Book Review: Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova

My Rating:  3.5⭐️

“Picture houses are built for dreams, lies and fantasies. The plaster creatures clinging to the walls and ceilings, the fairground effect of all those lights and mirrors can only be accessory to the wildest illusions, the grandest, most unrealistic seductions.”

Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova follows our narrator Holly (not her real name) through her stint as an usherette in an old and dilapidated single-screen independent movie theatre “The Paradise” described as “a Frankenstein’s monster of a place” with trapdoors leading into the sewers, hidden doors and an eerie, mysterious vibe. Initially, Holly, new to the city, feels isolated from her coworkers and it takes a while for her to be accepted into their fold. The Paradise screens modern money makers as well as classic cinema, serving popcorn and snacks and equipped with a bar (the snacks et al, as Sally the Manager points out, is from where most of their revenue is generated). Eventually, she becomes a part of the group, joins them in their late-night screenings and house parties, shares drugs they pilfer from what is left is left behind by their customers and also indulges in a torrid affair with a coworker. In other words, her life is defined by her association with The Paradise and her coworkers – a family of poorly paid movie-loving people - and she seems to settle into a rhythm that is disrupted when the theatre is sold to a corporate bigwig after the eccentric owner Iris (with whom Holly has quite a few interesting interactions) passes on. The changes are unwelcome, the employees are resentful and fearful of losing their jobs and the cinema is gradually being transformed – in more ways than one.

Camilla Grudova excels at world-building. Each chapter begins with the name of a film, which I found interesting, as is the fact that the title of the book is also taken from a classic French film. The story pays homage to classic cinema and independent theatres and how the movie-going experience has changed over time. I won’t say that any of the characters are particularly likable or interesting but her characterizations read like caricatures - from the glamorous manager Sally, and the eccentric owner Iris, to the quirky employees and the new assistant manager Andrew. The author uses vivid imagery in describing the old building complete with rather detailed  (and gross) descriptions of the interiors and the day-to-day cleanup and maintenance, which is off-putting. An element of satire is introduced into the narrative as we follow the gradual phasing out of the old cinema as it becomes a part of a popular profit-centered corporate chain. Overall this novella is an immersive read with a Gothic feel, elements of surrealism and satire that turns dark and disturbing as the story progresses. An intense read that left me more than a tad unsettled. Not quite an enjoyable read for me personally, but definitely compelling and memorable.