Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: A Novel

Published in 2021, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino is a novelization of his 2019 film of the same name. Tarantino’s debut novel, it mixes elements of historical fiction and the thriller genre. The story follows the career of Rick Dalton, a struggling actor, and his stuntman, Cliff Booth, as they navigate the shifting industry of 1969 Hollywood. As a director and script writer, Tarantino mixes historical characters and events with fictional ones to explore the inner workings of the film industry, the difficulties in adapting to new life transitions, and the interpolation of reality and fiction in films.

This study guide refers to the 2021 Harper Collins print edition.

Content Warning: The source material contains racist, antisemitic, antigay, and misogynistic language, which this guide replicates through direct quotations. In addition, the novel describes graphic violence, alcohol and drug misuse, death by suicide, and discussions of statutory rape, all of which this guide discusses.

Plot Summary

The novel begins with a meeting between Rick Dalton, a struggling actor, and Marvin Schwarz, a talent agent. Rick has had trouble obtaining roles after his success as the lead actor on the Western series Bounty Law.