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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I realize that this book was meant to be like a leisurely walk through the streets of New York City. Although the story was fairly interesting, the pace and the tone nearly put me to sleep. I wanted to like this book much more than I actually did.
#MMDBookClub Pick for December 2023
#MMDBookClub Pick for December 2023
Our titular octogenarian, Lillian Boxfish, takes a walk through NYC on New Year's Eve 1984. She meets some interesting/interested people along the way. She reflects on her colorful past, and contemplates how the city has changed. Lillian is clever, funny and sharp as a tack. She is the eccentric, acerbic grandmother that we often see in fiction.
This is a perfect read during this time of year. I expected to fly through this on New Year Eve, but it's a slow burn - an introspective read. It's very self-indulgent in the way a grandma would be when making you listen to her reminisce about her past.
It's often described as a love letter to NYC. I'm not convinced, but I've only ever been a visitor to the city so maybe I don't know.
There are a couple of scenes one with a Latina mother-to-be, and another with a group of Black teens that gave me pause. I can guess what the author was attempting to capture in these scenes but it was misfire for me, especially for a book published in 2017.
This is a perfect read during this time of year. I expected to fly through this on New Year Eve, but it's a slow burn - an introspective read. It's very self-indulgent in the way a grandma would be when making you listen to her reminisce about her past.
It's often described as a love letter to NYC. I'm not convinced, but I've only ever been a visitor to the city so maybe I don't know.
There are a couple of scenes one with a Latina mother-to-be, and another with a group of Black teens that gave me pause. I can guess what the author was attempting to capture in these scenes but it was misfire for me, especially for a book published in 2017.
It appears that I have had my fill of elderly flaneurs.
(See The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.)
(I guess "elderly" is inaccurate, because I really didn't like Paul Auster's City of Glass, either.)
(And yet, I myself really enjoy walking through a city, or the countryside. So it isn't peregrination that I object to.)
(And I liked Open City, by Teju Cole. So it isn't exactly that I don't like books that are woven around walking.)
(Nonetheless, I have a feeling that I will be skeptical of any "I'm off for a walk now" books, as I am already skeptical of books with titles that include the word "wife," "mother," or "daughter.")
(See The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.)
(I guess "elderly" is inaccurate, because I really didn't like Paul Auster's City of Glass, either.)
(And yet, I myself really enjoy walking through a city, or the countryside. So it isn't peregrination that I object to.)
(And I liked Open City, by Teju Cole. So it isn't exactly that I don't like books that are woven around walking.)
(Nonetheless, I have a feeling that I will be skeptical of any "I'm off for a walk now" books, as I am already skeptical of books with titles that include the word "wife," "mother," or "daughter.")
Enjoyed- sort of A Man called Ove meets Mrs. Queen Takes a Train meets Where’d You Go, Bernadette.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, War
About 3/4 through, but I'm going to sit down on a bench in Central Park and feed the pigeons while Lillian ambles off down Fifth Avenue without me. If I decide to get up and take another octogenarian walk, it will be with Alessandro Giuliani.
I did not want this book to end. I have to say it may be one of my favorites. Such a treat. I loved the history, the tribute to NYC, Lillian's character, the hopefulness, the personality and humor. Just really everything about it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No
Just a lovely book
"Sometimes I think it would be better never to have known how beautiful the world is. Just to be able to pass calmly by rather than pay the admission fee for a ringside seat. But here I am, ringside again."
"For an instant I'm taken aback by this affront. Then habit takes over and I relax, square off. I may be out of practice, but I have attended a lot of parties through the years, been challenged by many boors in many kitchens. Those old muscles still flex."
"For an instant I'm taken aback by this affront. Then habit takes over and I relax, square off. I may be out of practice, but I have attended a lot of parties through the years, been challenged by many boors in many kitchens. Those old muscles still flex."
The audiobook narrator was excellent. I enjoyed the novel, but didn't love it -- largely, I think, because I'm feeling just...done...with books on NYC literary types and nostalgia tours of the city.