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foofy777's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mulhollen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved reading about the theater world of 1940s New York. The story and characters of this time were quite interesting.
The first half of the book had me captivated, but the ending got slow and the books beginning only comes back into play at 85% complete or so. I wish we heard more about Frank, Nathan, and those later moments in life in as much interesting detail as her 20s.
The first half of the book had me captivated, but the ending got slow and the books beginning only comes back into play at 85% complete or so. I wish we heard more about Frank, Nathan, and those later moments in life in as much interesting detail as her 20s.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
abbyhoffer's review against another edition
It felt like the story wasn’t going anywhere exciting. This might be great if you’re wanting a light, easy, relaxing read, especially if you’re interested in the world of theatre. I found myself getting a little bored and didn’t feel invested enough at 35% to continue.
shannonpryor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joanna_banana's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had checked this out of the library several weeks before I started it. Then I got COVID! It was the perfect book to listen to while resting. I didn’t really like Vivian, though I thoroughly enjoyed the narration and was pleased to see that Blair Brown won an Audie for this. The pacing overall seemed a little off - deeply detailed in NYC for the first half or so and then kinda mixed pacing for the rest, you’d get into dialogue and heart wrenching details, and then zoom back out to narration to Angela. I enjoyed the last part, but again, it was odd to have something like 60 years of life covered so quickly. She also got into these monologues on topics like her sex life when she is older and I thought that was too much or could have been woven into the conversations better. And some characters just drop off! Becomes all about Vivian. Overall, I was entertained and the novel offers some thoughtful perspective on the expectations of young women in the 1940s and how that changed or did not change through the decades. I felt like Vivian was fairly self-aware by then end, but also still quite proud and vain in an annoyingly forced way. So, I guess it was just inconsistent for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Sexism, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and War
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Antisemitism, Racial slurs, Biphobia, Sexual violence, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Pregnancy, Abortion, Car accident, and Mental illness
alexgoldstein4's review against another edition
4.0
I really like the first half and couldn’t put it down but the second half seemed to drag. Can’t wait to discuss in book club!
osnapitstash99's review against another edition
5.0
one of the best books i have ever read, beautifully written, so detailed, and so EASY to immerse yourself in! vivian is a likeable character and so ‘real’, i love the story telling and the way the story wraps itself up at the end. this book made me laugh and cry and i don’t think i’ll love anything quite like i love this book
beanypole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ak_nc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
5.0