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tatbenatar's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.0
lb_reads1's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the "Laura" part of this book. I didn't love the Millay part of it though. I could entirely have done without it. As much as I loved Hemingway's Girl and Call Me Zelda, I expected to LOVE this one as well. Laura's story was a perfect accompaniment to the other two books/stories. Millay was a little more eccentric than Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds, so I could have expected this to be a little riské. Other than the overly sexual parts, I enjoyed this. Especially the ending. Grateful for happy endings.
mslaura's review
2.0
This novel revolves around the lives of the fictional seamstress Laura Kelley and the real poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, and the relationship which develops between them in an upstate New York town. I found Laura's character likable and I had sympathy for the position in which she found herself; a single mother ostracized by her community and struggling to support herself and her child. However, this is really a character which has been presented countless times before, and I did not feel that this novel added anything new or interesting to this storyline. Edna St. Vincent Millay, on the other hand, is unlike anyone I have ever read about before. She lived a life of disturbing excess and was apparently quite a sad and troubled woman. Although this should have added an interesting dimension to the story, the writing in this book just never grabbed me or held my interest for very long. It seemed there was a lot of unnecessary detail and the story moved along too slowly for my tastes. Overall this book was just okay for me.
This review refers to an ARC I received for free through the Goodreads Firstreads program.
This review refers to an ARC I received for free through the Goodreads Firstreads program.
stephsabia's review
5.0
Fallen Beauty is the story of two very different women who find themselves in a very unlikely and at times dysfunctional friendship. The late poet, Edna St.Vincent Millay was a woman born before her time. She lived her life as she wanted, married to one man but taking lovers of both sexes and not caring what the consequences were or what other people thought of her. For Vincent (as she was known) her demons came from within her. Her easy obsession with her lovers and her need to control them were enough to drive her to the brink of madness. Any time she was met with refusal was enough to send her over the edge.
Laura Kelley is a young seamstress madly in love with someone she cannot have who quickly finds herself with a daughter to raise and support on her own. Because of the disgrace at having a child out of wedlock the townspeople look down on her and stop bringing business to her dress shop. The loss of her father and the rejection of the man who she thought loved her leaves her reputation torn and her business almost broken but she does not let it ruin her spirit. Only Vincent Millay is willing to bring her new business and together while creating the poets new gowns these two fallen beauties help to usher in change their town so desperately needs.
From page one Erika Robuck's writing whisked me away to the small upstate New York town this book is set in. I could feel myself there in the late 1920's and early 1930's when everything you do is watched and judged by those among you. When what you do and say and look like appears to be more important than who you are on the inside. Vincent and Laura's stories are so beautifully intertwined I did not want this story to end. I loved that Erika kept the identity of Laura's lover a mystery almost until the very end (although I had my suspicions). I know both of these fascinating women will live in my head for days to come.
Laura Kelley is a young seamstress madly in love with someone she cannot have who quickly finds herself with a daughter to raise and support on her own. Because of the disgrace at having a child out of wedlock the townspeople look down on her and stop bringing business to her dress shop. The loss of her father and the rejection of the man who she thought loved her leaves her reputation torn and her business almost broken but she does not let it ruin her spirit. Only Vincent Millay is willing to bring her new business and together while creating the poets new gowns these two fallen beauties help to usher in change their town so desperately needs.
From page one Erika Robuck's writing whisked me away to the small upstate New York town this book is set in. I could feel myself there in the late 1920's and early 1930's when everything you do is watched and judged by those among you. When what you do and say and look like appears to be more important than who you are on the inside. Vincent and Laura's stories are so beautifully intertwined I did not want this story to end. I loved that Erika kept the identity of Laura's lover a mystery almost until the very end (although I had my suspicions). I know both of these fascinating women will live in my head for days to come.
linyarai's review
3.0
It definitely had similarities to The Scarlet Letter. I was expecting more of a biography on Millay, not a secondary character Laura. It was still interesting and well paced, just not what I thought I was getting into.
serendipitysbooks's review
4.0
Fallen Beauty is historical fiction with two main narrators. One of them is “Vinnie”, as Millay was commonly known, and the other is Laura. Laura is a single mother, living in a small town and attempting to support herself and her daughter through her work as a seamstress. Her life isn’t easy since the townsfolk don’t exactly approve of women having children out of wedlock, and one woman in particular seems to have a real vendetta against Laura. Vinnie spies Laura at a distance one day and develops an obsession, trying to draw Laura into her world. Laura resists their charm, not approving of the bohemian, hedonistic ways of Vinnie and her husband Eugene, ways which have caused distress for her own sister. However, she can’t afford to turn down the offer of work.
I liked Laura, was invested in her story, hoped for a happy outcome for her and daughter Grace. Vinnie, not so much. As portrayed in this story, a portrayal that seems fairly accurate based on the biography, she was mercurial, imperious and self-centred - expecting people to cater to her whims regardless of their own interests.
I liked Laura, was invested in her story, hoped for a happy outcome for her and daughter Grace. Vinnie, not so much. As portrayed in this story, a portrayal that seems fairly accurate based on the biography, she was mercurial, imperious and self-centred - expecting people to cater to her whims regardless of their own interests.
allisonthurman's review
4.0
Got off to a slow start for me but once I was in it was utterly compelling. A tale of what it's like not to fit in and how to find your place, and how the most unlikely people might help you do that.
booksavor's review
4.0
After finishing her 4th novel, I am more than sure that Erika Robuck is my favorite contemporary author. Her writing is superb. She is able to effortlessly combine style and substance. I never feel like I am bogged down with details or heavy writing; at the same time the way she describes people, events, and feelings is precise and lovely. I enjoy the mysteries that she involves (in this one as well as "Receive Me Falling"). Her characters never fail to grab me and keep my attention. They are genuinely believable, flawed, and human. The historical characters and events seem to be well researched and Robuck never assumes her audience comes in with no knowledge of the past, which is refreshing; this keeps the story moving at a brisk and enjoyable pace.
I really enjoy how Robuck combines history and fiction, adding in characters she has created to the actual life events of her subjects. I knew very little of Edna St. Vincent Millay before reading this book but I am intrigued by her and would like to learn more. I was reminded of "The Scarlet Letter" while reading this story and I believe that Robuck's next work will involve Hawthorne; I wonder which work inspired which? However she was inspired to write it, I know for certain I will be reading it as soon as it is released!
I really enjoy how Robuck combines history and fiction, adding in characters she has created to the actual life events of her subjects. I knew very little of Edna St. Vincent Millay before reading this book but I am intrigued by her and would like to learn more. I was reminded of "The Scarlet Letter" while reading this story and I believe that Robuck's next work will involve Hawthorne; I wonder which work inspired which? However she was inspired to write it, I know for certain I will be reading it as soon as it is released!
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