The Seventh Veil of Salome

The Seventh Veil of Salome is a historical novel by Mexican Canadian novelist Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Published in 2024, The Seventh Veil of Salome juxtaposes a plotline set in 1950s Hollywood with a plotline depicting Salome, a princess linked to the execution of John the Baptist (a prophet who, according to Christian tradition, served as the precursor to Jesus in the 1st century CE). Through these two plotlines, Moreno-Garcia explores themes of The Dangers of Jealousy, the Consequences of Women’s Ambition and Desire, and Fated Love Despite Obstacles. Like Mexican Gothic and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau (two of Moreno-Garcia’s previous novels), The Seventh Veil of Salome explores the experiences of a young Mexican woman, including her encounters with racism and colonial oppression.

This guide refers to the Arcadia 2024 UK hardcover edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of racism, sexual violence or harassment, sexual content, cursing, illness or death, substance use, graphic violence, and physical abuse.

Plot Summary

The novel unfolds across two parallel storylines: one set in Hollywood in 1955 during the filming of The Seventh Veil of Salome (a fictional historical epic film) and one set in Judea (a region in modern-day Israel and Palestine) during the first century CE. The latter storyline tells the story of Princess Salome, the subject of the film in the Hollywood storyline. The Hollywood storyline also unfolds partly via the recollections of people being interviewed for a documentary many years after the events surrounding the movie’s filming.

In the Hollywood storyline, Vera Larios, a young Mexican woman, is cast as Salome (despite being new to Hollywood). Vera is sheltered and unprepared for the backstabbing and vicious world of Hollywood; she also encounters significant racism. Nancy, a struggling young actress with a small part in the film, hates Vera because she had hoped to secure the lead role for herself. Nancy briefly dates Jay Rutland, a handsome young man from a wealthy East Coast family. However, Nancy’s volatile and sometimes violent behavior quickly alienates Jay, and he breaks off the relationship. After a chance meeting, Jay and Vera begin a romantic relationship. Nancy becomes consumed by jealousy when she realizes that Vera now has both the role and the man that she wanted for herself.

In the other storyline, Salome is a beautiful young princess from the Herodean dynasty. While her family ostensibly holds power over the region of Judea, they are a client kingdom of the powerful Roman Empire. Salome’s mother, Herodias, created a scandal by abandoning her husband (Salome’s father) and remarrying the current king, Herod. Herod only has a tenuous hold on power, and the political situation has become even more strained with the rise of an influential young Jewish prophet named Jokanaan (John the Baptist). Jokanaan openly criticizes both the king and the queen, leading Herodias to hate him. However, King Herod is initially reluctant to punish Jokanaan because he fears a public uprising if he does so.

Curious, Salome goes to observe Jokanaan: She falls passionately in love with Jokanaan as soon as she sees him. She attempts to caution and protect him, but he refuses her advice and advances. Jokanaan believes he is divinely compelled to speak the truth no matter the consequences. Herodias becomes more and more agitated by the prophet denouncing her and hatches a plan. Herod has requested that Salome dance for him at his birthday celebrations. Traditionally, the woman who performs this specific dance is permitted to ask for a gift in exchange afterward. Herodias wants her daughter to ask for Jokanaan’s execution, but Salome refuses. After some time, Herod does arrest Jokanaan but is hesitant to take further action.

Meanwhile, Salome’s cousin Agrippa has arrived at the palace. He is interested in marrying Salome, but her mother prefers other suitors. Agrippa proposes a plan to Salome: If she can convince Herod to kill Jokanaan, it will likely trigger a popular uprising and motivate the Roman authorities (who are already displeased with Herod) to install a new ruler. Agrippa and Salome can leverage this opportunity to marry, consolidate their territories, and rule together over what is now Herod’s kingdom. Salome considers this proposal since she is attracted to ruling as a powerful queen. Nonetheless, she goes to Jokanaan and offers to ask for his freedom. Salome suggests the two of them could run away together and start a new life. Jokanaan refuses since he is committed to what he believes is a divine mission of prophecy.

In the Hollywood storyline, Nancy’s consuming jealousy leads her to believe that if Vera were dead, she would have a chance at being cast as Salome. She convinces her boyfriend, Benny, to shoot Vera. Benny goes to Vera’s house, but Jay opens the door and Benny shoots him instead. Jay dies in Vera’s arms. In the other storyline, Salome accepts that Jokanaan will never allow himself to be with her even though he reciprocates her desire. After she dances for Herod and his court, she asks for Jokanaan’s head to be brought to her on a silver platter. Jokanaan is executed.

After Jay’s death, Benny is convicted. Vera leaves Hollywood and devotes her career to music, a passion that she and Jay shared. Salome becomes a powerful queen but remains haunted by memories of Jokanaan.