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lrjohnson13 's review for:
The Life She Wanted
by Anita Abriel
Note: I received this book from Amazon's First Reads Program.
“You don’t always choose your friends for what you have in common . . . Sometimes you choose them for how they make you feel about yourself. A real friend is someone you can be yourself with, no matter what that’s like. And they won’t desert you.”
“Literature isn’t anything without love.”
In 1926, Hyde Park, New York, Pandora Carmichael, born to modest means but connected to the wealthy, nurtures dreams of romance and business success. Her introduction to a charming Princeton student seems to set the stage for her aspirations, leading to marriage and the fulfillment of her fantasies—a devoted husband, love, and the means to open her boutique. However, scandal and tragedy disrupt Pandora's idyllic life, forcing her to flee Hyde Park burdened with a heart-wrenching secret. With the looming Depression, Pandora is compelled to reassess her desires and make crucial life decisions.
This book had the potential to shine in the glittering tapestry of the Gilded Age, yet it fell short of keeping me engrossed in the plot. The vivid portrayal of the era, from the bustling streets of New York to the opulent estates and the details of fashion, created a vivid backdrop for the story. The incorporation of historical events added depth and authenticity to the narrative, making the setting the standout feature of the book in my opinion.
However, my connection with the protagonist, Pandora, wavered. Raised in proximity to wealth, she seemed more entitled than aspirational, relying on marriage for a shortcut to the life she desired. Her character, initially poised as independent, succumbed to societal norms, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn's Sabrina—a contrast to the expected strength. Pandora's journey towards independence felt forced rather than a natural evolution.
The supporting characters, particularly Pandora's friend Virginia, added substance to the narrative and I wished she had been featured more throughout the book. Virginia's daring views in that era made her a captivating character, more so than Pandora.
“You don’t always choose your friends for what you have in common . . . Sometimes you choose them for how they make you feel about yourself. A real friend is someone you can be yourself with, no matter what that’s like. And they won’t desert you.”
“Literature isn’t anything without love.”
In 1926, Hyde Park, New York, Pandora Carmichael, born to modest means but connected to the wealthy, nurtures dreams of romance and business success. Her introduction to a charming Princeton student seems to set the stage for her aspirations, leading to marriage and the fulfillment of her fantasies—a devoted husband, love, and the means to open her boutique. However, scandal and tragedy disrupt Pandora's idyllic life, forcing her to flee Hyde Park burdened with a heart-wrenching secret. With the looming Depression, Pandora is compelled to reassess her desires and make crucial life decisions.
This book had the potential to shine in the glittering tapestry of the Gilded Age, yet it fell short of keeping me engrossed in the plot. The vivid portrayal of the era, from the bustling streets of New York to the opulent estates and the details of fashion, created a vivid backdrop for the story. The incorporation of historical events added depth and authenticity to the narrative, making the setting the standout feature of the book in my opinion.
However, my connection with the protagonist, Pandora, wavered. Raised in proximity to wealth, she seemed more entitled than aspirational, relying on marriage for a shortcut to the life she desired. Her character, initially poised as independent, succumbed to societal norms, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn's Sabrina—a contrast to the expected strength. Pandora's journey towards independence felt forced rather than a natural evolution.
The supporting characters, particularly Pandora's friend Virginia, added substance to the narrative and I wished she had been featured more throughout the book. Virginia's daring views in that era made her a captivating character, more so than Pandora.