Beyond Paradise: The Life of Ramon Novarro

sheds light on a almost forgotten silent movie star

Beyond Paradise is a poignant and powerful story of a classically gifted yet conflicted man who, as a gay, Latino movie star whose career encompassed silent films, talkies and television, never received the credit that author Andre Soares demonstrates is due. I found myself swept into this superbly paced book. Soares spins out the events of Novarro's life in a measured way, backing up occasionally to provide helpful information about important characters, places and events that contributed to the actor's story (including family background clear back to Spain and the origins of his stage name. Rather than sensationalizing Novarro's life and preserving the demeaning mystique of his death at the hands of male hustlers, Soares humanizes his subject. To do so, he traveled to Mexico to ground his subject's ancestry and childhood, tracked down letters and newspaper reviews, viewed extant films, and interviewed Novarro's convicted killers in prison. The result is a wonderful portrait of a figure who has not been adequately appreciated, either by himself or posterity. Soare's balanced reflection of Novarro's weaknesses and strengths achieves an overall effect first of credibility and then of compassion that, at the end, brought me to tears over the sadness, more so than the violence, of Novarro's sordid death. Beyond Paradise is a redeeming treatment of a remarkable human being. One wishes that Novarro himself could have read it.

I would give this wonderful biography ten stars if that star rating was available. Being about a topic very dear to my own heart; the life and career of Ramon Novarro the first prominent Mexican star of movies in Hollywood, I was prepared to love this biography anyway however upon reading it I found so much more to appreciate, enjoy and learn from. "Beyond Paradise", goes beyond just the story of one man's rise to stardom and his life in general, it provides a vivid snapshot of an early period of both Hollywood and American history, its mores, attitudes and views on life. Ramon Novarro's life was indeed one of contrasts, tremendous highs and very deep lows and filled along the way with tremendous film successes,huge adulation, fascinating costars right through to brushes with the law and a lifetime of trying to shield his homosexuality from the adoring public. Andre Soares has brought all of this vividly to life in a scholarly, informative, well researched and entertaining biography that deals objectively with all aspects of this complex and fascinating man. Many film star biographies can easily fall into the "hero worship" category, in particular if the subject is one dear to the author's heart however Andre Soares has managed an objective balance detailing the huge popularity of Ramon Novarro on audiences in the 1920's and early 30's with an honest look at how the passing of stardom and good looks and prevailing attitudes towards homosexuality affected such a performer later in life. The circumstances of Ramon Novarro's tragic death, long a popular subject for the scandal sheets is also handled in an honest, intelligent and non sensational manner.Beautifully bound and filled with many rare and previously unpublished photos, "Beyond Paradise", is a wonderful reading experience for anyone who loves film and is interested in the early period of Hollywood film making. It cannot help but become a treasured part of anyone's personal library of books. I have a huge personal interest in the work and life of Ramon Novarro and am delighted with the publication of this splendid biography. I sincerly hope "Beyond Paradise",will inspire new generations of film lovers to find out more about the early years of Hollywood film making and in the film work of this gifted actor. Thanks to Andre Soares we are now provided for the first time with a comprehensive study of this unique performer. Highly recommended reading.

Proving a thorough background of the times, cultures, and lifestyles, the author creates a vivid and three-dimensional narrative of the life of silent/early talkie star Novarro. Rather than accept heresay--especially about the movie star's drinking, horrendous death--Soares delves into the reality of the situations. An excellent book and a wonderful addition to cinema history.

This biography is written in the best style of biography. One learns not only about the subject but also about the era in which he lived. Andre Soares has uncovered and debunked many of the myths and legends that surrounded Ramon Novarro's life, career and eventual murder (being Valentino's lover and an art deco sex toy as a murder weapon among them).Novarro is revealed in a very sympathetic light. The author writes eloquently and shows he has taken the time not only to research facts and present them here in plenty,like Novarro's movies (Ben Hur etc) and co-stars (Garbo, Crawford, Loy, Shearer) but also to understand Novarro himself. As well as is now possible after the passage of the years, he examines and reveals the stresses and pressures of being an international super-star who is also a homosexual in 1920's America.The book is a fascinating story and a very good read.