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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very well done story about a life. I admire the inclusion of mental illness and wonder at the history. I assume New Yorkers enjoy it, I don't really spend much time in Chicago, but would enjoy the same sort of reminiscent story about Chicago and/or the surrounding area.
On the last night of 1984, Lillian Boxfish takes a 10.4 mile walk around New York City. She meets some interesting characters along the way as she muses about her past. I don't get the significance of 1984, if there is one. But, as someone who walks and solves all the problems of the world while doing so, I took the title of Chapter 21 as my personal motto, Solvitur Ambulando (It is solved by walking).
Lillian is not a real person, but she is based on the real highest-paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930's, Margaret Fishback. I should have liked and admired Lillian. I wanted to like and admire Lillian. But I just didn't.
Lillian is not a real person, but she is based on the real highest-paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930's, Margaret Fishback. I should have liked and admired Lillian. I wanted to like and admire Lillian. But I just didn't.
This hit every button for me: NYC nostalgia, memorable female protagonist, clever wordplay, absurdist vignettes, and my personal fantasy of being an old lady in a city going to restaurants. Very charming.
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really enjoyed this book on multiple levels. It’s so NY and so much of it takes place the year I moved there (1984). A professional woman in advertising - pre-MadMen (although I was post), someone who enjoys walking all over NY; independent woman. And even all the contrived encounters felt lovely vs annoying. A slow read but to savor. Reminds me a bit of The Correspondent. Different narrative structure but an older woman reflecting on her life and the people she’s met and known.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a recommendation for the 12 books by 12 friends challenge by pal Caitlin. This book had not been on my radar at all and I’m so so glad to have read it! Well, I listened to it - and I highly recommend this format due to the perfect narration by Xe Sands.
New Year’s Eve 1985- Lillian Boxfish walks for miles around Manhattan. She recalls her time in advertising, dates, her marriage, her divorce, motherhood, how the city has changed and how it’s stayed the same all while meeting new people.
This novel is a love letter to NYC. As a New Yorker, I LOVE stories set in the past here. Lillian’s outlook on her life coupled with her kindness towards strangers (and their kindness towards her) has really stayed with me. There’s a great interview between the author and narrator at the end of the audiobook, where I learned Lillian is loosely based on Margaret Fishback, the highest paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930s. If you love long meandering tales about human connection, NYC, and a badass female protagonist this book is for you.
✨Content Warnings: Suicide Attempt, Self-Harm, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Medical Content
✨Themes: Human Connection, Identity, Memory
✨You May Like This If You Enjoyed:
-A Gentleman in Moscow (Amor Towles)
-Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Jonathan Safran Foer)
-Let the Great World Spin (Colum McCann)
New Year’s Eve 1985- Lillian Boxfish walks for miles around Manhattan. She recalls her time in advertising, dates, her marriage, her divorce, motherhood, how the city has changed and how it’s stayed the same all while meeting new people.
This novel is a love letter to NYC. As a New Yorker, I LOVE stories set in the past here. Lillian’s outlook on her life coupled with her kindness towards strangers (and their kindness towards her) has really stayed with me. There’s a great interview between the author and narrator at the end of the audiobook, where I learned Lillian is loosely based on Margaret Fishback, the highest paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930s. If you love long meandering tales about human connection, NYC, and a badass female protagonist this book is for you.
✨Content Warnings: Suicide Attempt, Self-Harm, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Medical Content
✨Themes: Human Connection, Identity, Memory
✨You May Like This If You Enjoyed:
-A Gentleman in Moscow (Amor Towles)
-Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Jonathan Safran Foer)
-Let the Great World Spin (Colum McCann)
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced