples of his gifts as an artist and graphic designer, further testimony to the breadth of his talents.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 19, 2019
i have read two books by thomas tryon before, and both of them were horror novels. i don't know why i expected that this one would necessarily also be a horror-themed novella collection, but if you are thinking that - don't.
don't read each one of these stories, waiting for the spooky to appear. because it won't.
there are plenty of horrible things that happen, but they are neither supernatural nor boo-scary, although the last one comes the closest with its situation.
these intertwined novellas are about what happens after hollywood is through with its formerly shining stars, and the empty aimlessness of life after fame. the story of a mysterious actress desperately trying to retain her youth and beauty in order to prolong her career, the story of what happens to a child actor who refuses to grow up, the story of a woman behaving very badly under the mounting pressures of public scrutiny, and the story of a man trapped in a life that is nothing but the smoke and mirrors of hollywood superficiality.
they are mostly bleak and tragic and horrible, as the characters struggle and lose themselves within the gloss of what is expected from them. there is nothing glamorous here, just the demands of the public, the loss of privacy, the unfairness of gender, and the willingness to accept appearances over truth, no matter how deceptive they are.
i enjoyed fedora and lorna the most, although the ending of lorna was a little bananas, like an even more ridiculous and over-the-top spin on the ending of tess of the d'urbervilles with a little dash of that monsterporn i read thrown in. but not an actual monster. you'll see. bobbitt was mostly good, but a little twee, and willie… well, let's just say that as an escalation piece, it was incredibly effective and ended up turning into something tony burgess would dig.
this is a reissue of a book originally published in 1976, and it does read like a product of that time. that's not necessarily a criticism, but it is very clearly depicting a period in american history, and specifically hollywood history. there are plenty of real-life actors and actresses making appearances and being referenced, which gives it a nice semblance of documentary, but as most of these stories remind you (hit you on the [crowned] head with), in hollywood, one must never put any stock in appearances.
let's call it a 3.5.
come to my blog!
don't read each one of these stories, waiting for the spooky to appear. because it won't.
there are plenty of horrible things that happen, but they are neither supernatural nor boo-scary, although the last one comes the closest with its situation.
these intertwined novellas are about what happens after hollywood is through with its formerly shining stars, and the empty aimlessness of life after fame. the story of a mysterious actress desperately trying to retain her youth and beauty in order to prolong her career, the story of what happens to a child actor who refuses to grow up, the story of a woman behaving very badly under the mounting pressures of public scrutiny, and the story of a man trapped in a life that is nothing but the smoke and mirrors of hollywood superficiality.
they are mostly bleak and tragic and horrible, as the characters struggle and lose themselves within the gloss of what is expected from them. there is nothing glamorous here, just the demands of the public, the loss of privacy, the unfairness of gender, and the willingness to accept appearances over truth, no matter how deceptive they are.
i enjoyed fedora and lorna the most, although the ending of lorna was a little bananas, like an even more ridiculous and over-the-top spin on the ending of tess of the d'urbervilles with a little dash of that monsterporn i read thrown in. but not an actual monster. you'll see. bobbitt was mostly good, but a little twee, and willie… well, let's just say that as an escalation piece, it was incredibly effective and ended up turning into something tony burgess would dig.
this is a reissue of a book originally published in 1976, and it does read like a product of that time. that's not necessarily a criticism, but it is very clearly depicting a period in american history, and specifically hollywood history. there are plenty of real-life actors and actresses making appearances and being referenced, which gives it a nice semblance of documentary, but as most of these stories remind you (hit you on the [crowned] head with), in hollywood, one must never put any stock in appearances.
let's call it a 3.5.
come to my blog!
November 26, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
I read this book for the first time as a teenager in the late Seventies, and I remember enjoying it then. It's overwritten, sadistic, and tacky—and I mean that as high praise. With this book, Tryon (former actor and author of The Other and Harvest Home) obviously targeted Jacqueline Susann's fans; it's a gloriously trashy collection of four linked novellas set in Hollywood.
The first novella "Fedora" is the best of the four; it's about a famous but reclusive movie star (think Greta Garbo). Billy Wilder adapted it for his penultimate movie, which starred William Holden, Marthe Keller, and Hildegard Knef.
The three other novellas are tedious and overlong. Best to stop after "Fedora."
The first novella "Fedora" is the best of the four; it's about a famous but reclusive movie star (think Greta Garbo). Billy Wilder adapted it for his penultimate movie, which starred William Holden, Marthe Keller, and Hildegard Knef.
The three other novellas are tedious and overlong. Best to stop after "Fedora."
February 22, 2021
I remember thinking, at the time, that this was Tryon's best. "The Other" and "Harvest Home" novels are good. But as I recall, the best of the four novellas in "Crowned Heads" is the first one. So I think I'll reread this but start with the last novella.
January 6, 2015
I decided to throw this book into recycling...
July 27, 2025
Compré este libro hace bastante tiempo ya, al poco tiempo de leer la primer novela de Thomas Tryon, El doble, y luego de buscar infructuosamente la segunda novela que él escribió, La fiesta de la siega. Frustrado y a la vez un tanto conflictuado por no hallar más libros de este autor, decidí comprar esta colección que aparecía por doquier y a un precio razonable.
Mas, aún así, pasaron más de diez años desde que lo compré, y tras ver en oferta El doble, libro que volví a comprar en la edición que siempre deseé, las ganas de releer a Thomas Tryon me poseyeron, mas decidí leer este libro que desde hace tanto tiempo venía postergando.
Y he de decir que no me decepcionó en lo absoluto.
Thomas Tryon fue un gran autor injustamente olvidado por el paso del tiempo.
Las novelas cortas aquí presentadas son todas distintas, mas comparten un mismo universo de persnajes ya que, sea por nombre, referencia, o haber compartido una filmación juntos, cada una de los personajes principales de cada novela corta aparece en las otras.
Fedora, la primera novela de la colección, es tal vez la más conocida y la que mejor recepción ha tenido pues fue llevada a la pantalla grande con gran éxito. La sinopsis del mismo es cuál es el misterio detras de una cautivadora y sensual estrella de cine que parece jamás envejecer. La premisa parecerá simple, pero el hecho que Thomas Tryon creara un universo de películas y personajes que pueden pasar por reales, y que incluso han compartido, ficticiamente, cartelera y pantalla con grandes estrellas del cine real, es lo que volvió a esta historia tan atrapante. La estructura, por momentos, me hizo recordar un poco al Ciudadano Kane de Orson Wells, en la que una periodista investiga y da con los diferentes datos que conforman la vida de la actriz Fedora. El hecho que Thomas Tryon perteneciera eél mismo al mundo del cine antes de volverse un célebre escritor es lo que hace que estas novelas cortas poseean una cualidad espontánea de atracción que pocas veces he visto en otros libros.
La segunda novela corta, Lorna, es un tour de force en la mente de una actriz que solo logró ser el clásico bomboncito norteamericano, actrices que por su belleza y voluptuosidad lograron fama por un tiempo, mas cayeron en el olvida tras su apogeo. Thomas Tryon nos muestra en esta novela corta la otra cara de lo contado en Fedora, es decir, como el mundo del cine no es todo color de rosa y flaour, sino que es oscuro e incluso destroza más vidas de las que uno jmás se entera, pues miles de personas intentan día a día llegar a los estandartes que este medio solicita arbitrariamente. Y es aquí donde hace énfasis Thomas Tryon, mostrando una mujer, sin escrúpulos, y utilizando su cuerpo y belleza de ser necesario, se ha hecho camino en ese mundo. Mas no por ello ha salido indemne, ya que los problemas mentales que poseía de joven, se han exacerbado en extremo con la fama. La sinopsis nos muestra a Lorna, huyendo de las deudas que tiene ya en el ocaso de su carrera, cuando nadie le ofrece papeles nuevos, a un resort en una isla paradisíaca, y como allí, sus carencias y falencias comienzan a manifestarse en toda su fuerza. Esta novela corta es dura, muy dura, y el personaje de Lorna es una con el que cuesta muchísimo empatizar, mas Thomas Tryon no deja nada en el tinter, y nos cuenta una historia que, sinceramente, el final, va más allá de cualquier horror que odamos imaginar. Aún cuando no es una novela de horror en sí, el desagrado y el suspenso son en un in crecendo descontrolado que hace muy tensionante la lectura. Lo cual es una gran muestra de la gran habilidad que tenía Thomas Tryon para crear climas y atmósferas asfixiantes y muy distintas unas de la otra.
La tercera novela corta, Bobbit, para mí la mejor de la colección, nos cuenta la historia de un niño que fue estrella de muchas películas encarnando al dicho Bobbit, un niño encantador que terminó creando toda una industria detrás de sí, con canciones, libros, juguetes y demás cosas con su nombre, más el actor que izo de ese niño, ha crecido y ha sido olvidado por todos. Mas esto cambia al reencontrarse con una compañera de pantalla. La ternura que nos detalla aquí Thomas Tryon en cada escena es de un nivel altísimo, y los personajes son realmente muy queribles, lo cual hace aún más entretenida la historia, y mucho más enternecedor el final tan hermoso.
La última novela corta del libro, Willie, nos cuenta la historia de Willie Marsh, actor que compartió escenas con Bobbit y Fedora, y que pasa sus últimos días de vida escribiendo sus memorias y autobiografía. Esta calma se ve interrumpida por un grupo de personajes que conoció en una fiesta y a los cuales invitó a que lo visitaran en su morada, un joven actor amateur, su chica, y el benefactor de ambos, un tipo carismático y peligroso. La noche se va desarrollando de una forma cada vez más descontrolada, hasta que al fin conocemos las verdaderas intenciones de este grupo de personas, las cuales se pueden leer entre lineas desde el comienzo. Thomas Tryon captura en esta última novela la soledad y la necesidad de conectar y sentirse libres que han de sentir las estrellas de cine, y más aún, aquellas que han estado en ese mundo desde su más tierna infancia. Las escenas finales de esta última novela, son de una brutalidad y viceralidad indecible, transformando un argumento simple en una novela de suspenso como pocas, aún cuando sepamos de ante mano cómo termina esta historia.
Una corta sección, perteneciente a las memorias de Willie Marsh cierra el libro con el título de Tiempos juveneiles, el título del libro de memorias del mismo Willie. En esta corta sección, una simple escena del libro que Willie escribe en su novela corta, se nos muestra de forma patente cómo han estado conectados los cuatro personajes que protagonizasn cada una de estas novelas.
El libro cambia su humor en cada novela, pasando de lo inspirador y misterioso, a trágico y espantoso en cuestión de escasas páginas, así también como momentos de extrema belleza y ternura a escenas de horribles torturas. No es un libro sucio o traumatizante, pero la habilidad para escribir de Thomas Tryon se hace notar y puede encontrar a varios lectores con la guardia baja tras la primera novela, la cual carece de esa desaforada sensación de vértigo que poseen Lorna y Willie.
En suma, es un libro increíble en verdad. No le pongo cinco estrellas simplemente porque creo que el autor podría haber sido un poco menos clicheé con los argumentos, mas, siendo estos personajes ficticicios, personajes que supuestamente fueron estrellas del cine de ficción, puede leerse esta intención con un doble sentido, tanto como crítica al medio, como oda al mismo.
Una de las cosas que más me llamó la atención fue el cambio de título al hacer la traducción del libro. En ingles, este libro fue publicado como Crowned heads, cabezas coronadas, haciendo alusión a las condecoraciones que recibieron estas estrellas de cine. Mas en español se decantaron por un título que vaya uno ha saber de dónde ha salido, Mitos de cristal, que captura la esencia descripta arriba, y a su vez, la fragilidad de estas vidas.
He disfrutado mucho esta colección de novelas cortas, y confirmo así que Thomas Tryon era un gran escritor que tenía muco para dar, mas lamentablemente, jamás logró el renombre que otros autores menos interesantes sí lgraron. Irónico, tal y cual fue su paso por el cine.
Gracias, Thomas Tryon, por escribir esta colección de novelas cortas que deja en claro que se puede lograr mucho siendo solo un gran narrador.
Mas, aún así, pasaron más de diez años desde que lo compré, y tras ver en oferta El doble, libro que volví a comprar en la edición que siempre deseé, las ganas de releer a Thomas Tryon me poseyeron, mas decidí leer este libro que desde hace tanto tiempo venía postergando.
Y he de decir que no me decepcionó en lo absoluto.
Thomas Tryon fue un gran autor injustamente olvidado por el paso del tiempo.
Las novelas cortas aquí presentadas son todas distintas, mas comparten un mismo universo de persnajes ya que, sea por nombre, referencia, o haber compartido una filmación juntos, cada una de los personajes principales de cada novela corta aparece en las otras.
Fedora, la primera novela de la colección, es tal vez la más conocida y la que mejor recepción ha tenido pues fue llevada a la pantalla grande con gran éxito. La sinopsis del mismo es cuál es el misterio detras de una cautivadora y sensual estrella de cine que parece jamás envejecer. La premisa parecerá simple, pero el hecho que Thomas Tryon creara un universo de películas y personajes que pueden pasar por reales, y que incluso han compartido, ficticiamente, cartelera y pantalla con grandes estrellas del cine real, es lo que volvió a esta historia tan atrapante. La estructura, por momentos, me hizo recordar un poco al Ciudadano Kane de Orson Wells, en la que una periodista investiga y da con los diferentes datos que conforman la vida de la actriz Fedora. El hecho que Thomas Tryon perteneciera eél mismo al mundo del cine antes de volverse un célebre escritor es lo que hace que estas novelas cortas poseean una cualidad espontánea de atracción que pocas veces he visto en otros libros.
La segunda novela corta, Lorna, es un tour de force en la mente de una actriz que solo logró ser el clásico bomboncito norteamericano, actrices que por su belleza y voluptuosidad lograron fama por un tiempo, mas cayeron en el olvida tras su apogeo. Thomas Tryon nos muestra en esta novela corta la otra cara de lo contado en Fedora, es decir, como el mundo del cine no es todo color de rosa y flaour, sino que es oscuro e incluso destroza más vidas de las que uno jmás se entera, pues miles de personas intentan día a día llegar a los estandartes que este medio solicita arbitrariamente. Y es aquí donde hace énfasis Thomas Tryon, mostrando una mujer, sin escrúpulos, y utilizando su cuerpo y belleza de ser necesario, se ha hecho camino en ese mundo. Mas no por ello ha salido indemne, ya que los problemas mentales que poseía de joven, se han exacerbado en extremo con la fama. La sinopsis nos muestra a Lorna, huyendo de las deudas que tiene ya en el ocaso de su carrera, cuando nadie le ofrece papeles nuevos, a un resort en una isla paradisíaca, y como allí, sus carencias y falencias comienzan a manifestarse en toda su fuerza. Esta novela corta es dura, muy dura, y el personaje de Lorna es una con el que cuesta muchísimo empatizar, mas Thomas Tryon no deja nada en el tinter, y nos cuenta una historia que, sinceramente, el final, va más allá de cualquier horror que odamos imaginar. Aún cuando no es una novela de horror en sí, el desagrado y el suspenso son en un in crecendo descontrolado que hace muy tensionante la lectura. Lo cual es una gran muestra de la gran habilidad que tenía Thomas Tryon para crear climas y atmósferas asfixiantes y muy distintas unas de la otra.
La tercera novela corta, Bobbit, para mí la mejor de la colección, nos cuenta la historia de un niño que fue estrella de muchas películas encarnando al dicho Bobbit, un niño encantador que terminó creando toda una industria detrás de sí, con canciones, libros, juguetes y demás cosas con su nombre, más el actor que izo de ese niño, ha crecido y ha sido olvidado por todos. Mas esto cambia al reencontrarse con una compañera de pantalla. La ternura que nos detalla aquí Thomas Tryon en cada escena es de un nivel altísimo, y los personajes son realmente muy queribles, lo cual hace aún más entretenida la historia, y mucho más enternecedor el final tan hermoso.
La última novela corta del libro, Willie, nos cuenta la historia de Willie Marsh, actor que compartió escenas con Bobbit y Fedora, y que pasa sus últimos días de vida escribiendo sus memorias y autobiografía. Esta calma se ve interrumpida por un grupo de personajes que conoció en una fiesta y a los cuales invitó a que lo visitaran en su morada, un joven actor amateur, su chica, y el benefactor de ambos, un tipo carismático y peligroso. La noche se va desarrollando de una forma cada vez más descontrolada, hasta que al fin conocemos las verdaderas intenciones de este grupo de personas, las cuales se pueden leer entre lineas desde el comienzo. Thomas Tryon captura en esta última novela la soledad y la necesidad de conectar y sentirse libres que han de sentir las estrellas de cine, y más aún, aquellas que han estado en ese mundo desde su más tierna infancia. Las escenas finales de esta última novela, son de una brutalidad y viceralidad indecible, transformando un argumento simple en una novela de suspenso como pocas, aún cuando sepamos de ante mano cómo termina esta historia.
Una corta sección, perteneciente a las memorias de Willie Marsh cierra el libro con el título de Tiempos juveneiles, el título del libro de memorias del mismo Willie. En esta corta sección, una simple escena del libro que Willie escribe en su novela corta, se nos muestra de forma patente cómo han estado conectados los cuatro personajes que protagonizasn cada una de estas novelas.
El libro cambia su humor en cada novela, pasando de lo inspirador y misterioso, a trágico y espantoso en cuestión de escasas páginas, así también como momentos de extrema belleza y ternura a escenas de horribles torturas. No es un libro sucio o traumatizante, pero la habilidad para escribir de Thomas Tryon se hace notar y puede encontrar a varios lectores con la guardia baja tras la primera novela, la cual carece de esa desaforada sensación de vértigo que poseen Lorna y Willie.
En suma, es un libro increíble en verdad. No le pongo cinco estrellas simplemente porque creo que el autor podría haber sido un poco menos clicheé con los argumentos, mas, siendo estos personajes ficticicios, personajes que supuestamente fueron estrellas del cine de ficción, puede leerse esta intención con un doble sentido, tanto como crítica al medio, como oda al mismo.
Una de las cosas que más me llamó la atención fue el cambio de título al hacer la traducción del libro. En ingles, este libro fue publicado como Crowned heads, cabezas coronadas, haciendo alusión a las condecoraciones que recibieron estas estrellas de cine. Mas en español se decantaron por un título que vaya uno ha saber de dónde ha salido, Mitos de cristal, que captura la esencia descripta arriba, y a su vez, la fragilidad de estas vidas.
He disfrutado mucho esta colección de novelas cortas, y confirmo así que Thomas Tryon era un gran escritor que tenía muco para dar, mas lamentablemente, jamás logró el renombre que otros autores menos interesantes sí lgraron. Irónico, tal y cual fue su paso por el cine.
Gracias, Thomas Tryon, por escribir esta colección de novelas cortas que deja en claro que se puede lograr mucho siendo solo un gran narrador.
March 14, 2017
I love the old-fashioned way Tryon writes, with another author I think I would not be able to get past a few pages: Tryon takes his time and all his stories usually have a slow pace, but his use of the English language is somehow a winner for me, I always get addicted.
The problem with these loosely linked novellas is that the plots are a bit thin, but his writing and his obvious love for Hollywod stardom and cinema in general is very palpable and addictive. All four titular characters aren't nice people to write about, and it's hard to sympathize with them, but otherwise they're worth reading. The story I liked least was Lorna, which seemed to go nowhere, and while Fedora is the better known of the stories, I liked it but I guessed the plot twist quite a few pages before being revealed, so it didn't quite gel as it should have with me. Great writing throughout though.
Bobbitt and especially, Willie, are very good stories though, the former reads like a Peter Pan fairytale and since the protagonist was not really the titular character but the lovable Nell it was a more satisfying read. And Willie.... knowing the fate of the character beforehand I thought would make it lose impact, but the creepy atmosphere created from the very beginning never decreases and it was an absolute joy to read (even if it was with a lot of anguish). The twist about Willie's character was great though, I never guessed it and in fact I re-read the story up to that point because it changed the character a lot.
That story was really good so even if it would not be my book of choice for someone who wants to get into Tryon's literature (The Other would be), it is very worthwile.
The problem with these loosely linked novellas is that the plots are a bit thin, but his writing and his obvious love for Hollywod stardom and cinema in general is very palpable and addictive. All four titular characters aren't nice people to write about, and it's hard to sympathize with them, but otherwise they're worth reading. The story I liked least was Lorna, which seemed to go nowhere, and while Fedora is the better known of the stories, I liked it but I guessed the plot twist quite a few pages before being revealed, so it didn't quite gel as it should have with me. Great writing throughout though.
Bobbitt and especially, Willie, are very good stories though, the former reads like a Peter Pan fairytale and since the protagonist was not really the titular character but the lovable Nell it was a more satisfying read. And Willie.... knowing the fate of the character beforehand I thought would make it lose impact, but the creepy atmosphere created from the very beginning never decreases and it was an absolute joy to read (even if it was with a lot of anguish). The twist about Willie's character was great though, I never guessed it and in fact I re-read the story up to that point because it changed the character a lot.
That story was really good so even if it would not be my book of choice for someone who wants to get into Tryon's literature (The Other would be), it is very worthwile.
July 4, 2013
I'm quite sure I'm missing a great deal as I'm geographically and chronologically separated from the characters, settings, and events in the four stories. The plots are interesting, but I can't seem to bring myself to like the characters that much. Let me address them one by one:
Fedora: My favourite story of the four, and Fedora is the only protagonist in any of them I respect. The beginning is excruciatingly slow (as it is in the other three) but the secret is well worth it.
Lorna: Supposedly a tragedy, but I cannot seem to feel any pity for the protagonist. She is a self-absorbed narcissist--bordering on psychopath--who believes she deserves the world on a silver platter. It's actually quite gratifying to see her get what she really deserves.
Bobbitt: The only story with a happy ending. Bobbitt himself is a spoiled child/man-boy and attention-seeker.
Willie: Lonely and foolish old man, though I do feel some pity for him; he certainly doesn't deserve to die, especially the way he does.
Still, I really like how the lives of these characters, and some of the minor ones, all intertwine through the decades.
Fedora: My favourite story of the four, and Fedora is the only protagonist in any of them I respect. The beginning is excruciatingly slow (as it is in the other three) but the secret is well worth it.
Lorna: Supposedly a tragedy, but I cannot seem to feel any pity for the protagonist. She is a self-absorbed narcissist--bordering on psychopath--who believes she deserves the world on a silver platter. It's actually quite gratifying to see her get what she really deserves.
Bobbitt: The only story with a happy ending. Bobbitt himself is a spoiled child/man-boy and attention-seeker.
Willie: Lonely and foolish old man, though I do feel some pity for him; he certainly doesn't deserve to die, especially the way he does.
Still, I really like how the lives of these characters, and some of the minor ones, all intertwine through the decades.
April 8, 2018
What a triumph of style and story-telling.
Short novellas and a bit more spookily intermingled by delicate hints and reappearances, beautifully narrated with empathic skill and talent.
There is far more horror in these pages than your average monster/slasher book could ever contain.
If you know or love Thomas Tryon you know what to expect in terms of narrative style and language. It's sublime, entertaining, (un)comforting, never bland, always engaging. It digs deep and drags you in.
An unforgettable collection of long stories that you wished it had no ending...you want one more, another one, and another one, again, last one please, and again...
Short novellas and a bit more spookily intermingled by delicate hints and reappearances, beautifully narrated with empathic skill and talent.
There is far more horror in these pages than your average monster/slasher book could ever contain.
If you know or love Thomas Tryon you know what to expect in terms of narrative style and language. It's sublime, entertaining, (un)comforting, never bland, always engaging. It digs deep and drags you in.
An unforgettable collection of long stories that you wished it had no ending...you want one more, another one, and another one, again, last one please, and again...
December 19, 2018
I loved this book!
Thomas Tryon died too young. Every book he wrote was a winner.
Crowned Heads is a novel about Hollywood and four movie stars. Fedora is the mysterious star that never seemed to age.
Lorna is the beautiful sex symbol with mental problems.
Bobby is the former child star that never wanted to grow up.
Willie was the quintessential movie star from the golden years, whose life was a lie, that he pays dearly for in the end.
I checked this book from my local library.
Thomas Tryon died too young. Every book he wrote was a winner.
Crowned Heads is a novel about Hollywood and four movie stars. Fedora is the mysterious star that never seemed to age.
Lorna is the beautiful sex symbol with mental problems.
Bobby is the former child star that never wanted to grow up.
Willie was the quintessential movie star from the golden years, whose life was a lie, that he pays dearly for in the end.
I checked this book from my local library.
December 17, 2017
CROWNED HEADS: A NOVEL
Being an old movie lover I really enjoyed this book. I would have given it a 4 1/2 star review, however, believe it or not after all of these years I have yet to figure out how to do it. ( Someone please let me know if you can!) Anyway, as I said I enjoyed this book immensely, trying to figure out who the characters might be, but.... for me some of the scenes with "LORNA and WILLIE" went on too long for me. Everyone raves about Mr. Ryan's previous works and I'm sure they are wonderful, however I think I'll stick to "OLE HOLLYWOOD!"
Being an old movie lover I really enjoyed this book. I would have given it a 4 1/2 star review, however, believe it or not after all of these years I have yet to figure out how to do it. ( Someone please let me know if you can!) Anyway, as I said I enjoyed this book immensely, trying to figure out who the characters might be, but.... for me some of the scenes with "LORNA and WILLIE" went on too long for me. Everyone raves about Mr. Ryan's previous works and I'm sure they are wonderful, however I think I'll stick to "OLE HOLLYWOOD!"
July 16, 2019
Ugh, I read this over 40 years ago and wondered if I would like it better now that I am older. The answer is a solid “no”. The author seems to really detest the characters and wants to punish them and make them suffer as much as possible. It’s just awful. I would not have reread it if I had remembered how cruel it is. It’s as if he is getting revenge for ill treatment by hurting the fictitious characters. No more rereading Tryon for me, I’m done.
April 9, 2010
Yes, I read this a million years ago, but you know, I've never forgotten it. It was a remarkably good little piece of spookiness.
June 5, 2012
As usual with Tryon, wildly overwritten and yet compelling. Takes too long to get to plot twists the reader had guessed ten pages into each novella, but still entertaining.
July 27, 2012
Tryon's 4-part novel of behind-the-scenes classic Hollywood. Fun, but hardly essential Tryon reading.
September 19, 2017
Dated but I still enjoyed it. I always loved Thomas Tryon's works even the non-horror like this.
October 9, 2022
Dated
This consists of four interrelated stories of fictional movie stars.
The first is “Fedora” which sounds as if it were drawn somewhat on the Greta Garbo legend. It is the best of the four stories. The star who is trapped by her own beauty, fame, and choices into a personal drama of deception that began as a farce that was intended to be a joke.
The story unfolds as Barry Dettweiler seeks to unravel the mystery that surrounds Fedora.
The second is “Lorna” which inspired by the fate of several Marilyn Monroe wannabes. Women who looked to stardom as the panacea for all their personal shortcomings and unfulfilled lives.
Lorna Doone is a not too bright actress who had opportunities but the inability to make a success of her career or relationships. Always looking for safety in the arms of men, she squandered her chances and taken to some risky behaviors to deal with her damaged psyche; the latest incident leaving her one step ahead of authorities as she runs from her most recent debacle. She is unable to see her routine pattern of behavior has not been any more successful than in the past as her mind crumbles.
The third is “Bobbitt” and is the old saw of the fate of child actors who failed to transition to adulthood and adult roles.
Last is “Willie”, with elements of the Manson Family and the massacre at Sharon Rate’s home in 1969.
Willie Marsh personae as “the grand old man of Hollywood” is drawn on several gentlemen from the early days of vaudeville and film such as Clifton Webb, Edward Everett Horton, and Arthur Treacher. He refers to himself as “semiretired” which is a polite euphemism meaning he is a relic and receiving no offers.
He is fortunate enough that he has managed to retain his wealth and is still a popular guest on the local cocktail party circuit for his urbane personality and skills as a raconteur.
The modem age and all it’s dangers come crashing in on him through an invitation to Bill, a young actor whom charms Willie with his knowledge of Willie’s career.
The material was not fresh even at the time the book was published. It makes a good read for a day on the beach or being snowed in and nothing’s on TV.
This consists of four interrelated stories of fictional movie stars.
The first is “Fedora” which sounds as if it were drawn somewhat on the Greta Garbo legend. It is the best of the four stories. The star who is trapped by her own beauty, fame, and choices into a personal drama of deception that began as a farce that was intended to be a joke.
The story unfolds as Barry Dettweiler seeks to unravel the mystery that surrounds Fedora.
The second is “Lorna” which inspired by the fate of several Marilyn Monroe wannabes. Women who looked to stardom as the panacea for all their personal shortcomings and unfulfilled lives.
Lorna Doone is a not too bright actress who had opportunities but the inability to make a success of her career or relationships. Always looking for safety in the arms of men, she squandered her chances and taken to some risky behaviors to deal with her damaged psyche; the latest incident leaving her one step ahead of authorities as she runs from her most recent debacle. She is unable to see her routine pattern of behavior has not been any more successful than in the past as her mind crumbles.
The third is “Bobbitt” and is the old saw of the fate of child actors who failed to transition to adulthood and adult roles.
Last is “Willie”, with elements of the Manson Family and the massacre at Sharon Rate’s home in 1969.
Willie Marsh personae as “the grand old man of Hollywood” is drawn on several gentlemen from the early days of vaudeville and film such as Clifton Webb, Edward Everett Horton, and Arthur Treacher. He refers to himself as “semiretired” which is a polite euphemism meaning he is a relic and receiving no offers.
He is fortunate enough that he has managed to retain his wealth and is still a popular guest on the local cocktail party circuit for his urbane personality and skills as a raconteur.
The modem age and all it’s dangers come crashing in on him through an invitation to Bill, a young actor whom charms Willie with his knowledge of Willie’s career.
The material was not fresh even at the time the book was published. It makes a good read for a day on the beach or being snowed in and nothing’s on TV.
October 17, 2023
Crowned Heads, which dates from the 1970s, was one of the major inspirations for my own Hollywood novel Soap-Stud & Blue-Movie Girl (published this year under my other pen-name David Godolphin). Re-reading Crowned Heads after forty-plus years, it’s still one of the great Tinseltown tales, if perhaps not as exquisite as I remembered it.
Fedora, the first of four linked novella-length stories, is the best and was memorably filmed by Billy Wilder (his last movie in 1978). Fedora is a Garboesque Hollywood legend who comes back from a period of seclusion more beautiful – and a better actress – than before. The explanation, narrated to an interviewer like one of Anne Rice’s vampire sagas, is a bit too slow.
Lorna is Lorna Doone (that name is unforgivable!) is a burnt-out star whose life falls into a haze of booze and sex on holiday in a second-rate hotel in a third-rate resort in Mexico. Lots of candidates for the inspiration here whom it would be ungentlemanly to name – she may be an “amalgam”. This too takes a long time to reach its gloomy climax.
Bobbitt is the former child-star forever trapped in the role he outgrew. Mickey Rooney and even Shirley Temple could be sources here. Repetition spoils this one.
Willie (another unfortunate name to an English ear) is Willie Marsh, an elderly movie legend, clearly inspired by Ramon Novarro, whose home, a shrine to his dead but still dominating mother, is invaded by a trio of creepy hippies. This takes Thomas Tryon back into the horror territory where he first made his mark as actor-turned-writer. The invasion scene is far too protracted and its inevitable conclusion goes way over the top.
Four distinct tales, richly original and yet echoing true events in the life of Movieland. They constitute four ‘obituaries’ from Hollywood’s Golden Era. The writing is a long way from the brisk blunt prose of Jackie Collins and becomes over-ripe in parts, but this is quintessential Tinseltown: art imitating life imitating art. A must-read for La-La Land buffs if you’ve missed it; it’s on Kindle but the print edition is only available second-hand.
Fedora, the first of four linked novella-length stories, is the best and was memorably filmed by Billy Wilder (his last movie in 1978). Fedora is a Garboesque Hollywood legend who comes back from a period of seclusion more beautiful – and a better actress – than before. The explanation, narrated to an interviewer like one of Anne Rice’s vampire sagas, is a bit too slow.
Lorna is Lorna Doone (that name is unforgivable!) is a burnt-out star whose life falls into a haze of booze and sex on holiday in a second-rate hotel in a third-rate resort in Mexico. Lots of candidates for the inspiration here whom it would be ungentlemanly to name – she may be an “amalgam”. This too takes a long time to reach its gloomy climax.
Bobbitt is the former child-star forever trapped in the role he outgrew. Mickey Rooney and even Shirley Temple could be sources here. Repetition spoils this one.
Willie (another unfortunate name to an English ear) is Willie Marsh, an elderly movie legend, clearly inspired by Ramon Novarro, whose home, a shrine to his dead but still dominating mother, is invaded by a trio of creepy hippies. This takes Thomas Tryon back into the horror territory where he first made his mark as actor-turned-writer. The invasion scene is far too protracted and its inevitable conclusion goes way over the top.
Four distinct tales, richly original and yet echoing true events in the life of Movieland. They constitute four ‘obituaries’ from Hollywood’s Golden Era. The writing is a long way from the brisk blunt prose of Jackie Collins and becomes over-ripe in parts, but this is quintessential Tinseltown: art imitating life imitating art. A must-read for La-La Land buffs if you’ve missed it; it’s on Kindle but the print edition is only available second-hand.
February 2, 2024
I had picked up this as a paperback at a library sale several years ago, found it a page turner. Recently I re-read it again as a sort of "palate cleanser" or whatever you call it when you are so fed up with the lukewarm, can't-tell-one-writer-from-another books that has taken over one of my favorite categories, mystery/thriller.
Author Thomas Tryon, an actor-turned-novelist based the four novellas in this collection on familiar Hollywood types - the enigmatic, eternally young "Fedora" is the Garbo type; the doomed sexpot, "Lorna" is a sort of Monroe/Jayne Mansfield; "Bobbitt" is the former child star who grows out of fame and has to repurpose his adulthood (a sort of Jackie Coogan or Jackie Cooper) and "Willie" is a former suave matinee idol sinking into lonely old age (could be David Niven, Laurence Harvey, Fred Astaire).
Tryon's stories show a gift for sheer storytelling, an understanding of psychology, evil and the underside of fame when it fades. The Willie story, obviously taking some inspiration from the Sharon Tate murder, is almost a horror tale, Bobbitt shows a knack for wry wit and all four show off Tryon's gift for characterization, pacing and prose style.
Of the four, the story "Fedora" was made into a movie starring William Holden, directed by Billy Wilder, as were Tryon's novels "The Other" and "Harvest Home" - unfortunately Tryon's premature death cut short the career that would have rivaled Stephen King's.
No - not for everyone. There are some moments that are horribly sad and horribly frightening, but you have a lot of people writing today in the suspense/thriller/horror category whose prose just seems uninspired and stale. Tryon's work reminds us what good writing in that category is supposed to read like.
Author Thomas Tryon, an actor-turned-novelist based the four novellas in this collection on familiar Hollywood types - the enigmatic, eternally young "Fedora" is the Garbo type; the doomed sexpot, "Lorna" is a sort of Monroe/Jayne Mansfield; "Bobbitt" is the former child star who grows out of fame and has to repurpose his adulthood (a sort of Jackie Coogan or Jackie Cooper) and "Willie" is a former suave matinee idol sinking into lonely old age (could be David Niven, Laurence Harvey, Fred Astaire).
Tryon's stories show a gift for sheer storytelling, an understanding of psychology, evil and the underside of fame when it fades. The Willie story, obviously taking some inspiration from the Sharon Tate murder, is almost a horror tale, Bobbitt shows a knack for wry wit and all four show off Tryon's gift for characterization, pacing and prose style.
Of the four, the story "Fedora" was made into a movie starring William Holden, directed by Billy Wilder, as were Tryon's novels "The Other" and "Harvest Home" - unfortunately Tryon's premature death cut short the career that would have rivaled Stephen King's.
No - not for everyone. There are some moments that are horribly sad and horribly frightening, but you have a lot of people writing today in the suspense/thriller/horror category whose prose just seems uninspired and stale. Tryon's work reminds us what good writing in that category is supposed to read like.
May 29, 2018
I did something I rarely do--I decided to reread some of Tom Tryon's books. I started with 'Crowned Heads', which I originally read when it first came out in the early seventies. Couldn't remember much about it except that I really enjoyed it. So when I came across a hard cover edition at a used book sale, I couldn't resist. Just finished it and was quite good. Tryon is a clever writer who left us about one dozen books before he died--much too soon--starting with 'The Other'. 'Crowned Heads' is made up of four novella-type stories about the Golden Age of Hollywood--something Tryon (who was also a fine actor) is familiar with. He interweaves his fictional stories with real people and events. Be warned, however, the last story is not for the faint of heart. Looking forward to revisiting a few more of his books and reading the ones that I haven't gotten to just yet.
September 28, 2019
This book has an interesting format. It is essentially four biographies of Hollywood figures whose stories intertwine, so that as you read each one, you find out more about the ones you've already read about, fleshing out the relationships from the other's point of view and background. The overall arc has an interesting resolution, but in the end, I didn't care about any of them.
June 30, 2022
Sadly, for me not one of Thomas Tryon's best (although Harvest Home is so wonderful and sets such a very high standard!) I think I am just not that interested in Hollywood movie stars as a subject for this to be great for me. Pleased to have read it though.
July 6, 2020
Read in 1976. Four lives intertwine in Hollywood.
April 27, 2021
Did not care for this, but those liking a well-written, somewhat creepy roman a clef would enjoy it.
October 26, 2021
“Fedora” is a masterpiece. “Lorna” is pretty good. The other two left a lot to be desired.
March 31, 2022
This one kept you waiting to see where it would go next. There were highs with lies and lows with more lows. You’ll have to read it to see how it ends…!!!
October 5, 2023
I really struggled with this one. So different from his others. Interesting even though very dated. I did like how they were all connected.
February 17, 2025
what an odd book
there were times I wanted to give it two stars and found it dragging, times it was getting four stars as a dark twist played out and changed the rest of the tale. should this simply average to three? perhaps, yet that doesn't feel right.
Tryon's time in Hollywood is put to full use here, not just in his portrayal of the business and the unglitzy side of celebrity but also in the vivid cinematic writing. maybe this is absolutely the wrong thing to take from a book about the dark shadow fame casts over a life, but this book would really bang as a 4-part miniseries.
there were times I wanted to give it two stars and found it dragging, times it was getting four stars as a dark twist played out and changed the rest of the tale. should this simply average to three? perhaps, yet that doesn't feel right.
Tryon's time in Hollywood is put to full use here, not just in his portrayal of the business and the unglitzy side of celebrity but also in the vivid cinematic writing. maybe this is absolutely the wrong thing to take from a book about the dark shadow fame casts over a life, but this book would really bang as a 4-part miniseries.
October 9, 2013
ARC for review.
*I read about fifty pages of this book last night before I came here to mark as "currently reading" and it was only then that I noticed that this is a re-issue of a book originally published in 1976, which answers a lot of my chronology questions.
I LOVE Thomas Tryon - THE OTHER is one of my all-time favorite books. He's books aren't flat-out horror, but the kind of psychological terror that I enjoy. I was excited to see this book come as an ARC...I'm assuming it's being re-issued as an e-book for a new generations of readers to enjoy.
So, this is a book of four related novellas (each titled after the main character, Fedora, Lorna, Bobbitt and Willie) and the general point is that if a person has any predilection for it, Hollywood stardom will make you crazy, as it did the primary characters in each of these great stories. Tryon does madness well - each type is very distinct and fascinating. Well worth reading.
*I read about fifty pages of this book last night before I came here to mark as "currently reading" and it was only then that I noticed that this is a re-issue of a book originally published in 1976, which answers a lot of my chronology questions.
I LOVE Thomas Tryon - THE OTHER is one of my all-time favorite books. He's books aren't flat-out horror, but the kind of psychological terror that I enjoy. I was excited to see this book come as an ARC...I'm assuming it's being re-issued as an e-book for a new generations of readers to enjoy.
So, this is a book of four related novellas (each titled after the main character, Fedora, Lorna, Bobbitt and Willie) and the general point is that if a person has any predilection for it, Hollywood stardom will make you crazy, as it did the primary characters in each of these great stories. Tryon does madness well - each type is very distinct and fascinating. Well worth reading.
July 5, 2024
Told in four parts with the first being the base for the others to expand. To start, there is the story of a woman who became an actor known as the most beautiful and talented of them all. She is a mysterious woman who appears never to age. Each subsequent part is about another actor who appeared in a movie with her. The four parts are loosely connected with one another.
The book is delightfully dark and macabre with each part more so than the last. This is a slow-paced read with terrific character development. It took me a while to get into it as it reads as straight fiction at first before one realizes that everything is not as it seems. Once I got going I became hooked and fascinated all the way to the twisted last part.
I've now read two of Tryon's books and must continue reading them all.
The book is delightfully dark and macabre with each part more so than the last. This is a slow-paced read with terrific character development. It took me a while to get into it as it reads as straight fiction at first before one realizes that everything is not as it seems. Once I got going I became hooked and fascinated all the way to the twisted last part.
I've now read two of Tryon's books and must continue reading them all.
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