Reviews

BUtterfield 8 by John O'Hara

blueyorkie's review against another edition

5.0

John O'Hara's novel, BUtterfield 8 (the title came from Gloria's telephone exchange when phone numbers were a combination of letters and numbers), differs considerably from Elizabeth Taylor's film. A significant contrast is set in 1931, the beginnings, but not yet the depths of the Depression, in a New York City where Prohibition is still in force—spent that a great deal of time drifting from one speakeasy to another, a portrait of a city starved for alcohol. It takes a while for Gloria Wandrous to focus as the book's central character, as it begins as a kaleidoscopic portrait of the city and its inhabitants. The torn evening gown and the stolen mink coat, so memorable in the film, propel the plot forward. In the movie, the trio of Gloria, Liggett, and her friend, Eddie (as played by the hopelessly inept Eddie Fisher) eventually takes control of the narrative.

lauraborkpower's review against another edition

2.0

It had a soap opera feel and I couldn't get into it. I think it's considered a classic, but not in my book.

angus_mckeogh's review against another edition

4.0

As with some previous classics I can see why this book would be slotted in with those. It all revolves around topics discussed and the period of time in which the book was published. Sex (with women as sexual beings), drugs, alcohol (during prohibition), infidelity, marriage, men with younger women, suicide, theft, and just all around unsavory behavior, but the best part was the story was interesting as well. My biggest shock with the book and author was reading that O’Hara has the most short stories ever published in The New Yorker. Frankly I’d never heard of him. Good news; he’s written a good number of other books as well.

sidjtu's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Disappointing, the main storyline is promising but the constant diversions failed to hold my interest

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs

rubberrosebooks's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Alcohol

lauraxbakker's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed the writing style but only fairly enjoyed the story itself. To me it wasn't that interesting but I think that back in the era this was written, it must have been thrilling to read a book like this.

carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting book that tells the tale of Gloria Wandrous and her life. The time is 1930, post stock market crash, the depression is looming and speakeasies are the place to be. Gloria is a young woman who the narrator describes would have been a flapper had she been born a mere ten years earlier.

This is a sad tale, no one seems particularly happy or successful. There are people with money, but there are also men cheating on their wives, getting beaten up in bars, a high probability of alcoholism...Ahh, New York City in the 1930s.

Definitely an interesting read!

zdkb24's review against another edition

4.0

I didn't quite love this novel, but the portrait it draws of New York City in the nineteen-thirties felt remarkably true. The speakeasies, the apartments, the clothes, the financial squeeze, all that stuff is so vibrant.

carmelitasays's review against another edition

dark funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

robport's review against another edition

dark

3.5