A review by elothwen
The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free by Paulina Bren

5.0

Glamor and despair. This was beautifully written (although it took me quite a while to get through because of semester demands) and poignant. The major conflict was due to Mademoiselle, and frankly if something like the Barbizon existed still (which it never could, I'm afraid), it could thrive without those guest editor expectations that the women between the pages dealt with. I'm no fan of Sylvia Plath nor Joan Didion, but viewing it through their eyes via the chapters on them breathed more life into the hotel. I do wish there had been more focus on non-Mademoiselle girls, because I'm sure their stories are a lot more harsh, but I understand that it was hard enough getting information on these women. Certainly five stars for the portrayal of information and dedication to women's anecdotes.