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A review by rosietomyn
Delayed Rays of a Star by Amanda Lee Koe
4.0
4.5 ☆
Delayed Rays of a Stat by Amanda Lee Koe is an authentic and engaging look at the lives of three early 20th century actresses: Anna May Wong, Marlene Dietrich, and Leni Riefenstahl.
As someone who found The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo rather problematic, I find Koe's character development, reflection, and prose more refined and authentic. Her characters are believably Anna, Marlene, and Leni. They are multidimensional women who have shared aspirations and who fight different demons.
Side characters, including Marlene's Chinese maid, are also compelling and engaging. There are no "good" and "bad" characters in Delayed Rays - instead, we see very (VERY) historically problematic people through a contemporary, nuanced lens. This alone reflects Koe's skill at character.
It is also not lost on me that none of the storylines conclude with a happy ending. This is also refreshing. There are no pandering happy endings - like life, these characters struggle and fail, and there is often no alternative. In the failing, in the lack of resolution, there is some grit and authenticity that is lacking in so many books.
Delayed Rays of a Star is definitely a lift of a read. It is heavy (especially during Leni's storyline), but it is worth it. If interested in the diverse lives and loves of early-1900s female movie stars, this is a solid read that holds weight. And Koe, who identifies as queer and was born in Singapore to Chinese parents, is just the author to tackle their stories.
Delayed Rays of a Stat by Amanda Lee Koe is an authentic and engaging look at the lives of three early 20th century actresses: Anna May Wong, Marlene Dietrich, and Leni Riefenstahl.
As someone who found The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo rather problematic, I find Koe's character development, reflection, and prose more refined and authentic. Her characters are believably Anna, Marlene, and Leni. They are multidimensional women who have shared aspirations and who fight different demons.
Side characters, including Marlene's Chinese maid, are also compelling and engaging. There are no "good" and "bad" characters in Delayed Rays - instead, we see very (VERY) historically problematic people through a contemporary, nuanced lens. This alone reflects Koe's skill at character.
It is also not lost on me that none of the storylines conclude with a happy ending. This is also refreshing. There are no pandering happy endings - like life, these characters struggle and fail, and there is often no alternative. In the failing, in the lack of resolution, there is some grit and authenticity that is lacking in so many books.
Delayed Rays of a Star is definitely a lift of a read. It is heavy (especially during Leni's storyline), but it is worth it. If interested in the diverse lives and loves of early-1900s female movie stars, this is a solid read that holds weight. And Koe, who identifies as queer and was born in Singapore to Chinese parents, is just the author to tackle their stories.