Hollywood, Ending by John Green

After a lengthy hiatus, John Green is back with his first adult novel, Hollywood, Ending. In a deep-dive snapshot into the lives of two rising young actors, Kai Laramie and Juniper Castillo, Green artfully takes us behind the scenes of the Hollywood “buzzy biopic” Andy Warhol Never Gets Old as a relationship slowly develops between the two actors. For Kai and Juniper, this movie and the characters they get to play, could be the breakthrough opportunity they have both been waiting for.

But it’s not an easy ride for either actor as they deal with the Hollywood media machine that threatens to invade every dark shadow in their lives. As the movie wraps up, they quickly realise that, beyond navigating fame, adulthood, past trauma and love, their lives have suddenly become public property. Everyone wants a piece of them. Their personalities, relationships, and eventually their pain all become things other people can package and consume. 

Soon the movie blows up, gaining momentum as hype builds around the two brilliant young stars. It’s thrilling, but terrifying, with interview after interview, and it’s not long before Kai is faced with a past trauma that was never meant to be dredged up again. As his relationship with Juniper deepens, they both must decide what they actually want, what is truly important to them. Is total exposure as the next big actor in Hollywood worth it?

“You exchange pieces of yourself for celebrity. Celebrity keeps you working, keeps you paid.” “Except once I’ve traded those little pieces of myself, I can’t get them back. They’re not mine anymore.”

Green artfully blends a behind-the-scenes Hollywood love story with an unflinching examination of the insatiable attention public life demands of private life. Told through dual points of view, the novel follows Kai and Juniper from the first days on location to the movie’s premiere. Hollywood, Ending is tender, heartbreaking and well worth the wait. 

Reviewer:  Carole Brungar

Penguin