Ever since I watched the German silent film Metropolis last year, I've been deeply fascinated with the early film industry. This novel follows Lilly Aphrodite from the dawn of the 20th century to the eve of World War II and gives readers an intimate glimpse into the world of Germany in the throes of World War I and the decadence of the 1920s German film industry.

An interesting facet of the novel that sets it aside from other historical fiction is the structure. At the beginning of every chapter, the author opens with short unconnected stories about the German film industry and an accompanying photo from turn of the century Germany. I love historical fiction because it is an imagined story based on real events. These vignettes and photos help connect the reader with the era and the characters.

Besides All Quiet on the Western Front, this is the first book I've read set in World War I. Reading about the complete devastation of the citizens of Germany in a textbook is one thing, but reading about it from the standpoint of Lilly personalizes the loss and poverty that was so widespread and gives the reader a glimpse as to how these circumstances led to the rise of Hitler in the '30s.

For fans of historical fiction as well as the history of cinema. ( )

Don't tell me someone is fascinating. Fascinate me. ( )

The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite is a bestselling literary novel by Beatrice Colin. It is a paperback published by John Murray and its ISBN is 1848540310. It is so well written it is a pleasure to read and it is full of historical content of 20th century Germany and the history of the movie industry. It is a sad and touching story rich in characterisation and highly evocative. Through a lovers quarrel Lilly is orphaned and sent to a Catholic orphanage. It is a poor and depressing time in Berlin and Lilly is befriended by Hanne. Hanne is street wise and looks out for Lilly, they form a sisterhood and bond that survives love affairs and wartime. Lilly and Hanne move from the night clubs to the film motion pictures. Lilly is strikingly pretty and sings beautifully and so she becomes a success in the movies in Germany. Then she meets a man who could ruin everything, will she risk her success and future? This story is a sad historical fictional story of 20th century Germany. There is no happy ending but such is life we are born into a period of time and live the deck of cards we are handed. There is depth in this story and great detail and it is obvious a lot of historical research has been done by the author. I highly recommend this beautifully written tale. Reviewed by Annette Dunlea author of Always and Forever and The Honey Trap. ( )

The Glimmer Palace takes place in Berlin and spans the decades from the turn of the century right up the eve of WWII.Lilly Nellie Apphrodite (dubbed Tiny Lil as a child, known as Lidi during her acting career) is the main character in this novel. The plot centers on Lilly's early years in a Catholic orphanage and her improbable rise to fame as a silent film star. While the action is fast paced, the story is full of improbable twists and turns. I also thought that the ending was extremely disapointing. While I was underwhelmed by the overall story, Colin's writing will keep you turning the pages. ( )

A Rare Glimpse into the Collapse of Berlin between two World Wars
A most in-depth book that takes the reader from the birth of our heroine Lilly Nelly Aphrodite at the very beginning of the 20th century through her years in an orphanage and the poverty of the people of Berlin over the next few decades beginning with WWI. Lilly is orphaned shortly after her birth. The closure of the orphanage leaves the girls vulnerable to all kinds of situations on the streets and in the clubs. Although this book is fiction, it seems so real with an unusual glimpse of a major city’s downfall, it’s wild debauchery, the fight against starvation and finally the fear of being discovered as the wrong ethnic background as WWII begins. The stories are told with the conviction of truth.

Don't get me wrong, the book is not about the wars, they are background, but you will not find battlefield hands on fighting as such; this is very much Lilly's story but one cannot be told without the results of the other.

Lilly attempts to remain aloof from these methods of obtaining money or food, but eventually is discovered as a potential “true” actress. Her history eventually leads her to America but there is an ongoing love story throughout the book that is much of a “star-crossed” lovers story, which brings her back to Germany around 1940. My interest was held as much by the history of Berlin in these terrible times as it was by Lilly’s story. It is not often you will be taken on such a trip through life and I found the book fascinating because of it. I would certainly recommend this book for several reasons and on several levels. The research done is amazingly thorough, and the plot an eye-opener. These were turbulent times in many countries, but we rarely get to see the life on the opposite side. Very well written. ( )