Title: The Cast
Author: Danielle Steel
Published: May 29th 2018
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Pages: 400
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary
RRP: $29.99
Rating: 3 stars
Kait Whittier has built her magazine column into a hugely respected read followed by fans across the country. She loves her work and adores her grown children, treasuring the time they spend together. But after two marriages, she prefers to avoid the complications and uncertainties of a new love.
Then, after a chance meeting with television producer Zack Winter, everything changes. Inspired by the true story of her own grandmother, Kait creates the storyline for a TV series. Within weeks, Kait is plunged into a colourful, star-studded world of actors and industry pros who will bring her vision to life, from the reclusive grand dame to LA’s hottest bad boy actor.
As secrets are shared and revelations come to light, the cast grows closer. But in the midst of this charmed year, Kait is forced to confront the greatest challenge a mother could ever know and this unforgettable cast becomes more important to her than she ever could have imagined.
My review:
Danielle Steel books seem to bring me comfort at exactly the right times, especially when I am in need of a quick and non demanding read during a heavy week. The Cast, the latest release from worldwide bestselling author Danielle Steel, was a book that proved to be heart warming, light and entertaining. It focusses on a woman coping with an empty nest and the spectacular career revival she experiences in an effort to overcome her loneliness. This premise, along with Steel’s bestselling formula in approaching her novels, works well in The Cast.
The Cast features central protagonist Kait Whittier, a well known magazine columnist, who excels in her field and has a solid following. Lately, Kait has been feeling a little lost, her grown up children have flown the nest and no longer need her. With two failed marriages behind her, Kait is reluctant to fall in love again. Instead, Kait focuses her energies on her career, with a new challenge in her sights. By chance, Kait meets Zac Winter, a big shot television producer and it is Zac that gives Kait the new opportunity she has been looking for. Using Kait’s grandmother’s fascinating true story as a source of inspiration, Kait pens a television screenplay. Zac backs this exciting new television series and before Kait knows it, she is submerged in a glamorous world of celebrities and television professionals. Each of these new figures play a part in bringing Kait’s television dream to life. As the weeks roll by, Kait meets one famous star after another. It doesn’t take long before ‘the cast’ earn a special place in Kait’s heart. When a tragedy befalls Kait and her family, it is the cast who rally around her, reminding Kait of how precious these new friendships truly are.
It wasn’t too long ago I picked up a Danielle Steel novel to read and review. I am always happy to welcome a new book by this popular author, but they do seem to come in close succession. The light touch and predictable moments contained in Steel’s novels often help me get through tiresome reading times. The Cast is a novel that I found enjoyable, entertaining, easy to read and it was just what I was looking for this week. Although The Cast isn’t one my favourite novels by Steel (I loved last year’s release The Duchess), it seemed to hit the spot.
Kait, the main character heading this new novel from Steel, is an agreeable lead. Although she is older than me, I found I was able to relate to her and empathise with her feelings. I also admired Kait’s creativity and her willingness to challenge herself, especially in her later years. It was a nice personal achievement for Kait, to see her grandmother’s true story make it to the silver screen.
Supporting Kait are a fantastic group of secondary characters, namely ‘the cast’, the actors and crew of Kait’s television series. Steel ensures each cast member has a distinct and interesting personality, which adds a sense of vibrancy to the tale. Steel also exposes each character’s back story, which was interesting to uncover. I enjoyed the interactions with Kait and the cast. I also felt Steel did a good job of covering the relationship dynamics between Kait and Zac Winter, the television producer who discovers her. Adding to the extensive character list are Kait’s family, who bring a touch of drama and family dynamics to this tale.
What I enjoyed the most about The Cast was the true story element behind the television production series Kait pens titled, ‘The Wilder Women’. A family saga based on three generations, the plot of The Wilder Women enabled me to learn a fair bit about female pilots during World War II. Steel opens our eyes to the WASP program, a fascinating page from our history books. Steel bases her secondary story around the Women Airforce Semi Pilot Program, an initiative which saw female commercial pilots enlisted to help transport vital war supplies during the heat of World War II. Steel paints this hidden slice of history in an accessible and positive light. What a lovely bonus side addition to this novel!
Other themes that come into play in The Cast is the inner world of the silver screen. I appreciated learning a thing or two about producing a television series, the steps involved in getting an idea off the ground and the various personnel involved in the process, from casting to shooting. Steel touches on the glitz, glamour, scandals and personal issues that inflict the stars of The Wilder Women. I also enjoyed gleaning a little more about the career of a magazine columnist, this is an interesting field, which Steel represents well.
Based on Steel’s ‘Forward’ which pre-empts The Cast, Steel lets the reader know that her latest story was inspired by an interest in the inner workings of favourite television shows (I get the feeling Steel’s personal favourite is Downton Abbey based on the frequent references in this novel). Also included in The Cast are some sub plots that have clearly touched Steel personally, the loneliness of an empty nest and the distance issues that come into play when children move far away from their parents, once they have grown up. These issues are covered with plenty of heart and understanding, which I am sure will appeal to all Danielle Steel fans.
The Cast by Danielle Steel was published on May 29th 2018 by Pan Macmillan. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of The Cast, Danielle Steel visit here.
*I wish to thank the publisher, Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
