The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ashc123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
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
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
3.0
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I’ve read two other Gill Paul books, Jackie and Maria: A Novel of Jackie Kennedy & Maria Callas and The Collector’s Daughter: A Novel of the Discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb. I enjoyed them both, as they surrounded subjects for which I’m familiar. Yet when I picked up The Manhattan Girls, I knew nothing of Dorothy Parker other than that she was a writer and was a member of the Algonquin Round Table.
The book is full of sharp and witty women and men and their banter. My main problem throughout the book was that without having prior knowledge of Parker and her friends, I had no idea what was real and what was imagined. In one sense, that’s freeing for the reader, but in another sense, it’s really hard to see the fact in the fiction. I wished there were an afterward revealing what was true or not, where liberties were taken, and what happened to the people described in the novel.
While I found the writing top-notch as usual for a Gill Paul novel, I had trouble connecting because of the above-mentioned facts. I still feel like I didn’t know Dorothy Parker all that well. I did enjoy finding out more about the starting up and the early days of The New Yorker magazine. I would recommend for anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the 1920s, or for fans of Dorothy Parker and her friends.
I’ve read two other Gill Paul books, Jackie and Maria: A Novel of Jackie Kennedy & Maria Callas and The Collector’s Daughter: A Novel of the Discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb. I enjoyed them both, as they surrounded subjects for which I’m familiar. Yet when I picked up The Manhattan Girls, I knew nothing of Dorothy Parker other than that she was a writer and was a member of the Algonquin Round Table.
The book is full of sharp and witty women and men and their banter. My main problem throughout the book was that without having prior knowledge of Parker and her friends, I had no idea what was real and what was imagined. In one sense, that’s freeing for the reader, but in another sense, it’s really hard to see the fact in the fiction. I wished there were an afterward revealing what was true or not, where liberties were taken, and what happened to the people described in the novel.
While I found the writing top-notch as usual for a Gill Paul novel, I had trouble connecting because of the above-mentioned facts. I still feel like I didn’t know Dorothy Parker all that well. I did enjoy finding out more about the starting up and the early days of The New Yorker magazine. I would recommend for anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the 1920s, or for fans of Dorothy Parker and her friends.
tifflesy's review against another edition
3.0
It wasn't a terrible read but it became chapters of the same old, same old. Only 2 of the 4 seemed to have learned their lessons by the end of the book.
3.75 stars.
3.75 stars.
skaarke's review against another edition
3.0
1920’s Manhattan; 4 strong women. This is a fictionalized account of real women, one of whom is instrumental in the development of The New Yorker. The Manhattan Girls is told in alternative POV and their stories all come together. I enjoyed reading about 1920’s New York and was surprised at the strength and determination these women had and their desire to not be dependent on men. They really were creating their own path! There are some tough subjects broached: alcoholism, abortion, infidelity but it makes for interesting reading!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
rmurphy22002's review against another edition
4.0
What can I say these stories of women starting to work and make names for themselves are very interesting
morgansims's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Self harm, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Minor: Animal death
thepageladies's review against another edition
5.0
Book Review…The Manhattan Girls: A Novel of Dorothy Parker and Her Friends by Gill Paul
NEW YORK CITY 1921: The war is over, fashions are daring, and bootleg liquor is abundant. Here four extraordinary women form a bridge group that grows into a firm friendship.
Their romances flourish and falter while their goals sometimes seem impossible to reach and their friendship deepens against the backdrop of turbulent New York City, where new speakeasies open and close, jazz music flows through the air, and bathtub gin fills their glasses.
They gossip, they comfort each other, and they offer support through the setbacks. But their biggest challenge is keeping their dear friend Dottie safe from herself.
The Manhattan Girls is a great novel about Dorothy and her three friends' lives and their ups and downs. They are amazing women to follow! Their friendship is what stands out the most for me! The way they support each other regardless of what's going on, it's what friendship truly is! It's a little slow paced but it fits perfectly for the story and the genre. If you've read any of Gill Paul's books before then you know the writing is wonderful! I would love to read another book about these women! A fabulous read! Thank you Random Things Tours for sharing this fantastic book with me!
NEW YORK CITY 1921: The war is over, fashions are daring, and bootleg liquor is abundant. Here four extraordinary women form a bridge group that grows into a firm friendship.
Their romances flourish and falter while their goals sometimes seem impossible to reach and their friendship deepens against the backdrop of turbulent New York City, where new speakeasies open and close, jazz music flows through the air, and bathtub gin fills their glasses.
They gossip, they comfort each other, and they offer support through the setbacks. But their biggest challenge is keeping their dear friend Dottie safe from herself.
The Manhattan Girls is a great novel about Dorothy and her three friends' lives and their ups and downs. They are amazing women to follow! Their friendship is what stands out the most for me! The way they support each other regardless of what's going on, it's what friendship truly is! It's a little slow paced but it fits perfectly for the story and the genre. If you've read any of Gill Paul's books before then you know the writing is wonderful! I would love to read another book about these women! A fabulous read! Thank you Random Things Tours for sharing this fantastic book with me!
kimham_bookstagram's review against another edition
5.0
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I absolutely loved this one about Dorothy Parker and her friends during NYC’s Algonquin Round Table days of the 1920s. This is a well-written, interesting novel about the struggles vulnerable women faced in a male dominated world – careers, home life, sexism, romance, and more. I enjoyed every single page and highly recommend. Can’t wait to read more by Gill Paul.Â
I absolutely loved this one about Dorothy Parker and her friends during NYC’s Algonquin Round Table days of the 1920s. This is a well-written, interesting novel about the struggles vulnerable women faced in a male dominated world – careers, home life, sexism, romance, and more. I enjoyed every single page and highly recommend. Can’t wait to read more by Gill Paul.Â
tjoslyn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0