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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
The story of The Dollhouse is a two point of view story with the current time unfolding through Rose's eyes and the 1952 story through Darby McLaughlin.
I quickly fell in love with Darby and wanted to devour her story but I struggled with Rose. I struggled so much so that I often grew bored and put the book down for days at a time while reading Rose's POV. I wanted her to pull herself together and she just couldn't do it.
In the end, I wanted to give Darby 5 stars and Rose 3 so we will split the difference. Sorry Darby.
I quickly fell in love with Darby and wanted to devour her story but I struggled with Rose. I struggled so much so that I often grew bored and put the book down for days at a time while reading Rose's POV. I wanted her to pull herself together and she just couldn't do it.
In the end, I wanted to give Darby 5 stars and Rose 3 so we will split the difference. Sorry Darby.
I wavered between a 2 and a 3, and while I wanted to round up because I love old NYC and books set there, I just had too many issues with the plot and the writing.
When I heard that this was a dual timeline historical novel, I was excited, since I'm such a huge fan of Kate Morton, who is arguably the master of the "genre". I love mysteries that unfurl across generations, where someone in the present finds a mysterious connection to a time so far removed from themselves. Where old worlds come alive. This didn't live up to those expectations, but I can give Davis credit for the research she clearly put in to make the story period appropriate.
My biggest let down with this book was that...there wasn't really a mystery at all. The copy makes it seem like there's a big secret about what happened between Darby and Esme, and that it's up to Rose to figure it out. But was Rose figures out is...Darby was slashed and Esme fell, which is exactly what she already knew when she was first struck by the story. There is the question of what Sam knew, given that Darby lied to him in the letter signed "from Esme," which also puts Rose on the path of coming up with a secondary theory that is ultimately debunked by the truth. But I kept waiting for a big twist, for a huge revelation, for something to take me by surprise and really turn the story on its head. The moment Darby decides to confess everything to Rose, I was anticipating the moment when everything would be blown open. But I never got that moment. Darby retells the story, but the scene is confusingly written Not to mention, Rose only gets a lot of this secondary information because she SQUATS IN DARBY'S APARTMENT and snoops through her stuff, all the while thinking Darby will never find out and just be thrilled her precious dog will be looked after AND be willing to talk on the record for the piece because of it. Which also requires a suspension of disbelief for a journalist SO COMMITTED TO ETHICS THAT SHE LOST HER LAST JOB OVER IT. It seems an odd detail for Davis to include all of Rose's backstory with being a news anchor if all that Rose does is betray the values that merit that backstory being included in the first place. At least there is a moment as the book winds down when Jason calls her on how stupid her plan was, and she does come to terms with her poor judgment (though he later apologizes and backtracks, so it's kind of moot...)
While there are some parallels to be drawn between Rose and Darby finding themselves amidst struggle, I wanted there to be a better link between the past and the present. Rose just simply researching for an article that she had no personal connection to other than being in the building felt like an easy way out (again, this is where Kate Morton shines -- she begins with a tangential connection that ultimately grows into a startling revelation at the 11th hour). And ultimately, Rose just wasn't that interesting of a character to follow. I felt it would have been more satisfying to have her move forward after getting over Griff, but instead, she and Jason shack up at the end of the book, both conveniently wealthy from their sale of the story (her as a book, him as a documentary). And Darby, who committed herself to a lifetime of solitude as some sort of penance for accidentally causing Esme's death, has a reunion with Sam, they live happily ever after, and Sam is able to live out his dream of having a spice shop. This was all sweet, but a bit too schlocky of a happy ending for a book that promised more intrigue, and that had two fiercely independent women at its center. Not that independent women don't deserve happy endings...this one just felt a tad too neat.
Plot qualms aside, I would have likely enjoyed the book more if I felt totally taken away by the writing, but I found Davis's descriptions to be a bit dry, and every character, whether they lived in 1952 or 2016, spoke exactly the same way (Esme's dialogue had some Spanish words thrown in for good measure). But whether they were small-town girls from Ohio, upper-crust New Yorkers, military cooks, politicians, contemporary teenagers, or little old ladies, I didn't find that any character had a distinct voice, which often made it hard to follow long sections of dialogue, and sort of flattened the story. There were lots of dramatic monologues that felt awkward for the characters, and while Davis's descriptions of New York are pretty spot-on, but the world loses life when the characters fall short.
I might not have picked this up if not for my online book club choosing it, and I had high hopes going in, but unfortunately, this wasn't one for me. I read in a few reviews that Davis's storytelling improves in her later publications, so I may venture to read one of them just to see if they hold up. I can absolutely see why Davis and this book in particular has done well, and I don't doubt that there are many readers who will love this story, but unfortunately, I don't think I'm one of them.
When I heard that this was a dual timeline historical novel, I was excited, since I'm such a huge fan of Kate Morton, who is arguably the master of the "genre". I love mysteries that unfurl across generations, where someone in the present finds a mysterious connection to a time so far removed from themselves. Where old worlds come alive. This didn't live up to those expectations, but I can give Davis credit for the research she clearly put in to make the story period appropriate.
My biggest let down with this book was that...there wasn't really a mystery at all. The copy makes it seem like there's a big secret about what happened between Darby and Esme, and that it's up to Rose to figure it out. But was Rose figures out is...Darby was slashed and Esme fell, which is exactly what she already knew when she was first struck by the story. There is the question of what Sam knew, given that Darby lied to him in the letter signed "from Esme," which also puts Rose on the path of coming up with a secondary theory that is ultimately debunked by the truth. But I kept waiting for a big twist, for a huge revelation, for something to take me by surprise and really turn the story on its head. The moment Darby decides to confess everything to Rose, I was anticipating the moment when everything would be blown open. But I never got that moment. Darby retells the story, but the scene is confusingly written Not to mention, Rose only gets a lot of this secondary information because she SQUATS IN DARBY'S APARTMENT and snoops through her stuff, all the while thinking Darby will never find out and just be thrilled her precious dog will be looked after AND be willing to talk on the record for the piece because of it. Which also requires a suspension of disbelief for a journalist SO COMMITTED TO ETHICS THAT SHE LOST HER LAST JOB OVER IT. It seems an odd detail for Davis to include all of Rose's backstory with being a news anchor if all that Rose does is betray the values that merit that backstory being included in the first place. At least there is a moment as the book winds down when Jason calls her on how stupid her plan was, and she does come to terms with her poor judgment (though he later apologizes and backtracks, so it's kind of moot...)
While there are some parallels to be drawn between Rose and Darby finding themselves amidst struggle, I wanted there to be a better link between the past and the present. Rose just simply researching for an article that she had no personal connection to other than being in the building felt like an easy way out (again, this is where Kate Morton shines -- she begins with a tangential connection that ultimately grows into a startling revelation at the 11th hour). And ultimately, Rose just wasn't that interesting of a character to follow. I felt it would have been more satisfying to have her move forward after getting over Griff, but instead, she and Jason shack up at the end of the book, both conveniently wealthy from their sale of the story (her as a book, him as a documentary). And Darby, who committed herself to a lifetime of solitude as some sort of penance for accidentally causing Esme's death, has a reunion with Sam, they live happily ever after, and Sam is able to live out his dream of having a spice shop. This was all sweet, but a bit too schlocky of a happy ending for a book that promised more intrigue, and that had two fiercely independent women at its center. Not that independent women don't deserve happy endings...this one just felt a tad too neat.
Plot qualms aside, I would have likely enjoyed the book more if I felt totally taken away by the writing, but I found Davis's descriptions to be a bit dry, and every character, whether they lived in 1952 or 2016, spoke exactly the same way (Esme's dialogue had some Spanish words thrown in for good measure). But whether they were small-town girls from Ohio, upper-crust New Yorkers, military cooks, politicians, contemporary teenagers, or little old ladies, I didn't find that any character had a distinct voice, which often made it hard to follow long sections of dialogue, and sort of flattened the story. There were lots of dramatic monologues that felt awkward for the characters, and while Davis's descriptions of New York are pretty spot-on, but the world loses life when the characters fall short.
I might not have picked this up if not for my online book club choosing it, and I had high hopes going in, but unfortunately, this wasn't one for me. I read in a few reviews that Davis's storytelling improves in her later publications, so I may venture to read one of them just to see if they hold up. I can absolutely see why Davis and this book in particular has done well, and I don't doubt that there are many readers who will love this story, but unfortunately, I don't think I'm one of them.
Implausible, gushy, melodramatic.
The characters are one-dimensional and the plot reminded me of a hokey old movie. The chapters set in 1952 are stronger, perhaps because they form the basis for why the 2016 part of the story exists at all, but the motivation for the characters' actions in both eras feels more Hollywood script-like than realistic. The description of spices and recipes feels forced and the sex scenes are unnecessarily descriptive; neither helps the plot move and both seem gratuitous.
The characters are one-dimensional and the plot reminded me of a hokey old movie. The chapters set in 1952 are stronger, perhaps because they form the basis for why the 2016 part of the story exists at all, but the motivation for the characters' actions in both eras feels more Hollywood script-like than realistic. The description of spices and recipes feels forced and the sex scenes are unnecessarily descriptive; neither helps the plot move and both seem gratuitous.
I enjoyed this story, though I was somewhat confused and maddened by some of the main character’s decisions. Overall a good read with just enough intrigue to keep it interesting!
This book was a good, solid read and a pleasant way to learn about life at the Barbizon Hotel in NYC in the 1950s. The characters seemed a little flat and their actions seem to serve the narrative rather than developing finely drawn characters.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me awhile to get into, but once I was halfway through, I enjoyed it. Cute story with a happy ending. An easy read (listen).
mysterious
fast-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