Queenie
by Michael Korda
On This Page
Description
A novel about a half-caste Indian girl who schemes to get to England where she uses her beauty to attract and marry a Hollywood producer--realizing only later the price she must pay for her success.Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
When I was young my mom kept telling me I remind her of a miniseries she watched years ago before the war but couldn't find again called Queenie starring the enchanting Mia Sara.
Years later, I told a friend of mine who was obsessed with books and movies about it and he got me the book, first edition, I kept on searching until I got two copies one on VCR and another on DVD as a surprise to my mother, I was 16 at the time, we only had half of the miniseries before and to me watching the whole thing was breathtaking.
We had a ritual for a while of watching it over and over again, reciting the best scenes like "Who am I mama?".
Years later I discovered that this story is actually real about a beautiful actress called Merle Oberon.
To tell show more you the truth, I haven't finished reading this book, but I'm planning on it.
My older review:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book, the story is very rare and amazing, I have seen the movie zillion of times with mom, starring Kirk Douglas and Mia Sara, it is a story about Merle Oberon, a spectacularly beautiful half-caste, rose from the slums of Calcutta hoping to the heights of Hollywood/London stardom in the 1930's.
Wrongly accused of murder, she fled Calcutta hoping to start over in London. There she worked as a stripper until a club owner and photographer, Lucien, turned her into a famous model.
Now, Queenie is to star in a film which is to film in Calcutta. She's terrified to return there. but her powerful producer vanquish her old enemies and clears her name. Grateful, she marries him even though it is Lucien whom she loves. When the producer dies the day of the film premier, she and Lucien are reunited. It is only then that Queenie, or Dawn Avelon proudly reveals the truth about her mixed heritage. show less
Years later, I told a friend of mine who was obsessed with books and movies about it and he got me the book, first edition, I kept on searching until I got two copies one on VCR and another on DVD as a surprise to my mother, I was 16 at the time, we only had half of the miniseries before and to me watching the whole thing was breathtaking.
We had a ritual for a while of watching it over and over again, reciting the best scenes like "Who am I mama?".
Years later I discovered that this story is actually real about a beautiful actress called Merle Oberon.
To tell show more you the truth, I haven't finished reading this book, but I'm planning on it.
My older review:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book, the story is very rare and amazing, I have seen the movie zillion of times with mom, starring Kirk Douglas and Mia Sara, it is a story about Merle Oberon, a spectacularly beautiful half-caste, rose from the slums of Calcutta hoping to the heights of Hollywood/London stardom in the 1930's.
Wrongly accused of murder, she fled Calcutta hoping to start over in London. There she worked as a stripper until a club owner and photographer, Lucien, turned her into a famous model.
Now, Queenie is to star in a film which is to film in Calcutta. She's terrified to return there. but her powerful producer vanquish her old enemies and clears her name. Grateful, she marries him even though it is Lucien whom she loves. When the producer dies the day of the film premier, she and Lucien are reunited. It is only then that Queenie, or Dawn Avelon proudly reveals the truth about her mixed heritage. show less
This was another book that I loved when i was younger. I still have the Dutch copy. Might tell my daughter to give it a try. She loved Lace by Shirley Conran. (I did too)
Back in the days I loved reading books like this. Judith Kranz,Jacqueline Susann, Jackie Collins and Harold Robbins come to mind. That is what is great about goodreads. You click one book and then you see other books which reminds you you have read those as well.
Well if you are not easily offended by sex scenes and you want to read something light, this is the book.
Not sure when I read this.
Back in the days I loved reading books like this. Judith Kranz,Jacqueline Susann, Jackie Collins and Harold Robbins come to mind. That is what is great about goodreads. You click one book and then you see other books which reminds you you have read those as well.
Well if you are not easily offended by sex scenes and you want to read something light, this is the book.
Not sure when I read this.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information

50+ Works 5,299 Members
Michael Korda was born on October 8, 1933 in London, England. He was educated at Le Rosey in Switzerland and at Magdalen College, Oxford. While serving in the Royal Air Force, he took part in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. On its fiftieth anniversary, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Hungary. He is the former editor show more in chief of Simon & Schuster. He is also the author of numerous books including Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia, With Wings Like Eagles: A History of the Battle of Britain, Clouds of Glory: The Life and Legend of Robert E. Lee, and Cat People, co-authored with his wife Margaret. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Awards and Honors
Distinctions
Work Relationships
Contains
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Queenie
- Original publication date
- 1985
- Dedication*
- Voor Margaret, uit liefde; en voor Dick en Joni - collega's, strijdmakkers en vrienden
- Quotations*
- '...Half-caste woman, Living a life apart, Where did your story begin? Half-caste woman, Have you a secret heart, Waiting fot someone to win? Were you born of some queer magic, In your shimmering gown? Is there something str... (show all)ange or tragic, Deep, deep down?' NOEL COWARD
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 247
- Popularity
- 131,071
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.57)
- Languages
- 10 — Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 25
- ASINs
- 5



























































