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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I love historical fiction and after barely reading any last year I am enjoying getting back into the genre! I have heard great things about this author and I was not disappointed. Hearing things here and there about the Barbazon hotel, New York, 1950s, I didn't realize its significance as part of an ongoing cultural shift throughout the U.S. The mystery was great but I truly enjoy these books for the historical aspect. The main character in the current timeline was complicated and her actions were questionable at times but I preferred her over the dowdy main character of the past timeline.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I loved this book. I learned from reading this about writers of fictional books that each is different and each brings forth something different which may or may not also b unique. This writer and its her first novel brought us something very unique.
This is a story about women who span generations - the women in 50s at Barbizon Hotel in NYC there for school or a career start yet really there to marry. At the same time in literature terms there is a woman in 2016 living in that same building which is now condos with one floor for the older women which is rent control.
The story is about how they come together and what they can learn from each other. The tale is very very well conceived and developed as are the characters.
There are no brilliant memorable complex and deep lines or comments. That is not this book. It has an impact ...
Judy
This is a story about women who span generations - the women in 50s at Barbizon Hotel in NYC there for school or a career start yet really there to marry. At the same time in literature terms there is a woman in 2016 living in that same building which is now condos with one floor for the older women which is rent control.
The story is about how they come together and what they can learn from each other. The tale is very very well conceived and developed as are the characters.
There are no brilliant memorable complex and deep lines or comments. That is not this book. It has an impact ...
Judy
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed learning about the Barbizon Hotel and the people who lived there in the 1950s. Darby is a transplant from Ohio who is going to secretarial school. The hotel is divided into those who are working at modeling agencies and those who are going to school. But when they run out of room, Darby is placed with the models. She feels out of her element and connects with the elevator girl/maid/hatcheck girl Esme. Esme shows Darby a new world in New York.
Our journalist main character Rose from 2016 is seeing a man with political aspirations who lives at the renovated Barbizon Hotel, and she gave up her high-powered career to work at an upstart...until he proposes. But when their trajectory changes, she's now homeless and trying to find her place in the world.
We go back and forth in time between Darby and Rose. While this was a good story, I wouldn't call it captivating. The plot and characters were fine enough, but what I thought stood out was the 1950s setting. This is my second Fiona Davis novel, and I do have others of her that I want to read. I had heard so many good things that I was likely a bit underwhelmed by this one, but maybe her others will be more captivating.
Our journalist main character Rose from 2016 is seeing a man with political aspirations who lives at the renovated Barbizon Hotel, and she gave up her high-powered career to work at an upstart...until he proposes. But when their trajectory changes, she's now homeless and trying to find her place in the world.
We go back and forth in time between Darby and Rose. While this was a good story, I wouldn't call it captivating. The plot and characters were fine enough, but what I thought stood out was the 1950s setting. This is my second Fiona Davis novel, and I do have others of her that I want to read. I had heard so many good things that I was likely a bit underwhelmed by this one, but maybe her others will be more captivating.
mysterious
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
Really great story overall. The ending seemed a bit rushed or out of place compared to how slowly the first part of the book built up.
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found the 1950s storyline much more compelling than the present-day one, and would have preferred it sticking with one narrative. Unfortunately had to push through some parts to reach the end
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fiona Davis is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I have read a few now, and while I know these novels can be a bit formulaic and follow similar patterns, I eat it up every time.
The other books I've read by her (The Lions of Fifth Avenue, The Magnolia Palace) all switch between two time periods and connect via the location or characters. The Dollhouse is no exception, but this style very much appeals to me. They also connect with some level of art form— With Lions, it was books; with Magnolia, art; and now The Dollhouse with music and food. Fiona Davis always puts a lot of thought into her characters and plenty of research into the history, culture and art form. I find myself rooting for most characters and appreciating their fully-realized personalities. I recommend Fiona Davis's historical fiction novels for readers who are looking for a solid, well thought-out and well-written prose with plenty of historical references and character-driven plots.
The other books I've read by her (The Lions of Fifth Avenue, The Magnolia Palace) all switch between two time periods and connect via the location or characters. The Dollhouse is no exception, but this style very much appeals to me. They also connect with some level of art form— With Lions, it was books; with Magnolia, art; and now The Dollhouse with music and food. Fiona Davis always puts a lot of thought into her characters and plenty of research into the history, culture and art form. I find myself rooting for most characters and appreciating their fully-realized personalities. I recommend Fiona Davis's historical fiction novels for readers who are looking for a solid, well thought-out and well-written prose with plenty of historical references and character-driven plots.
