Cry Shame!: A Novel by Gore Vidal

This early novel by Gore Vidal traces the rise to stardom of a poor Latina girl whose passion for dance propels her from New Orleans honky-tonks to Hollywood fame. As she navigates her journey, Grace encounters a cast of eccentric characters, learning life lessons often obscured by the haze of alcohol. With themes of ambition, fame, and sexuality, the story blends camp and pathos, echoing Vidal's later work, "Myra Breckinridge." Originally published as "A Star's Progress" under the pseudonym Katherine Everard, this hard-to-find novel offers a revealing glimpse into the complex world of celebrity.