The Latham Loop, by Laura Mazzuca Toops, is an excellent, engaging
story of life in a rapidly changing world--the early 1900s. The main
character, Harold "Hal" Gilbert, convinces his partners in a vaudeville act
to join him in traveling to Los Angeles to try to break into 'moving
pictures.' After they arrive, Jed, one of the partners, continues to resist
Hal's attempts to convince him to try out for the pictures. Hal keeps
trying, and eventually succeeds in joining a studio. To Hal's distress, his
studio goes under, and he is again left with no options. Max Randolph, a
fellow whose dream is to have his own studio, sees Hal's potential, and
hires him to star in his movies. But Hal and Max both have secrets. Will
the secrets tear them apart, or bind them together forever?
This book was one of those that keeps you up at night finishing
it! I couldn't put it down. The touches of history--from the descriptions
of old movie cameras to the old boardwalks--were wonderful, and added a
depth to the world not found in all historical fiction. Hal and Max, and
their struggles to find themselves, touched my heart, and made me very
anxious to see how it would all turn out. This is the first of a trilogy,
and I can't wait to read more about Hal, and see what other novels this
author brings to life. I highly recommend The Latham Loop--it's excellent!
Kara Wolf
![[The Latham Loop]](lathamloop.jpg)
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