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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Wow! Such a good book! It was hard to stop a few times and I finished the last 10 or so chapters in one evening! I really enjoyed this book and the plot twists that came along with it. A really interesting read and interesting historical fiction.
This one was a bumpy ride, but I think I enjoyed most of the journey? Or, parts of it at least. The twists were just twisty enough to be exciting, but Rose and Darby were tedious. Darby's obsession with filling a strictly utilitarian role in her life was absolutely exhausting. She loves to switch the narrative on why she doesn't want to get married - one minute it's because she has to be self-sufficient because she's 'ugly' and ugly girls can't fall in love; the next it's because she can never rely on ANYONE because 'I'm all I've got in this cold, hard world.' This weird concept of feminism - "I have to pick my career or love, I couldn't possibly have both" - is antiquated and a schlep to read (I do realize this book was written in 2015/2016 when this narrative was VERY popular, but it's still annoying.)
Side note of annoyance: One of Darby's reasons for never reuniting with Sam was because she has a scar on her face and she's basically like, 'who could ever learn to love a hideous beast???' Even though Sam has told her - MULTIPLE times - that he loves her and finds her attractive. Gag.
**A character named Charlotte is only in one scene, but is subsequently mentioned multiple times throughout the rest of the book. Based off what we know about her (which is very little, other than the fact that she's only mildly ugly, but still a cool girl) - she sounds like a far more interesting heroine? Give me the woman who works in book publishing in 1950's NYC and runs away to Europe for a few months to discover new authors. I want THAT book.
***This book does get bonus points for an incredibly accurate portrayal of dementia and aging.
Side note of annoyance: One of Darby's reasons for never reuniting with Sam was because she has a scar on her face and she's basically like, 'who could ever learn to love a hideous beast???' Even though Sam has told her - MULTIPLE times - that he loves her and finds her attractive. Gag.
**A character named Charlotte is only in one scene, but is subsequently mentioned multiple times throughout the rest of the book. Based off what we know about her (which is very little, other than the fact that she's only mildly ugly, but still a cool girl) - she sounds like a far more interesting heroine? Give me the woman who works in book publishing in 1950's NYC and runs away to Europe for a few months to discover new authors. I want THAT book.
***This book does get bonus points for an incredibly accurate portrayal of dementia and aging.
Finally a new Fiona Davis novel!! Just as well researched as her previous work and truly a delight. I loved spending a weekend with this book! If you love historical fiction, you need to pick up every one of her novels!
I've been wanting to read this book for a while because I've heard such great things about it (and c'mon, that cover). So when I finally got it from the library, I was pretty disappointed. This is a very shallow story, very sappily written. The characters are not remotely believable and the dialogue made me groan. I would say a good beach read, but I can't even say that. I didn't feel like I learned or discovered anything. Once the story was over it was "ok, so what?" The only reason it doesn't get 1 star is that I like the idea of the Barbizon hotel for women and maybe someone else could do a better job writing it.
This was interesting to read after having read The Bell Jar. The general history was enjoyable. But the end of the story got a little too far fetched for me. And the reader's voice was like listening to a gum-smacking valley girl. No thanks :D
A solid B-. Not a waste of time, but don't get your hopes up too high.
A solid B-. Not a waste of time, but don't get your hopes up too high.
Told in two timelines, 1952 and 2016. The mystery is revealed at the beginning of the book with the 2016 timeline trying to solve it while it hasn't happened yet in the 1952 timeline. Good characterizations, but some unconvincing twists. Overall I liked this one.
A page turner for sure! I couldn't put this one down. A little bit of mystery adds just enough intrigue to this dual era novel about women, relationships, love, and ambition. Seriously, I just kept reading and reading this amazing novel.
This Skimm recommendation was a fun, fast-paced story of two alternating narrators: a present day journalist trying to uncover the details of the life of a woman who lived in a hotel in the 50s and the woman herself. I loved learning about how models, secretaries and other female professionals all boarded together in the 50s and I love a good journalism investigation. The twist at the end wasn't exactly surprising but other than that, a good read full of strong female characters.
Fiona Davis' writing* kept me captivated but ultimately I didn't find the characters or their relationships to be fleshed out enough to really have the intended emotional impact.
*actually, now that I think about it it may have been the audiobook narrator.
ETA:
Sitting on this book now for a day I'm knocking it down another star. The time for burying your gays has passed, quit fridging my queer women.
*actually, now that I think about it it may have been the audiobook narrator.
ETA:
Sitting on this book now for a day I'm knocking it down another star. The time for burying your gays has passed, quit fridging my queer women.