From Dust to Stardust: A Novel

Based on a true story, From Dust to Stardust is a novel about Hollywood, the cost of stardom, and selfless second acts. Doreen ODare, a movie flapper of the Jazz Age, trades her success for a singular achievement: the construction of a one-ton miniature Fairy Castle.

Format: Hardback
Length: 285 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Amazon Publishing

From the bestselling author of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk comes a novel about Hollywood, the cost of stardom, and selfless second acts, inspired by an extraordinary true story.

Chicago, 1916. Doreen O'Dare is fourteen years old when she hops a Hollywood-bound train with her beloved Irish grandmother. Within a decade, her trademark bob and insouciant charm make her the preeminent movie flapper of the Jazz Age. But her success story masks one of relentless ambition, tragedy, and the secrets of a dangerous marriage. Her professional life in flux, Doreen trades one dream for another. She pours her wealth and creative energy into a singular achievement: the construction of a one-ton miniature Fairy Castle, the likes of which the world has never seen. So begins Doreen's public tour to lift the nation's spirits during the Great Depression—and a personal journey worth remembering.

A sweeping journey from the dawn of the motion picture era through turbulent twentieth-century America, From Dust to Stardust is a breathtaking novel about one determined woman navigating change, challenging the price of fame, and sharing the gift of real magic.

Doreen O'Dare is a fourteen-year-old girl from Chicago who embarks on a journey to Hollywood with her grandmother in 1916. She quickly rises to fame as a movie flapper, but her success hides a darker reality. Behind the glitz and glamour, Doreen struggles with ambition, tragedy, and a dangerous marriage. As her professional life changes, she redirects her wealth and energy into constructing a one-ton miniature Fairy Castle, a remarkable feat that becomes a symbol of hope during the Great Depression. Doreen's public tour of the castle becomes a way to uplift the nation's spirits and share the gift of real magic.

The novel spans from the early days of the motion picture industry to the tumultuous twentieth century in America. It follows Doreen's journey as she navigates change, faces challenges, and confronts the price of fame. Along the way, she meets a diverse range of characters, from movie stars to ordinary people, who all contribute to her personal growth and the story's rich tapestry.

From Dust to Stardust is a captivating and emotional novel that explores the complexities of human relationships, the pursuit of success, and the power of resilience. It is a testament to the human spirit and the enduring legacy of the Jazz Age.

In conclusion, From Dust to Stardust is a remarkable novel that delves into the heart of Hollywood, the cost of stardom, and the power of selfless second acts. Inspired by an extraordinary true story, it offers a sweeping journey through time and explores the complexities of human relationships and the human spirit.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 150 x 224 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781662510588