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850melissa's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pagesofpins's review
4.0
A 1958 reprint of a coming of age novel about a wealthy young girl who spends her senior year with her well-to-do "Hill" friends and waiting for letters from her handsome college boyfriend, until the tradition of debutantes descends on her small town and her father forbids her to participate. Lynn is suddenly aware of her peers in other social classes, and begins to form strong opinions about prejudices in her town and rethinks the relationships with everyone she's known all her life.
While a bit preachy in places, Lois Duncan's (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Hotel For Dogs) first novel has characters that ring true and enough action and romance to move it along. I can see why it sold well in its day, but I have to confess that what brought this novel to four stars for me was how (unintentionally) hilarious melodramatic 1950s teens are (How thrilling that my feminine charms might wield enough power over bad-boy Dirk Masters to turn him from his rough crowd!), and how interesting the social mores of the 1950s are (If you have a fellow's class ring, you're apparently still not exactly going steady, and it's totally acceptable to chat with him about other boys you're dating while he's out of town. And remember, girls, a real lady is always kind to the less attractive debutantes, otherwise know as "the less fortunate".) I giggled and cackled my way through the story and enjoyed myself thoroughly.
Don't skip the intro. Lois Duncan was clearly the most fantastic child ever.
Also: Holy typo, Batman! There are a disproportionate number of errors in this text. Like ten that I found without looking.
While a bit preachy in places, Lois Duncan's (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Hotel For Dogs) first novel has characters that ring true and enough action and romance to move it along. I can see why it sold well in its day, but I have to confess that what brought this novel to four stars for me was how (unintentionally) hilarious melodramatic 1950s teens are (How thrilling that my feminine charms might wield enough power over bad-boy Dirk Masters to turn him from his rough crowd!), and how interesting the social mores of the 1950s are (If you have a fellow's class ring, you're apparently still not exactly going steady, and it's totally acceptable to chat with him about other boys you're dating while he's out of town. And remember, girls, a real lady is always kind to the less attractive debutantes, otherwise know as "the less fortunate".) I giggled and cackled my way through the story and enjoyed myself thoroughly.
Don't skip the intro. Lois Duncan was clearly the most fantastic child ever.
Also: Holy typo, Batman! There are a disproportionate number of errors in this text. Like ten that I found without looking.
harriet_toad_maradona's review
3.0
it's only been a few days since I read this novel, but I've already forgotten most of what it was like to read. I think it was batty enough to be some fun (especially in the beginning before Lynn [possibly not even the correct name] realizes that it is no coincidence that the Hill (read: rich) kids are at the center of everything worth doing at old Calvin Coolidge High [most certainly not the correct name].
my expectations have been ruining my reading all year, but I just can't let them go. going into this novel, I knew there'd be nobody clairvoyant or practicing astral projection, but I thought there might be at least one description of a dress. perhaps I am guilty of generalizing the past, of having a narrow understanding of the type of fiction young women were writing for even younger women in the '50s...that said, seems like there'd be plenty of clothes and food to describe up on DEBUTANTEfuckingHILL.
my expectations have been ruining my reading all year, but I just can't let them go. going into this novel, I knew there'd be nobody clairvoyant or practicing astral projection, but I thought there might be at least one description of a dress. perhaps I am guilty of generalizing the past, of having a narrow understanding of the type of fiction young women were writing for even younger women in the '50s...that said, seems like there'd be plenty of clothes and food to describe up on DEBUTANTEfuckingHILL.
theaudioauditor's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
liralen's review
4.0
First published in 1957, this was reprinted a few years ago. It's Duncan's first book, and she notes in a foreword that she originally wrote it as a short story: she turned it into a book after an editor told her that it was too much story for a short story. For readers who grew up with Duncan's I Know What You Did Last Summer, this is quite the change of pace. No murder, nothing supernatural...just a relatively quiet story about a girl from a 'good' family who must learn a lesson about class and perception.
I'm giving this four stars because I found it so fascinating. It's not without its problems, though. Modern readers will notice that 'diversity' in the book extends only as far as how much money the white characters have (note that the modern cover includes a few black men, all of whom are clearly in blue-collar-worker roles); there's something of a rich-white-saviour aspect to one of the book's conflicts; there's never really any suggestion that Lynn (the girl from the 'right side of the tracks') might actually end up with Dirk (the boy from the 'wrong side of the tracks'), because that would be a bridge too far. It's a reflection partly of the times, I think, and partly of Duncan's youth and relative inexperience at the time of writing. To Lynn, the protagonist, it's genuinely mind-blowing to realise that people outside her narrow, privileged social circle can also be good people, smart people, people worth knowing. It feels realistic that there's a limit to how far Lynn's changes, over the course of the year, can stretch, and I appreciate that she grows aware of her privilege throughout the story: that even though all her friends are 'coming out' as debutantes and she's not (her father doesn't approve of coming out, as he thinks debutante activities are classist), she has access to privileges that lower-class girls don't. Among other things, Lynn is never ostracised: her friends are sorry she can't participate, and Lynn often does end up feeling left out, but it's not intentional. In a contemporary story, I'm not sure this would be the case; I think it's likely that a lot of the plot would revolve around a 'mean girl' from either side of the tracks.
But as a historical piece of reading, it's fascinating. I'm really only sorry that the reprint didn't include Duncan's original short story!
I'm giving this four stars because I found it so fascinating. It's not without its problems, though. Modern readers will notice that 'diversity' in the book extends only as far as how much money the white characters have (note that the modern cover includes a few black men, all of whom are clearly in blue-collar-worker roles); there's something of a rich-white-saviour aspect to one of the book's conflicts; there's never really any suggestion that Lynn (the girl from the 'right side of the tracks') might actually end up with Dirk (the boy from the 'wrong side of the tracks'), because that would be a bridge too far. It's a reflection partly of the times, I think, and partly of Duncan's youth and relative inexperience at the time of writing. To Lynn, the protagonist, it's genuinely mind-blowing to realise that people outside her narrow, privileged social circle can also be good people, smart people, people worth knowing. It feels realistic that there's a limit to how far Lynn's changes, over the course of the year, can stretch, and I appreciate that she grows aware of her privilege throughout the story: that even though all her friends are 'coming out' as debutantes and she's not (her father doesn't approve of coming out, as he thinks debutante activities are classist), she has access to privileges that lower-class girls don't. Among other things, Lynn is never ostracised: her friends are sorry she can't participate, and Lynn often does end up feeling left out, but it's not intentional. In a contemporary story, I'm not sure this would be the case; I think it's likely that a lot of the plot would revolve around a 'mean girl' from either side of the tracks.
But as a historical piece of reading, it's fascinating. I'm really only sorry that the reprint didn't include Duncan's original short story!
brittneycloyd's review
3.0
Duncan's first novel does not contain the suspense and supernatural found in her later novels. It's a coming of age story about a girl who's not allowed to be a debutante with the rest of her friends. Despite their stilted conversations, the characters have some level of depth. The story was not predictable, though not particularly intriguing, either. It really bothered me that Lynn couldn't participate in the debutante activities but her brother could escort another debutante??? And the narrator didn't have much to say about that; it's like Duncan recognized the double standard of her day but wouldn't fully expose it. All in all, I'd say this was an interesting look at the 1950s but that Duncan became a better author as time went on.
odrib's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual assault
mrskatiefitz's review
5.0
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
Debutante Hill was the first book to be reissued by Lizzie Skurnick Books. Though Lois Duncan is best known to people of my generation and younger as a writer of teen thrillers, this book does not fall into that genre. Published in 1957, it is the story of high school senior Lynn Chambers who is at the center of the popular crowd of kids who live on the Hill. When it is announced that the mother of one of the less-popular girls has decided to organize a debutante program in order to help her daughter improve her social life, it is just assumed that Lynn will participate along with her friends. To her great surprise, though, her father, Dr. Chambers, does not approve of his daughter making her debut. Suddenly, Lynn finds herself left out of everything. While at first it seems like a major disappointment, over time, Lynn's exclusion from the debutante events leads her to make a series of important discoveries about herself, her boyfriend, her friends, and some of her classmates who don't live on the Hill.
I really love this book. I like its old-fashioned sensibility, which reminds me of Beverly Cleary's First Love books and the later books in the Betsy-Tacy series. I like that it takes a superficial experience - girls wearing gowns and attending parties in order to mark their entry in society - and turns it into a commentary on class distinctions, stereotypes, and popularity. The main character is not perfect, but she is open to change and willing to compromise, which makes her a worthy and believable role model. Even the romance storylines are handled with a heavy dose of realism - Lynn briefly dates a "bad boy" but the story resists the "good girl reforms bad boy" trope, and ultimately, Lynn is able to resolve her issues with her boyfriend in a calm and rational way, without the hysterics or drama so common in more contemporary YA novels.
High school students would probably find the writing and plot of this book too simplistic, but for grades 6 to 8, it might be just right. It's also a must-read for adults who grew up reading books by Lois Duncan - there's nothing more interesting than looking back on the early works of a favorite author. As a bonus, also read Publisher's Weekly's Q & A with Lois Duncan.
Debutante Hill was the first book to be reissued by Lizzie Skurnick Books. Though Lois Duncan is best known to people of my generation and younger as a writer of teen thrillers, this book does not fall into that genre. Published in 1957, it is the story of high school senior Lynn Chambers who is at the center of the popular crowd of kids who live on the Hill. When it is announced that the mother of one of the less-popular girls has decided to organize a debutante program in order to help her daughter improve her social life, it is just assumed that Lynn will participate along with her friends. To her great surprise, though, her father, Dr. Chambers, does not approve of his daughter making her debut. Suddenly, Lynn finds herself left out of everything. While at first it seems like a major disappointment, over time, Lynn's exclusion from the debutante events leads her to make a series of important discoveries about herself, her boyfriend, her friends, and some of her classmates who don't live on the Hill.
I really love this book. I like its old-fashioned sensibility, which reminds me of Beverly Cleary's First Love books and the later books in the Betsy-Tacy series. I like that it takes a superficial experience - girls wearing gowns and attending parties in order to mark their entry in society - and turns it into a commentary on class distinctions, stereotypes, and popularity. The main character is not perfect, but she is open to change and willing to compromise, which makes her a worthy and believable role model. Even the romance storylines are handled with a heavy dose of realism - Lynn briefly dates a "bad boy" but the story resists the "good girl reforms bad boy" trope, and ultimately, Lynn is able to resolve her issues with her boyfriend in a calm and rational way, without the hysterics or drama so common in more contemporary YA novels.
High school students would probably find the writing and plot of this book too simplistic, but for grades 6 to 8, it might be just right. It's also a must-read for adults who grew up reading books by Lois Duncan - there's nothing more interesting than looking back on the early works of a favorite author. As a bonus, also read Publisher's Weekly's Q & A with Lois Duncan.
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