Listen to Mercury Pictures Presents, the New York Times bestselling audiobook written by Anthony Marra and narrated by the talented Carlotta Brentan. With an audiobook rating of 3.1/5 and a length of 14 hours and 3 minutes, this epic tale follows a brilliant woman who must navigate the treacherous waters of reinvention to survive. From Mussolini's Italy to the bustling streets of 1940s Los Angeles, this timeless story of love, deceit, and sacrifice will captivate your imagination.
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary life of Maria Lagana, a woman determined to leave her past behind as she ventures to Hollywood like countless others before her. Born in Rome, Maria spent her childhood exchanging church for the cinema, a tradition instilled by her father. However, a childhood transgression leads to her father's arrest, prompting Maria and her mother to immigrate to Los Angeles.
Fast forward fifteen years later, as America stands on the precipice of World War II. Maria finds herself working as an associate producer at Mercury Pictures, desperately trying to keep her personal and professional lives intact. But the foundation of her life seems to be crumbling. Her mother refuses to speak to her, her boss has been called away to testify before Congress, and her boyfriend, a talented Chinese American actor, is trapped in the studio's limiting typecasting. To make matters worse, the studio itself teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, leaving Maria adrift in her only sanctuary.
As darkness descends on the glittering streets of Los Angeles, Maria discovers that Mercury Pictures has become a haven for European émigrés seeking refuge from the horrors of war. Poets turned screenwriters, renowned architects turned miniaturists, and refugee actors who now find themselves playing the very villains they once fled all converge within the studio's walls. In a world descending into chaos, Maria must navigate through conflicting politics, divided loyalties, and ambitious power plays to rise above the rest.
But just as Maria starts to establish her place in this web of intrigue, a stranger from her father's past emerges, threatening the carefully constructed façade she has built. She is forced to confront not only her father's fate but also her own.
Anthony Marra's exquisite writing paints a vivid picture of Maria's world with intelligence, wit, and a sense of infinite possibilities. Mercury Pictures Presents will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring a range of moods and tones, from heartbreak to ecstasy. This novel is a heartfelt ode to the unsung heroes of life, capturing an era that casts a long shadow over our own. Allow yourself to be swept away by Marra's masterful storytelling - a sublime experience that will make you believe in miracles.
