Product Description

Tod Hackett is a brilliant young artist - and a man in danger of losing his heart. Brought to an LA studio as a set-designer, he is soon caught up in a fantasy world where the cult of celebrity rules. But when he becomes besotted by the beautiful Faye, an aspiring actress and occasional call-girl, his dream rapidly becomes a nightmare. For, with little in the way of looks and no money to buy her time, Tod's desperate passion can only lead to frustration, disillusionment and rage...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #219447 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
The author of Miss Lonely Hearts has written in this new novel, as pointless and inane a book as I have encountered for some time. The story, if such it can be called, consists of flashes of Hollywood's lunatic fringe who careen around, sometimes drunk, sometimes sex driven, sometimes just screwball. There is no plot - merely scenes here and there showing up Hollywood nuts and freaks, rather than glamor girls. (Kirkus Reviews)

Synopsis
Tod Hackett is a brilliant young artist - and a man in danger of losing his heart. Brought to an LA studio as a set-designer, he is soon caught up in a fantasy world where the cult of celebrity rules. But when he becomes besotted by the beautiful Faye, an aspiring actress and occasional call-girl, his dream rapidly becomes a nightmare. For, with little in the way of looks and no money to buy her time, Tod's desperate passion can only lead to frustration, disillusionment and rage...

Customer Reviews

Slightly disturbing but interestng
These are the only Nathanael West stories I've read (I don't know what else he's written, or even how much of it there is), and while I found them entertaning and interesting, they are also quite dark and left a foul taste in my mouth. The first story seemed more serious, and pottered happily (or not so happily) along on the lines of manipulation and desire. In fact, it reminded me a little of "The Great Gatsby", but I've only read both that and this once apiece, so it could well be due to mere superficial similarities. It's not something I would read to escape from my own life when it all gets too much - I wouldn't like to fall into that world while I was feeling vaunerable or insecure! - but it's interesting to observe from a safe distance.
The second story, on the other hand, while still a little weird and dark, is much more frivolous and funny. It's lined with strands of fevered logic which are interesting to read and justify the word "dream" appearing in the title.
All in all a book I'm very glad I read, but one I was equally glad to finish in the knowledge that it was a world I didn't have to re-enter for a while.