This book was one hundred per cent chosen for its incredible cover. That is one impressive piece of design, and it will no doubt have many readers reaching for it over the coming months. Alongside that, I managed to bag an edition with the most incredible spredges.
This book is a brilliant read, a clear commentary of the 1960s, in so many ways. The Newmans are the wholesome American family, their lives being lived out every week on television, without a blemish to their character. However, is that the reality behind the scenes? Are each of the Newman family really living the life that they are showing to the world? Or is the world controlling the lives of the Newmans?
We dive into the ‘secret’ world of the Newmans as it is thrown into turmoil one tragic night. We see a study of the way women were forced (if we are honest) to live in the 1960s, and how some fought to try and change this, despite the barriers in their way. As well as the LGBTQ+ community who were not allowed to live freely, and the efforts those in Hollywood had to go to hide their truth. (Something that should still make you angry as a reader.) And, the damage that maybe the Hollywood lifestyle could do to those who were growing up in the spotlight. However, alongside this we see how important a loving family can be to those who need that extra little bit of support along the way.
I enjoyed that this book was told through some different media along the way, the odd magazine article alongside the traditional chapters really threw you into the time period and made you feel you were experiencing the 1960s.
I will be recommending this book to anyone who is fascinated by the ‘golden’ Hollywood age – it will really make you question what that really meant for those who were living through it. It will still leave you admiring those who were living it, but it will also make you appreciate that there were a number of sacrifices along the way and a lot of bravery. And, maybe, we still have some lessons to learn about that cult of celebrity and how the world treats those who are put on a pedestal by, not only the public, but those that they are working for.