Here we go. My first re-read of 2026: PLACES by Robin St. Thomas. Why that
one? Well, easy: I totally have a soft
spot for it. Problem is I seem to be the only one who does. Most readers of the
genre would rather forget about it. I don’t know why since I think it is truly
enjoyable, if not remarkable in its own right. Yes, I agree, the book is far
from being perfect: there are some spotted inconsistencies, typos, exclamation
points everywhere. However, it’s a Zebra book. It’s what is expected. Still, it
is a fun read. It has a fine heroine, an intriguing plot, and an opulence set
during the late ‘60s, early ‘70s. Everything I need in a trashy book.
The story centers on Aurora Styles, an orphan, who as
a late teen, dreams of cinema and its male stars from which she indulges in
sexual fantasies. She soon ends up being deflowered by her older and more experienced
foster brother who, later on, urges her to go to New York to study acting. Once
there, she befriends a Meryl Steep-like fellow student who ends up being more
of a troubled soul. She also comes across a pair of socialites in the form of a
gay prince and an older countess who will be favorable in her quest for stardom,
amongst other things. Throw into the mix a couple of lovers, a woman hunt related
to a possible murder case, and what you end up with, besides adding even the
kitchen sink, is the innermost urge to sit down and finish this thing.
PLACES definitely goes places, like New York, Hollywood,
Rome, London... However, the authors
(more on that later) linger little on settings, focusing more on plot and
characters, or should I say character,
for besides the central one, little else is spotlighted. Clearly, the novel is
all about Aurora achieving her goal of becoming a famous actress. Though she
does eventually get there (in about a third of the book), PLACES takes a surprising turn by making her lose it all which ends
up giving this would-be rags to riches novel a second wind.
As for the secondary characters lacking development, this
may be a tad unfair on my part. The authors do try to put some emphasis on them. Aurora’s Meryl Streep-like actress
friend is one good example. St. Thomas gradually make a point of showing the
psychological downfall of the quirky character. The same can be said about
Aurora’s two socialite friends. Sexual identity and ageism regarding these two are
notably hint at. Not to mention the addition of a gigolo-type character who temporarily
puts a dent in their rock solid friendship.
Simply put, 1987 PLACES
is indeed quite the paperback. Oh it may be flawed but authors Robin Stevenson
and actor Tom Bade (1946-2005) do a good enough job at keeping the reader
intrigued. Seven other Hollywood novels follow this reviewed title, including SWITCHBACK
for which they drop their nom de plume, and I look forward to each and every
one of them.
Until next post—Martin
Actor / novelist Tom Bade from 1971 SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE... (to be reviewed).
