Luise Rainer - looking back

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Luise Rainer, an the eve of her 25th birthday on January 11, 1935, embarks on the "Ile de France" to New York, carrying her dreams and aspirations. With an MGM ticket in hand, she is poised for a significant leap in her career, already recognized in Europe for her theater performances and films. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the World Wars, and the rise of National Socialism with its horrific racial ideologies and persecution of Jews, her story unfolds. Readers will dive into the early days of the film industry in Hollywood and Europe. Rainer, alongside her friend Albert Einstein, assists persecuted intellectuals in fleeing to the U.S. She also collaborates with Hemingway to raise awareness and funds for victims of the Spanish Civil War. In 1938, she becomes a U.S. citizen. After achieving success and winning two Oscars, she returns to Europe to work as a theater actress and director, while pursuing art studies and spending time with family. Rainer lives to the age of 104, reflecting on her vibrant life as a formidable figure. This captivating narrative, rich in detail and empathy, is masterfully told by Ralf Oldenburg.