That old adage “write what you know” applies here. Tom Hanks’ debut novel showcases how legendary films with star-studded actors are made—basically on the backs of over-worked, highly skilled women. The multi-part story makes this novel feels like it’s actually a movie made into a book.
Part 1 is set in the late 40s, post-WWII. Bob Falls returns from war and meets his young nephew and namesake. Little Robert is a fantastic artist and uncle Bob takes Robby to Clarks Pharmacy and buys him comics and a milkshake—then he skips off to have a few beers with his motorcycle buddies and gets run out of town.
Cut to 1970 and Rob is an illustrator for an underground comic publisher in Oakland, CA, where he one day gets a letter from his long-lost uncle and it inspires him to draw his uncle’s story as a comic. In this case, flame-thrower Bob Falls becomes the alternative-comix antihero Firefall.
Cut to the present day and Bill Johnson, legendary director has optioned the rights to the comic book and is turning it into a superhero movie: Knightshade: The Lathe of Firefall.
Cue the cast: The rest of the book profiles various stars of the film, the director’s assistants, gofers, and everyone key to the production.
I think this would be a difficult book to read with the asides and footnotes, but Tom Hanks’ narration in the audiobook guides the way. As the creator, he emphasizes what’s important vs. an aside, and the myriad cast read their various parts, which helps this drama unfold in a comprehensible way.
It’s easy to see this as a story of men: Bob who goes to war, Robby who becomes the comic artist, Bill who directs the production with the original star OKB who gets fired in favour of Ike Clipper, etc. But I read this as a love note to the women who run the world. The opening part features Bob’s sister and mom to Robby. She nurtures the young boy’s artistic talent and looks after her brother. In following sequences, we meet Bill’s best hires: his director’s assistant Dace Mills (Candace, plucky shop assistant), who then hires superstar Al Mac-Teer (Allicia, hotel front desk staff extraordinaire), who then hires Ynes Gonzalez-Cruz (ride-share driver turned expert hand at problem-solving). We meet Wren Lane who is the title-lead Knightshade, and becomes part of the director’s inner circle. Each of these women are masters of their domain and they are rewarded for it. I wish more of the book’s reviews highlighted what I saw as a humble man bowing to the great women around him.
See the publisher’s description or check out the book on audible.