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laurenw's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Terminal illness, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
jojo_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexual violence
katie_ponderingthepages's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Vivienne is growing up a constant disappointment to her wealthy parents and successful brother so is sent away to live and work with her Aunt Peg at her theatre in sensational 1940’s New York City. She very quickly surrounds herself with new friends of actors and showgirls, falls in love with the city and embraces the party lifestyle. The book then follows her New York life through the war and rebuilding after.
The first half of this book absolutely wowed me. I loved how the author paints so clearly the vibrancy of 1940’s New York. The sights, fashion and Manhattan dialogue really illustrated the way of life for Vivienne. I felt really swept up in the lifestyle of living and working in a theatre and Vivienne’s hedonistic approach to her free time.
Then halfway the storyline changes when something key happens and although I was fully invested on continuing to read I never felt the vividness and energy of the first half was ever reached again. However, given the backdrop moves to wartime I understand this would impact that but I did miss that spark I had enjoyed.
The narrative works really well. Vivienne is retelling her life story to another in letter form and the voice is full of her wit, humour and sarcasm. So frequently I smiled or chuckled at Vivienne’s carefree and unapologetic approach to her own life story. This is absolutely a book I would recommend to others to read, it is however a book of two halves.
The first half of this book absolutely wowed me. I loved how the author paints so clearly the vibrancy of 1940’s New York. The sights, fashion and Manhattan dialogue really illustrated the way of life for Vivienne. I felt really swept up in the lifestyle of living and working in a theatre and Vivienne’s hedonistic approach to her free time.
Then halfway the storyline changes when something key happens and although I was fully invested on continuing to read I never felt the vividness and energy of the first half was ever reached again. However, given the backdrop moves to wartime I understand this would impact that but I did miss that spark I had enjoyed.
The narrative works really well. Vivienne is retelling her life story to another in letter form and the voice is full of her wit, humour and sarcasm. So frequently I smiled or chuckled at Vivienne’s carefree and unapologetic approach to her own life story. This is absolutely a book I would recommend to others to read, it is however a book of two halves.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
Content warning - trauma of war