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overbooked_va's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Breezy and packed with information, this history of The Barbizon also serves as introduction to 20th century women. Stuffed with anecdotes, gossipy yet intelligent, The Barbizon captures the ambition of a particular type of young woman, characterized by famed residents such as Sylvia Plath and Joan Didion, who come to New York to conquer.
emersonmoore03's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
shanhautman's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting history but I was expecting a different approach and style.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook read by Andi Arndt
4****
Subtitle: The Hotel That Set Women Free
I remember reading Mademoiselle magazine when I was a teen, anxiously poring over the “College” issue and imagining myself on some distant campus, dressed “just so.” I never saw myself in New York City, however, HAD I imagined that I would have imagined myself living at the Barbizon.
Bren has done her research and chronicles the history of the iconic hotel from its conception and construction in 1927 to its eventual conversion to multi-million dollar condominiums in 2007. As she tells the story of the hotel, she tells the story of women in America, of their hopes, dreams and aspirations as contrasted with society’s expectations and the structured roles assigned to “proper” women. The list of famous women who lived there is impressive, from writers such as Joan Didion and Sylvia Plath, to film stars (Grace Kelly and Ali McGraw), but it is the countless others who grabbed the chance for independence and success who should really be celebrated. Brava, ladies!
The audiobook is narrated by Andi Arndt and she does a marvelous job of it. Even my husband got hooked on the story when he listened as we drove to dinner one evening.
4****
Subtitle: The Hotel That Set Women Free
I remember reading Mademoiselle magazine when I was a teen, anxiously poring over the “College” issue and imagining myself on some distant campus, dressed “just so.” I never saw myself in New York City, however, HAD I imagined that I would have imagined myself living at the Barbizon.
Bren has done her research and chronicles the history of the iconic hotel from its conception and construction in 1927 to its eventual conversion to multi-million dollar condominiums in 2007. As she tells the story of the hotel, she tells the story of women in America, of their hopes, dreams and aspirations as contrasted with society’s expectations and the structured roles assigned to “proper” women. The list of famous women who lived there is impressive, from writers such as Joan Didion and Sylvia Plath, to film stars (Grace Kelly and Ali McGraw), but it is the countless others who grabbed the chance for independence and success who should really be celebrated. Brava, ladies!
The audiobook is narrated by Andi Arndt and she does a marvelous job of it. Even my husband got hooked on the story when he listened as we drove to dinner one evening.
jldusinberre's review against another edition
Read a few chapters but was not compelled to finish.
threeara's review against another edition
4.5
I loved how this used the hotel as a jumping off point to talk through young white women's history and NYC history in the 20th century. Wish it went wider discussing class and race, and wish it spent way less time naming the weight and physical attractiveness (or lack thereof) of women, even if many were models and thus the info mattered to some of their careers.