Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
Chateau Marmont, which is the setting for Natasha Lester’s latest book, is a historic hotel located at 8221 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Completed in 1929, it was modelled loosely after the Château d’Amboise, a former royal castle in France.
The hotel is known as both a long- and short-term residence for celebrities – historically populated by people either on their way up or on their way down. This is probably not the best place for a fourteen-year-old girl who has just lost her parents. But this is where she has been deposited into the care of her famous film star aunt who is now rarely seen.
This is the story of a young girl. But it is also the story of the hotel which seems to influence, but at the same time hide, the lives of those living within its boundary. It is a place of overdoses and tainted dreams, of ambition getting into bed with hope. Fortunately for Aria Jones she is befriended by two starlets Calliope Burns and Flitter Reeve and though of different ages, they bond.
The story is told in two time periods, when Aria first arrives in 1975 and later when she becomes a young woman. The earlier storyline is told in the third person describing Aria’s life in this hotel. She rarely ventures outside the main door so knows little about the town she can see outside her turret window.
Whatever goes on at this hotel Aria has come to know about, and it is she who ensures that all the inhabitants remain in reasonable health, and alive. She has developed a good relationship with the local doctor who responds to her calls with the words, ‘What do you have for me today?’ (16)
The later storyline is told in the first person when Aria discovers that the hotel has a new owner and she and her aunt may no longer have a home. The new owner is a rockstar and has moved into the penthouse apartment. He has with him a young girl who is said to be his daughter. Perhaps Aria sees herself, seven years ago, as completely out of her depth in such a place. She had always planned to leave the Marmont when she was no longer a ward of her aunt. But she needs money, so offers her services as governess to the young girl.
Although invisible most of the time amongst this eclectic ambitious group, Aria finds love but is then driven to run away to find a life of her own. It is during this time that she discovers what she really wants to do with her life and what she can do for others.
This story has been greatly influenced by the classic novel, Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, but in this later story the outcome is different. As the author says, “Perhaps a fairy-tale ending, where one woman changes a system that is emblematic of the world we live in is ridiculous. But…We all have a bit of Aria inside us after having read this book. What will she make us believe in? How will she help us change the world?” (347)
The writer of this enlightening story is Australian author Natasha Lester who has already written several books which are a blend of historical fiction, romance and contemporary drama. She loves to highlight strong, spirited women in her books giving people dreams, hopes and aspirations and, hopefully, readers may be inspired to find their own inner self.
In this, her latest book, she takes Aria on quite a journey. From having her own mind but being afraid to express that and being very much a loner because of what life has taught her, she emerges as a strong confident woman who can change the world.
This story brings to light some of the pitfalls of reaching for the stars. It is a heart-warming story and one I’m sure others will enjoy as much as I did. The author’s wish is that her book can sweep readers up and make them feel as if they have stepped out of the terrible events currently happening in today’s world.
The Chateau on Sunset
(2026)
by Natasha Lester
Hachette
ISBN:978-0-7336-5171-7
$34.99; 368pp