Book Review - Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr by Margaret Porter

Hi all,

Historical biographical fiction is very popular right now and since I love history and a good biography, I’ve been devouring this genre. This novel, however, has stood out from all the others I’ve read. Here is more about the novel and my review.

Beautiful Invention

A Novel of Hedy Lamarr

Margaret Porter

Book Description:

Cover by Tugboat Design.

Hollywood Beauty. Brilliant inventor. The incredible story of a remarkable and misunderstood woman.

Hedy Kiesler, Austrian actress of Jewish heritage, scandalizes Europe with her nudity in the art film Ecstasy. Her hasty marriage to a wealthy munitions merchant disintegrates as he grows increasingly controlling and possessive. Even worse—he supplies deadly weapons to Hitler’s regime.

She flees husband and homeland for Hollywood, where Louis B. Mayer transforms her into Hedy Lamarr, an icon of exotic glamour. Professional success clashes with her personal life as marriage and motherhood compete with the demands of studio and stardom. 

Motivated by the atrocities of World War II, Hedy secretly invents a new technology intended for her adopted country’s defense—and unexpectedly changes the world. 

MARGARET PORTER is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than a dozen works of historical fiction. A former stage actress, she also worked professionally in film, television, and radio. Other writing credits include nonfiction, newspaper and magazine articles, and poetry.

Buy now on Amazon:

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2LCjdW4

Paperback: https://amzn.to/2LzkRYe

My 5-Star Review:

Captivating, fascinating, and entrancing. These are just three words of many that I could use to describe this incredible novel by Margaret Porter. I was hooked from the very first line. From the moment young Hedy Kiesler appears on screen in the shocking film Ecstasy, she is destined to become one of Hollywood’s biggest, brightest, most alluring stars. But first she must endure her family’s shame over her provocative movie and an unhappy marriage before chasing her dream. A dream that will take her across an ocean and make her the most famous celebrity of her day known by her fans as Hedy Lamarr. Unbeknownst to those who idolize her, she is also a woman of high intelligence who has more to offer than her beauty.

Beautifully written with interesting historical detail, this novel is hard to put down. You feel you really do get to know Hedy and all those around her. Trust me—this is a must read for anyone who loves historical fiction.

About the Author:

MARGARET PORTER is the author of thirteen historical novels for various publishers, including several bestsellers and award-winners, and many foreign language editions. She studied British history in the U.K. and afterwards worked in theatre, film and television.

Margaret and her husband live in New England with their two dogs, dividing their time between a book-filled house in a small city and a waterfront cottage on one of the region's largest lakes. More information is available at www.margaretporter.com