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I could not put this book down. The characters were facscinating and well-developed. I felt that I knew them...or wanted to know them. The story took place in New York City in the late 30's. The city was full of the monied and famed and those who wanted to climb the ladder for the money and fame. The city offered all sorts of delights and entertainment for the young during this period...jazz clubs, old Irish bars, and posh hotels and restaurants.
The story was narrated by Katherine (or Kate or K ...more
The story was narrated by Katherine (or Kate or K ...more
4.5 stars I very much enjoyed this period piece. This author is one to watch. I would definitely read his next book. His language and description are excellent and I could picture the scenes, the clothes, the smoky bars, etc. Every character, while different, and not always ethical/moral, are all appealing. The setting is NYC in the late 1930's where young secretarial pool girls meet wealthy prep school boys and the friendships that form from there carry the story until the end. Very enjoyable a
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I really enjoyed this story told from the perspective of a 20-something woman living in NYC in 1938. Towles is a wonderful writer who is able to capture the mood of the city during that time and what life was like between the haves and have nots. Katie Content (yes, like the content that means happy) is a very likeable protaganist. My only criticism is that the book ended a little bit abruptly, but I guess since that was part of the point, to capture the lives of these characters for a brief mom
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I really like the story -- I think I'm going to reread Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby as a follow-up -- it's been a LONG time since I read Gatsby, and I want to compare themes. I feel I should reread Thoreau's Walden at the same time due to the references.
To think about:
"It's a bit of cliche' to refer to someone as a chameleon: a person who can change his colors from environment to environment. In fact, not one in a million can do that. But there are tens of thousands of butterflies: men and wom ...more
To think about:
"It's a bit of cliche' to refer to someone as a chameleon: a person who can change his colors from environment to environment. In fact, not one in a million can do that. But there are tens of thousands of butterflies: men and wom ...more
An added star due to the wonderful selection of reader for this audio book. Her crisp narrative style embodies Katey Kontent. Set in the late 1930s, the writer captures the atmosphere and character of the city of New York as equally well as he captures the characters of Katey, her best friend, Eve, and the young man of means they meet on New Year's Eve, 1938.
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A novel about the life of twenty-five year old NY native, Katey Kontent, in 1938 Manhattan. A smart, witty novel with well-developed characters that transports the reader back in time. It's the best book I've read this year and one of those rare books you don't want to end.
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Oct 23, 2011
Beth Knight
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
own-it,
spl-book-club
Even better the second time!
I very much enjoyed this book. Loved the characters, especially loved Eve, wish she was in the book more however. Love books that give you a window in which you can look at a certain period of time. Not sure if you would consider this Historical Fiction. But to experience New York in the late 1930's was fun.
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Jul 08, 2011
Patti
marked it as to-read
Jul 16, 2011
Gayla Bassham
marked it as to-read
Aug 03, 2011
Charisse
marked it as to-read
Aug 25, 2011
Julie
marked it as to-read
Nov 28, 2011
Paula
marked it as to-read
Nov 28, 2011
Das
added it
Dec 13, 2011
Belinda Burkhart
marked it as to-read
May 29, 2013
Laura Ellis
marked it as to-read
Jul 24, 2013
Amanda
marked it as to-read
