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Title: In Pursuit of a Vanishing Star: A Novel by Gustaf Sobin ISBN: 0-393-04204-9 Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: January, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $23.95

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Average Customer Rating: 3.67 (3 reviews)

Rating: 3
Summary: Creative attempt
Comment: Although I found the subject matter and the ideas explored in this novel to be intriguing, oftentimes I found them to have been presented somewhat unevenly. The accounts of Mauritz Stiller and Greta Garbo are written fluidly and recounted with a certain grace and attention to detail. At times, the language is very beautiful- Gustaf Sobin is a poet, and it is very often apparent in his writing. However, most markedly during Philip Nilson's narration, the tone seems somewhat contrived, forced- the conclusions and analyses drawn by the narrator come out in a stilted manner. Perhaps this is because he seems so self-aware that I got the impression that he believed that what he had to say was exceedingly significant. The tendency of the narrator to appear so self satisfied in his pursuit for what he seems to see as being so *very* profound, exploring ideas that "[touch] upon the very meaning of existence" (from the blurb on the back of the book) was slightly irritating for me while I was reading this book. Nevertheless, I felt that this could have been easily improved upon: especially because this is such a slim novel, and loosely written at that (134 pages, spaced more widely than most books), I can't help but feel that since there were so many wonderful ideas and language in parts of this book, Sobin could have expanded on many aspects of the novel. I believe that the most significant parts of this novel exist in the scenes recounting parts of Garbo's life, when Sobin examines the crucial moment when she makes the transformation from an innocent child into a star.

While I do agree that this novel was "large in scope if not in words," I think that as a whole, it could have been presented in a more effective manner if the character of Philip Nilson was elaborated on in a more fluid manner. Also, the author had a propensity to explain things to the reader, when it generally was not necessary. But all in all, I feel that this book was worth reading- I'm just not sure if it was worth *buying*.

Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent study of the elusive, illusional in life
Comment: This short novel is a gem -- large in scope if not in words. A script writer is dying of cancer. His double, a producer and second husband of the writer's ex-wife, offers him a project -- a gift to keep his mind on things other than dying. The book narrates the film script he is writing - a film on Greta Garbo centered on the event that turned her from another good actress to the film goddess. As he researches and writes the script, the writer comes to terms with his own elusive (illusive) love for a half-sister, to terms with living as a passive canvas versus living with self-understanding.

The book is exquisite - well researched and perceptive of people and their idols, the effect of time on changing idols. If you read for action, this is probably not to your liking. If you read to expand your understanding of humanity, this belongs on your "must read" list.

Rating: 3
Summary: 134 pages long, not 192!
Comment: I haven't read the book, but caveat emptor! The book is smallish and only 134 pages, not the 192 listed above. And while it's very beautifully designed and produced, the type is fairly spaced out so that you could read it easily in an hour and half. So, despite the cover designation "A Novel" it's really a novella.