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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 28 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 New Fan May 26, 2009
By NYC Bookworm
As someone who planned to be far more intrigued with the "Old Hollywood" aspect of this book than its namesake, I was genuinely surprised at how quickly I was taken with Carole (and every other aspect of this book).
One pleasant surprise was finding that this work is an easy read - in a book that contains less than easy content. There's a lot going on here - but it works. The drama of secrets, infidelity, and life-altering decisions create an interesting, if not stark, contrast to the "screwball" personality that that we are used to seeing in Carole Lombard - which makes for a thoroughly satisfying read.
Highly recommended.
11 of 12 found the following review helpful:
True Fiction, Pure Carole May 29, 2009
By Meredith L. Grau
Several months ago, I was online searching in vain for a biography on Carole Lombard. I have long been a fan, and decided my research of the actress was long past due. To my great disappointment, I could find no non-fictional books, at least none of note, to put in my cart. Then, my eyes landed on Ms. Washburn's book, "Chasing Carole," a fictional account of the actress's life, with its basis in fact. I took a chance, clicked "buy," and waited for my delivery.
To say that I was greatly impressed with Ms. Washburn's novel is a massive understatement! I have seen all of Carole's movies, heard little tidbits along the way, and feel at this point that I "know" her. But to feel the awakening of her true personality, to witness her many dimensions coming to life and being realized was truly something to behold. In this book, Carole is presented honestly, openly, and as herself. While reading, I felt I was listening to Carole in her own voice and in her own words. Being introduced to her humor, her fears, her fire, and her sadness in such an intimate way made me respect and love her all the more. So many bios present you with the hard facts, but they never really let you get close to the flesh and blood subject. This book does, and it left me very pleased and very moved.
It is a fictional novel, but its mixture of true events with a modern story rubbing elbows with the spiritual world never feels phony or forced. It feels real and natural, and there were times when I had to remind myself that the predominant narrator was not a real person, but a fabrication used to take you closer to a being long since gone. I think this book could work for anyone- a Carole fan looking to know her better or a student of history looking for interesting bits and pieces of a life ended far too soon. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to any and everyone with a love of Hollywood, humor, and strong, independent, interesting women.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Pure Genious! May 26, 2009
By Viet_Vet
Extremely well written and thought out. Not only was it educational, but entertaining as well.
Ms. Washburn did a fantastic job in writing this book. My interest in Carole Lombard has been reinvigorated, and I plan on finding more books about her here on Amazon!
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
An excellent read May 20, 2009
By S. Bogart
This book is an excellent read, especially for fans of the Golden Age of Hollywood. The reader really gets to know both Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, as well as Cass and her mother. A very compelling story, and an excellent read. I highly recommend this book.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Captivating read May 22, 2009
By S. T. Hall
This is an excellent mix of fiction and biography, written in a way that is as interesting as it is illuminating. Carole was a fascinating creature, and Ms. Washburn does an excellent job of giving us an up-close and personal view of Carole's complicated, funny, yet tragic life, bringing her from the heart of the screen to the heart of our understanding. She may have been a famous movie star that succeeded in leaving Fort Wayne, Indiana behind, but she was still the girl next door. I highly recommend this book.
See all 28 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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