The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite by Beatrice Colin
This novel tells the story of an orphaned daughter of a cabaret dancer and her rise from poverty and anonymity to film stardom, all set against the rise and fall of Berlin, the background of WWI, the debauchery of the Weimar era, the run-up to WWII, and the innovations in art and industry that accompanied it all.
'The storytelling is masterful and the language magical' -- Sunday Times 'A transfixing concerto of intrigue, passion, desperation, intrigue, love, heroism and tragedy' -- Easy Living 'Intricately plotted and filled with memorable characters, Beatrice Colin's gorgeous novel is a lush delight that perfectly captures the spirit of Berlin.. compelling' -- The Gloss 'Colin's descriptions of Berlin are as vibrant and alive as Lilly and the rich cast of characters around her' -- Scotland on Sunday 'An exceptional novel ... Colin is an entertaining storyteller' -- Sunday Herald 'Bold, solid and clever' -- Herald 'A big, plush velvet cushion of a book' -- The List 'Deftly captures the era's sense of frenzied invention and seductive promise. Born on New Year's Eve in 1899, Lilly is the incarnation of this toxic mix of glitter and despair. Over the course of nearly half a century, as troops parade through Berlin and bread lines erupt into riots, she is transformed, almost accidentally, from Tiny Lil, the unwanted baby, to Lidi, one of Germany's most celebrated film stars ... Colin ... writes with a supple, whimsical charm. [The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite is] absorbing in its ... authenticity' -- New York Times Book Review 'As moving as it is smart, this tough-minded extravaganza had me from page one ... a dazzling tale of survival in the urban wilderness' -- Emma Donoghue, author of the bestselling SLAMMERKIN 'Written with intelligence and shimmer, [The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite] transports the reader to Berlin in the first part of the twentieth century. Colin's heroine, Lilly Aphrodite, is as rich, alive, and dangerous as the city she inhabits; and as the novel progresses, Berlin's history becomes her own.' -- David Ebershoff, author of The Danish Girl and The 19th Wife 'There are few characters as beguiling as the incomparable Tiny Lil. And Colin tells her riveting story--and the enthralling story of pre-war Berlin--breathlessly and triumphantly.' -- Jennifer Gilmore, author of Golden Country 'A compelling story well told' -- Sun Herald (Australia) 'Decadent, tantalising' -- Axis Magazine 'This gripping and darkly seductive novel showcases the glitter and darkness of the Weimar Republic' -- Western Daily Press 'A cartload of tingle-tangle fun' -- Bookmunch 'A sparkling array of Germany's most flamboyant characters ... intelligent, bold and passionate, this is a beautifully written book' -- Good Book Guide
Beatrice Colin was born in London and raised in Scotland. She has worked as a freelance journalist, writing for publications including The Guardian, and a playwright, writing radio plays for the BBC. She lives in Glasgow.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780719520716 |
| ISBN 10 | 0719520711 |
| Title | The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite |
| Author | Beatrice Colin |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | John Murray Press |
| Year published | 2008-08-07 |
| Number of pages | 416 |
| Prizes | Short-listed for Galaxy British Book Awards: Richard and Judy's Best Read of the Year 2009 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |