A Technicolor Tale of Ambition, Desire and Destiny
Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s latest novel The Seventh Veil of Salome is a sumptuous feast for the senses, transporting readers to the glittering yet treacherous world of 1950s Hollywood. At its heart are three women—an ingénue, a wannabe starlet, and the legendary Biblical temptress herself—whose fates become inextricably intertwined in a story of passion, ambition and tragedy.
Like the shimmering veils of its title character, the novel unfolds in layers, each one revealing new depths and complexities. Moreno-Garcia deftly weaves together multiple narrative threads and timelines, creating a rich tapestry that is part historical drama, part noir mystery, and part mythic reimagining. The result is utterly captivating—a book that will seduce you from the very first page and keep you spellbound until its haunting final scene.
Lights, Camera, Action: The Plot
The story opens on the set of The Seventh Veil of Salome, a lavish Biblical epic being produced by Pacific Pictures. After a long search, eccentric director Max Niemann has cast unknown Mexican actress Vera Larios in the coveted role of Salome. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for the shy, bookish Vera, who finds herself thrust into a dazzling but cutthroat world she barely understands.
As Vera struggles to embody the seductive, dangerous Salome, we’re introduced to Nancy Hartley, a jaded bit player whose own dreams of stardom have curdled into bitter resentment. Nancy had her heart set on playing Salome herself, and she’s determined to sabotage Vera by any means necessary.
Meanwhile, in the distant past, we meet the real Princess Salome as she navigates the treacherous waters of Herod’s court. Torn between duty, desire and ambition, Salome must decide whether to use her infamous dance to secure her own power or to save the man she loves.
As filming progresses, the boundaries between past and present, reality and illusion begin to blur. Vera finds herself increasingly identifying with Salome, while Nancy’s jealousy spirals into dangerous obsession. When tragedy strikes, the reverberations will be felt across decades, forever altering the lives of all involved.
A Star-Studded Cast of Characters
Moreno-Garcia populates her Hollywood with a vibrant cast of characters that feel lifted straight from the silver screen:
- Vera Larios: Our wide-eyed ingénue, struggling to find her voice amidst the chaos of filmmaking
- Nancy Hartley: The bitter failed starlet, whose desperation leads her down a dark path
- Max Niemann: The temperamental genius director, chasing his artistic vision at all costs
- Clifford Collins: The aging matinee idol, threatened by the rise of new talent
- Jay Rutland: The charming pianist who captures Vera’s heart
- Marla Bahia: The seasoned actress who takes Vera under her wing
- Joe Kantor: The world-weary screenwriter trying to preserve his artistic integrity
Each character is vividly drawn and complex, with their own dreams, flaws and secrets. Even minor players feel fully realized, contributing to the novel’s immersive atmosphere.
Themes: The Price of Ambition
At its core, The Seventh Veil of Salome is an exploration of ambition—its intoxicating allure and its potentially destructive consequences. We see this played out through multiple characters:
- Vera, whose natural talent and innocence are both an asset and a liability in the cutthroat world of Hollywood
- Nancy, whose thwarted ambitions have curdled into a poisonous obsession
- Salome herself, navigating the perilous waters of Herod’s court as she seeks to claim her rightful power
The novel asks: What price are we willing to pay for our dreams? At what point does ambition become destructive? Can we ever truly separate the person from the persona?
Style and Substance: Moreno-Garcia’s Prose
Moreno-Garcia’s writing is, quite simply, intoxicating. Her prose shimmers with the lush, oversaturated quality of a Technicolor film, bringing 1950s Hollywood vividly to life. You can practically smell the greasepaint, hear the whir of the cameras, feel the heat of the klieg lights.
Yet beneath the glittering surface, there’s real depth and nuance. Moreno-Garcia has a keen eye for the telling detail, whether it’s the “acrid, unpleasant smell” of burning film or the way Nancy’s “voice was a harsh whisper, her hands clenching into fists.”
The author seamlessly blends different styles and tones throughout the novel. The Hollywood sections pulse with noir-ish energy, while the historical chapters have a dreamy, mythic quality. The result is a reading experience that feels both familiar and utterly fresh.
Structure and Pacing
The novel’s structure is intricate but never confusing. Moreno-Garcia deftly juggles multiple timelines and perspectives, building tension across all storylines. The pacing is masterful, with quiet character moments balanced by bursts of high drama.
As the story progresses, the lines between past and present, reality and fiction, begin to blur. This creates a delicious sense of unreality that mirrors Vera’s own journey into the heart of Hollywood illusion.
Historical Context: Hollywood’s Golden Age
Moreno-Garcia’s research shines through in her meticulous recreation of 1950s Hollywood. From the inner workings of the studio system to the gossip in the commissary, every detail feels authentic and lived-in.
The author doesn’t shy away from addressing the darker aspects of the era, including racism, sexism, and the looming specter of the Hollywood blacklist. These elements are woven organically into the story, providing crucial context without ever feeling preachy or didactic.
Film buffs will delight in the many Easter eggs and references sprinkled throughout the text. But even readers unfamiliar with Old Hollywood will find themselves swept up in this glittering, treacherous world.
Reimagining Salome
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its fresh take on the Salome myth. Moreno-Garcia strips away centuries of misogynistic interpretation to present Salome as a complex, fully-realized woman navigating impossible choices.
By juxtaposing Salome’s story with Vera’s journey, the author creates fascinating parallels between past and present. Both women must learn to harness their power in a world that simultaneously objectifies and fears female sexuality.
Comparisons and Inspirations
Fans of Moreno-Garcia’s previous work will find much to love here. Like Mexican Gothic, The Seventh Veil of Salome blends genre elements with literary depth and nuance. And like Velvet Was the Night, it offers a noirish exploration of a specific historical moment.
The novel also calls to mind other works that peek behind Hollywood’s glittering facade, such as:
- Mank by David Fincher
- The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West
- L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy
Moreno-Garcia cites films like Sunset Boulevard and The Bad and the Beautiful as inspirations, and their influence can be felt in the novel’s lush atmosphere and complex characters.
Final Verdict: A Must-Read Stunner
The Seventh Veil of Salome is a tour de force from an author at the height of her powers. Moreno-Garcia has crafted a novel that works on multiple levels – as gripping historical fiction, as noir-tinged mystery, as feminist reclamation of myth.
Like the best classic films, this is a story that will linger in your mind long after the final page. It’s a meditation on art, ambition, and the stories we tell ourselves. Most of all, it’s a reminder of the enduring power of reinvention – both on and off the silver screen.
Lush, layered, and utterly unforgettable, The Seventh Veil of Salome cements Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s place as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary fiction. Lights, camera, action—this is one performance you won’t want to miss.
Perfect for fans of:
- Hollywood’s Golden Age
- Noir mysteries
- Feminist retellings of myth
- Lush, immersive historical fiction