Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - City of Girls

Didn't expect to like it as much as I did! Time travelling through books has always been nice, and this time it was genuinely FUN and addicting as well. But why the f was the book written in the form of a letter? That was completely unnecessary, and I don't think the story would have been any less interesting had it just been about Vivian (as it already was), without the constant remarks to "Angela". I mean, NOBODY writes letters 500 pages long to explain anything, let alone something like this. I didn't really like Vivian either, sometimes she was painfully insufferable. However, I did like her story, and that's what matters. I might have fallen in love with the dusty, cigarette-reeking yet compelling Lily Playhouse as well.

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laurenw's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book started off as a fun romp, and then slowly drew me deeper into its world and characters. Vivian is such a human character, wonderfully scuplted, and her life's story provided much entertainment. Reading this was like making a new friend.

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witmol's review

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funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Vivian receives news from a friend's daughter, Angela. Angela's mother has passed and Angela now wants to know: "who were you to my father?". The framing story means this novel is ostensibly a long letter in response that works as part-'How I met your father' and part-memoir. On one hand this device feels gimmicky, but on the other, it's a great way to focus the parts of the story that will lead to both the identity of Angela's father and the salient parts of Viv's life that intersects with his.

The first two-thirds of the book therefore feel over-indulgent as Viv reminisces about her youth. Gilbert makes certain that all the threads of this pre-WWII segment do actually connect with the character in question, entertainingly so, but in some regards it's easy to lose the facade of a letter in its lengthy diversions. This is not to say the novel lags. It canters along with Gilbert delivering vivid prose, and a distinct sense of place. While we don't get to 'see' much of New York through descriptions, we 'feel' it through a young Vivian instead.

When we do get to Viv meeting Angela's father, by comparison it feels anti-climactic. Viv has already described other characters in such great detail and with some effervescence that this character, while well drawn, feels distant and ancillary rather than central to her life. In short, the narrative here feels as if Viv is trying to convince us (and Angela) that her father was one of the most important figures in her life. It's the 'trying to convince' part that grates especially, particularly as the denouement does have a deep and abiding message about the nature of friendship and the value of being with someone and accepting the truth of each other without judgement.

Gilbert's expert handling of plot and pace, together with her witty writing, however, do make this a worthwhile read, and I'm more than pleased that she continues to write interesting female characters who do not need a partner to make them interesting.

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jadenebean's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The narrator is perfect for the story!! The beginning really held my attention but everything from leaving NY onwards felt very slow. There are lots of overarching aspects that I loved… specifically the nuances of relationships. What does love look like? What makes a family? The way that sexual relationships were explored was really interesting. There was a particular section where Frank talks about forging your own path in life. It really resonated with me so I stopped the audiobook and jotted it down.

“The world ain’t straight. You grow up thinking things are a certain way. You think there are rules. You think there’s a way that things have to be. You try to live straight. But the world doesn’t care about your rules or what you believe. […] Our rules? They don’t mean a thing. The world just happens to you sometimes. […] And people just gotta keep moving through it, best they can.”

Overall, slow but enjoyable read. Powerful, independent women are my favourite.

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liahereonline's review

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.75

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