Mr Wilder and Me: The glamorous cinematic novel from the bestselling author of Middle England
Nov 2020 · Penguin UK
4.4star
5 reviewsreport
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256
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About this ebook
The prize-winning, bestselling author of Middle England turns his gaze to one of cinema's most intriguing figures - famed director of Some Like It Hot, Billy Wilder.
***SOON TO BE A MAJOR FILM***
In the summer of 1977, naïve Calista Frangopoulou sets out to venture into the world. On a Greek island that has been turned into a film set, she finds herself working for Billy Wilder, about whom she knows almost nothing.
While Calista is thrilled with her new adventure, Wilder himself is living with the realisation that his star may be on the wane. Rebuffed by Hollywood, he has financed his film with German money, and when Calista follows him to Munich, she finds herself joining him on a journey of memory into the dark heart of his family history.
At once a tender coming-of-age story and an intimate portrait of a Hollywood icon, Mr Wilder and Me explores the nature of time and fame, of family and the treacherous lure of nostalgia . . .
__________
'Utterly charming, deeply poignant and ultimately uplifting' Mail on Sunday
'Sweeps beautifully from Hollywood to Greece and London' FT, Best Books of 2020
'The dialogue's sharp, the comic timing excellent' Sunday Times
Written with his signature wit, Jonathan Coe's unmissable new novel, The Proof of My Innocence, is available to order now!
***SOON TO BE A MAJOR FILM***
In the summer of 1977, naïve Calista Frangopoulou sets out to venture into the world. On a Greek island that has been turned into a film set, she finds herself working for Billy Wilder, about whom she knows almost nothing.
While Calista is thrilled with her new adventure, Wilder himself is living with the realisation that his star may be on the wane. Rebuffed by Hollywood, he has financed his film with German money, and when Calista follows him to Munich, she finds herself joining him on a journey of memory into the dark heart of his family history.
At once a tender coming-of-age story and an intimate portrait of a Hollywood icon, Mr Wilder and Me explores the nature of time and fame, of family and the treacherous lure of nostalgia . . .
__________
'Utterly charming, deeply poignant and ultimately uplifting' Mail on Sunday
'Sweeps beautifully from Hollywood to Greece and London' FT, Best Books of 2020
'The dialogue's sharp, the comic timing excellent' Sunday Times
Written with his signature wit, Jonathan Coe's unmissable new novel, The Proof of My Innocence, is available to order now!
Ratings and reviews
4.4
5 reviews
Caroline Price
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November 7, 2020
Jonathan Coe is one of my favourite authors and Billy Wilder is my favourite director from Hollywood's Golden Age, his work includes Sunset Boulevard, Ninotchka and the Seven Year Itch (to name but three of his classic films). I was fascinated by the idea of wedding a coming of age story with details of Billy's life. I couldn't decide whether it was going to be a huge success or a disaster. Honestly I should have had more faith, this book is glorious! In my opinion Jonathan Coe has never written a bad book and in this book his talent shines. This is a wonderful story on every level and shouldn't be missed.
About the author
Jonathan Coe was born a few miles from Bournville in 1961. The author of political satires such as What a Carve Up! and Number 11, and family sagas such as The Rotters' Club and The Rain Before It Falls, his novels have won prizes at home and abroad, including Costa Novel of the Year and the Prix du Livre Européen (both for Middle England).
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