Write your own review!
Nancy D. (Bradenton, FL)
Women's Struggles
L.A. Women by Ella Berman is the story of two women. Lane and Gala are both talented writers, with diverse backgrounds. Gala is a free spirit, wanting fun and exciting, and being the center of attention. Lane is very anxious, always trying for perfection, satisfied sitting on the sidelines observing life. However, beneath the veneer, both ladies are struggling to be their true self.
These two different women together with many interesting characters make for an insightful look at friendships and caring as well as self-discovery. Through a series of events, some tragic, some deceitful, a betrayal and some
…more compassion, Cara and Lane begin to understand themselves. They form a friendship. This novel takes a deep dive into women's belief that they must be what other people want and how other people see them. But, in the end, we are only what we are, and acceptance of oneself also brings acceptance of others.
A good novel which I enjoyed very much. Very insightful as to what is truly meaningful in life and how personal growth always works. (less)
Rebecca G. (Havertown, PA)
Unlikeable LA Women
Lane and Gala have a love/hate relationship. Lane Warren, raised in an unhappy household, becomes the next literary sensation. She lives her best life, great husband, beautiful twin girls but she finds it impossible to escape her old life and impossible to accept love from everyone who loves her (I mean, get some therapy, Lane!) Gala Margolis, a child loved, famous for not being famous and a free spirit whose life swirls around sex, booze, and drugs. That is, until she falls in love with a self destructive rock star. Lane encourages Gala to become a writer but when Gala decides not to publically acknowledge Lane'
…more s help in kickstarting her career Lane decides to derail her career. That action sets in motion a devastating tragedy that upends all of their lives. Gala disappears and Lane struggles to find out what has happened as her own life falls apart. Both of these women are so unlikeable that I hated to watch as their lives unraveled but at the same time I couldn't look away. A great ending redeems them both but it was almost too late. (less)When I first picked up this book I wasn't sure it was the genre for me! Then I got to know the characters and I couldn't put it down. This is the kind of book I love to discuss in my book groups. There are so many themes, and a few surprises along the way! It is a very good read! Actually now that I'm through with the book I keep thinking about the characters. They were so well developed; I miss them!
JaneN
Just Okay
I must admit that I was not moved by these characters and I expected to be. There were moments when I thought that the author was about to weave the stories of Lane and Gala together and look at the same side of two different people. While she explored issues and themes that the women shared, ambition, loneliness and abandonment, the story never came together, or felt real. Both Lane and Gala were the two faces of the same coin and the connection between them was never explored, just exploited for the story.
I really wanted like this book and recommend it. I re-read to see if I could but still found the two main
…more characters one dimensional. The two supporting characters , Scotty and Charlie, were written the same way. Overall, I found that the book lacked depth. (less)I was a little confused by what the main story line was in this book. Lane and her insecurities and ambitions to be a widely acclaimed and highly honored writer. Charlie and his successful career but at what cost. Scotty and his betrayal of Lane. Gala and her free spirit and where it would lead her. Gabriel - a train wreck that you can't stop looking at.
It also started feeling like a mystery, which I love a good mystery, so my focus tended to lean this way. What happened to Gala? Well, what happened to Gala was very anti-climactic and why didn't anyone figure that out sooner? I also did not feel Lane writing a
…more book about Gala was the ultimate betrayal. What Gala and Scotty did was the ultimate betrayal. Anyway, I hope Gala is happy with her decisions, but I was mainly vested in Lane and her girls. I did enjoy reading about the L.A. culture, really no surprised though, and how women have to work twice as hard as men to succeed. No surprise there either. (less)This book was a slow start, it didn't pick up for me until about 40 of the way through. Gala was the more interesting character to me, Lane felt a bit whiny throughout the book. The buildup of the mystery of Gala felt like it didn't pay off in the end. I think I would have preferred if this book focused solely on Gala, with Lane as a side character. Gala's romantic relationship was something I wish had more focus in the book.
Sheila A. (San Diego, CA)
A view of Hollywood in its least glamorous
I read this book in one sitting as I was on a long flight. I found the main characters shallow, and unlikable the jealous and vampiric Lane was particularly distasteful. The reason for her reserve and coldness was well explained. The character of Gala was particularly cartoonish. Her relationship with the rock star Gabriel reminded me of "Nearly Famous" and the relationship between Curt Cobain and Courtney love with Jim Morrison thrown in. It rang more true than Lane and Scotty, the other love story.
The only true struggle was Charlie's attempt to grapple with his gayness. How do you write a story of the 60's
…more and 70's without mentioning the Civil Rights struggles and the Vietnam war and Watergate? Writing was good but not memorable. I would recommend that this can easily be missed (less)I had a love-hate relationship with this book, much like the dynamic between the two main characters Lane and Gala. On the one hand, I loved being immersed in the glitz and grit of 1960's and 70's Los Angles celebrity culture. This setting was vivid and engaging. On the other hand, I struggled to connect with the characters who were both selfish and emotionally withholding.
Lane, despite overcoming a terrible childhood and achieving everything society says is desirable for a woman, remained closed off, even in the moments she was "helping" Gala. Meanwhile, Gala, who had a happier though unconventional upbringing,
…more felt more sympathetic but was frustratingly dependent on others and unable to trust herself through most of the book.
Despite my lack of connection to the characters, the story was well written and kept me reading to the end. However, I felt myself more invested in the world of the book rather than the characters. (less)
.png)
