Synopsis
‘Hollywood, we’re reminded, is after all a through-the-looking glass world, and Byrne writes authoritatively about its illusions and obscene, glittering excess … Compelling’ Daily Mail
‘Both eye-poppingly fun and thought-provoking’ The Times
Madou is the most beautiful woman in the world.
Discovered in a Berlin cabaret in the roaring twenties, she is brought to the glamour of Los Angeles. She becomes a superstar of the silver screen and Hollywood’s darling, but nothing perfect lasts forever.
The cost of beauty is always high, for those who have it and those who live in its shadow. The weight falls on her daughter to untangle the complicated truths of being ordinary beside an
extraordinary mother, a woman who has bent and broken and skewed her perception of reality, a woman adored by the world, but from whom her daughter longs to escape.
Evocative and deeply moving, Blonde Venus is based on Marlene Dietrich’s glittering life, a dramatic novel set in Hollywood’s golden age, that tells the story of mothers and daughters and of time’s war against beauty – and the unbearable pain of a woman when beauty is the only game in town.
Previously published as Mirror, Mirror.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Paula Byrne is the author of eight acclaimed works of non-fiction, most recently Hardy Women: Mother, Sisters, Wives, Muses. Earlier books include The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym, The Genius of Jane Austen, and Kick: The True Story of Kick Kennedy. Paula wrote a tie-in book to the award-winning movie Belle. In 2013, to coincide with the bi-centenary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice, Paula wrote an innovative biography The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things. Other books include Mad World (about Evelyn Waugh and the writing of Brideshead Revisited) and Perdita: A Life of Mary Robinson which was longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Award. She is the author of two novels, Look to Your Wife and Blonde Venus and was the historical consultant for PBS series Sanditon. She is founder of ReLit, a charity devoted to the mental health benefits of reading. She is married to Sir Jonathan Bate.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for Blonde Venus
Seller Image
Blonde Venus
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Ex library copy with usual stamps & stickers. Seller Inventory # rev8598524494
Stock Image
Blonde Venus
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0008270554I4N00
Stock Image
Mirror, Mirror
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Mirror, Mirror This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780008270551
Stock Image
Blonde Venus
Seller: MusicMagpie, Stockport, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1748087973. 5/24/2025 11:59:33 AM. Seller Inventory # U9780008270551
Stock Image
Mirror, Mirror
Published by
William Collins 21/01/2021, 2021
ISBN 10: 0008270554
ISBN 13: 9780008270551
Used
Paperback
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780008270551
Seller Image
Mirror, Mirror
ISBN 10: 0008270554
ISBN 13: 9780008270551
Used
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 41130994
Seller Image
Mirror, Mirror
ISBN 10: 0008270554
ISBN 13: 9780008270551
New
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 41130994-n
Stock Image
Blonde Venus
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers Limited, 2021
ISBN 10: 0008270554
ISBN 13: 9780008270551
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 48780574-20
Stock Image
Blonde Venus
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers Limited, 2021
ISBN 10: 0008270554
ISBN 13: 9780008270551
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 52942961-20
Stock Image
Blonde Venus (Paperback)
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers, London, 2021
ISBN 10: 0008270554
ISBN 13: 9780008270551
New
Paperback
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Hollywood, were reminded, is after all a through-the-looking glass world, and Byrne writes authoritatively about its illusions and obscene, glittering excess Compelling Daily MailBoth eye-poppingly fun and thought-provoking The TimesMadou is the most beautiful woman in the world. Discovered in a Berlin cabaret in the roaring twenties, she is brought to the glamour of Los Angeles. She becomes a superstar of the silver screen and Hollywoods darling, but nothing perfect lasts forever.The cost of beauty is always high, for those who have it and those who live in its shadow. The weight falls on her daughter to untangle the complicated truths of being ordinary beside anextraordinary mother, a woman who has bent and broken and skewed her perception of reality, a woman adored by the world, but from whom her daughter longs to escape.Evocative and deeply moving, Blonde Venus is based on Marlene Dietrichs glittering life, a dramatic novel set in Hollywoods golden age, that tells the story of mothers and daughters and of times war against beauty and the unbearable pain of a woman when beauty is the only game in town.Previously published as Mirror, Mirror. Hollywood, were reminded, is after all a through-the-looking glass world, and Byrne writes authoritatively about its illusions and obscene, glittering excess Compelling Daily MailBoth eye-poppingly fun and thought-provoking The TimesMadou is the most beautiful woman in the world. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780008270551