Dolores del Río was a Mexican actress with a lengthy career, starring in numerous Hollywood films. She was also a key player in the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, celebrated for her talent and beauty.
As of late, there have been several different historical fiction novels that have focused upon Hollywood stars, including Carole Lombard, Loretta Young, Grace Kelly, Hedy Lamarr, Ingrid Bergman, Louise Brooks, and more. Bárbara Mujica’s Miss del Río: A Novel of Dolores del Río, the First Major Latina Star in Hollywood delivers a fictional portrayal of del Río from Mexico in the 1910s through the World War II years.
In this novel, readers learn about del Río’s early life in Mexico, her social status, as well as personal and family relationships. When a fateful moment occurs, the plot shift to a del Río who is career-focused and a rising star in Hollywood and, later, navigating a fading star.
While the focus on del Río is intriguing, Mujica succeeds in offering interesting portrayals of del Río’s contemporaries, including the likes of Marlene Dietrich and Orson Welles.
Miss del Río: A Novel of Dolores del Río, the First Major Latina Star in Hollywood is recommended for fans of historical fiction and the work of del Río.
Hometowns to Hollywood 