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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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:
Complicated
I had heard little tidbits here and there about The Barbizon and was intrigued. What was this “hotel” where women lived in the 1950’s? Was it chaperoned? It seemed a bit strange in New York City, as this was where young adults went to be free. The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis seemed to have the answers to the questions I had.
While we do learn some details about the residents of this building, Davis creates a fictional story of one resident of the building as it is now, as well as stories of one young woman, Darby, who found herself there. Darby meets people she would have never met back at home, which is what I feel that a young adulthood in New York is for – an awakening in the city of possibilities.
As Rose explores Darby’s story, we learn about how those websites that give us viral stories work. I was really taken aback, even though I really shouldn’t have been. As a part of that community, we’re always looking for the hook to get traffic and/or followers. It’s kind of an ugly world, and this book started an examination of my part in this community.
I liked The Dollhouse, if it seemed a bit crazy at times, but anything can happen in New York, right?
I received a copy of this book through Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own.
While we do learn some details about the residents of this building, Davis creates a fictional story of one resident of the building as it is now, as well as stories of one young woman, Darby, who found herself there. Darby meets people she would have never met back at home, which is what I feel that a young adulthood in New York is for – an awakening in the city of possibilities.
As Rose explores Darby’s story, we learn about how those websites that give us viral stories work. I was really taken aback, even though I really shouldn’t have been. As a part of that community, we’re always looking for the hook to get traffic and/or followers. It’s kind of an ugly world, and this book started an examination of my part in this community.
I liked The Dollhouse, if it seemed a bit crazy at times, but anything can happen in New York, right?
I received a copy of this book through Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’d give it 3.25 stars, but I wasn’t in the mood for another alternating timeline/perspective historical fiction, so that may be dragging it down a bit. Rachel’s squatting in Darby's apartment was just horrifying & therefore distracting. Also the lgbtq bits seemed underexplored? Idk
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this and can't wait to read more by the author.
If you liked [b:The Subway Girls|36263210|The Subway Girls|Susie Orman Schnall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507431473l/36263210._SY75_.jpg|57916027] or [b:City of Girls|42135029|City of Girls|Elizabeth Gilbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545498817l/42135029._SY75_.jpg|65729493] and are looking for a similar book, this is a great option for you (along with [b:Pulp|32970644|Pulp|Robin Talley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527184143l/32970644._SY75_.jpg|53607735] which has a YA slant but so far is my favorite from this 1950's era).
SUMMARY: Rose (present day) finds herself in a crisis. Her boyfriend, who was about to propose, suddenly breaks things off because his daughter is ill. Now Rose, who had recently left her lucrative job and rent stabilized apartment at his suggestion, has literally nowhere to go. Her father, who is in a home, is also on the decline. She ends up "dog/house sitting" for another tenant in the building. Rose didn't know this woman, but knew of her. The rumor was she had been involved in a salacious scandal at some point in the past and has severe scars, which is why she always wears hats with veils to cover her face. Rose, the curious journalist, starts trying to learn about this mystery woman and what happened to her while dog sitting--it could be a story to get her career back on track, see.
At this juncture, we start going back in time to the 1950s when Darby (the now elderly woman) first moves to NYC. The story is then told in two timelines--Darby in the 1950s and the days/events leading up to when she was scarred/what happened that night... and Rose, in the now, trying to uncover details and also put her life back together.
Although this novel wasn't as informative and 'educational' as some of the other books in the genre, I enjoyed it and found it had a positive message and was very 'feminist.' Rose becomes her own woman again, seeing how she became "lost" or codependent by her rich/older boyfriend and Darby's story is also a "coming of age" story, even if it ends with tragedy. The 1950s timeline features a number of women who rejected the societal norms at the time and were all-around strong independent women. It was thrilling to see all of these women not be the stereotype we have for women during that period.
Critics of this book have called it chick-lit. I happen to love chick lit and wouldn't consider this "chick lit" at all. It's not overly light and it's not fluffy. This story has substance and a strong message that is almost anti chick-lit. It's about falling in love with yourself and who you are. Admittedly, it has an overly happy "fairytale" ending, which okay that's chick-lit and Hallmark/Hollywood-ish, but I also don't mind a happy ending :)
If you liked [b:The Subway Girls|36263210|The Subway Girls|Susie Orman Schnall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507431473l/36263210._SY75_.jpg|57916027] or [b:City of Girls|42135029|City of Girls|Elizabeth Gilbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545498817l/42135029._SY75_.jpg|65729493] and are looking for a similar book, this is a great option for you (along with [b:Pulp|32970644|Pulp|Robin Talley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527184143l/32970644._SY75_.jpg|53607735] which has a YA slant but so far is my favorite from this 1950's era).
SUMMARY: Rose (present day) finds herself in a crisis. Her boyfriend, who was about to propose, suddenly breaks things off because his daughter is ill. Now Rose, who had recently left her lucrative job and rent stabilized apartment at his suggestion, has literally nowhere to go. Her father, who is in a home, is also on the decline. She ends up "dog/house sitting" for another tenant in the building. Rose didn't know this woman, but knew of her. The rumor was she had been involved in a salacious scandal at some point in the past and has severe scars, which is why she always wears hats with veils to cover her face. Rose, the curious journalist, starts trying to learn about this mystery woman and what happened to her while dog sitting--it could be a story to get her career back on track, see.
At this juncture, we start going back in time to the 1950s when Darby (the now elderly woman) first moves to NYC. The story is then told in two timelines--Darby in the 1950s and the days/events leading up to when she was scarred/what happened that night... and Rose, in the now, trying to uncover details and also put her life back together.
Although this novel wasn't as informative and 'educational' as some of the other books in the genre, I enjoyed it and found it had a positive message and was very 'feminist.' Rose becomes her own woman again, seeing how she became "lost" or codependent by her rich/older boyfriend and Darby's story is also a "coming of age" story, even if it ends with tragedy. The 1950s timeline features a number of women who rejected the societal norms at the time and were all-around strong independent women. It was thrilling to see all of these women not be the stereotype we have for women during that period.
Critics of this book have called it chick-lit. I happen to love chick lit and wouldn't consider this "chick lit" at all. It's not overly light and it's not fluffy. This story has substance and a strong message that is almost anti chick-lit. It's about falling in love with yourself and who you are. Admittedly, it has an overly happy "fairytale" ending, which okay that's chick-lit and Hallmark/Hollywood-ish, but I also don't mind a happy ending :)
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
The story centers around a building and it's inhabitants, moving between 1952 and 2016 with ease. History, New York City, mystery, music, love, independence, uncertainty and spices blend to connect past and present, weaving a story that's hard to put down.