A attention-grabbing novel of the friendship and inventive partnership among of Hollywood’s earliest lady legends—screenwriter Frances Marion and big name Mary Pickford—from the New York Times bestselling writer of The Swans of 5th Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife

it really is 1914, and twenty-five-year-old Frances Marion has left her (second) husband and her Northern California domestic for the entice of la, the place she is set to dwell independently as an artist. however the be aware on everyone’s lips nowadays is “flickers”—the silent relocating images mesmerizing theatergoers. flip any nook during this burgeoning city and you’ll locate made-up actors operating round, as a film digital camera captures it all.

during this fledgling undefined, Frances unearths her real calling: writing tales for this wondrous new medium. She additionally makes the acquaintance of actress Mary Pickford, whose signature golden curls and vigorous spirit have earned her the identify “America’s Sweetheart.” the 2 bold younger women take to each other immediately, their kinship fomented via their mutual fever to create, to maneuver audiences to a frenzy, to begin a revolution.

yet their goals are challenged by means of either the lads round them and the restrictions imposed on their gender—and their astronomical good fortune may possibly come at a cost. As Mary, the world’s maximum paid and such a lot loved actress, struggles to dwell her lifestyles lower than the highlight, she additionally wonders whether it is attainable to discover love, regardless of the speeding actor Douglas Fairbanks. Frances, too, longs to percentage her lifestyles with somebody. As in any stable Hollywood tale, dramas will play out, personalities will conflict, or even the private friendships will be shattered.

With cameos from such notables as Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer, Rudolph Valentino, and Lillian Gish, The women within the Picture is, at its middle, a narrative of friendship and forgiveness. Melanie Benjamin completely captures the sunrise of a glittering new era—its myths and icons, its percentages and strength, and its seduction and heartbreak.

Advance compliment for The ladies within the Picture

“Melanie Benjamin, recognized for her residing, respiring graphics of recognized figures, takes at the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the friendship among icons Mary Pickford and screenwriter Frances Marion. As riveting because the most up-to-date blockbuster, this can be a star-studded tale of woman friendships, inventive sparks approximately to ignite, and the ability of ladies. Dazzling.”—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling writer of Pictures of You and Cruel appealing World

“Set on the sunrise of Hollywood, The women within the Picture explores the friendship among well known starlet Mary Pickford and screenwriter Frances Marion. With the artistry for which she has develop into popular, Melanie Benjamin has at the same time created an insightful story of the connection among author and muse and a wide ranging view into Hollywood’s such a lot glittering era.”—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling writer of The Orphan’s Tale

“Melanie Benjamin’s The women within the photo is a scintillating trip again in time to the gritty and glamorous days of outdated Hollywood. With based prose and scrumptious historic aspect, Benjamin provides a well timed story of lady friendship—and the robust duo who dared to dream past the slim roles into which they’d been cast.”—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling writer of Where the sunshine Falls and Sisi