The Cinema of Lost Dreams by Allie Sinclair
Publisher & Release: Lyrical Press, November 5, 2019
Time and setting: 1994 & 1952, Australia & Hollywood
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Length: 330 Pages
Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns
Book Description:
In Alli Sinclair’s moving story of love, loss, and ambition, two independent women, born decades apart, strive to fulfill their dreams.
In the movies, anything is possible. But as location manager Claire Montgomery knows, real life offers constant challenges, especially in an industry dominated by men. For her new project, Claire needs access to a beautiful Art Deco cinema located in Starlight Creek, a small town in northern Australia sugarcane country. Though the movie theater and its elderly owner, Hattie, are both charming, Hattie’s handsome great-nephew isn’t so easy to convince. Claire must win their trust and permission, though even if she succeeds, she’ll face more complications than she could have anticipated . . .
1950s Hollywood: Lena Lee has worked hard to get ahead in Hollywood without getting caught up in backstabbing and infighting like so many other actors. In an era when censorship is rife and accusations of communism are rampant, Lena sees her star on the rise. But with increased visibility comes a greater awareness of what’s expected from women in her position. Lena is not willing to stay silent and go along with the game. Will she risk her career—and a newfound love—to stand up for what she thinks is right?
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Vikki’s Musings
Thanks go to the author and Net-Galley for giving me the opportunity to read and review The Cinema of Lost Dreams prior to publication. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.
The Cinema of Lost Dreams follows two women, Lena Lee in 1950’s Hollywood and Claire in Queensland, 1994. Ms. Sinclair does an amazing job writing in both worlds. She paints an authentic picture in each. From the glitz and glamor of Hollywood in the early 50’s, to the climate surrounding the hays code and the scare of communism, to women’s unfair wages compared to men and Lena’s fight to achieve equality, that all comes through brilliantly.
Ms. Sinclair brings Queensland to life, from her vivid description of the landscapes, the beauty of the old theater, to the quaint town and its quirky citizens. I thoroughly enjoyed Claire’s struggles and her tenacity when persuading the owner to allow the threater’s use for the mini-series she tooted.
There are two romances in this tale of love. Lena Lee’s with the handsome leading man, Reeves, and Claire’s with Luke, the mysterious owner’s great nephew. Ms. Sinclair is able to pull the reader in and get them vested in both love stories.
While I enjoyed the romances, I loved Ms. Sinclair’s descriptive writing, and her strong historical research of a difficult time in the movie industry. If you enjoy women’s fiction with strong romantic elements, and a fantastic climax, then you will love The Cinema of Lost Dreams as much as I did. Happy reading!
Excerpt:
“Who’s that?” she whispered.
“Reeves Garrity. He’s worked in radio but, as you can see, it would be a waste to keep him behind the microphone.” George grabbed two champagne glasses off a passing tray. He handed one to Lena, who couldn’t take her eyes off this Hollywood newcomer. His height, broad shoulders, beautifully styled hair and strong jawline were the classic clichés of a movie star, though he didn’t appear to have the arrogance—yet. Time would tell, however. Just look at what happened to Jeanne.
George said quietly, “You’d do well to stay away from him.”
“I’m not… I…” Her cheeks flushed with heat.
“I know you, Miss Lee.” He gave her a gentle nudge. “Although he is rather easy on the eye.”
“Shh.” Lena looked around, hoping no one had heard George. “Those things are fine to say to me in private, but you can’t risk anyone else hearing you.”
George’s smile disappeared. “It’s ridiculous, and it’s wrong.”
“Of course it is.” She moved in close and said, “No matter how much you and I believe that people should love who they want, things won’t change.”
“Maybe one day.”
Lena sipped the champagne. “Yes, maybe one day.”
“What will happen one day?”
Lena turned around to find Lawrence Doherty, her director, standing behind them. How much of that conversation had he heard?
“Hello, Mr. Doherty. We were… uh…”
He held up his hand. “No need for formalities. So, Cooper deems you important enough to be here?”
“I…” Words! Where were the words? “I…”
“Lena Lee is very important,” said George. “Have you ever heard her sing?”
“No.” Lawrence looked at Lena like she’d come from the moon.
“She has the sweetness of a nightingale. Her voice will bring you to tears and make you feel like your broken heart will never mend.”
Lawrence’s smile seemed far from genuine. “She’s just like every other actress in Hollywood. Sorry, Lena, but you just don’t have that je ne sais quoilike Jeanne.” He took a moment to study her face. “And aren’t you a little more maturethan Jeanne?”
Mortified that her age had been brought up in such a public place, Lena struggled to find a reply—but she couldn’t let the comment go unacknowledged.
“Age is just a number,” she said, praying she hadn’t jumped across the line.
“Exactly,” said George. “Besides, maturewomen have a natural elegance and grace that these young actresses can never imitate. Everyone knows Lena Lee is a star in the making.”
“She is an excellent actress, I’ll give her that,” Lawrence said.
“Then why doesn’t she get bigger roles?” asked George.
“Okay, that’s enough!” Lena grabbed her friend’s arm. “Let’s leave Mr. Doherty in peace. I’m sure he has people telling him someone is a talented singer and the next big thing all the time.”
“Prove it,” Lawrence said.
“Pardon?”
“Prove you have what it takes.” He pointed at the white grand piano in the next room. “Sing me a song.”
“Uh…” Oh no.She’d hoped to keep a low profile, at least for the first couple of hours of the party. “Sure.”
She straightened her spine and held her head high as she walked over to the piano, where a gentleman with gray hair had been playing classical tunes. Her heart raced as she approached the pianist. “Would you mind playing ‘Over the Rainbow,’ please? I’ve been asked to sing for our host.”
He looked up and asked, “Which key?”
Lena eyed the main doors. If she took off her heels and pulled the dress up past her knees, she could run a lot faster…
“C,” she finally answered.
“Ready?” asked the pianist. Lena nodded, terrified she’d landed herself in this situation. Well, George had, though she shouldn’t have been surprised. George never played by the rules.
The pianist stretched his hands, then set to work, his fingers dancing across the keys in a flurry of creativity.
Her mouth was dry.
Her head was foggy.
Perspiration pooled at the base of her spine.
She swallowed hard.
The lump in her throat wouldn’t dislodge.
She missed the opening notes.
People stared.
The pianist circled back to the beginning.
She opened her mouth, and at last her voice cooperated. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the music, feeling the words about longing, of wishing for something that may never be.
Looking up, she spied Reeves Garrity, who stood apart from the growing crowd. His eyes were fixed solely on her. Heat raced across her skin and she looked away.
A wave of anxiety tried to drown her, but she stood firm. The eyes and ears of Hollywood’s elite were now on Lena, and one missed note could destroy her chances of being something more than a minor character.
The song’s crescendo grew. She had to get that high note. It had never been a problem before, but the stakes were the highest they’d ever been.
Lena glanced at Reeves Garrity. He offered a slow, warm smile, and the confidence she’d been grappling with now raced through her with full force.
She hit the last note, her voice strong. Her heart connected to the music and her ears filled with applause and shouts of “Bravo!”
Author Bio:
Alli Sinclair is a multi award-winning author who spent her early adult years travelling the globe, intent on becoming an Indiana Jones in heels. She scaled mountains in Nepal, Argentina, and Peru, rafted the Ganges, and rode a camel in the Sahara. Argentina and Peru became her home for a few years and when she wasn't working as a mountain or tour guide, Alli could be found in the dance halls dancing the tango, salsa, merengue, and samba.
All of these adventures made for fun storytelling and this is when she discovered her love of writing. Alli's stories capture the romance and thrill of exploring new destinations and cultures that also take readers on a journey of discovery.
Alli volunteers as an author role model with Books in Homes, promoting literacy and reading amongst young people.
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