Big Blondes (New Press International Fiction Series)

Rating:
Summary: "Enough with the conscience."
Review: French television documentary director, Salvador has a great idea. He wants to make a documentary about famous blondes. Realising that there are a plethora of programmes on famous blondes such as Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich, his documentary will focus on the second tier of fame--blonde actresses who enjoyed a brief period in the limelight before dropping out of the public view. Salvador is particularly interested in including famous blonde actress Gloria Stella whose brief career ended with some unspeakable scandal, a death, and Gloria in the slammer. After her release some years later, Gloria just disappeared out of the limelight and into the sunset, so Salvador employs private detectives to find the former star.

Unfortunately for Salvador, Gloria doesn't want to be found. She's changed her name to Gloire Abgrall, and "could pass for a circus performer committed after a nervous breakdown." She's actually gone to considerable lengths to cover her tracks, so she doesn't exactly respond well when the first private detective shows up on her doorstep. With one detective missing, and another ... well ... incapacitated, Salvador realizes he has a problem on his hands. As detectives track Gloire across the globe, Salvador's plans disintegrate. His well-conceived plans for a documentary unravel as he contemplates such esoteric questions, as 'are blondes really different?' 'Does it count if they dye their hair?' And 'how do measurements factor in?'

Part noir detective fiction, "Big Blondes" is a darkly amusing novel that also includes a smattering of the supernatural in the shape of Beliard, Gloire's protective, possibly imaginary homunculus/partner in crime. Written by Jean Echenol in French, this version is translated by Mark Polizzotti. The book is entertaining fun, and the plot moves swiftly along while subtly raising the issue of privacy. Is Gloria/Gloire entitled to peace and privacy, or once committed to the public view, can a star ever refuse another interview, another tabloid photograph?--displacedhuman