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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol
Lillian Boxfish is Auntie Mame, Carrie Bradshaw, Irene Dunne, and the Dowager Countess, all wrapped into one. You want to get to know her.
emotional
reflective
slow-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
Lillian is part Mrs. Maisel, part Peggy Olson, and part their entirely original predecessor/pioneer. This book doesn't get five stars from me because it never put me in the state of rapture that Nora Ephron described entering when reading a book she really loved, but it was an enjoyable way to start off the year of reading. I had the audio book version out from the library and own it on my kindle. Usually, I LOVE having access to a book in multiple formats so that I can move between listening and reading, but I did not enjoy the audio book version. The narrator made Lillian seem breathy and uncertain when I read her to be walking with purpose.
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:
Complicated
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Although I loved Lillian's story & "voice", the story did drag a bit. I did enjoy learning about the historical tie-in to real-life Margaret Fishback.
Update: read again in 2024 (original in 2022) - still absolutely adore this book. The audiobook feels like a hug all the way through the good and the bad.
Original review
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
It was so comforting to listen to (highly recommend the audiobook). Yet at the same time, it evoked so many emotions.
Perhaps it is because my grandmother recently passed, or maybe it's because the year is ending. But this book made me think about how i too will one day, years from now, reflect back on my life, the memories i made, the tough times i overcame, the people i met, the friends i made. Life is so overwhelming and beautiful and tragic... And it goes on.
I will forever be recommending this one.
Original review
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
It was so comforting to listen to (highly recommend the audiobook). Yet at the same time, it evoked so many emotions.
Perhaps it is because my grandmother recently passed, or maybe it's because the year is ending. But this book made me think about how i too will one day, years from now, reflect back on my life, the memories i made, the tough times i overcame, the people i met, the friends i made. Life is so overwhelming and beautiful and tragic... And it goes on.
I will forever be recommending this one.
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
This was a lot deeper than I expected, based on the premise. I loved Lillian. Her independent streak. Her friendships. Her attitude. Her ultimate resilience. I sighed when she succumbed to convention, of course. But that was her story.
As usual, in a dual timeline, the past was far more compelling than the present. (Even when the present is 1985.) A lot of that was very convenient, in a low-key Forrest Gump way. But fun to read at the turn of the year.
As usual, in a dual timeline, the past was far more compelling than the present. (Even when the present is 1985.) A lot of that was very convenient, in a low-key Forrest Gump way. But fun to read at the turn of the year.
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
"Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk" through NYC on New Year's Eve, 1984. As she strolls, she crosses paths with a variety of people while reminiscing about her 85 years of life. A former marketing whiz, Lillian is spunky and is able to see what others need. Her ability to talk people into and out of things is one of the best parts of this novel, which at times felt more like slo-mo than walking. 3.5☆