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  • The Blue Butterfly: A Novel of Marion Davies

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The Blue Butterfly: A Novel of Marion Davies

by Leslie Johansen Nack (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars (845)
2023 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Gold Medal, Fiction: Historical

“The book reads as if it really is Davies’ autobiography . . . . a timely reminder of what women would have been up against in Hollywood.”
—Historical Novel Society

“The Blue Butterfly is a vibrant period novel that reimagines the controversial love story of a classic film star.”  

—Foreword Reviews 

New York 1915, Marion Davies is a shy eighteen-year-old beauty dancing on the Broadway stage when she meets William Randolph Hearst and finds herself captivated by his riches, passion and desire to make her a movie star. Following a whirlwind courtship, she learns through trial and error to live as Hearst’s mistress when a divorce from his wife proves impossible. A baby girl is born in secret in 1919 and they agree to never acknowledge her publicly as their own. In a burgeoning Hollywood scene, she works hard making movies while living a lavish partying life that includes a secret love affair with Charlie Chaplin. In late 1937, at the height of the depression, Hearst wrestles with his debtors and failing health, when Marion loans him $1M when nobody else will. Together, they must confront the movie that threatens to invalidate all of Marion’s successes in the movie industry: Citizen Kane.
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    She Writes Press
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 3, 2022
  6. File size
    789 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Kirkus Review

Edward Lorusso endorsement

''...a vibrant period novel..." - Foreword Reviews

Laurel Davis Huber endorsement

Historical Novel Society endorsement

Editorial Reviews

Review

2023 IPPY Awards Gold Medalist in Audiobook - Fiction
2023 IPPY Awards Silver Medalist in Historical Fiction
2023 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, Gold Medal, Cover Design: Fiction
2023 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Finalist in Fiction: Historical
2022 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards Finalist in Fiction (Historical - Personage)

“10 Historical Novels to Add To Your Summer Reading List”—Ms. Career Girl

“The book reads as if it really is Davies’ autobiography . . . . a timely reminder of what women would have been up against in Hollywood.”—Historical Novel Society

“Following the lives of real-world people to spin an engaging story is a tricky business . . . . Fortunately, author Leslie Johansen Nack has picked the perfect subject matter in Marion Davies whose life on and off the silver screen was filled with glamour and high drama . . . ”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review

“Leslie Johansen Nack goes where no author has gone before with this vibrant period novel that brilliantly reimagines the life of legendary film star, Marion Davies.”—Brit & Co, “12 Historical Romance Novels To Tide You Over Until Bridgerton Premieres”

 “The Blue Butterfly is a vibrant period novel that reimagines the controversial love story of a classic film star.”—Foreword Reviews

"A detailed, moving portrait of a complex woman in a complex life.”—Kirkus Reviews

“In The Blue Butterfly, Leslie Johansen Nack chronicles the career of the fabulous Marion Davies and captures the star’s legendary verve and spirit on the Broadway stage, in her Hollywood movies, and in the battle against Citizen Kane. More importantly, this novel tells of the love story between Davies and William Randolph Hearst to its heartbreaking end.”—Edward Lorusso, author of The Silent Films of Marion Davies

“Leslie Johansen Nack redeems the tragic legacy of Marion Davies, William Randolph Hearst's long-time lover, in her newest, The Blue Butterfly. Dripping with diamonds and gilded with grandeur, The Blue Butterfly takes readers from the bowels of the New York stage to the glittering life of Hollywood and its stars. Haunting and heartbreaking, The Blue Butterfly elicits the gut-punch that what we do for love colors our lives forever.”—Ashley E. Sweeney, author of the award-winning Answer Creek and Hardland

“The Blue Butterfly is an unfiltered, first-person narrative told in glittering detail. It is the almost mythic story of a glowing, spirited woman who is captured and showered with riches beyond imagining—a butterfly in a gilded cage. In this very fast-paced book, which spares no detail in the telling, we see how dearly Marion Davies paid for her willing captivity.”—Laurel Davis Huber, author of the award-winning The Velveteen Daughter

“You’ll have a new appreciation of the complex woman after reading this page-turning novel, which puts the spotlight on Davies once again.”—BookBub

About the Author

Leslie Johansen Nack is the author of three award-winning books: her debut memoir, Fourteen, its sequel, Nineteen, and her historical novel, The Blue Butterfly. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in English literature and overcame past traumas to raise two children in a healthy, loving home. Nack is a member of The Authors’ Guild, The Historical Novel Society, and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. She lives outside Seattle with her husband of thirty-five years. You can find more about Leslie and her work at www.lesliejohansennack.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09CDB1MV8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ She Writes Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 3, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 789 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1647423483
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: #794,788 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars (845)

About the author

Follow authors for new release and deal updates, plus improved recommendations. See updates from all followed authors in Your Books.
Leslie Johansen Nack

Leslie Johansen Nack

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
845 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable, particularly appreciating the captivating love story. The character development receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how the author brings Marion and Charlie to life in a personalized and fresh way.
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22 customers mention content, 21 positive, 1 negative
Customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating, with one customer noting it provides a wonderful peek into the life of Marion Davies and William Randolph Hearst.
...Great read.Read more
...Really tells a lot about silent movie stars to talkies. Good read if you like to know about life style of these celebrities.Read more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though it was a novel it read like a biography. I googled as I read and everything ran true....Read more
I thoroughly enjoyed this read....Read more
9 customers mention story, 8 positive, 1 negative
Customers enjoy the captivating love story in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating how it captures the complicated tale of William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies.
...This captivating love story shows that though we often live our lives in chains, we also hold the key....Read more
Thoroughly enjoyed this story which may have been somewhat embellished, but thoroughly delightful. I think I am a fan of this courageous woman.Read more
...What s beautiful love story! Even though Mr Hearst was never free to marry her it was very obvious that he loved her dearly. Great book!Read more
...A thoroughly enjoyable and well-executed story. Brava, Leslie Johansen Nack!Read more
5 customers mention character development, 5 positive, 0 negative
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one review noting how it brings Marion and Charlie to life in a personalized and fresh way, while another mentions how it tells a lot about the transition from silent movie stars to talkies.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Leslie Nack developed the characters well and had me leaning in to clear my schedule so I could pick my book...Read more
...The author's excellent portrayal of the actress gives insight to her hard work and success in the movie industry besides giving us a convincing multi...Read more
What a great read!!!!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these celebrities as unfiltered, raw and real people....Read more
Humanizing these characters and loads of name dropping, made this a fascinating book!...Read more
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