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There are currently 20 member reviews
for Do Tell
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Mark S. (Blauvelt, NY)
Tell Me More!
For a debut novel, I was thoroughly impressed. This type of novel is a bit out of my comfort zone, but the characters, the plot lines, and Lynch's choice to tell her story through the lens of an actress turned gossip columnist kept me intrigued throughout. From the gossip, the scandals, and the often secretive sentimentality, she captured everything that made (and makes) Hollywood so fascinating. At times, it felt like catching up on the people who would have frequented Jay Gatsby's parties in the 20s. I look forward to reading Lynch's next work.
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Gina V. (Bloomington, IN)
"I'm all ears — do tell!"
Set in the golden age of Hollywood, but still relevant today (unfortunately) - this is a novel of resiliency, resourcefulness, and reinvention.
When Edie's dream of being an actress is coming to an end and a major Tinseltown scandal that she has insider knowledge about is just ramping up, she capitalizes on her part-time gig as a tipster to a popular gossip columnist to start her own gossip column. Edie uses her influence as "the most feared woman in Hollywood" to try to do some good in a town where decency is in short supply.
Do Tell will appeal to fans of 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo', Hollywood history buffs, and movie fans in general. It would be a great book for book clubs. It's insightful and has some unexpected turns. I couldn't put it down!
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Charlene M. (Myrtle Beach, SC)
DoTell
Lindsay Lynch's debut novel "Do Tell" is a tell all of the glorious & often tragic golden age of early Hollywood. A history of the power studios had over the careers of the actors & the dreams that were shattered by just a small article in a gossip column.
I highly recommend this book. I wait anticipatedly for Lindsay's next novel.
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Julie Z. (Oak Park, IL)
Do Tell
1930s Hollywood: Edie O'Day is an actress whose contract is about to run out at FWM studios. She has not achieved great success in acting, but as an insider, has flourished in helping out the local gossip columnist with her work. When Edie decides to write her own column, she finds that writing about her former peers can be uncomfortable, and the repercussions downright nasty. This book is for anyone who loves the golden age of Hollywood. Lynch does a great job recreating the atmosphere of the time.
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Helia R. (Goodlettsville, TN)
A great book club pick!
A fascinating debut novel, told from a place way out of my comfort zone. As someone who doesn't much care for gossip or celebrity, I didn't expect to be drawn so deeply into the life of a B-actress turned gossip columnist covering Hollywood's golden years. But I was, mostly due to the well-drawn, complex characters. There's a lot to learn here about the power studios yielded over their stars pre-World War II and the power established columnists had to make or break fortunes. The aptly (re-named) Edie O'Dare discovers the secrets beyond the glamour and turns them into her own pot of gold.
From the first, I was impressed with Edie's choice to look out for herself. She isn't a lovable character for the most part. While she tries to get justice for a teenage girl raped at a Hollywood party, she is not going to risk her reputation for the sake of the wronged girl. She has to take care of herself and her vulnerable writer brother if they are to thrive.
Are the choices Edie and others make to further their careers sensible, understandable, or morally repugnant? Only you, dear reader, can decide. Do tell.
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Janet T. (Northbrook, IL)
Secrets and gossip
Golden age Hollywood behind the scenes was just right for my early summer reading. I was caught up in this story of alliances and gossip in a sometimes struggling studio. Edie, the actor and purveyor of gossip is someone I enjoyed following. Women in a male-run world, hmmm, what could go wrong?
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Margaret S. (Palo Alto, CA)
"It's like something they make up for the pictures"
Gossip is really sticking your nose into somebody else's business and this is a book that tells what happens next. A mediocre actress becomes a successful gossip columnist in Hollywood's "golden" time of pictures. There's a lot of space where not much happens but it's filled with quite delicious detail that has been carefully imagined.When I saw Kirk Douglas at a presentation of SPARTACUS he left us saying, "Enjoy yourself! It's a good Picture." Much like "Do Tell."
