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theglossreview's review against another edition
3.0
I’d only recommend this book to readers who have a fierce interest in the United States of the 1930’s and in tragic life stories. It wasn’t meeting my expectations, unfortunately. Half the story is about Lillian’s past, which is very sad and unfulfilled. It was hard to continue the story, and I almost couldn’t finish it. However, Lillian’s walk on New Year’s Eve, and especially the end of the book, earned an extra star, so that it comes out at a 3 star rating.
jean_grey's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
nglenn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? N/A
4.75
alyssajcori's review against another edition
3.0
This was both a fun and somewhat somber read. We follow a woman back and forth in time between the start of her career as an ad writer in the 1930s for Macy's and well into her retirement. It all takes place in NYC and you get to learn about the pressures and challenges of being a career driven person, a wife, a mother, a person with mental illness, and a friend.
I loved the main character's personality and the dialog was very fun. I gave 3 stars because, while I enjoyed the story, it does not stand out to me as a "must read."
I loved the main character's personality and the dialog was very fun. I gave 3 stars because, while I enjoyed the story, it does not stand out to me as a "must read."
kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition
5.0
Charming, thoughtful. Wonderful characters. Like taking a walk with an older friend and hearing all the greatest stories of her life. Loved it!
vankelly's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
angelamichelle's review against another edition
3.0
This book has a great premise--formerly pioneering ad woman and it girl, now lonely and in her mid-eighties walks through NYC reminiscing and encountering people--but it disappoints.
- Didn't ever seem to really penetrate past the clever veneer the character wields. The voice was always too polished, too presented. I never actually felt I saw the real Lillian Boxfish.
- Way too much tell (in that distancing cleverness) and not much show.
- A big deal is made of her queen-of-Manhattan youth and her tragic middle age. But it never at all illuminates how one became the other, and that I think would have been an interesting story.
- Seems to confuse route across town with plot arc.
- Didn't ever seem to really penetrate past the clever veneer the character wields. The voice was always too polished, too presented. I never actually felt I saw the real Lillian Boxfish.
- Way too much tell (in that distancing cleverness) and not much show.
- A big deal is made of her queen-of-Manhattan youth and her tragic middle age. But it never at all illuminates how one became the other, and that I think would have been an interesting story.
- Seems to confuse route across town with plot arc.
colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
5.0
They can run all they want. They'll be rejected and exhausted.
But upon reflection I am inclined to file them in the drawer labeled good problems.
Now I must do my best impression of a track star.
Oh, if you want the last word that much, you can have it.
If I am in a place with that many pigeons, then it is probably urban enough for me to want to live there and be satisfied with the quantity of urbanity.
Steam from the subway grates: shiny ghosts
In order not to bother or be bothered by ghosts, you just act like you're one of them.
When life seems gray
And short of fizz
It seems that way
Because it is.
But upon reflection I am inclined to file them in the drawer labeled good problems.
Now I must do my best impression of a track star.
Oh, if you want the last word that much, you can have it.
If I am in a place with that many pigeons, then it is probably urban enough for me to want to live there and be satisfied with the quantity of urbanity.
Steam from the subway grates: shiny ghosts
In order not to bother or be bothered by ghosts, you just act like you're one of them.
When life seems gray
And short of fizz
It seems that way
Because it is.