Legendary Film Actress Reveals She Started Out In Life As A Man - New Novel

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - Jan. 22, 2014 - PRLog -- The novel CONTESSA is the fictional, as-told-to autobiography of a famous film and theater mega star who recounts for the first time the unusual facts leading up to international stardom.

This popular film star confesses how she started out in life as a man who realizes from a very early age that he is really a she imprisoned in the wrong body.  His major problem is his father, a despicable Arkansas bootlegger and local godfather, whose idea of a cure for his son’s affliction is a lobotomy. The son escapes and his road to womanhood and subsequent fame is a tale of strength, courage, intrigue and adventure. CONTESSA relates the life trials of a young man whose thorny road to success and freedom as a woman is fought for one battle at a time.

This highly unusual book spotlights the bigotry, ignorance, self-righteousness and absurdity forced on certain members of society. At the end of the book, Contessa questions what her life would have been like if she had remained a man. “Where would I be today? What kind of repressed life would I have led all these years? How happy would I be today?”

The Rambles Literary Review states:  “The basic idea behind this book is fascinating. The exploration of the conflicts experienced by Clyde / Contessa are handled exceptionally well, and this character is a life-affirming, engaging figure. The experiences of violence, sexual prejudice and lack of compassion are shocking, and, I feel, quite realistic in their nature.  Underneath it all, CONTESSA conveys a great message of social significance and victory.”

The Lambda Book Report says, "Imagine if one of your favorite female movie stars was revealed to have begun life as a man. That is the premise of Jack Fitzgerald's novel CONTESSA. And an impressive read it is. Fast paced, his story is filled with some of the most colorful, memorable and unforgettable characters I’ve come across in a long time. CONTESSA is not only a fascinating page-turner but would make a very significant film.”

Jack Fitzgerald is also the author of several other books: PARIS PLAYS, VIVA LA EVOLUCION, TEDDY BEAR MURDERS and ROGER SHOULD HAVE SAID YES. He lived for ten years in France where he founded The Paris English Theatre. He is the author of many stage plays and screenplays.

The International Herald Tribune writes, "Fitzgerald has an uncanny knack of capturing American types and speech. It is in their conversations and present-day mores that Fitzgerald's talent shines."

Fitzgerald is the author of a weekly blog at www.jackfitzgerald.com, where you will find information about his books, stage plays and screenplays.

MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION

Contessa
Author: Jack Fitzgerald
ISBN # 1-58348-556-2

529 pages; 6 x 9 paperback, $22.95
Publisher: iUniverse
Website: http://www.jackfitzgerald.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jack.fitzgerald.3344?fref=ts

Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Ingram Book Group and on order from all bookstores.
REVIEW COPY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST