Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Overall I really loved this book! Aside from a few loose ends that I wish would have been wrapped up this was a great historical fiction piece. I've been meaning to get to it for a while but it kept getting pushed down in my tbr. I'm glad I finally made the space to give it the attention it deserves. Fiona Davis paints an incredible picture of the location and the time period, I wish I could have been there then. This book makes me want to start collecting first editions and to spend even more time in the library!
There’s nothing better than a well-written historical novel with two time-lines and strong women characters. “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” gives the reader all of this and more.
In this book, the central character is the New York Public Library located on Fifth Avenue. The lions of the title are the two iconic lions that grace the steps to the entrance of the library. Davis perfectly captures the sense of awe people entering the building for the first time feel.
The author also gives us two strong women, one, Laura Lyons, living in the library in 1913 and other, Sadie Donovan, is the granddaughter of Laura and lives 80 years later. As the book progresses both characters are fleshed out to the point of readers feeling like they “know” both these women. You can feel the boredom of Laura who wants and needs to be more than just a housewife. She has an opportunity to attend the new Columbia University School of Journalism, but her husband, the Superintendent of NY Public Library, tells her she can’t. The reader can sense the resentment Laura begins to feel when she is treated like a child. Sadie Donovan, in 1993, has worked hard to achieve her goals. When she is promoted to curate an exhibition of items in the renown Berg Collection, she believes she has arrived. However, things begin to go badly when rare books in the collection begin disappearing.
Davis has written a book that will intrigue the reader from page one to the last page. Her plotting is carefully managed moving between 1913 and 1993 with ease and without leaving the reader wondering where she is. Her characters are both likable and complex. The descriptions of the library will have you believing you’ve been there even if you’ve never visited it before.
If you like well-written historical novels with strong women characters with touches of romance and mystery, this book is for you and it deserves to be at the top of your to-be-read list.
My thanks to Minotaur and Edelweiss for an eARC.
In this book, the central character is the New York Public Library located on Fifth Avenue. The lions of the title are the two iconic lions that grace the steps to the entrance of the library. Davis perfectly captures the sense of awe people entering the building for the first time feel.
The author also gives us two strong women, one, Laura Lyons, living in the library in 1913 and other, Sadie Donovan, is the granddaughter of Laura and lives 80 years later. As the book progresses both characters are fleshed out to the point of readers feeling like they “know” both these women. You can feel the boredom of Laura who wants and needs to be more than just a housewife. She has an opportunity to attend the new Columbia University School of Journalism, but her husband, the Superintendent of NY Public Library, tells her she can’t. The reader can sense the resentment Laura begins to feel when she is treated like a child. Sadie Donovan, in 1993, has worked hard to achieve her goals. When she is promoted to curate an exhibition of items in the renown Berg Collection, she believes she has arrived. However, things begin to go badly when rare books in the collection begin disappearing.
Davis has written a book that will intrigue the reader from page one to the last page. Her plotting is carefully managed moving between 1913 and 1993 with ease and without leaving the reader wondering where she is. Her characters are both likable and complex. The descriptions of the library will have you believing you’ve been there even if you’ve never visited it before.
If you like well-written historical novels with strong women characters with touches of romance and mystery, this book is for you and it deserves to be at the top of your to-be-read list.
My thanks to Minotaur and Edelweiss for an eARC.
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
I seem to be hitting a few duds recently, and this continued that streak. I didn't care about the characters or plot, so I had to force myself to keep reading. There was some interesting mystery in the book, but the writing took all the intrigue out of it.
I really enjoyed this book. It didn’t have the greatest plot, but I enjoyed the characters and the drama. Plus, I love all things associated with the New York Public Library. I hope to read more of Davis’ stories in the future.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I will say this of Fiona Davis- she sure knows how to write an intriguing setting. Her tale centered around The New York Public Library. Two literary lovers 80 years apart- share more than their love for books- they share DNA.
Laura Lyons in 1913 - lived in an apartment in the library. (My dream by the way!)
In a time we’re women worked at home and men pursued their careers. But Laura wanted more. Then things become Intriguing when valuable books go missing.
Fast forward 80 years- Laura’s granddaughter Sadie works on an exhibit in the same library and again books go missing. Valuable pieces of history.. gone.
Fiona weaves a story by highlighting each woman- each looking to define themselves in their worlds- Laura looking forward and Sadie looking back.
I have always wanted to visit the New York Public Library but now it is a must on the bucket list!
Laura Lyons in 1913 - lived in an apartment in the library. (My dream by the way!)
In a time we’re women worked at home and men pursued their careers. But Laura wanted more. Then things become Intriguing when valuable books go missing.
Fast forward 80 years- Laura’s granddaughter Sadie works on an exhibit in the same library and again books go missing. Valuable pieces of history.. gone.
Fiona weaves a story by highlighting each woman- each looking to define themselves in their worlds- Laura looking forward and Sadie looking back.
I have always wanted to visit the New York Public Library but now it is a must on the bucket list!