Thank you Net Galley and Melanie Benjamin for this early look at The Girls in the Picture. I really enjoyed so many aspects of this book. Starting from the very conception of the movies and two strong female character at the helm of their own lives. With all that is going on in todays media it was interesting to see the hurdles that were put in front of women and how these two women dealt with it. I learned so many interesting facts on the creation of the movies, it has me wanting to go back and watch some of the films they created. I went down a wormhole on the internet reading more about both Mary Pickford and Frances Marion - what strong women they were.
The writing was well done, this author of the Swans of Fifth Ave and the Aviator's Wife does not disappoint in this telling of the "flickers" though at its heart it is a story of friendship and finding your identify. Once aspect of the book that was harder to read through is when we are happy for our main characters and them finding the love of their lives, and sadden at how they acquiesce their identity to them. Does love really make one's core strength change or were they just so happy to have someone look after them for a change. In any event it was the turn of character for them both that was surprising and out of character.
I really enjoyed this book, loved the new view on movie making it afforded me, and the introduction to two really amazing women.

Melanie Benjamin has long been my favorite historical fiction author and her newest offering "The Girls in the Picture" is a great example of why this is the case. Her descriptive and relatable writing style make you feel like you have known the people, in her stories, their entire lives. She is able to intertwine the facts of the character's lives seamlessly into the fun to read fictional part of her stories.

I suggest that you pick up Benjamin's books even if you are unfamiliar with the subjects because you will be deeply immersed in their lives within the first few pages.

Melanie Benjamin is such a good author! I love her historical fiction! This is the story of Mary Pickford and the screenwriter Frances Marion. Even though it was so hard for women to make it in the film industry, they never gave up. They remained friends all their lives, through thick and thin. I was drawn into their world right from the beginning, and I wanted to learn more about these courageous women. I found myself writing down the names of the characters in this story so I could do more research later. After I read this book, I went on to The Aviator's Wife and I have another Melanie Benjamin book on reserve at my public library. One of my favorite authors!

This beautifully written book by Melanie Benjamin is a work of historical fiction about
the friendship between screenwriter Frances Marion and actress Mary Pickford. The
reader will recognize many names of Hollywood legends who played a role in their
story. The film history interwoven into this novel makes it even more interesting.

Frances and Mary are both strong women but they do not have equal success as the
film industry moves from silent films to “talkies” and they experience this change differently.
Still, even as their Hollywood success and jealously intervenes you feel that they sense the
bond between them.

Ms. Benjamin is a new author to me. However, while this is the first of her books that I have read I am sure that it will not be the last.

I received an advance readers copy from NetGalley. My review is completely voluntary.

Women are back in the news to regain their place among men in what we always think is "a man's world." Back in 1910 through 1920 two smart women made their imprint in the growing stages of Hollywood in that critical transition from silent era to "talkies." Even many big name stars fell by the side of the road during this major event.
Mary Pickford started out as that little girl with the golden curls, but what no one knew at the time was underneath all that innocence was a tough, competitive businesswoman. Her friend, who she met by the grace of God and the will of seeking employment, was Frances Marion, a creative writer persistent on becoming a screenwriter. She had more stories in her than she knew what to do with. Together these women were the highest paid actor and screenwriter in the 1920's and they happened to be women. Their story is a must read!
Mary Pickford founded United Artists with Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and DW Griffin, to buck the studio system in 1919. She also founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Oscars; and the Motion Picture Fund.
Frances Marion wrote many famous films, some favorites are: Big House, Dinner at Eight (my favorite), The Champ, Anne of Green Gables, and many more. Naturally, their story is more complex than their awards, they had many personal hardships in their lives as well. If you love classic film, this book covers these two profound women in depth so I encourage you to read it.

Melanie Benjamin has a new novel coming to front tables of booksellers January 16, 2018 - The Girls in the Picture. I have a love-hate relationship with Historical-Fiction. I am always asking myself, what is real and what is not. Benjamin, the author of New York Times bestselling novels THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE and THE AVIATOR'S WIFE, saves me from this question in her notes on her process:

"I'm asked what I've made up, and what happened in real life, when I write my novels. The dialogue, the emotions, the reasons why people do what they did - those are imagined. Imagined based on research, of course. But still, imagined... When writing a novel, as compared to a biography, storytelling is the primary intent, and in order to do that, I naturally have to condense parts of the characters' lives and leave other parts out."

This portion of the authors notes helps one take in the storytelling of the over sixty year friendship of Mary Pickford, Americas first sweetheart of the silver screen, and Frances Marion, a two-time Academy Award Winner for writing. Both of these women were pioneers in the history of Hollywood and film making. Pickford went on to become one of the founders of the storied United Artists Studio. Ownership that included Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr - also her husband - along with D. W. Griffith - four of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time.

One could pick at the point that there were many more women that deserve light shined on them for their roles in early Hollywood. However, this is a story of a friendship alongside the history and the orbit they where in. The history of film is in here from the very beginning. We move from flickers of the early 1910's to the talkies of the late twenties and thirties. There are many more women that could have been covered. However, the Queen of the Silver Screen, Little Miss Mary Pickford and her scenarist (Early screenwriters during the silent era) Frances Marion, remake themselves - in name and stature - and together build a career and friendship that exhibits many of the ups and downs one would expect. Vowing to never let a man come between thier friendship. And this is the center of the story.

If you love film and all the history and magic of it, there is something here for you. If you love a great novel with strong female characters, there is somthing here for you. If you love drama and interpersonal tales of friendships, great loves and loss, there is somthing here for you. This is the story of a complicated friendship that endures a life well lived. From the moment Mary Pickford, exclaims, "Mama, I made a friend!" You understand that this young lady has not had a usual childhood.

Benjamin does a fantastic job of bringing Mary and Frances to life on the page. Mary, the first "Movie Star," The first to be "Americas Sweetheart. And the first, but not the last to become stuck in the image of a little girl unable to break out of what America wanted her to be. However, Mary was not a child actor. She was a petite adult who played a child. That role that made her famous and fabulously rich was largely constructed by her friend and screenwriter Frances Marion. Marion, herself, The first woman on many lists of accomplishments. Serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army she was the First Woman to cross the Rhine during World War I. She filmed a documentary to show the how women were also serving their country, A two-time Academy Award Winner, also a first for women. And instrumental in the formation of the Screen Writers Guild.

I may be jaded by my love of film, film history and just plan history, but I must say, I really enjoyed this and found it to be fascinating. This is great storytelling of an era not often discussed and reminds us today, as we see gender roles being discussed in a lively fashion, that in the early days of studios, much was the same as today. Women stood tall among men in those early days of film even if they were often the only girls in the picture.

*I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Delacorte Press and Melanie Benjamin for the opportunity to read this work through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm not sure why I had a disconnect with this novel. It is clearly very well researched, and while it did feel honest, I had no connection with the characters. I believe I am in the minority and anyone with an interest in this period of Hollywood history or individuals would be delighted to read the novel.

Engrossing story of Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, two pioneers in the movie industry, beginning in 1914. Mary Pickford starred in "flickers" (silent movies) and was known as America's sweetheart. Frances Marion became a famous screenwriter - one of the first females in the industry. The two women became very close friends, and this is the story of their friendship. It is also the story of the very beginnings of the movies and Hollywood, and famous film stars.

Mary and Frances are very close and their friendship is a strong bond. However, there are many ups and downs in their friendship and insecurities that cause pain. There is an element of jealousy from both women that affects the friendship. Also, their marriages certainly had an effect on the friendship as well.

If you like movie history you will like this book. I really enjoyed it. It read very much like a memoir and most of the events actually happened, although the dialogue was fictional.

Thanks to Melanie Benjamin and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you love old movies and historical fiction, this book is for you. Melanie Benjamin has captured the golden age of Hollywood with period detail and a captivating story of friendship and the creative partnership between Frances Marion and Mary Pickford. As a film buff fascinated with this era of movie making, I loved the cameos by strars of this classic time in Hollywood.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like The Girls in the Picture. This historical fiction about the early years in Hollywood exposes the lives of actress Mary Pickford and writer Frances Marion. Together they transitioned from the silent screen to talkies to the beginnings of the Motion Picture Academy. Despite their successes, Mary was exceptionally vulnerable to her need for affirmation and approval. Her marriage to Douglas Fairbanks and their joint business ventures made her a worldwide sensation yet her movie roles were mostly relegated to the likes of a child.

Meanwhile, Frances begins work as a scenarist, basically a writer before there was any dialogue in a film. Her close association and friendship with Mary started her career but she soon went on to write Oscar winning films. Her friendship with Mary wavered as they each struggled through personal loss and changing audience demands.

I had read Benjamin's earlier book, The Aviator's Wife and I loved it. This one, however, seemed repetitive and the writing was somewhat simplistic. There were times when Benjamin shined. Her description of the misogynistic nature of Hollywood was great and rather timely. Mary might have been a star and Frances might have been an award winning writer but they were both treated poorly by the male industry powers.

Although I was disappointed with this book, it is still worth reading and I will read Benjamin's next work.

As a fan of old movies, this was a story I read with delight! From the very beginning of the film industry until 1969 we follow the stories of Frances Marion and Mary Pickford. While the author makes it clear that there is truth and fiction mixed in and she has done a wonderful job of splicing the two.

All of the big names are here, Douglas Fairbanks, the Gish sisters, Charlie Chaplin and so many more. This is a powerful story of women in a time when they were treated as inferior. And much like today, the film industry had it's share of powerful men who took full advantage of the young actors flocking to California with dreams of becoming a star. The story couldn't be more relevant than right now. Basically we see not much has changed for a lot of women in the industry.

But Frances and Mary take charge of their own fate and create their own stories. One who has been acting since she was a child, becoming the bread winner early in her life and one who wanted to write and film stories with strong women and neither ever backed down. A book of strong woman and the inequality between women and men then and now.

From the first "flickers' to the first talkies and color, this book was stunning!

Netgalley/Delacorte Press

Author Melanie Benjamin’s novels just keep getting better and better and this is definitely a favorite of mine. This story involves old Hollywood during the silent film era. It follows the life of film star, Mary Pickford and her good friend, screen writer, Frances Marion. By her own admission, Ms. Benjamin takes some liberties with both their lives but the result is a tome you don’t want to put down.

The plot and characters are solidly built. The growth of both women is well documented. You come to realize why Mary is afraid to let anything get in the way of her career and can understand and commiserate with her. The reader can feel the love that they have for one other and Frances’ confusion when Mary disappoints her as a friend. Both characters are very complex and well thought out.

If you like historical fiction involving the entertainment industry, this is an exciting page turning novel that you won’t want to end. It can be read and enjoyed by teens to adults. It has a full cast of characters and I highly recommend it for those cold winter nights!

I received an advance reading copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley in return for a fair review. Even though it was a fictional account of the friendship between Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, I wanted to read it because of my interest in early Hollywood history. The story itself was very entertaining and kept my interest. Ms. Benjamin did a fine job in her historical research. She captured the era of silent film and for the most part, her facts were right on. I know a lot about Mary Pickford, but I didn't know much about Frances Marion and I found her to be fascinating--especially her service during World War I and her marriage to the ill-fated actor Fred Thomson. I think the author captured these women's different personalities and what drove them. Mary Pickford was a brilliant business woman--probably ahead of her time. Francis Marion was one of Hollywood's highest paid scenarists--her body of work is nothing short of amazing. The two women together made a dynamic team in the fledgling world of cinema that was dominated by men. On their own, their contributions to filmmaking were unmatched by anyone, male or female. Their private lives, however, included tragedy and drama that would make a worthy movie and through it all their friendship prevailed despite a sometimes rocky road. Pickford's drinking and her decline in her later years was heartbreaking. The unexpected death of Marion's husband was devastating. Even thought lots of events were left out, all in all this was a very good book about two amazing women who took two different paths to success, but remained connected. I look forward to reading more by this author.

It was not so long ago that phones plugged into the wall, you got up to change the television channel (and there were only three or four of them that came in clearly), and you got where you were going by stopping at the gas station and buying a paper map. Technology has advanced so quickly, and media with it, that we already have at least 2 generations that have no idea what it is like not to have absolutely everything at your fingertips, in your ears and flashing in front of your face.
But it really was not so long ago that movies were "flickers" and it thought to be a phase that would never last. Melanie Benjamin has woven an absolutely magical tale about two women instrumental in the birth of what would become today's Hollywood: Mary Pickford, the first "movie star" who went bravely into the early world of film and enchanted the world.....without saying a word, as those earliest films were silent and every plot hinged on the eyes, the expression, and the body language of its actors. Forging ahead with her, friend and "scenerist" (the early word for screenwriter), Frances Marion, who wrote for Mary and then later, for many others, in both silent and 'talkies'. 
What both women accomplished for themselves and in the film industry is amazing for many reasons: male dominant society, the insecurity and tremulous nature of early film making, and the fickle nature of society to name only a few. But what Ms. Benjamin does in writing this story, in imagining not just the nature of their relationship but of the women themselves, is truly a work of art. Completely absorbing, thoroughly enchanting, and endlessly fascinating. You will be drawn into this time period in a way that makes you long to have been a closer witness to it in actuality. You will sympathize with Mary and Frances and you will not care one whit that much of what you've read never happened. Because it could have. And because, like a great film, it is beautiful and moving.

If you liked Benjamin's previous books (The Aviator's Wife, The Swans of Fifth Avenue, Alice I Have Been), you like historical fiction, you like learning behind-the-scenes historical trivia, this book is for you. And yes, I have loved all of Benjamin's books; she does in-depth research, develops her characters deeply, and reveals interesting history previously unknown to me. In her newest novel, she explores the beginning of the film industry, focusing on two characters: Mary Pickford, the silent film star and her best friend, screenwriter Frances Marion. It begins in 1914 as we see these two young women, who come from opposite walks of life, be drawn into the world of the cinema. Pickford, a stage star from a young age in order to support a poverty-stricken family, stumbles into work for nickelodeon films, looked down upon by theater people but paying well, ultimately leading her to Hollywood Land. Frances, a socialite from San Francisco, twice-divorced, finds herself in Los Angeles, and completely entranced by this new media. Benjamin explores the rise of Hollywood, the moguls who own the stars, and the American obsession with these film giants as the weaves the story of these two women throughout the history of the 20th century. If you are like me, you will not be able to put this one down.

I learned so much from this book about the early days of movies. It was fascinating to learn how movies started and how actors turned from a frowned upon profession into movie stars. The story was well written and told a great story, based on history, from the perspective of two women who were not only pushing the boundaries for working women but also excelling in a field that was new to everyone. I quite enjoyed looking up pictures and more facts about the main characters online as I was reading their stories. I found this book to be enjoyable and interesting and am interested to see what else Melanie Benjamin has written.

Frances Marion is fascinated by the flickers. When she visits a movie set, she meets Mary Pickford, a star of the silent moving scene. Frances and Mary become close friends, sharing confidences and working together in the pictures. Frances at first runs errands, plays a few bit parts, and then finds her niche writing screenplays. Mary takes on roll after roll as a child, playing up her golden girls and youthful appearance. This book follows them through adulthood and into old age.

The entire book had a slow, sad feel to it. It alternated between Fran and Mary, who were both interesting characters. I'm curious were fact and fiction align, the entire book seemed like a well-written memoir. I look forward to reading the next book from Benjamin. Overall, highly recommended.

The Girls in the Picture is a historical fiction account of the friendship between Mary Pickford and Frances Marion. These two women had such interesting lives and became friends with such diverse backgrounds. While Frances was educated, Mary had to be the breadwinner of her family since the age of 8, supporting her mother and younger brother and sister.
These two famous women had many obstacles to overcome to prove themselves, especially in the Hollywood environment of powerful men. It seemed sexual harassment was a problem years ago as it is today. However, these women did stand strong and became well known and respected in their careers. I was especially impressed with Frances Marion’s life and her accomplishments as a screenwriter, winning two Oscars.
This is a well written and extensively researched story which allowed the reader to journey along with Mary and Frances, through the many problems they faced, not only by their jobs, but their marriages and friendships, as well.

This books shows the close relationship between two women, Mary Pickford and Francis Marion. It showed their background and how they strove to be the best they could be. Mary Pickford needed the security of stardom to feel she could take care of her Mother, brother and sisters. Francis Marion wanted nothing to do with the camera even though she was beautiful. She wanted to write the stories that would live forever. Mary, becoming a star, assisted Francis to become the well-known writer she was.

This book was provided to me at no cost from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This sprawling story opens with Frances Marion meeting Mary Pickford. Through their years of trials and tribulations in the infant stages of the movie industry, we follow them and get to know them. We are treated to their thoughts and concerns, and their love for one another.

This novel was very well written and I had a hard time putting it down. Reading about how Hollywood was created was fascinating to me. I recommend this novel for anyone that may have any interest in Hollywood, or even just looking to read about an in-depth relationship between two women over the course of their lives.