Brutal. I mean, in a good way, in an emotionally incisive way that fulfills all the promise of her short story collection. She could've written about anything and I would've read it eagerly, but that she picked a topic I've always found interesting and disturbing and uncomfortable pleases me to no end. ( )

This is a great concept. What is life like for a world famous movie star? Or his ex-wife? Or his grown children? Or his twentysomething girlfriend(s). Most of us who have watched the Academy Awards have wondered what are those smiling perfect-looking people really like. And what is it like to live in a family where your father’s brilliance puts everyone else in shadows.

The story is told through multiple points-of-view. Each family member, plus a few ex-wives, girl friends and random employees offer their perspective. The approach has some advantages as we get a variety of perspective on the characters. There are some great chapters, with excellent writing. One of the best being the chapter told by a stagehand who is caught stealing a personal item of the star. But some of the chapters seem rushed – long first person narratives that try to cover too much ground.

Little Known Facts was fun to read – well-paced and easy to turn the pages. But I think the story is spread too thin for such a short novel. It is very much a slice of life story, with not much arc. I didn’t want a Hollywood ending, but I wanted something more.
( )

This was a strange read, as other reviews have mentioned it is almost plot-free. But it was very convincing, sympathetic portrait of what it might be like to be a stratospherically famous movie star, or to be a member of his family or inner circle. It was told from various perspectives and at times it felt so real to me I almost felt like I was somehow eavesdropping on actual people. I enjoyed this very much but I can see how it would not be everyone's cup of tea. ( )

I have to admit this book was really very good. It is decidely readable and offers a believable insight into a world most of us can but guess at.

Told from the point of view of a few characters, I felt each character had a distinct voice and that's not something you often get in a debut novel.

Simple, open and surprisingly compelling. I'm looking forward to more from Christine.

Full review here ( )

A well-written take on the perils of celebrity, both to the famous person and to those around him. I had trouble putting it down once I started reading, sort of like one of those magazines full of Hollywood gossip picks up in the waiting room at the dentist's office. Movie star Renn Ivins is at the center of the novel, but we also get parts of the story from his son and daughter, their various romantic interests, Renn's much younger, movie-star girlfriend, and his two ex-wives. This lively cast of characters are almost all utterly detestable, however - I found myself just shaking my head at the complete selfishness of the whole lot of them, with the exception of Ivins' first wife, who comes across as basically the only decent person in the book. Sneed's done an excellent job, though, and her writing makes this tale of celebrity and its consequences a compelling read. ( )