The Blue Butterfly

A Novel of Marion Davies

De: Leslie Johansen Nack

Narrado por: Rachel Fulginiti

New York, 1915. Marion Davies is a shy 18-year-old beauty dancing on the Broadway stage when she meets William Randolph Hearst and finds herself captivated by his riches, passion, and desire to make her a movie star.

Following a whirlwind courtship, she learns through trial and error to live as Hearst’s mistress when a divorce from his wife proves impossible. A baby girl is born in secret in 1919 and they agree to never acknowledge her publicly as their own. In a burgeoning Hollywood scene, she works hard making movies while living a lavish partying life that includes a secret love affair with Charlie Chaplin.

In late 1937, at the height of the depression, Hearst wrestles with his debtors and failing health, as Marion loans him $1M when nobody else will. Together, they must confront the movie that threatens to invalidate all of Marion’s successes in the movie industry: Citizen Kane.

©2022 Leslie Johansen Nack (P)2022 Leslie Johansen Nack

Fascinating story to tell, wish it had been told better

I love history and historical fiction and the reviews on this one were good so I jumped in.
The subject matter was fascinating but the writing left the characters one dimensional and the dialogue made Marion sound whiny much of the time. It’s too bad. I wanted to like it more

A good story

As someone who visited “the ranch” recently this was such a great story. Finished it in a week, and really draws you into the story

Loved this novel!

The Blue Butterfly
By: Leslie Johansen Nack
Narrator: Rachel Fulginiti
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

New York in 1915 is full of glamor and parties but it also has a dark side. The Golden Age of Hollywood has always fascinated me.

Eighteen-year-old Marion Davies dances on Broadway and meets William Randolph Hearst, or WR to her. She is smitten as he courts her with jewels and promises. He wants to make her a movie star. Two things standing in her way are WR is married and she becomes pregnant.

She agrees to let her sister and brother-in-law adopt their baby and not acknowledge that its their child. She sails to Paris to deliver the baby and WR spoils her the whole way. He definitely was devoted to her and she stood by him even during tough times.

Marion and Williams love affair lasts for years. She went on to star in silent films. During depression Hearst health and wealth are failing, and she bails him out. This novel is based on the true story of this complicated couple.

The narrator was perfect for this beautiful story.

I thoroughly enjoyed their story and it takes you back in time. Now I am ready to sit back and watch an old Hollywood movie.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours and author Leslie Johansson Nack for this audio. Out now!
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Fascinating look at the life of Marion Davies

This is a fascinating look inside the career of actress Marion Davies and her almost lifelong affair with William Randolph Hearst. I enjoyed the glimpse into old Hollywood and the parade of well-known names of that era. Charlie Chaplin makes an appearance as one of her lovers and I found that part of the story incredibly interesting too. I listened to the audiobook and it's narrated beautifully by the wonderful Rachel Fulginiti. A must read for anyone interested in a piece of Hollywood history.

A fascinating and juicy story

I must admit, I had not heard of Marion Davies before listening to this, but I knew of many in her closest circle - including her lovers William Randolph Hearst and Charlie Chaplin.

As a young woman who started out as a Broadway dancer, Marion caught the eye of the extremely wealthy, much older, and very married William Randolph Hearst. As they start a lengthy affair, Marion is exposed to the lifestyle of the new scene in Hollywood.

Although I couldn’t understand why Marion would want to live as a mistress, she was much more savvy than I first gave her credit for. This is a fascinating and juicy story. You get a blend of the historical with iconic places and the names of those from early 1920s & ‘30s movies. But there’s plenty of drama, infidelity, and even a secret baby - this is Hollywood, after all!
I had fun with this one.