King of Hollywood

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Summary: king of hollywood
Review: As a gay individual myself i found the book to be exreamly parronising. As far as the literary style goes it seems perfectly obvious to me and any half baked simpleton that the author has no grasp on the complexities of writing a birthday card, let alone a novel. How this book ever got published is simply beyond me.

Rating:
Summary: Review of King of Hollywood by Robin Tamblyn
Review: Danny Spain, subject of Robin Tamblyn's recent novel, King of Hollywood, was what some might call a `bad boy made good'. Certainly not `good' in the eyes of moralists, but in his abilities in his chosen career - an Oscar-winning actor.

Spain (the name thought to be the author's disguise for a real actor) had a tormented childhood: from his father's brutal shooting of his pet dog, to his beatings and forced enrolment at military school in reaction to his homosexuality. Treatment that Danny refused to forgive, even at his father's deathbed.

If you are looking for a moral, it is that homosexuality is not a trait that can be "promoted" as a "lifestyle", or beaten out of someone. And that a boy seemed destined to a life of petty delinquency or prostitution can turn to something far more creative.

Robin Tamblyn writes with particular empathy for gay characters and has a keen interest in Hollywood, so Danny Spain was the natural subject for a first novel. Not one for those who are squeamish about gay sex, but this aspect does not unduly dominate the book. What does come through is the subject's inability to choose between the single life and someone he loves - a contradiction that eventually cost him his life.


Rating:
Summary: Review of King of Hollywood by Robin Tamblyn
Review: Danny Spain, subject of Robin Tamblyn's recent novel, King of Hollywood, was what some might call a 'bad boy made good'. Certainly not 'good' in the eyes of moralists, but in his abilities in his chosen career - an Oscar-winning actor.

Spain (the name thought to be the author's disguise for a real actor) had a tormented childhood: from his father's brutal shooting of his pet dog, to his beatings and forced enrolment at military school in reaction to his homosexuality. Treatment that Danny refused to forgive, even at his father's deathbed.

If you are looking for a moral, it is that homosexuality is not a trait that can be "promoted" as a "lifestyle", or beaten out of someone. And that a boy seemed destined to a life of petty delinquency or prostitution can turn to something far more creative.

Robin Tamblyn writes with particular empathy for gay characters and has a keen interest in Hollywood, so Danny Spain was the natural subject for a first novel. Not one for those who are squeamish about gay sex, but this aspect does not unduly dominate the book. What does come through is the subject's inability to choose between the single life and someone he loves - a contradiction that eventually cost him his life.

Rating:
Summary: The Hamlet of Gay Hollywood
Review: King of Hollywood tells the story of Danny, a vulnerable and likeable boy trying to understand himself and the world around him. His humanity and defencelessness leave him open to the harshness and dangers of social contact with his fellow man. As his story unfolds, we empathise with his character and learn to love him, revelling in his successes and lamenting his mistakes and failures.

This debut novel reveals a sensitivity and mature perspective to the subject matter of a young homosexual. It is skillfully written and we look forward with anticipation to the next Robin Tamblyn novel.

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Summary: A Behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood
Review: King of Hollywood, a debut novel by Englishman Robin Tamblyn reflects his true love of Hollywood film culture. Or more accurately a slice of it. Mr. Tamblyn has created an interesting and provocative tale about Danny (Gibson) Spain, an Iowan nobody who makes it big in Hollywood. This particular star, who eventually wins an Oscar after starring in many major motion pictures, is a closeted gay man. The novel tells us Danny's tale from his childhood to his eventual demise at in his early 40s by a male hustler.

This story could be about any famous closeted Hollywood actor-ones the tabloids have hounded about sordid tales of their sexual appetites. Most likely it depicts a particular one whom we all know. In this tale-since it's a tell-all story-we get to know Danny on a very personal level. We also get to despise him greatly. Danny's dysfunctional childhood and his intense hatred for his father have warped his sense of self, squeezing him into a little emotional box and leaving him very little room to truly love and be loved. Mr. Tamblyn runs us through many of Danny's affairs with men older than himself, but especially Danny's penchant for younger men who he thinks will make him feel better about himself.

Although this story begins and ends on a sad note-one that often occurs in gay-themed fiction-it contains a message. I believe that message is that unless one gets over their trauma, unless one pursues love over just sex, unless one reaches out for others, they are doomed for an existence of despair and eventual downfall. A classic theme to be sure, but one that is well played out in this debut work.

Although this story takes place solely in America, Mr. Tamblyn can be forgiven for the occasional use of British slang and wording. They do not detract from the overall storyline. In fact, to my `mind's ear' it makes the work sound all the more interesting!

Rating:
Summary: A Behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood
Review: Robin Tamblyn's debut novel The King of Hollywood gives the reader an inside look at the life (and death) of a closeted Hollywood movie idol. Written compellingly by a fresh new voice in fiction, the novel chronicles the life of actor Danny Spain, from his humble beginnings to his tragic and untimely demise. The plot bubbles along merrily and draws the reader into the hidden world of a star who has much to hide. If you enjoy reading books by Jackie Collins, Harold Robbins, Jacqueline Susann or Sidney Sheldon, Robin Tamblyn is a voice to watch in the future. I am looking forward to his upcoming sophomore effort, a novel titled Velocity. An impressive debut!

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Summary: Lonely King
Review: The story follows the life of Daniel Gibson from childhood to his violent early death.
Daniel desperately seeks the attention of his father, but to no avail.
With the safe distance of a voyeur, the reader accompanies Danny from his first sexual experiences to far inside the homosexual-milieu.
After a long struggle for recognition Danny finally achieves a meteoric career within the dream factory of Hollywood.
This only works by making a painful decision: to be popular or to be loved.
To hold either the Oscar in your arms or the homosexual partner. To have both of it is not accepted by society.
With enjoyable verbal trials, Tamblyn projects day dreams into a framework made by the basic biographical data of a certain Hollywood star. King of Hollywood is a fictitious story and a fascinating reading pleasure.


Rating:
Summary: awful
Review: This novel has no merit whatsoever, there is not one aspect worthy of a second of your time.