Hello Everyone,
I just finished the book From Dust to Stardust by Kathleen Rooney. It’s a piece of historical fiction that I truly enjoyed. The story begins in 1916 when fourteen-year-old Eileen Sullivan travels with her grandmother from Chicago to Hollywood in search of stardom. Eileen is quick witted and sharp. She quickly learns how to navigate through Hollywood’s elites. She changes her name Doreen O’Dare and becomes one of the most successful silent film stars during the Jazz Age. Doreen challenges societal norms. She’s not afraid to live life as an independent woman. She parties, cuts her hair in the scandalous style of the bob, wears her dresses to the knee, fringed and with a boyishly narrow silhouette. In other words, she becomes what is now commonly referred to as the FLAPPER!
Though her movie career is fabulously successful, she finds heartache and sorrow in her marriage. Her husband is thirstier for the bottle, than for his wife. She’s trapped in a difficult marriage with a husband who controls her entire career. She loves the Hollywood social life. She attends the most extravagant parties, knows all the famous stars, and travels to incredible and exotic places. Yet she feels something’s missing.
Doreen is desperate to get out of her tumultuous and painful marriage. She needs to find peace and something new to focus her attention. Since Doreen was a child, she and her father would build dollhouses together. Throughout the years, Doreen collected gorgeous trinkets, jewels, miniature furniture, and accessories. Growing up, her Irish grandmother would regale her with tales of the magical fairies in the woods. Doreen dreamed of building a castle for her fairies. And she did. she designed and built the miniature fairy castle with the help of Hollywood artists, set designers, and well-known stars. She wanted to share the castle with the world. In 1929, the year of the Great Depression, she took her fairy castle on tour, traveling by train to cities and towns across America. She shared her castle with children and adults. The money collected for admission to the castle was donated to children’s hospitals.
I have to tell you, when I first began reading this book, I wasn’t quite sure I would like it. And I was right. I didn’t like it, I LOVED IT! Here’s why I find this book so fascinating. It’s because it was based on a true story. The story of Coleen Moore, a famous silent movie film star. I’d never heard of her. I was so intrigued by her story and her fascination with miniature dollhouses that I needed to know more so I spent some time after reading the book researching her. In 1949, the fairy castle found its home at the Griffen Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, where it is still on display today. (The photo of the castle above is provided by the Griffen Museum). I plan on being in Chicago soon and will definitely make time to visit the castle.
I myself have always loved dollhouses and designed and decorated my own in the 90’s. I loved spending time working on it. Today it sits up in the attic. However, I fully intend to bring it down so that my little granddaughter will have a chance to experience the magic of miniatures. My oldest granddaughter is fifteen now, but she spent hours playing with the dollhouse. From Dust to Stardust reminded me of the pleasure I got out of designing and collecting miniatures for my own dollhouse. It’s something that I have been able to pass down to the next generation. For those of you that enjoy stories of bygone Hollywood years, I recommend reading From Dust to Stardust. Truly an interesting read. And if you’re interested in miniatures, check out my next blog where I will share my dollhouse with you. Until then, stay warm and safe.
Cheers!
Coco
