Season of the Gods

A Novel

By: Robert Matzen

Narrated by: Holly Adams

A woman in wartime Hollywood and her dream of the perfect motion picture.

Renie Lee has climbed the ladder in a man's world to be head of the Story Department at Warner Bros. Studios. Renie is an idealist who believes that "the perfect film" can be created. When she pulls an unproduced stage play set in Morocco out of the slush pile, she has a feeling this one is special, maybe not perfect but special enough to secure her place as an equal to the studio's most powerful men. No one agrees with her until two brash young studio writers, Julius and Philip Epstein, decide to back Renie's gamble and bring the Morocco story to the screen. Their screenplay's name: Casablanca. Renie uses her charms on executive producer Hal Wallis until he finally agrees to her plan, but the problems seem insurmountable from the start, and Renie's gamble threatens to become a career killer for not only Renie but also her confederates, the Epsteins.

Set against the backdrop of Pearl Harbor and the first months of World War II, Season of the Gods careens across the Warner Bros. lot, from the Writers Building to the dressing rooms and soundstages, to tell the spellbinding and unlikely story of Hollywood's greatest masterpiece through the eyes of all who made it happen.

©2023 Robert Matzen (P)2024 Tantor

Excellent - Entertaining Historically Based

Hollywood. World War II. Humphrey Bogart. Ingrid Bergman. Casablanca. This is the story of Casablanca. Need I say more?
The author, Robert Matzen, crafts a mesmerizing narrative around 1940s Hollywood and the fascinating movie based on a play “Everybody Comes to Rick’s” adapted by Hollywood.

The author, Robert Matzen blends creative writing and dialogue to tell the story of Hal Wallis, the production of Casablanca, and the driving force behind its creation. Matzen captivates by detailing the themes of the movie and its importance to Hal Wallis to see the film made well and quickly. Matzen intricately intertwines the complexity and depth of the narrative, reasoning behind the casting choices and the rewrites, and global events – both domestic and European – using meticulous facts and imaginative dialogue to underscore the significance of the film Casablanca.

The narrator, Holly Adams, captures the essence of the narrative and each character perfectly. She speaks clearly, delivering a consistent cadence and smooth delivery. Her subtle voice changes and punctuation enhance the narrative vividly. Holly Adams’ performance in this audiobook was perfect and exciting.

This is an exciting and highly satisfying creative non-fiction audiobook that everyone who listens will appreciate and enjoy! Highly recommend!

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.