jasmyn9's review
5.0
When I first started Fallen Beauty I thought the story was going to be about heart break, but I was so wrong. Taking me back in time to the late twenties, where times were changing quickly (but not quick enough for some), I was captivated by everything and everyone. Laura is a character that we can all latch on to for different reasons, and as she grows into a such a wonderful person I was constantly amazed, but at the same time she remains incredible, beautifully flawed.
Vincent Millay is her perfect foil. Living life hard, fast, and rough, she is addicted to the rush of something new. Laura is at first just a pretty new shiny toy for the famous poet, but something about her changes even the most wild thoughs in Vincent's head. They become friends of a sort and I never would have imagined the life lessons they manage to learn from each other.
Fallen Beauty was not about a broken heart. It was about the power to mend hearts and minds and learn to live with others (no matter how different they may be).
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-fallen-beauty-by-erika-robuck.html#sthash.0TUpQcif.dpuf
Vincent Millay is her perfect foil. Living life hard, fast, and rough, she is addicted to the rush of something new. Laura is at first just a pretty new shiny toy for the famous poet, but something about her changes even the most wild thoughs in Vincent's head. They become friends of a sort and I never would have imagined the life lessons they manage to learn from each other.
Fallen Beauty was not about a broken heart. It was about the power to mend hearts and minds and learn to live with others (no matter how different they may be).
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-fallen-beauty-by-erika-robuck.html#sthash.0TUpQcif.dpuf
notaleaf's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A cast of somewhat complex characters and parallel storylines, I’m pleasantly surprised for liking this since I don’t always enjoy historical fictions! Did anyone else feel like it was like Evelyn Hugo?? So thankful my friend loaned me this book! 3.5/5 - would recommend
bleucaldwell's review
4.0
This was an interesting look into the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, as well as a portrait of what it was like to be a woman in 1930's rural America. I found the story of the seamstress enjoyable if a little too pat, but the portrait of Millay was fascinating -- I didn't really know anything about her, but now I'd like to learn more.
nogenreleftbehind's review
5.0
When I first started Fallen Beauty I thought the story was going to be about heart break, but I was so wrong. Taking me back in time to the late twenties, where times were changing quickly (but not quick enough for some), I was captivated by everything and everyone. Laura is a character that we can all latch on to for different reasons, and as she grows into a such a wonderful person I was constantly amazed, but at the same time she remains incredible, beautifully flawed.
Vincent Millay is her perfect foil. Living life hard, fast, and rough, she is addicted to the rush of something new. Laura is at first just a pretty new shiny toy for the famous poet, but something about her changes even the most wild thoughs in Vincent's head. They become friends of a sort and I never would have imagined the life lessons they manage to learn from each other.
Fallen Beauty was not about a broken heart. It was about the power to mend hearts and minds and learn to live with others (no matter how different they may be).
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-fallen-beauty-by-erika-robuck.html#sthash.0TUpQcif.dpuf
Vincent Millay is her perfect foil. Living life hard, fast, and rough, she is addicted to the rush of something new. Laura is at first just a pretty new shiny toy for the famous poet, but something about her changes even the most wild thoughs in Vincent's head. They become friends of a sort and I never would have imagined the life lessons they manage to learn from each other.
Fallen Beauty was not about a broken heart. It was about the power to mend hearts and minds and learn to live with others (no matter how different they may be).
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-fallen-beauty-by-erika-robuck.html#sthash.0TUpQcif.dpuf
antiquitea's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
lb_reads1's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the "Laura" part of this book. I didn't love the Millay part of it though. I could entirely have done without it. As much as I loved Hemingway's Girl and Call Me Zelda, I expected to LOVE this one as well. Laura's story was a perfect accompaniment to the other two books/stories. Millay was a little more eccentric than Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds, so I could have expected this to be a little riské. Other than the overly sexual parts, I enjoyed this. Especially the ending. Grateful for happy endings.
mslaura's review
2.0
This novel revolves around the lives of the fictional seamstress Laura Kelley and the real poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, and the relationship which develops between them in an upstate New York town. I found Laura's character likable and I had sympathy for the position in which she found herself; a single mother ostracized by her community and struggling to support herself and her child. However, this is really a character which has been presented countless times before, and I did not feel that this novel added anything new or interesting to this storyline. Edna St. Vincent Millay, on the other hand, is unlike anyone I have ever read about before. She lived a life of disturbing excess and was apparently quite a sad and troubled woman. Although this should have added an interesting dimension to the story, the writing in this book just never grabbed me or held my interest for very long. It seemed there was a lot of unnecessary detail and the story moved along too slowly for my tastes. Overall this book was just okay for me.
This review refers to an ARC I received for free through the Goodreads Firstreads program.
This review refers to an ARC I received for free through the Goodreads Firstreads program.
stephsabia's review
5.0
Fallen Beauty is the story of two very different women who find themselves in a very unlikely and at times dysfunctional friendship. The late poet, Edna St.Vincent Millay was a woman born before her time. She lived her life as she wanted, married to one man but taking lovers of both sexes and not caring what the consequences were or what other people thought of her. For Vincent (as she was known) her demons came from within her. Her easy obsession with her lovers and her need to control them were enough to drive her to the brink of madness. Any time she was met with refusal was enough to send her over the edge.
Laura Kelley is a young seamstress madly in love with someone she cannot have who quickly finds herself with a daughter to raise and support on her own. Because of the disgrace at having a child out of wedlock the townspeople look down on her and stop bringing business to her dress shop. The loss of her father and the rejection of the man who she thought loved her leaves her reputation torn and her business almost broken but she does not let it ruin her spirit. Only Vincent Millay is willing to bring her new business and together while creating the poets new gowns these two fallen beauties help to usher in change their town so desperately needs.
From page one Erika Robuck's writing whisked me away to the small upstate New York town this book is set in. I could feel myself there in the late 1920's and early 1930's when everything you do is watched and judged by those among you. When what you do and say and look like appears to be more important than who you are on the inside. Vincent and Laura's stories are so beautifully intertwined I did not want this story to end. I loved that Erika kept the identity of Laura's lover a mystery almost until the very end (although I had my suspicions). I know both of these fascinating women will live in my head for days to come.
Laura Kelley is a young seamstress madly in love with someone she cannot have who quickly finds herself with a daughter to raise and support on her own. Because of the disgrace at having a child out of wedlock the townspeople look down on her and stop bringing business to her dress shop. The loss of her father and the rejection of the man who she thought loved her leaves her reputation torn and her business almost broken but she does not let it ruin her spirit. Only Vincent Millay is willing to bring her new business and together while creating the poets new gowns these two fallen beauties help to usher in change their town so desperately needs.
From page one Erika Robuck's writing whisked me away to the small upstate New York town this book is set in. I could feel myself there in the late 1920's and early 1930's when everything you do is watched and judged by those among you. When what you do and say and look like appears to be more important than who you are on the inside. Vincent and Laura's stories are so beautifully intertwined I did not want this story to end. I loved that Erika kept the identity of Laura's lover a mystery almost until the very end (although I had my suspicions). I know both of these fascinating women will live in my head for days to come.
linyarai's review
3.0
It definitely had similarities to The Scarlet Letter. I was expecting more of a biography on Millay, not a secondary character Laura. It was still interesting and well paced, just not what I thought I was getting into.