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La força d'un destí: Premi Ramon Llull 2018
Amb vint-i-un anys, Ceferino Carrión fuig de l’Espanya franquista, grisa i asfixiant, buscant aires nous. Després d’intentar-ho diverses vegades aconsegueix embarcar a bord d’un vaixell al port de Le Havre, a França, en direcció als Estats Units, per fer realitat el seu somni. A Nova York canviarà d’identitat i es convertirà en ciutadà nord-americà amb el nom de Jean Leon. A punt de ser cridat a files per anar a la guerra de Corea, torna a fugir a Hollywood, on un seguit de cops de sort el porten a viure a un pam de la glòria, a tocar de les estrelles de cinema que admira i de qui es convertirà en amic i confident. Amb James Dean projecten un restaurant plegats i malgrat la seva mort obrirà La Scala, un establiment que es convertirà en el referent del Hollywood dels anys cinquanta i seixanta, amb estrelles habituals com Paul Newman, Warren Beatty, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor o els Kennedy. Preocupat per oferir no només un espai de confidencialitat sinó també un servei acurat a les celebrities del Hollywood daurat, Leon torna a Catalunya per comprar uns terrenys al Penedès i elaborar el seu propi vi.
Jean Leon demostrarà, amb una vida de pel·lícula, que amb sacrifici i esforç els somnis són a l’abast de tothom, perquè viurà en una època en què tot és possible.
Va ser en aquelles festes que va entendre que s’havia d’adaptar a una cultura, a una llengua i a un nou món. Un entorn canviant, un paradís ple de llum, de voluntat, però també de riscos. Va aprendre a tractar cada persona de manera diferenciada. Era una habilitat gairebé innata que en aquell ambient es transformava en l’eina idònia per triomfar. I va ser decisiu per a ell adoptar el que anomenava l’estil Chester. De mica en mica va reproduir-ne les maneres, el comportament, el llenguatge... i hi va imprimir el seu propi segell.
Jean Leon demostrarà, amb una vida de pel·lícula, que amb sacrifici i esforç els somnis són a l’abast de tothom, perquè viurà en una època en què tot és possible.
Va ser en aquelles festes que va entendre que s’havia d’adaptar a una cultura, a una llengua i a un nou món. Un entorn canviant, un paradís ple de llum, de voluntat, però també de riscos. Va aprendre a tractar cada persona de manera diferenciada. Era una habilitat gairebé innata que en aquell ambient es transformava en l’eina idònia per triomfar. I va ser decisiu per a ell adoptar el que anomenava l’estil Chester. De mica en mica va reproduir-ne les maneres, el comportament, el llenguatge... i hi va imprimir el seu propi segell.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 28, 2018
1268 people are currently reading
3026 people want to read
About the author
Martí Gironell
29 books48 followersLlicenciat en Filologia Anglesa i en Periodisme, ha treballat a Ràdio Besalú, Ràdio Olot, Catalunya Ràdio i TV3. Col·labora en mitjans de comunicació com El Punt Avui, La República i L’Illa dels Llibres. Entre els seus llibres destaquen El pont dels jueus (2007), que ha estat traduït a diversos idiomes; La venjança del bandoler, que va guanyar el Premi Nèstor Luján de Novel·la Històrica el 2008; L’arqueòleg (2010), L’últim abat (2012) i El primer heroi (2014), que també han estat traduïts a diverses llengües. El 2015 va publicar Strappo, la novel·la de l’espoli del romànic català, i el conte infantil El nen dibuixat. L’any 2018 va guanyar el Premi Ramon Llull amb La força d’un destí, amb més de 30.000 exemplars venuts i traduïda al castellà, l’anglès, l’holandès i el búlgar. El 2020 va publicar Paraula de Jueu, l'esperada continuació del seu long-seller El Pont dels Jueus. El 2021 ha publicat l'àlbum il·lustrat Un talp al meu jardí, amb il·lustracions de Coaner Codina.r
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
May 21, 2019
No plot tension, no characterization, no compelling reason to keep reading. We get all of the high points of Jean Leon's life, but few setbacks or problems that give him opportunity for growth. He remains at the end a self-centered man, so focused on his own goals, successes, and celebrity friends that he ignores family. This reads like a self-congratulatory memoir of a life not all that interesting to begin with.
September 28, 2021
Ceferino Carrión is desperate to leave Spain, he’s been conscripted into the army, received his call up papers, and he wants to go to America. After seven failed attempts to leave the country, he's finally successful, Ceferino's aboard a ship called the Liberte as a stowaway, and he arrives in New York. He has an old suitcase, five dollars, and the name, and the address of his uncle Ramon.
Over the years, he uses several names, by the time he arrives in Hollywood, Ceferino goes by the name Jean Leon. He works driving yellow taxis, he meets some very famous people, and he marries Donna Morgan, and opens a restaurant called La Scala.
His restaurant is successful, he meets six people and all of them make a huge impact on his life. James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Ronald Regan. But, as time goes on, he thinks of his family that he left behind in Barcelona, he contacts them, and he and his brother open a winery.
Stars in His Eyes is a story about a man taking a chance, following his dreams, being successful in America, a migrant who couldn't speak any English and meeting some of the most important people in the golden age of Hollywood. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, a quick read and four stars from me.
Over the years, he uses several names, by the time he arrives in Hollywood, Ceferino goes by the name Jean Leon. He works driving yellow taxis, he meets some very famous people, and he marries Donna Morgan, and opens a restaurant called La Scala.
His restaurant is successful, he meets six people and all of them make a huge impact on his life. James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Ronald Regan. But, as time goes on, he thinks of his family that he left behind in Barcelona, he contacts them, and he and his brother open a winery.
Stars in His Eyes is a story about a man taking a chance, following his dreams, being successful in America, a migrant who couldn't speak any English and meeting some of the most important people in the golden age of Hollywood. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, a quick read and four stars from me.
January 22, 2021
Review is live at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud, also known as "my blog."
In a nutshell: The best reader for this book is a Fifties Hollywood buff.
In a nutshell: The best reader for this book is a Fifties Hollywood buff.
June 15, 2019
Could have been so interesting, but fell flat. The main character was very selfish and displayed no personal growth throughout the story, which made him very unlikable. The plot had gaping holes and was hard to follow.
June 13, 2019
I never knew biographical fiction was a subgenre. Historical fiction I have no problem with, but this narrower focus feels pointless and even kind of deceptive. Stars in His Eyes was my Amazon First Reads choice for June since it was labeled as a memoir and the fictional aspect wasn't immediately obvious from the website description.
That said, while I won't be returning to this genre anytime soon, I enjoyed the narrative. The author's writing is interesting. He made a self-absorbed, pretentious jerk of a protagonist almost compelling despite the glaring negative qualities present in his personality. The historical setting of Hollywood with characters such as Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Dean, Ronald Reagan, JFK, Marilyn Monroe, and others created a captivating story and environment. My biggest complaint is probably the time jumps. Many events are simply not flushed out enough.
I'd say this is an enjoyable summer read, despite my initial grievances. There's probably a nostalgia factor for many older readers, but the glimpse of an age gone by might appeal to a younger audience as well.
That said, while I won't be returning to this genre anytime soon, I enjoyed the narrative. The author's writing is interesting. He made a self-absorbed, pretentious jerk of a protagonist almost compelling despite the glaring negative qualities present in his personality. The historical setting of Hollywood with characters such as Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Dean, Ronald Reagan, JFK, Marilyn Monroe, and others created a captivating story and environment. My biggest complaint is probably the time jumps. Many events are simply not flushed out enough.
I'd say this is an enjoyable summer read, despite my initial grievances. There's probably a nostalgia factor for many older readers, but the glimpse of an age gone by might appeal to a younger audience as well.
August 21, 2025
van de hak op de tak over verschillende anekdotes van Ceferino’s leven zonder er echt een samenhangend verhaal van te maken
hij lijkt ook helemaal niet zo een goede vriend/echtgenoot/vader
hij lijkt ook helemaal niet zo een goede vriend/echtgenoot/vader
July 9, 2019
I did not like this book. The beginning was promising. It starts as the tale of a boy who wants better for himself and seizes every opportunity that comes his way. But it quickly evolves into a “Greatest Hits” piece about a selfish, childish man who cares about nothing but being in every room “where it happens.” Which would be okay if the book didn’t endorse it or treat all of the insufferable and selfish actions as heroic ones.
This book struggles under the weight of its subject and the time span it attempts to cover. While it goes into annoyingly specific detail about certain, unnecessary things, it also can jump months, continents, and sometimes even YEARS in the span of a paragraph. The book attempts to cover far too large of a time span in so little space. Not only that, but the details is goes into are only aesthetic. They don’t scratch at any deeper meanings or contemplation. And they don’t accompany any story because there’s no growth or real storyline here. It’s all flash and no substance. Just like it’s subject.
I’d never heard of Jean Leon preciously but his restaurant rings a bell. After reading this, I definitely don’t know if I’d want to. The book puts Leon at the middle of everything, as if his presence in all of these big stars (that it name drops CONSTANTLY)’s lives made all of the difference in major events such as James Dean or Marilyn Monroe’s deaths. Leon is incredibly selfish and self-serving. He’s a workaholic that thrives on being seen and having famous people fawn over him. At times, it feels like the novel condemns his actions, but then other times there are lines like “[His wife didn’t have enough time to focus on all of the home renovations, but] she had time enough to let her husband get to her” that promote a sort of low-key misogyny. The way Leon treats his wife and family is absolutely awful but the novel doesn’t form an opinion on it, thereby endorsing it. The book tries to play factual biography and “a Star is born” storytelling at the same time, which doesn’t work.
Though it’s a short book, it took me forever to get through. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the first 50 pages, through the point where Leon gets married (and actually has some personality and like ability to him), the rest was hard to get through. Leon isn’t someone I’d want to root for, honestly.
I don’t think the translation is to blame here. I think the original subject matter, positioning of Leon as a flawed hero, and the structure of the book (“tell don’t show” storytelling combined with a ton of annoyingly specific but unhelpful details) are inherent issues. I hate leaving negative reviews, but I can’t help it here. The two stars are for the promising start and the ending that shows promise but then chooses its own self-centeredness and self-importance to close on instead.
This book struggles under the weight of its subject and the time span it attempts to cover. While it goes into annoyingly specific detail about certain, unnecessary things, it also can jump months, continents, and sometimes even YEARS in the span of a paragraph. The book attempts to cover far too large of a time span in so little space. Not only that, but the details is goes into are only aesthetic. They don’t scratch at any deeper meanings or contemplation. And they don’t accompany any story because there’s no growth or real storyline here. It’s all flash and no substance. Just like it’s subject.
I’d never heard of Jean Leon preciously but his restaurant rings a bell. After reading this, I definitely don’t know if I’d want to. The book puts Leon at the middle of everything, as if his presence in all of these big stars (that it name drops CONSTANTLY)’s lives made all of the difference in major events such as James Dean or Marilyn Monroe’s deaths. Leon is incredibly selfish and self-serving. He’s a workaholic that thrives on being seen and having famous people fawn over him. At times, it feels like the novel condemns his actions, but then other times there are lines like “[His wife didn’t have enough time to focus on all of the home renovations, but] she had time enough to let her husband get to her” that promote a sort of low-key misogyny. The way Leon treats his wife and family is absolutely awful but the novel doesn’t form an opinion on it, thereby endorsing it. The book tries to play factual biography and “a Star is born” storytelling at the same time, which doesn’t work.
Though it’s a short book, it took me forever to get through. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the first 50 pages, through the point where Leon gets married (and actually has some personality and like ability to him), the rest was hard to get through. Leon isn’t someone I’d want to root for, honestly.
I don’t think the translation is to blame here. I think the original subject matter, positioning of Leon as a flawed hero, and the structure of the book (“tell don’t show” storytelling combined with a ton of annoyingly specific but unhelpful details) are inherent issues. I hate leaving negative reviews, but I can’t help it here. The two stars are for the promising start and the ending that shows promise but then chooses its own self-centeredness and self-importance to close on instead.
January 31, 2023
Em sap greu però no se m'ha fet interessant. L'he seguit fins la pàgina 107. Però que tots els personatges tinguin noms castellans a la Catalunya dels anys 50, se m'ha fet difícil de creure. He anat tenint paciència a veure si finalment trobava la Catalunya que per mi era esperable, però res, ni un borrall. I quan el protagonista se'n va a Amèrica i la novel.la es transforma en un film de Hollywood amb tots els seus protagonistes, ja no l'he pogut suportar més. No obstant va ser premi Ramon Llull...
June 25, 2019
This isn’t a horrible book but it’s not a great one either. I got really bored throughout all the wine section. The restaurant sections were interesting at times.
July 26, 2019
One of the free books on Amazon. Tells the story of Jean Leon who was the owner and entrepreneur of the LaScala restaurant in LA. He catered to the stars of Hollywood and up and coming political stars at the expense of his family back in Spain and his wife and 2 kids in LA. I did not care for the character but it was a somewhat entertaining summer read.
June 11, 2019
Enjoyed the story, that tells of the struggle of an illegal immigrant in the late 1930s . The list of famous celebrities and politicians the main character encounters on his mourners interesting. It's a good read.
May 1, 2022
Обичам книги базирани на реални личности и истории. „Силата на една мечта“ е точно такава. Това е книга, която избрах да чета съвсем случайно, по време на великденските празници, просто защото не си бях взел на село достатъчно книги от тези, които са се наредили в безкрайния ми списък.
И така без да искам се натъкнах на историята на Сеферино Карион или както става по-известен след години – Жан Леон. Наистина се радвам на тази книжна случайност, защото се натъкнах на вдъхновяващата история на един човек, който е искал да се развива през целия си живот и не се е задоволял с малкото, което му се предлага.
Книгата на Марти Жиронел наистина ми допадна. Този път ще започна със стила на писане на автора. Историята на Жан Леон е много любопитна, изпълнена с пикове и спадове, но определено, ако беше написана лошо всичко това можеше да бъде много скучно. Марти Жаронел обаче се е постарал читателят да не скучае дори за минута. Този необикновен живот е представен по наистина атрактивен начин, все едно гледаш филм. Буквално само ми липсваха пуканките докато чета книгата, но усещането беше, все едно съм на кино.
Разбира се, за това предразполага изобщо холивудската атмосфера на книгата, всички известни актьори замесени в живота на Жан Леон и това как всеки от тях му е повлиял по някакъв начин.
Още по-силно впечатление от стила на писане обаче правят посланията на книгата. От една страна стои мечтата да успееш. Да се бориш да постигнеш нещо повече и с много труд и търпение накрая все пак да го постигнеш. Изключително вдъхновяващо ми беше да следя как Сеферино Карион се превръщаше в Жал Леон. Как от Испания на Франко, където и той и семейството му бяха подложени на опасност, този млад мъж стигна до това да е приятел с Франк Синатра и двамата президенти на САЩ. Много ми допадна как Жан Леон поставяше цели пред себе си и докато не ги на��рави по перфектен начин не се задоволяваше. Първо с ресторанта, а след това и с виното, Жан Леон гонеше успеха и имаше формулата за постигането му.
Но в живота не всичко е цветя и рози. Колкото и голямо клише да е това. Успехът в кариерата на Жан Леоон няма как да не се отрази на личния му живот. Бракът му с Кейти, жената, която винаги е била до него и по-скоро е разумът в двойката, остава на заден план и определено това не се нрави на тази жена с изразен характер. В този момент и самият Жан Леон се чуди дали си заслужава да плати цената да не вижда семейството си, за да постигне успех, но се прокрадва и една още по-ужасяваща мисъл – дали изобщо е трябвало да има семейство? Този проблем го има в обществото и до ден днешен – успехът в работата ли е по-важен или семейното щастие? Въпрос, чийто отговор не е толкова прост.
В даден момент се стига до и тази задънена улица, където Жан Леон винаги иска да постига повече и повече и се губи в това свое желание за успех. Никога нищо не му е достатъчно, винаги може още, никога не постига удовлетворение.
Накратко „Силата на една мечта“ разказва чисто човешка история, в която всеки от нас може да се познае и сигурно голяма част от читателите на книгата са изпадали. Пример за това как винаги можем да постигаме мечтите си, стига да имаме характера, търпението и качествата за това.
Препоръчвам с две ръце.
https://www.bookadventureclub.com/202...
И така без да искам се натъкнах на историята на Сеферино Карион или както става по-известен след години – Жан Леон. Наистина се радвам на тази книжна случайност, защото се натъкнах на вдъхновяващата история на един човек, който е искал да се развива през целия си живот и не се е задоволял с малкото, което му се предлага.
Книгата на Марти Жиронел наистина ми допадна. Този път ще започна със стила на писане на автора. Историята на Жан Леон е много любопитна, изпълнена с пикове и спадове, но определено, ако беше написана лошо всичко това можеше да бъде много скучно. Марти Жаронел обаче се е постарал читателят да не скучае дори за минута. Този необикновен живот е представен по наистина атрактивен начин, все едно гледаш филм. Буквално само ми липсваха пуканките докато чета книгата, но усещането беше, все едно съм на кино.
Разбира се, за това предразполага изобщо холивудската атмосфера на книгата, всички известни актьори замесени в живота на Жан Леон и това как всеки от тях му е повлиял по някакъв начин.
Още по-силно впечатление от стила на писане обаче правят посланията на книгата. От една страна стои мечтата да успееш. Да се бориш да постигнеш нещо повече и с много труд и търпение накрая все пак да го постигнеш. Изключително вдъхновяващо ми беше да следя как Сеферино Карион се превръщаше в Жал Леон. Как от Испания на Франко, където и той и семейството му бяха подложени на опасност, този млад мъж стигна до това да е приятел с Франк Синатра и двамата президенти на САЩ. Много ми допадна как Жан Леон поставяше цели пред себе си и докато не ги на��рави по перфектен начин не се задоволяваше. Първо с ресторанта, а след това и с виното, Жан Леон гонеше успеха и имаше формулата за постигането му.
Но в живота не всичко е цветя и рози. Колкото и голямо клише да е това. Успехът в кариерата на Жан Леоон няма как да не се отрази на личния му живот. Бракът му с Кейти, жената, която винаги е била до него и по-скоро е разумът в двойката, остава на заден план и определено това не се нрави на тази жена с изразен характер. В този момент и самият Жан Леон се чуди дали си заслужава да плати цената да не вижда семейството си, за да постигне успех, но се прокрадва и една още по-ужасяваща мисъл – дали изобщо е трябвало да има семейство? Този проблем го има в обществото и до ден днешен – успехът в работата ли е по-важен или семейното щастие? Въпрос, чийто отговор не е толкова прост.
В даден момент се стига до и тази задънена улица, където Жан Леон винаги иска да постига повече и повече и се губи в това свое желание за успех. Никога нищо не му е достатъчно, винаги може още, никога не постига удовлетворение.
Накратко „Силата на една мечта“ разказва чисто човешка история, в която всеки от нас може да се познае и сигурно голяма част от читателите на книгата са изпадали. Пример за това как винаги можем да постигаме мечтите си, стига да имаме характера, търпението и качествата за това.
Препоръчвам с две ръце.
https://www.bookadventureclub.com/202...
August 21, 2020
Una novel•la força entretinguda. Hi ha biografies que necessiten diverses vides per ser viscudes. Gracies a @martigironell i @columnaedicions per explicar-la sense fer un panegíric de la persona. https://t.co/k778uejqQI
December 4, 2019
This was a story about dreams and making them come true. Cefe/Justo/ Leon, yes all the same person, set out from Spain to grab the American dream. By setting out and accomplishing his goals at the end he has nothing of importance. No wife, friends, or family. A very lonely life. Not a very inspirational story.
June 11, 2019
Mm. This is a meandering book, I picked it up and put it down repeatedly. Is isn’t a book with a firm resolution. His drive for all the things, the discontent as he chases to fill the void... he never found the ‘thing’, the fulfilment or contentment.
Left me feeling the same, unfulfilled. Hey ho.
Left me feeling the same, unfulfilled. Hey ho.
June 11, 2019
Interesting but......
I just read a biography about someone who I never heard of and STILL have never heard of...OK, interesting story but what happened to Cefe/Leon since 1981??
I just read a biography about someone who I never heard of and STILL have never heard of...OK, interesting story but what happened to Cefe/Leon since 1981??
August 20, 2019
Oh dear. I listened to this on audiobook and finished up speeding it up to 1.5 to get through it. It might have been the translation, but I suspect not, it seemed poorly written and the main protagonist was both surprisingly boring and appeared to completely lack empathy. It was full of name dropping conversations with celebrities who were all the main characters best friends. It is supposedly a fictionalised account of a famous restauranteur, the guy who started La Scala; told primarily though his eyes. He appears to have been best buds with James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, John F Kennedy; and almost best friends with a lot of other folk: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Hitchcock, Ronald Reagan .... He was really only interested in his. Own success though and hanging out with these celebs as far as I can see. The story had a linear narrative, but it was like the author kept remembering something he should have told you earlier and dropping in an anecdote just before he met yet another celeb (e.g an anecdote about Hitchcock just before he met Salvador Dali, because of course Hitchcock had told him all about drinking mimosas because he was introduced to them by Dali - yawn). The whole book was like being stuck in a pub with a garrulous drunk who wanted to tell you a very long anecdote about some famous person he met.
October 6, 2019
This read like the thin-veneered personality of the lead character. I was hoping for a sweeping tale of of a man's escape from war to make a new life for himself. What I got was page after page of name-dropping of A-list Hollywood in the 1960's and 70's. The events that took place in the book which I felt were worthy of considerable development, were dealt with perfunctorily. Endless names. I know barely anything of the central characters. The development of the restaurant, and then the vineyard had potential to really grab me, but I skimmed the last 1/3 of the book. The ending was weak: the lead character had at arm's reach the person who enabled his grand adventure, and walked away from acknowledging the moment, let along learning the travails of his helper's life. And a shadow brotherhood, revealed at the very end? Gimme a break. The author was too gaga over the stars to explore the characters he created.
May 6, 2019
In hoeverre kan het lot je zo goedgezind zijn dat je leven, ondanks de schijnbare en vooral zelfverklaarde tegenslagen, leest als een sprookje? Het is deze vraag die door mijn hoofd blijft rondwaren na het lezen van De kracht van een lotsbestemming, de zesde roman van de Catalaanse auteur Martí Gironell, die onlangs in het Nederlands is verschenen. Er staat bewust Catalaans en niet Spaans, omdat de auteur oorspronkelijk in de regionale, Noord-Spaanse taal schrijft.
Het is ook een belangrijke kanttekening aangezien het boek het levensverhaal vertelt van Jean Leon, de oprichter van het befaamde restaurant La Scala in Hollywood en tevens ook stichter van het prestigieuze wijnhuis Jean Leon in Catalonië.
Lees mijn recensie verder op MappaLibri: http://mappalibri.be/?navigatieid=61&...
Het is ook een belangrijke kanttekening aangezien het boek het levensverhaal vertelt van Jean Leon, de oprichter van het befaamde restaurant La Scala in Hollywood en tevens ook stichter van het prestigieuze wijnhuis Jean Leon in Catalonië.
Lees mijn recensie verder op MappaLibri: http://mappalibri.be/?navigatieid=61&...
July 23, 2020
Novela apresurada, sin ritmo, en la que un muchacho que huye de la España de la posguerra recaba en Nueva York e inicia una carrera espectacular, llegando a ser un personaje sumamente influyente en el mundo de las celebrities de mediados del siglo XX.
Intentando remarcar la grandiosa relación del protagonista con los personajes más famosos del momento, la novela se convierte en un (excesivo) catálogo de actores, cantantes y políticos que pasan por el restaurante y la vida de Jean León, sin aportar por ello nada interesante a la novela.
Le falta ambientación y le sobran famosos para tener algún atisbo de credibilidad.
Intentando remarcar la grandiosa relación del protagonista con los personajes más famosos del momento, la novela se convierte en un (excesivo) catálogo de actores, cantantes y políticos que pasan por el restaurante y la vida de Jean León, sin aportar por ello nada interesante a la novela.
Le falta ambientación y le sobran famosos para tener algún atisbo de credibilidad.
September 30, 2019
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I think this was a cute, and quick read. However, it got to a point that the constant name dropping, and impossible scenarios became tiresome. It was like Forest Gump, but without the charm of Tom Hanks. The protagonist was incredibly selfish, and very unlikable. There was no development. He started off caring only about himself and ended that way as well.
I think this was a cute, and quick read. However, it got to a point that the constant name dropping, and impossible scenarios became tiresome. It was like Forest Gump, but without the charm of Tom Hanks. The protagonist was incredibly selfish, and very unlikable. There was no development. He started off caring only about himself and ended that way as well.
February 12, 2020
What’s not to like? Stars includes an immigrant protagonist – with many names -- struggling to make a good life in America who ultimately succeeds with his restaurant dream. Lots of references to up and coming and established stars of Hollywood who pepper the story with interesting anecdotes. Myriad descriptions of delicious dishes cooked up and served to patrons.
The book begins in 1949 with a young man, then known as Ceferino Carrion, determined to escape military service in Spain after losing his father and brother in the war, found hiding deep in the hold of a ship about to leave the port of Havre in France. He is discovered by a sailor who would take kindly to him and be the first person who helped him in his journey to New York…someone whose kindness would never forget.
Once Ceferino, or Cefe, lands in New York he makes his way to his uncle’s home in the Bronx where he assumes the identity of his cousin, Justo Leon so he had “papers.” This is the first of many name changes for Cefe as he navigates life in America, but not the last Cefe would hear about his military service.
As Cefe, then Justo, then Jean-Leon (after Jean-Leon Gerome – who painted the famous Pygmalion and Galatea – the statue who comes to life for the sculptor and bends down for a kiss) navigated his life in America with the words from the sailor always in the back of his mind, “growl you may, but go you must,” Jean-Leon made his way from the Bronx to Hollywood, back to Europe and then returned to Hollywood to establish himself in 1953.
What I liked: I liked the turmoil that Cefe experienced in his life that led him to become successful and his resourcefulness. I thought it was creative the way the author weaved all of the movie stars and up and coming stars into the plot in such a way that it seemed natural that they would talk with Cefe. I think this may have been more realistic in the 1950’s than it ever would have been today. These references made the book fun even if they were all contrived. I like that he suffered along the way and that not everything went smoothly for him. He wasn’t always a likeable character so as a reader, you wanted him to have some consequences for his actions and have him find a way to remember how he got his start.
What I didn’t like: Although it was expected given his priorities, I didn’t like the way he “abandoned” his family. Given his humble beginnings and his relationships with his immediate family, it was disappointing that he became so very shallow; but that was the price of his success.
4 stars – very entertaining book.
September 21, 2019
Thanks to The Book Club Cookbook and publisher AmazonCrossing for a copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is labeled a novel and includes the disclaimer that it is a work of fiction. It is based on a real person, restaurateur and wine-maker Jean Leon. I Googled him: https://www.jeanleon.com/en/the-man/ and found a lengthy description of Leon's life - which is identical to this book. So whether it's historical fiction or biography is debatable, but I was disappointed regardless and the only reason I finished the book was because it was an ARC I wanted to fairly review. Anyone could take the bio on that website and flesh it out with imaginary quotes from movie stars, politicians, and other celebrities, and write the same shallow, poorly-written book.
I didn't like Jean - he was egotistical and selfish and didn't grow or develop throughout the book. He abandoned both his family in Franco-occupied Spain (his mother, several siblings, cousins, etc.) as well as the family he had in America (a wife and two children). Yes he had stars in his eyes, which blinded him to what was important in life. Several times Jean acknowledges that he should spend more time with his family, but he never does. And he never goes back to Spain, but instead travels to San Juan to reconnect with an elderly neighbor woman. What?? One thing that could have redeemed this book would have been Jean's regret or realization that his hurtful behavior had caused him to have an empty life, but the author explains Jean's self-centeredness as identifying with the lyrics of a song "Me and My Shadow" - "Which reflected solitude, individualism, and silent, constant work. In the end, it was him and his shadow, him and his circumstances. Alone, and sure of himself."
This book is labeled a novel and includes the disclaimer that it is a work of fiction. It is based on a real person, restaurateur and wine-maker Jean Leon. I Googled him: https://www.jeanleon.com/en/the-man/ and found a lengthy description of Leon's life - which is identical to this book. So whether it's historical fiction or biography is debatable, but I was disappointed regardless and the only reason I finished the book was because it was an ARC I wanted to fairly review. Anyone could take the bio on that website and flesh it out with imaginary quotes from movie stars, politicians, and other celebrities, and write the same shallow, poorly-written book.
I didn't like Jean - he was egotistical and selfish and didn't grow or develop throughout the book. He abandoned both his family in Franco-occupied Spain (his mother, several siblings, cousins, etc.) as well as the family he had in America (a wife and two children). Yes he had stars in his eyes, which blinded him to what was important in life. Several times Jean acknowledges that he should spend more time with his family, but he never does. And he never goes back to Spain, but instead travels to San Juan to reconnect with an elderly neighbor woman. What?? One thing that could have redeemed this book would have been Jean's regret or realization that his hurtful behavior had caused him to have an empty life, but the author explains Jean's self-centeredness as identifying with the lyrics of a song "Me and My Shadow" - "Which reflected solitude, individualism, and silent, constant work. In the end, it was him and his shadow, him and his circumstances. Alone, and sure of himself."
March 10, 2021
CATALÀ:
És la primera vegada que llegeixo a Martí Gironell i crec que no serà l´última. He trobat que el llibre està molt ben escrit i hi ha una gran feina de documentació darrera.
Ens explica la vida de Ceferino Carrión, que és intensa i apassionant, des de que marxa de Catalunya i arriba a Amèrica, on es converteix en Jean Leon, fins que torna al Penedès per elaborar el seu propi vi, després d'haver triomfat amb el seu restaurant La Scala.
El missatge del llibre és clar: 'els somnis els has de tenir perquè si no els tens, mai els podràs arribar a complir'. Jean Leon va ser home avançat al seu temps que va aconseguir convertir-se en el confessor de les estrelles del Hollywood dels anys 50, com James Dean, Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, etc.
M'ha agradat conèixer la vida d'aquest personatge que partint del no res va aconseguir crear un imperi a base d'esforç i sacrifici, molt sacrifici. Si no l'heu llegit us el recomano de veritat per descobrir una persona que sí que va aconseguir el seu gran somni americà.
ESPAÑOL:
Es la primera vez que leo a Martí Gironell y creo que no va a ser la última. El libro me ha parecido bien escrito y con un gran trabajo de documentación.
Nos explica la vida de Ceferino Carrión, que es intensa y apasionante, desde que parte de Catalunya y llega a America, donde se convierte en Jean Leon, hasta que regresa al Penedès para elaborar su propio vino, después de haber triunfado con su restaurante La Scala.
El mensaje del libro es claro: 'los sueños los debes tener porque si no los tienes, nunca los llegarás a cumplir'. Jean Leon fue un hombre avanzado a su época que consiguió convertirse en el confesor de las estrellas de Hollywood de los años 50, como James Dean, Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, etc.
Me ha gustado conocer la vida de este personaje que partiendo de cero consiguió crear un imperio con esfuerzo y sacrificio, mucho sacrificio. Si no lo habéis leído os lo recomiendo de verdad para que descubráis a una persona que sí que consiguió su sueño americano.
És la primera vegada que llegeixo a Martí Gironell i crec que no serà l´última. He trobat que el llibre està molt ben escrit i hi ha una gran feina de documentació darrera.
Ens explica la vida de Ceferino Carrión, que és intensa i apassionant, des de que marxa de Catalunya i arriba a Amèrica, on es converteix en Jean Leon, fins que torna al Penedès per elaborar el seu propi vi, després d'haver triomfat amb el seu restaurant La Scala.
El missatge del llibre és clar: 'els somnis els has de tenir perquè si no els tens, mai els podràs arribar a complir'. Jean Leon va ser home avançat al seu temps que va aconseguir convertir-se en el confessor de les estrelles del Hollywood dels anys 50, com James Dean, Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, etc.
M'ha agradat conèixer la vida d'aquest personatge que partint del no res va aconseguir crear un imperi a base d'esforç i sacrifici, molt sacrifici. Si no l'heu llegit us el recomano de veritat per descobrir una persona que sí que va aconseguir el seu gran somni americà.
ESPAÑOL:
Es la primera vez que leo a Martí Gironell y creo que no va a ser la última. El libro me ha parecido bien escrito y con un gran trabajo de documentación.
Nos explica la vida de Ceferino Carrión, que es intensa y apasionante, desde que parte de Catalunya y llega a America, donde se convierte en Jean Leon, hasta que regresa al Penedès para elaborar su propio vino, después de haber triunfado con su restaurante La Scala.
El mensaje del libro es claro: 'los sueños los debes tener porque si no los tienes, nunca los llegarás a cumplir'. Jean Leon fue un hombre avanzado a su época que consiguió convertirse en el confesor de las estrellas de Hollywood de los años 50, como James Dean, Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, etc.
Me ha gustado conocer la vida de este personaje que partiendo de cero consiguió crear un imperio con esfuerzo y sacrificio, mucho sacrificio. Si no lo habéis leído os lo recomiendo de verdad para que descubráis a una persona que sí que consiguió su sueño americano.
July 3, 2019
Thin but an interesting view
I was expecting an immigrant story but not this one. It's an interesting view of Hollywood from a European perspective and seems to do a good job of it. The interesting parts were for me the exact opposite, I wanted more of the family story and the experiences of the Spanish Civil War.
Given that the writer was interested in Fifties U.S. culture and I was interested in the life experience of a late forties refugee from Spain, I decided to part ways with the book.
The story was a good one (too slick and a bit thin) and the background view of Hollywood in the Fifties, backstory for the main character was interesting. It's not quite the picture of Hollywood that US readers will completely recognize. I only got 35% or so through it.
It was interesting but it examined a subculture of which I was never particularly enamored. The celebrity culture seems to be the same, whether it's Kardashian or DiMaggio or Obama. It's a shadow reality that offers a substitute life to follow, once you've been convinced that you don't have a story of your own to tell and more importantly that no one would care.
That's my opinion of the background and I am sure (hope fervently) that someone whose opinion does matter has said or written the same somewhere about the weirdness of celebrity.
I was expecting an immigrant story but not this one. It's an interesting view of Hollywood from a European perspective and seems to do a good job of it. The interesting parts were for me the exact opposite, I wanted more of the family story and the experiences of the Spanish Civil War.
Given that the writer was interested in Fifties U.S. culture and I was interested in the life experience of a late forties refugee from Spain, I decided to part ways with the book.
The story was a good one (too slick and a bit thin) and the background view of Hollywood in the Fifties, backstory for the main character was interesting. It's not quite the picture of Hollywood that US readers will completely recognize. I only got 35% or so through it.
It was interesting but it examined a subculture of which I was never particularly enamored. The celebrity culture seems to be the same, whether it's Kardashian or DiMaggio or Obama. It's a shadow reality that offers a substitute life to follow, once you've been convinced that you don't have a story of your own to tell and more importantly that no one would care.
That's my opinion of the background and I am sure (hope fervently) that someone whose opinion does matter has said or written the same somewhere about the weirdness of celebrity.
February 7, 2020
This book promised so much but I think it tried to do too much in too short a novel. The novel covers 4 decades and the first few chapters describing Cefe’s journey to America were really interesting but then his life in America is skimmed over in order to fit everything in. We are told he is good friends with Jimmy Dean but we don’t know how they met or why they became such good friends.
We are told his wife is unhappy but we only know he is always at works. Surely she didn’t suffer in silence for 22 years, couldn’t we have seen the relationship in more detail.
The last few years are so quickly covered it felt like a deadline was looming for publication. In the space of two pages he meets his second wife, marries her and then divorces her because she gets ill. She doesn’t even get a speaking part.
If the book had continue in the same vein as the first two chapters it would have been brilliant. Unfortunately it didn’t.
We are told his wife is unhappy but we only know he is always at works. Surely she didn’t suffer in silence for 22 years, couldn’t we have seen the relationship in more detail.
The last few years are so quickly covered it felt like a deadline was looming for publication. In the space of two pages he meets his second wife, marries her and then divorces her because she gets ill. She doesn’t even get a speaking part.
If the book had continue in the same vein as the first two chapters it would have been brilliant. Unfortunately it didn’t.
September 23, 2019
This was my first experience with a biographical fiction, it was very interesting to follow young Cefe’s trials to escape the Spanish Franco Regime after his father and brother are killed. He leaves the rest of his family to avoid becoming a soldier for Franco. He is befriended by a sailor who hides him on a ship headed to the New World. In New York, he changes his name and works for famous people like James Dean and Frank Sinatra. His dreams finally lead him to owning his own Italian restaurant and having a beautiful family, then starting his own winery, while befriending stars like the Kennedys, Marilyn Monroe, Ronnie Ragan. All his long hours building his businesses and friendships puts a great strain on his marriage.
Found this book slow going, left it several times before finishing it.
Found this book slow going, left it several times before finishing it.
September 17, 2025
Ceferino Carrión fuig de l’Espanya franquista just acabada la Guerra Civil i se’n va a Amèrica. Primer s’instal·la a Nova York, on s’espavila com pot per tirar endavant, fins que aconsegueix establir-se a Hollywood. Allà es reinventa com a Jean Leon, un personatge carismàtic que entra en contacte amb les grans estrelles del cinema: James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra... Amb el temps, obre el famós restaurant La Scala i es guanya un lloc entre l’elit de Hollywood. Finalment, decideix tornar a les seves arrels i emprèn un nou projecte a Catalunya: crear un vi al cor del Penedès. Així neix el celler Jean Leon.
La vida de Jean Leon és apassionant!!!
És una lectura molt entretinguda i totalment recomanable per passar una bona estona.
La vida de Jean Leon és apassionant!!!
És una lectura molt entretinguda i totalment recomanable per passar una bona estona.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2019
Interesting but disappointing.
Cefe, Jean was thoroughly, unredeemably unlikeable. The story itself was pretty interesting, although the writing is choppy at best. But I found the self-absorbed, totally selfish, undaunting drive of this man quite obnoxious. I've never eaten at la Scala: having read this, I doubt I would, given the opportunity. He thinks he can make up for stomping over every person who lifted a finger to help him over decades by timidly looking for the angel who protected and guided him to the New World? Posh! What a bloidy ingrate!
Cefe, Jean was thoroughly, unredeemably unlikeable. The story itself was pretty interesting, although the writing is choppy at best. But I found the self-absorbed, totally selfish, undaunting drive of this man quite obnoxious. I've never eaten at la Scala: having read this, I doubt I would, given the opportunity. He thinks he can make up for stomping over every person who lifted a finger to help him over decades by timidly looking for the angel who protected and guided him to the New World? Posh! What a bloidy ingrate!
November 19, 2024
Libro ameno y de lectura fácil que cuenta la historia de Ceferino. Tras la guerra civil española, en la que Cefe ha perdido a un hermano en el bando de los rojos, y al verse obligado a realizar la mili en el régimen de Franco, huye primero a Francia y más tarde, de polizón en un barco, a Nueva York, y más tarde a Los Angeles. Ahí es donde prospera realizando varios trabajos, tanto de taxista como de camarero, hasta que en contacto con actores emergentes como James Dean abre su propio restaurante que se convertirá en lugar de encuentro de mucho famosos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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