Mercury Pictures Presents

In Mercury Pictures Presents, Maria Lagana escapes from Italy to Hollywood, leaving her father behind. The story moves between the real war and the better version Hollywood is creating, sometimes tragic, often hilarious. It is a timeless story of love, deceit, and sacrifice from the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: John Murray Press

A captivating novel that has been acclaimed as a BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Sunday Times, Stylist, and Observer, Anthony Marra's Mercury Pictures Presents tells the story of a young woman who flees from Italy to Hollywood, leaving her father behind. The narrative seamlessly weaves between the realities of war and the fictionalized version of Hollywood that is diligently crafted. It is a poignant and often humorous exploration of life, love, deceit, and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of Mussolini's Italy and 1940s Los Angeles.

Born in Rome, Maria Lagana has come to Hollywood in search of a fresh start, seeking to escape the shadows of her past. After a childhood misstep leads to her father's arrest, Maria immigrates with her mother to Los Angeles, where she begins a new chapter in her life. Fifteen years later, on the eve of America's entry into World War II, Maria finds herself as an associate producer at Mercury Pictures, navigating the complexities of her personal and professional lives.

However, Maria's journey is not without its challenges. Her mother remains distant, her boss is embroiled in a congressional investigation, her boyfriend is trapped in the narrow confines of studio typecasting, and the studio itself teeters on the brink of bankruptcy. As the city of Los Angeles faces the darkness of war, Mercury Pictures becomes a gathering place for European émigrés, including modernist poets who are attempting to make a mark in the world of B-movie screenwriting.

Through the characters of Maria, her mother, her boss, her boyfriend, and the eclectic group of artists at Mercury Pictures, Marra explores the complexities of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of adversity. Mercury Pictures Presents is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring human spirit, offering a captivating and thought-provoking journey that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in this remarkable series.

Weight: 670g
Dimension: 165 x 243 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399804400