Read with Sharon - December 2024

The Seventh Veil of Salome - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

When we read Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic a few years ago, most of you really enjoyed it, so I thought it would be a great time to visit her work again.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is set in 1950s old Hollywood in bright lights and vivid scenes. We meet Vera, an unlikely actress cast as Salome, a star-making role in a historical retelling of Herod’s stepdaughter who demanded the head of John the Baptist. We also are introduced to Nancy Harley, Vera’s rival who is moved by jealously to pursue the big role from Vera. As you can imagine, drama ensues. A
lot of drama!

The plot does jump around between multiple points of view and alternating timelines between the 1st and 20th century, starting a little slow, but as with Mexican Gothic, accelerates in the last half of the book and comes together brilliantly.

Inside this reader companion guide you’ll find recipes for Gingerbread Bark and a Hollywood Martini, as well as discussion questions for our book club meeting on Thursday, December 19 at 7 PM Eastern via Zoom.

Until then, I hope you enjoy The Seventh Veil of Salome!

P.S. And please post a photo of yourself reading The Seventh Veil of Salome! on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #ReadWithSharon

I encourage you to click here to read reviews and buy your own copy.

Register for Our Bookclub!

Buy the Book

Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Apple Books

Reviews

A young woman wins the role of a lifetime in a film about a legendary heroine — but the real drama is behind the scenes in this sumptuous historical epic from the author of Mexican Gothic.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199927990-the-seventh-veil-of-salome

It’s 1955, and Hollywood can’t stop talking about The Seventh Veil of Salome, a film that its beleaguered screenwriter calls “one of those sword-and-sandal flicks” and a “picture with a camel, a palace, and a garbage plot thinly inspired by a Biblical story.”

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/silvia-moreno-garcia/the-seventh-veil-of-salome/

The Seventh Veil of Salome - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Book Club Questions

THE CHARACTER’S JOURNEY

  1. What did you think of Vera?
  2. What did you think of Nancy?
  3. Vera is given a new look and a new personal life by the studio as they shape her into a star. What effect do you think this transformation had on Vera?

THE STORY PLOT

  1. What did you learn about the world of Old Hollywood from this book? What surprised you or changed your view about what that period was really like?
  2. Some might characterize Nancy as the “villain” of the story. Why do you think she makes the decisions she does that lead to the tragic ending? In what ways do you find her sympathetic?
  3. The story is told in multiple points of view, including those of various minor players in Vera Larios’ life. Why do you think the author chose to include these points of view?

THE ENDING

  1. Did it work for you? What would you have changed?
  2. What do you think is the author’s message to readers of The Seventh Veil of Salome?
  3. What did you take away from the book?
  4. Are you left with any questions?

SYMBOLISM AND FORESHADOWING

  1. Did you notice any symbolism?
  2. What foreshadowing did you notice?

THE WRITING

  1. Use one adjective to describe the writing itself.
  2. What would you change if you could rewrite The Seventh Veil of Salome?

DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC

  1. What did you love most about the book?
  2. Did the book change any views/opinions that you have?

The Seventh Veil of Salome - Silvia Moreno-Garcia