Whisper of the Moon Moth Book Review

credits to photo go to Goodreads

Today I wanted to write a review of Whisper of the Moon Moth by Lindsay Jayne Ashford. I read this as an ebook through Kindle Unlimited. 

This book is a fictionalized story of the famous old Hollywood actress Merle Oberon, who was born Estelle Thompson. The story takes you from her humble beginnings in India to posh London to glamorous Hollywood. I loved the detail in the settings and a look inside Merle's mind as she navigates the world as a passing white woman, but is really part Indian. It talks about her struggles of not fitting in anywhere and having to keep her true identity a secret. Her mysterious family past unravels and you find out the true origins of where she comes from. I also loved a glimpse inside old Hollywood and the famous movie stars being humanized in the book as regular people.

I'm giving this 4/5 stars because I really enjoyed it, but also it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I feel that the scandalous fictionalized parts of Merle Oberon's life is a bit disrespectful to her real life. I understand it's the author's right to embellish if the facts aren't readily there but making up certain STD health issues and serious family struggles was a bit shocking. The author clarifies at the end what was true and what wasn't, but still, I feel it's a bit disrespectful to Merle Oberon. If she were still alive, I'm sure she would have a fit at this book for many reasons lol. But looking at the book from a novelistic sort of way, it was very good, well written, and descriptive. I just wouldn't have marred Merle's life with such horrible fictional events. 

All in all I did enjoy it and it spurred me to research the real accounts of Merle Oberon's life. She sounded like an amazing, talented woman. 

That's about it for today! I'm not feeling the best, but I wanted to get this review up since I finished the book last night. Hope y'all are having a great Friday!

Alette