Always open to unusual finds, here is The Manipulator, written by actress Diane Cilento. Married to actor Sean Connery (he designed this book cover) from 1962-73, she had a strong career of her own, nominated for a Tony Award and starring in The Agony and The Ecstasy, Hombre, and was nominated for a Best Supporting Oscar for Tom Jones.
This novel is about the film industry; well, write what you know.
Not much happens. A group of British filmmakers arrive in Acapulco for the film festival. The writer is sleeping with the actress, the producer is trying to squeeze the director out of the next picture, a first time actress and her friend nude sunbath. They all go waterskiing. The writer's head is turned by another woman who happens to be married to the Mexican man they are renting a boat from. That night they attend the film premiere then go to the after party. Even the velvet heat of the Acapulco sun for a few days was not enough to win me over, though it picks up in the last few pages when one of the listless characters gets his comeuppance.
The characters were fairly well rounded, but there is little momentum. It's a leisurely pace with lots of waiting around. I'm waiting too, for something more interesting to happen than who will share which cab to the theatre. Written in 1967, there is also a dated machismo that portrays women as provincial nymphos or whores, and the women seem to accept that. Seems strange from a woman writer.
Not a winner, but not terrible.
1967 / Hardcover / 192 pages
Comentarios