We work hard to protect your security and privacy. There is no pretentiousness here, no wretched breaking down the barriers but a writer who clearly enjoys exercising his considerable talent. It was slow going and I found it all too easy to put aside. —Will Mackenzie, American actor and five-time Emmy award-winning television director, In her second book The Understudy, Ellen Tovatt Leary tells a story revolving primarily around Broadway and the fascinating world of the theater. Make no mistake, it is still a good read, but some of characters in this novel are just not believable. You go from cringing to feeling very protective towards Stephen C McQueen - The Understudy. And when Stephen falls in love with Josh's clever, funny wife Nora, things get even more difficult.But might there yet be a way for Stephen to get his Big Break?THE UNDERSTUDY is a scintillating comedy of ambition, celebrity, jealousy and love. The true thrill of a life in the theater!" My husband does 'war's work and this world in this book and these characters were recognisable and realistic, amusing and apt. The Understudy by B.A. The understudy deftly captures how far someone will go to get a glimpse of the high one feels when adored. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. As a reader, we become totally absorbed with the trials and tribulations of Nina Landau with her loves, her losses, and her ultimate triumph in coming to terms with who she is! But what does Kellie say? Breathtaking! Ms. Leary’s debut novel, about the pain and the hilarity of being a part of the “fabulous invalid,” as the theater is called, truly knocks it out of the park! "—John Glover, Tony, Obie and Drama Desk Award-winner, " Ellen Leary’s The Understudy brilliantly conveys the essence of what it means to be an actress working in the theater! Sophomore Effort with a Sophomoric Result, Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2010. The book, The Understudy by Jack Weyland, is told from guy named Michael Hill's point of view. —Will Mackenzie, American actor and five-time Emmy award-winning television director In her second book The Understudy , Ellen Tovatt Leary tells a story revolving primarily around Broadway and the fascinating world of the theater. August 1985 We follow her from her Broadway audition nerves to her... "She is a stunning new writer, and certainly for anyone in the creative arts/especially live theater, it’s a MUST read. I had to put the book down to recover. "—Nancy Dussault, Emmy winner, two-time Tony nominee, Theater World Award, and teacher, "Nina is a terrific character, full of dimension, surprises, emotion, and a delicious smattering of irony. But a failed marriage, a stalled career, a judgmental ex-wife, a distant daughter, a horrid little studio apartment in the far reaches of the London suburbs-all these pathetic elements seem to pale in the chiseled face of his newest tormentor: the Twelfth Sexiest Man. There's a reason David Nicholls is so successful. Honestly, this was a good book that seemed thought out and is a LDS realistic fiction. Worse, he blames "bad luck" for why he's such a sad sack, and has few redeeming characteristics otherwise. This site uses cookies. He gets under the skin of his characters and makes you feel for them. It was just that, consciously or otherwise, he was always comparing his behaviour with how he had seen actors respond, hoping that it might somehow match up. I guess it's back to rereading Starter for Ten for the umpteenth time for me. he deserves it! Stephen is a scholar of theatre and drama, he is a dedicated professional and he is approaching forty and still looking for his `big break'. The Point of Rescue and The Other Half Lives have been adapted for television as … Following the initial email, you will be contacted by the shop to confirm that your item is available for collection. Paris, Holly Brown, Sophie Hannah, et al. My wife ordered this, as she enjoyed One Day and Starter for Ten, which I've read, and they were ok. The joys of theater are evident in these pages—as are the complex webs of love, ambition, and friendship. I will read more of his books. Along the way we discover what goes on backstage during a Broadway show, how actors deal with the mistakes that occasionally occur and how exciting it is to be at an opening night party at Sardi's! —Andrew Robinson, Stage, film and television actor, Have you ever secretly dreamed of being a Broadway star? it's impossible not to root for him... author of starter for 10, a wonderful movie, by the way, is an excellent writer. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. This item can be requested from the shops shown below. I enjoyed the humour of some of the situations Stephen found himself in. I expected it to much more about acting than it was. I learned a lot from the character who had to play Christ and how his attitude and outlook on life changed when he delved into his role. A divorced actor making a deal with the superstar to cover his indiscretions and then falling in love with his wife are just too abstract to be reliable. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. By continuing to use the site, you are agreeing to our, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles. Very fast moving. Unfortunately there has been a problem with your order, Please try again or alternatively you can contact your chosen shop on. This is a story that really got me thinking about what it means to truly follow the life of the savior. Also, the true fellowship actors have for each other as the play gets closer to opening. My only criticism is that his output is quite low. It has a weight of detailed observation and handling of relationships that I can only think is matched by Graham Greene. Please try again. Having said that, the book is okay and has a few amusing moments but I just could not relate to the main character who plays the part of an understudy and although one wants him to succeed as an actor he just irritated me too much! love the absurdity and had many moments of uncontrollable laughter. i hope he's made himself a fortune! Problem was, I had a hard time feeling sympathy for the narrator, who has a habit of lying whenever he thinks the truth will put him in an unflattering light. —Joyce Van Patten, esteemed American stage, film and television actress, The Understudy is a heartfelt love letter to actors and the New York theater scene of the ’70s. It's a character driven book and it was easy to imagine all the characters in the flesh. Stephen C. McQueen is an actor. Overall, a good, if not life-changing, read. Your order qualifies for free UK delivery. "—Patsy Mackenzie, Broadway actress, singer, dancer, "Anyone who loves the theater will want to read The Understudy. Wry and witty and telling on so many levels. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. It was enjoyable, but there were so many problems. It romps along too. —Nancy Meckler, Stage Director, (Broadway and the Royal Shakespeare Company), and film director. The Understudy by Sophie Hannah, 9781529303926, available at Book Depository with free delivery worldwide. 48 Horror Recommendations by Terrifying Tropes. Fun to re-read Jack Weyland's books after being married. “In all the most intense and intimate experiences of his life, he couldn’t help comparing them with how actors had simulated similar moments: his ecstasy at the birth of his daughter, say, or his grief at the news of the premature death of a schoolfriend, yelping for joy when Alison agreed to marry him, or the smile he’d worn on his wedding day. If you have changed your email address then contact us and we will update your details. There's a problem loading this menu right now. After reading Nicholls' first book "Starter for Ten", this was disappointing. I recently read "Us" by the same author which I really liked but I am afraid I lost interest in this book and stopped reading it halfway through, something I rarely do. Like always thinking he's on the path to greatness. No spoiler here. Ellen Tovatt Leary has created a wonderful character in Nina. An evocative, nostalgic, charming, and loving love story about the theater, about acting, and all else that goes with it. I can't say this was a book I would recommend. This is well written and easy to read but not as good as 'One Day' if you're looking for something similar. he also wrote one day, which is also a good movie. Problem was, I had a hard time feeling sympathy for the narrator, who has a habit of lying whenever he thinks the truth will put him in an unflattering light. " In her second book The Understudy, Ellen Tovatt Leary tells a story revolving primarily around Broadway and the fascinating world of the theater. Leary knows the territory, and her memorable novel takes you deep inside a world where actors put everything on the line as they pursue their personal and professional dreams. His wife dies at the beginning of the book so now it's just Michael and his son Jim. But in the case of The Understudy, this quartet pull it off with aplomb" Bringing together four crime writers to write one thriller could be a disaster. —Peter White, Actor, played Lincoln Tyler, All My Children, The very PITH of a life lived in the theater! "—Daniel Mason, physician and author of The Piano Tuner (2002), A Far Country (2007), The Winter Soldier (2018), and A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth (2020), "Ellen Tovatt Leary’s The Understudy is wonderful. That is exactly what the main character in this novel faces and though it would seem to be an honor on the surface it may be harder than you think! The site uses cookies to offer you a better experience. Good message. An exuberant tour of Broadway in 1970s told with the insight and enthusiasm of one who lived it. It’s all there—witty, funny, and deeply touching. It's a good read. In fact, the modern genre of Latter-day Saint-themed popular fiction is one he is largely responsible for creating with his overwhelmingly popular novel Charly. We’d love your help. —Pamela Fahey, Casting Director and founder of Pamela Fahey Casting. As he is playing this part, his son would go to this daycare, even though he is not a toddler or a younger kid, She let Jim, Michael's son, in because she thought that Jim would be good to hang out with her disabled son, Rusty. Please provide me with your latest book news, views and details of Waterstones’ special offers. Also, the true fellowship actors have for each other as the play gets closer to opening. And the resolution I found not only powerful but insightful. Loved it! Breathtaking! Sorry, Daily Mail, but The Understudy was not “laugh-out-loud.” Or at least, in my case it wasn’t. Ellen Leary's novel is an intimate depiction of live theater in New York City and summer stock touring. Good solid story-telling. Please try your request again later. With his two other books under my belt (Starter for 10 or A Question of Attraction in the US, his first novel, and One Day, his third novel), I found The Understudy a bit underwhelming in comparison. Stephen C. McQueen is an actor. David Nicholls is definitely good at writing a frustrating character. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published The Understudy is a book that I enjoyed reading, even if it was less funny than Starter for Ten, and less dense than One Day. Eking out a living from bit parts and small theatre roles (not forgetting his role starring role as Sammy the Squirrel in the children's educational DVD), Stephen plods through life wishing for more, ruing missed chances and seemingly alone. ISBN: 9780340935217 Recently divorced actor Stephen C. McQueen (no relation, unfortunately) seems to have a knack for bad luck. We follow her from her Broadway audition nerves to her eventual success on stage. As someone who grew up in New York City, I read the descriptions of the City with a lot of joy and nostalgia, and was especially interested in the aspects of New York, such as the Chinese breakfast, that I had never experienced. I enjoyed how he was able to put some of his feelings and views of Jesus Christ in the book. —Nancy Dussault, Emmy winner, two-time Tony nominee, Theater World Award, and teacher, She is a stunning new writer, and certainly for anyone in the creative arts/especially live theater, it’s a MUST read.

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