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emily_britton's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.5
Very enjoyable writing, made more interesting by the knowledge that this is based (loosely) on the story of a real woman!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
lifesarosch's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Nice compliment to mad men but also feminine mystique. It groundbreaking but enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
taylorfield's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Halfway through my goal at the halfway point of the year. Whew.
Long Story Short: Lillian Boxfish (based on the real-life Margaret Fishback) reflects on her 85 years of life and 60 years in New York City as she takes a long walk on New Year's Eve and rings in 1985.
Without meaning to, I have found myself in the octogenarian subset of fiction (The Thursday Murder Club, One Puzzling Afternoon, How To Solve Your Own Murder, Cut and Thirst-ish).
I'm in the minority of my friends for my rating, but I'll be the first to admit I think I'd have a higher rating if I hadn't listened to the audiobook. The transatlantic narration is fitting for the time but SO distracting, especially during conversations when each character would, for some reason, chuckle 2-3 times per sentence. There's a lovely interview with Xe Sands (narrator) and Kathleen Rooney at the end of the audiobook that made me feel really bad about not loving the narration (Sands' normal voice is incredible!), so I feel it's only fair to say that even if I had physically read it, I don't think it would be a 5/5 for me.
What I loved about Lillian's journey was the literal stroll through time, initiated by the advertising influence of Oreos and a television in a bar. Of course these seemingly minor experiences would spring Lillian's mind into reflecting on how her relevance faded as the industry she loved no longer had room for her. I also loved the NYE setting - the story hits a little harder on the night New York City famously casts out the old for the new.
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
Craft: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Long Story Short: Lillian Boxfish (based on the real-life Margaret Fishback) reflects on her 85 years of life and 60 years in New York City as she takes a long walk on New Year's Eve and rings in 1985.
Without meaning to, I have found myself in the octogenarian subset of fiction (The Thursday Murder Club, One Puzzling Afternoon, How To Solve Your Own Murder, Cut and Thirst-ish).
I'm in the minority of my friends for my rating, but I'll be the first to admit I think I'd have a higher rating if I hadn't listened to the audiobook. The transatlantic narration is fitting for the time but SO distracting, especially during conversations when each character would, for some reason, chuckle 2-3 times per sentence. There's a lovely interview with Xe Sands (narrator) and Kathleen Rooney at the end of the audiobook that made me feel really bad about not loving the narration (Sands' normal voice is incredible!), so I feel it's only fair to say that even if I had physically read it, I don't think it would be a 5/5 for me.
What I loved about Lillian's journey was the literal stroll through time, initiated by the advertising influence of Oreos and a television in a bar. Of course these seemingly minor experiences would spring Lillian's mind into reflecting on how her relevance faded as the industry she loved no longer had room for her. I also loved the NYE setting - the story hits a little harder on the night New York City famously casts out the old for the new.
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
Craft: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism
tibbarasden's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Very slow and rambly, especially at first. That said, I really found myself overall enjoying this. I loved the viewpoint from an octogenarian and the timeline from the 1930s to the 1980s. I enjoyed the reflections and memories as she walked through NYC on New Years Eve. The different people she encounters along the way and the people in her own life throughout the years were all interesting. Very much character driven, but I love the strong female lead and how she bucks tradition in regards to gender roles and age expectations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
occuprop's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Toxic relationship
dogearedandfurry's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
deltadam's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Witty elderly woman walks through NYC on NYE 1984-1985. She meets lots of people and remembers her life including her family and career as a writer for Macys.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Suicide attempt
thatweirdbookgirlie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Based loosely on a real woman, this is the story of Lillian Boxfish reflecting on her life while taking a walk through New York on New Year's Eve. There is some truly elegant writing in this book. While some of her reflections are a bit more engaging than others, overall this one is truly worth a read. You get to see New York (and the world) change through the life of one woman.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt
sytaylor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism and Mental illness
jessiejonesbentley's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Racism