Drawing on the legendary life of Greta Garbo, Gustaf Sobin spins a masterful tale about the enigmatic nature of idolatry. Dying scriptwriter Philip Nilson spends his last days writing about a forgotten but critical moment in the life of Greta Garbo. He tracks that most elusive of film stars to Constantinople in 1924, where, under the tutelage of impresario Mauritz Stiller, Garbo emerged as one of the dominant icons of the twentieth century. Enthralled by the story, Nilson awakens to the memory of a long-forgotten first love that, he discovers, has held him in its hallucinatory grip for the better part of his life. Ever since, it's only the imagethe blazing iconthat substantiates his existence and satisfies his most heartfelt longings. This glowing novel is both a modern narrative celebrating a glorious moment in the history of cinema and an allegory touching the very meaning of existence.
- ISBN10 0393042049
- ISBN13 9780393042047
- Publish Date 8 January 2002
- Publish Status Inactive
- Out of Print 21 August 2012
- Publish Country US
- Imprint WW Norton & Co
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 144
- Language English