Mr. Famous Hardback - 2004

by Parker, Mike

An aging action star attempts reinvention as a serious actor, and the result is pure comedy in this dead-on Hollywood novel from the author of the national bestseller The Cigarette Girl.

After a couple of notable box-office bombs, a former megastar of action flicks finds his career has taken a downturn. Following a period of mourning (and binge-eating), he heeds the sage advice of his personal chef/nutritionist and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reinvention, hoping to get in touch with his sensitive side and re-create himself as a serious actor.

Meanwhile, Lucinda the chef has problems of her own: It seems someone is stalking her (ex-boyfriend? crazed, hungry fan? rival shopper at the farmers' market?). At the invitation of her boss, Mr. Famous, she moves into his Mulholland mansion, taking up temporary residence in "the bunker," and makes the most of her bird's-eye view of the madness that trails in the wake of a movie star: the ex-wives and girlfriends, teenage offspring, therapists, agents, lawyers, cosmetic surgeons, managers, studio execs, assistants, life coaches, personal trainers, flacks, and fans. In just a few brushstrokes, Carol Wolper captures her "creations" with aching clarity and a little dollop of compassion.

Fast, furious, and funny, Mr. Famous will put a smile on your face from the very first page-the perfect literary counterpart to the action movie season.