Audacity Book Club: April Read
By Celeste Daniels
TW: Racism
Hello, audacious readers!
Is it really mid-April already? Well, as we year keeps on rolling, so will we. Last month, we explored the life and love of Selena Quintanilla-Perez in the biography, To Selena, With Love by Chris Perez. This month, we’re visiting the bright lights of 1950’s Hollywood in The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Hollywood has been on the edge of their seats for months during the development of the film, The Seventh Veil of Salome, with every actress in town vying for the legendary role. Staring in the film almost guarantees future stardom. So, when the demanding director bypasses all of them for a Mexican ingénue, she quickly becomes the talk of the town.
Vera Larios is not an actress by trade. Before landing the role, she worked as a secretary at her father’s dental practice and only supported her sister, who was supposed to be the star, according to her mother. Sweet and polite, Vera is quickly targeted by racist publications, pushy Hollywood men and envious actresses that hope she brought down a peg. The main person rooting for Vera’s downfall is Nancy Hartley. She’s been in Hollywood for a few years but has mainly been an extra. Seeing Vera as the only one in her way, she’ll do anything to gain the fame she believes she deserves. However, Vera is destined to stand out and she refuses to walk away from such a rare opportunity so easily.
But Vera and Nancy aren’t the only ones on the edge of glory and disaster. Woven into the story is the tale of Princess Salome, who falls for a doomed prophet as people around her scheme for the throne her uncle stole from father. Caught in the eye of the storm, her next move will determine the future of not only herself, but the country, and tragedy is guaranteed for all involved.
Dark, timeless, and romantic, The Seventh Veil of Salome is a historical saga that shows that what glitters can be far from gold.
This book is available wherever books are sold and as well as at your local library or library app. I hope you guys enjoy it. Also make sure to check an upcoming project from me and Audacity’s founder, Jessica Wise, The Bridge Club. It’s a one-act play coming to Atlanta in May! I’ll see you in April for the full review. Until then, don’t forget to read audaciously!
