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“What I couldn’t have predicted was how people would want more and more of me; I didn’t yet know how closely praise is linked to punishment, how I would never again determine my own value because I wasn’t so much a person as an idea, shaped not only by the people around the table with me that night but by the millions of people who would pay to watch my movies in years to come.”

The Comeback was such a raw, nuanced, and heartbreaking story. It is a story mirrored around the #metoo moment and it really dives deep. It’s gripping and although hard to read at times, you just can’t stop. It’s thought provoking and captivating.

Like mentioned before, this book is centered around the #metoo moment. It’s a fictional story; however, the events within the book are realistic and raw. Grace Turner was on track to becoming a well-known critical acclaimed actress and awards winner; however, on the eve of her Golden Globe nomination, she disappeared. A year later, she finds herself back in Los Angeles, trying to stay afloat, and she is provided the chance to present a lifetime achievement award to the director Able Yorke- the man who controlled her every move for eight years.

The Comeback started off slow; which wasn’t a bad thing. I thought the pacing was nice; as it slowly continued to the heart racing climax of the story. This was a page turner and the emotions leap through the page with every word. And this book isn’t for the faintest of hearts.

Several terrible things happened to Grace and this is a detailed deep dive into her psyche. She’s been famous since she was a kid. In a matter of days, her entire life shifted and she no longer had normalcy. And the adults in her life who promised to protect her before her normal was changed forever, didn't do that.

As the book progresses, more walls and barriers begin to break down and eventually we get a glimpse of how truly impacted she is.

Grace was an extremely strong character. And although she was a victim, that doesn't define solely her. She had other characters and that shined through in the book. One other thing that I would like to mention is that there were several well developed and nuanced relationships within this book. One in particular that I want to shout out is Grace and her little sister, Esme’s, relationship. It was intriguing to watch that change as the book progressed.

Final Thoughts

The Comeback is an important and heartbreaking book surrounded on the #metoo moment, and the unfortunate tragedies that happen in the world.