In her first novel inspired by a true story, Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging 60s.
From afar Talitha’s life seemed perfect. In her twenties, and already a famous model and actress, she moved from London to a palace in Marrakesh, with her husband Paul Getty, the famous oil heir. There she presided over a swirling ex-pat scene filled with music, art, free love and a counterculture taking root across the world.
When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expects to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha Getty. Yearning for adventure and independence, she’s swept off to Marrakesh, where the two become kindred spirits. But beneath Talitha’s glamourous facade lurks a darkness few can understand. As their friendship blossoms and the two grow closer, the realities of Talitha’s precarious existence set off a chain of dangerous events that could alter Claire’s life forever.
Inspired by the life of real Dutch actress Talitha Getty, Sister Stardust follows Claire as she finds herself caught in the world of Getty, full of fame, drugs and rock’n’roll. I’m embarrassed to admit that this is my first Green book. With over eighteen New York Times bestsellers, it’s a big surprise I haven’t picked up one of her books sooner. After reading Sister Stardust, I’ll definitely be digging into her backlist.
I didn’t know anything about Talitha Getty before reading this book. An actress, socialite and model, Getty took the world by storm with her eccentric style and beauty before tragically passing away from a drug overdose. Green takes the life of Getty and fills in the gaps with her own ideas of what happened. Through the eyes of Claire, we see the darker side of Getty and what she was dealing with. Green masterfully handles the darker themes of addiction and fame with grace and sensitivity, making for quite an emotional journey.
A haunting yet electrifying look at a 60’s icon, Sister Stardust is a powerful story that explores the damaging effects of celebrity life, set against the stunning backdrop of Morocco. This is the perfect read for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid.
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