debi_g's review against another edition
3.0
"I have blind spots, like anybody. My biggest one is myself: how people perceive me" (127).
"I have so little future left. And so much past" (196).
"Choice is an illusion promoted by the powerful" (214).
"People who command respect are never as widely known as people who command attention"(225).
"Burning a bridge, as any tactician will tell you, sometimes saves more than it costs" (233).
"Whenever 'everyone' is doing something, I seek to avoid it. But whenever someone tells me *not* to do something, that thing has a way of becoming the only thing I want to do" (257).
"Happiness and a love of fun are not coextensive, and their relationship may even be divergent. If one were happy, then one might stay in with a book, say, and not go out hunting for fun" (258).
"solvitur ambulando: It is solved by walking" (234).
"All my life, I have taken satisfaction in finishing things in order that I may experience a sense of achievement, regardless of whether the thing was really worth achieving" (33).
"A long walk through an unfamiliar neighborhood teaches me more about what's new and exciting than any number of hours of television can" (59).
"One could say I was 'loose,' but I never felt myself far from the tightest self-control" (75).
"Extending hospitality to all, even to the most cloddish, truly is the basis of civilization. the fact that the most cloddish, having nothing better to do, always show up and spoil the party for everyone else probably spells civilization's ultimate doom" (111).
"I never like to walk back the same way that I came if I can help it..." (188).
Though I find Lillian Boxfish quite quotable,
though I, too, am a perambulator,
though I love to walk a city
and will walk NYC in a couple of weeks,
though I admire wit and propriety,
though the author has her bona fides,
though I laud the feisty and sincere spirit of the heroine,
I am not a fan of this novel.
"I have so little future left. And so much past" (196).
"Choice is an illusion promoted by the powerful" (214).
"People who command respect are never as widely known as people who command attention"(225).
"Burning a bridge, as any tactician will tell you, sometimes saves more than it costs" (233).
"Whenever 'everyone' is doing something, I seek to avoid it. But whenever someone tells me *not* to do something, that thing has a way of becoming the only thing I want to do" (257).
"Happiness and a love of fun are not coextensive, and their relationship may even be divergent. If one were happy, then one might stay in with a book, say, and not go out hunting for fun" (258).
"solvitur ambulando: It is solved by walking" (234).
"All my life, I have taken satisfaction in finishing things in order that I may experience a sense of achievement, regardless of whether the thing was really worth achieving" (33).
"A long walk through an unfamiliar neighborhood teaches me more about what's new and exciting than any number of hours of television can" (59).
"One could say I was 'loose,' but I never felt myself far from the tightest self-control" (75).
"Extending hospitality to all, even to the most cloddish, truly is the basis of civilization. the fact that the most cloddish, having nothing better to do, always show up and spoil the party for everyone else probably spells civilization's ultimate doom" (111).
"I never like to walk back the same way that I came if I can help it..." (188).
Though I find Lillian Boxfish quite quotable,
though I, too, am a perambulator,
though I love to walk a city
and will walk NYC in a couple of weeks,
though I admire wit and propriety,
though the author has her bona fides,
though I laud the feisty and sincere spirit of the heroine,
I am not a fan of this novel.
sarah621's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
rmfickfack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
teriboop's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
It's 1984, and Lillian Boxfish is about to ring in another new year. The 84-year-old, or 85-year-old if she's telling you the truth, is at home in her New York apartment with her constant companion, Phoebe the cat, eating Oreos, contemplating her evening plans and her life. Lillian is a former advertising executive for the R. H. Macy company and, in the 40s at the height of her career, was a well-known poet celebrated for her quirky, humorous quips. Decades later, she's a divorcee with a grown son who spends more time with his dying stepmother than with Lillian.
Keeping tradition, Lillian decides to take a walk to Grimaldi's for her annual New Year's Eve dinner before heading to her friend Wendy's place for a midnight party. It's a cold night, so Lillian bundles up in her fur coat and heads out to the streets of Manhattan. Along the way, we are exposed to Lillian's innermost thoughts and conversations with friends and strangers she meets along the way. She reflects on her storied and troubled life in the course of one evening.
Based on the real-life of advertising executive and poet Margaret Fishback, Lillian is quite a character who seems to be able to talk herself out of almost any situation and circumstance. The author utilized the personal records of Fishback to create a completely fictional character in this gem of historical fiction. It's not a riveting tale, but Lillian is an interesting woman with a lot to talk about.
Keeping tradition, Lillian decides to take a walk to Grimaldi's for her annual New Year's Eve dinner before heading to her friend Wendy's place for a midnight party. It's a cold night, so Lillian bundles up in her fur coat and heads out to the streets of Manhattan. Along the way, we are exposed to Lillian's innermost thoughts and conversations with friends and strangers she meets along the way. She reflects on her storied and troubled life in the course of one evening.
Based on the real-life of advertising executive and poet Margaret Fishback, Lillian is quite a character who seems to be able to talk herself out of almost any situation and circumstance. The author utilized the personal records of Fishback to create a completely fictional character in this gem of historical fiction. It's not a riveting tale, but Lillian is an interesting woman with a lot to talk about.
emzleebee's review
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
invisiblejulie's review against another edition
4.0
Popsugar prompt: book that takes place in one day
xtinee's review against another edition
5.0
I’m obsessed with this book. I bought it because I liked the cover (it was kind of yellow) and the back said the protagonist embarks on a journey across Manhattan. The praise quote also called it: a love letter to a stylish and atmospheric city. I had really high hopes because I love books about New York and the premise seemed like something I’d relate to.
It absolutely did not disappoint. I love the main character so much and I love how I knew the intersections and city landmarks she was referring to. And I love how career driven they made her. Basically I loved everything about it. It might be my new favourite book. I can’t wait to read it again.
It absolutely did not disappoint. I love the main character so much and I love how I knew the intersections and city landmarks she was referring to. And I love how career driven they made her. Basically I loved everything about it. It might be my new favourite book. I can’t wait to read it again.
maryannc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt