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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I thought it would be fun to read this fictional book about the Barbizon Hotel before starting the recently published nonfiction book on the same subject.
While it didn't focus on the history of the hotel as much as I hoped it would, I found this to be a quick, enjoyable bit of escapism. It reminded me of Kate Morton's books in that, by the end, I couldn't help but feel so much could have been handled differently if only the characters would have communicated. But then there wouldn't be much of a story to tell if characters always behaved the way the reader feels they should.
While it didn't focus on the history of the hotel as much as I hoped it would, I found this to be a quick, enjoyable bit of escapism. It reminded me of Kate Morton's books in that, by the end, I couldn't help but feel so much could have been handled differently if only the characters would have communicated. But then there wouldn't be much of a story to tell if characters always behaved the way the reader feels they should.
“the whole thing felt like a bad soap opera…”
seriously.
I cannot with this garbage book. It is bad chick lit disguised as historical fiction. Oddly enough it was recommended highly and even mentioned in a podcast I like.
The Rose character and her shenanigans in modern times were so unnecessary and she was so completely void of a should and not likable in any way. She also was shady and not really qualified as a journalist. But since she is SOUL LESS all the sneaky things she does seem to get mostly written off. Rose deserves a punch in the nose. I found myself skimming the 2016 seconds as fast as I could.
The parts set in the 50s were mostly interesting until the weird gross jarring very detailed awkward sex parts. I am not usually this much of a prude but they just were oddly phrased and totally cringe worthy. There was additionally an unnecessary mention of pulling up her panties that could have just better described as getting dressed. That would have been less creepy and give the poor vapid woman in the book a bit of dignity.
We won’t even get into the stuff with Darby’s dad. like Huh, WHY??
I forced myself to finish because it fit into a challenge prompt in a book challenge I am participating in so it earned the one star for filling the slot and being short.
seriously.
I cannot with this garbage book. It is bad chick lit disguised as historical fiction. Oddly enough it was recommended highly and even mentioned in a podcast I like.
The Rose character and her shenanigans in modern times were so unnecessary and she was so completely void of a should and not likable in any way. She also was shady and not really qualified as a journalist. But since she is SOUL LESS all the sneaky things she does seem to get mostly written off. Rose deserves a punch in the nose. I found myself skimming the 2016 seconds as fast as I could.
The parts set in the 50s were mostly interesting until the weird gross jarring very detailed awkward sex parts. I am not usually this much of a prude but they just were oddly phrased and totally cringe worthy. There was additionally an unnecessary mention of pulling up her panties that could have just better described as getting dressed. That would have been less creepy and give the poor vapid woman in the book a bit of dignity.
We won’t even get into the stuff with Darby’s dad. like Huh, WHY??
I forced myself to finish because it fit into a challenge prompt in a book challenge I am participating in so it earned the one star for filling the slot and being short.
Wonderful book! I had heard of the Barbizon, once home to famous names such as Grace Kelly, Cybill Shepherd, Candice Bergen, and more... but what a fascinating history!
Sitting on the shelf of my cabin in Maine, I picked this out for a quick, easy read, which is exactly what I got. I would have loved a deeper look at the 1950s storyline instead of hopping back and forth between timelines.
Such a totally different kind of read for me. Is this my first ever mystery??? Took a few chapters, but once I was in, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. Thanks to my friend Kriste for encouraging me to stick it out... loved it.
I've read a lot of past-connecting-to-present novels and just had a hard time believing this one.
I'm not normally a mystery/suspense reader, but I enjoyed the general hint of the mystery wrapped into the journalism story investigation. I liked that there was a structured contrast back and forth between chapters going from present day and 1952. I enjoyed the character development and setting of NYC in the 1950's and the Barbizon Hotel. There were a few books the author mentioned in the Acknowledgements that I would also like to read. The writing was smooth and transitioned well from chapter to chapter and decade to decade. This made me feel invested in the plot and the twists until it became a page turner in the end. I kept reading long after I should have been asleep, wanting to solve the mystery. The romantic aspect of the book is light and helps to compare and contrast the role of women and the opportunities and choices they have/had. New York City 1952. Uncovering another mystery of that time and place. My parents were the ages of the characters in this book. They were living in metro NJ and going into NYC for both work and entertainment. This book made me feel nostalgic for the tales that they used to tell. The Dollhouse, like life, is a story of human nature, circumstances, and mystery. History helps to make sense of the present day.
When I give a two star review, I feel like I need to explain why. The premise was fantastic. I love 50s era / flashback / New York stories. But the main characters fulfilled every cliche possible. Strong, smart woman bamboozled by selfish, commitment/phobe lover? Check. Horrible tragedy that unfolds in the most anticlimactic way possible. Also, check.
Check, check, check, check. Why two stars? I loved the scenes in the 50s jazz club and the character of Esme. I wanted more information on the other residents of the Barbizon. Easy book to read, just as easy to put down or pass on.
Check, check, check, check. Why two stars? I loved the scenes in the 50s jazz club and the character of Esme. I wanted more information on the other residents of the Barbizon. Easy book to read, just as easy to put down or pass on.