In the Author’s Note, Bear says she “drew a lot of Aphrodite’s character” from women of Hollywood’s Golden Era. Which elements of these starlets did you see in Aphrodite? Which other “goddesses” would you add to the list?

BookBrowse Book Club Aphrodite in Pieces by Lauren J. A. Bear
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In the Author’s Note, Bear says she “drew a lot of Aphrodite’s character” from women of Hollywood’s Golden Era – Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Mae West in particular. Which elements of these starlets did you see in Aphrodite? Are there any other popular “goddesses” you’d add to the list, either from yesteryear or today?

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Rita Hayworth is the only one I would choose. Long hair, long legs, beautiful, quiet but sassy. Elizabeth Taylor seemed to have the “chutzpah” to get her way with men. Not sure about the other two.

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Hedy Lamarr, Lauren Bacall, and Jane Russell would be Golden Era glam stars who would work in the movie.

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Yes, she also refers to Venus de Milo and Helen of Troy indirectly as being inspirations for her. Women that men find unattainable or held up so high on a pedestal to be unreachable are her muses. As I look at women from Hollywood’s Golden era I think of Rita Hayworth, or Grace Kelly and for present day, maybe Kate Blanchett.

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I agree completely that Hedy Lamarr should be at the top of the list. She was not only exceptionally beautiful, but she was also very intelligent. I think even though Aphrodite was extremely emotional, she was also very intelligent.

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In looking what others had to say Rita Hayworth, Hedy Lamar and Lauren Bacall come to mind. I’m going to add Marilyn Monroe because while she is sometimes viewed as an “airhead,” she was quite well read and epitomized a beautiful woman in the 50s.