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Bestselling authors Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight discuss their new book, "Can't We Be Friends," a novel that uncovers a friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe.
Can't We Be Friends is a novel that uncovers the boundary-breaking, genuine friendship between Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, and iconic movie star Marilyn Monroe.
One woman was recognized as the premiere singer of her era with perfect pitch and tireless ambition.
One woman was the most glamorous star in Hollywood, a sex symbol who took the world by storm.
And their friendship was fast and firm…
1952: Ella Fitzgerald is a renowned jazz singer whose only roadblock to longevity is society’s attitude toward women and race. Marilyn Monroe’s star is rising despite ongoing battles with movie studio bigwigs and boyfriends. When she needs help with her singing, she wants only the best—and the best is the brilliant Ella Fitzgerald. But Ella isn’t a singing teacher and declines—then the two women meet, and to everyone’s surprise but their own, they become fast friends.
On the surface, what could they have in common? Yet each was underestimated by the men in their lives—husbands, managers, hangers-on. And both were determined to gain. Each fought for professional independence and personal agency in a time when women were expected to surrender control to those same men.
This novel reveals and celebrates their surprising bond over a decade and serves as a poignant reminder of how true friendship can cross differences to bolster and sustain us through haunting heartbreak and wild success.
Denny S. Bryce is an award-winning and bestselling author of historical fiction, including The Other Princess and Wild Women and the Blues. She is also an adjunct professor in the MFA program at Drexel University, a book critic for NPR, and a member of the Historical Novel Society, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Tall Poppy Writers.
Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today and international bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. As an avid history buff, she’s written dozens of novels including The Mayfair Bookshop, and Starring Adele Astaire. She is the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed, and host of the History, Books and Wine podcast.
This program is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended.
* Presented by Adult Services.
AGE GROUP: | Ages 19+ |
EVENT TYPE: | Author Talk |
Mon, Apr 22 | 10:00AM to 8:00PM |
Tue, Apr 23 | 10:00AM to 8:00PM |
Wed, Apr 24 | 10:00AM to 8:00PM |
Thu, Apr 25 | 10:00AM to 8:00PM |
Fri, Apr 26 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM |
Sat, Apr 27 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM |
Sun, Apr 28 | 12:00PM to 5:00PM |
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