Luli Wei became obsessed with the movies when she was a little girl, so when she gets a chance to join that world, she's determined to become a star. She eventually brokers a three-year deal with an intimidating studio head to be a featured actress in movies — and with the impressive caveat of "no maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers." However, deals with the studio also have a supernatural, finicky element to them, so Luli still has to tread lightly if she wants to really rise as a star.
Byron blogged about this book in October, and while I agree that this is a really creative way to depict the film industry (particularly back in the early days of talkies, when this is set), I'd also argue that this is firmly placed in the realm of fantasy. The studio heads might as well be fairy kings, and the author does an excellent job of making their studio lots, weekly ethereal fire celebrations, the mysterious occasional disappearances of actors, and more feel very fae-like. It's an intriguing story, and one that I'll be ruminating on for quite some time. Well worth a read for fans of old Hollywood and fantasy alike.
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