Glamour - and what goes with it in ‘Adored’

Last week’s book Labyrinth may be the first that springs to mind, but if that’s not your cup of tea, this week’s choice takes you into the world of Hollywood stars, complete with more than ample helpings of sex, and family feuds a la Dallas and Dynasty in Tilly Bagshawe’s unashamedly escapist 636-page blockbuster Adored.

And there’s more holiday reading to come in the mainly-for-women Alphabet Weekends (next week), and the week after that the swashbuckling historical romance a la Scarlet Pimpernel Marriage Most Scandalous and then one to appeal to the men in your life Atlantis. All these and more are available at Nigel Khan Bookseller — of which, more, later.

But back to “Adored” and the McMahon Hollywood royalty of patriarch, bully and ageing, larger-than-life heart-throb film star Duke, Minnie his long-suffering wife, his son Pete (who can’t wait for dad to die to take over the empire) and Claire, Pete’s wife, plus Duke’s spineless, plain, unmarried daughter Laurie, and his adored, spoiled rotten granddaughter, Siena — the “adored” of the title.

Add to that explosive mix Duke’s upper class English mistress Caroline, who he invites to live in the family mansion, and, in due course, their son Hunter, telling the family they can take it — or leave to earn their own livings.

Siena is heartbroken when her father sends her to boarding school in England because she’s getting too close to her half-uncle Hunter.

Duke exits the scene, Pete takes over to make the family even wealthier than they were but forbids Siena to be an actress.

Siena defies him, becomes a top-flight model and, partly through her exposure in the world of fashion and partly due to her family name, returns to Hollywood, stardom, and Hunter — now the star of a successful soap opera — and romance (as a change from straight or kinky sex) with Hunter’s best friend Max.

Yet for all the glamour, glitz and fabulous wealth, is Siena happy? You’ll have to read the book for the answer to that question. That said, this book is a well-written romp — as well as it should be for an author who also writes for the London Sunday Times.

Bagshawe never intends Adored to be a serious psychological study of stardom, and how to be happy though rich.

It’s fun, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I enjoyed this book, reading it from cover to cover while tucked up in bed with a sinus infection.

You’ll find Adored and the other books mentioned in this book review, at Nigel Khan Bookseller, PricePlaza, Ellerslie Plaza, Gulf City and The Falls Westmall.