From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Slow in the beginning, I almost gave up on it, but I'm glad I persevered. Lillian is quite a character, and much more interesting as you begin to learn more about her.
...more
When I started this book I read it because it was a fictitious account of a lady who walks in Manhattan. It was somehow trumpeted as a historical journey, historical walk in the city. I read it because of the praise it received, and because I lived for some years in NYC.
Later I found out that Lilian Boxfish is based on an actual character called Margaret Fishback who was a poet and an advertising copywriter for R H Macy's in the heyday of print advertising.
I thought Lilian was an opinionated c ...more
Later I found out that Lilian Boxfish is based on an actual character called Margaret Fishback who was a poet and an advertising copywriter for R H Macy's in the heyday of print advertising.
I thought Lilian was an opinionated c ...more
3.5 stars - but rounded it up to 4 stars because of the nice setting of New York City XD
The story followed Lilian Boxfish on the last night of 1984, where she walked around her city, NYC, meeting with interesting people, and reminiscing about her past life, since the first time she stepped into the city until she became one of the most successful women in American advertising industry.
The book is very nice, with lots of small nostalgic moments and a sense of longing of Lilian that made me thinki ...more
The story followed Lilian Boxfish on the last night of 1984, where she walked around her city, NYC, meeting with interesting people, and reminiscing about her past life, since the first time she stepped into the city until she became one of the most successful women in American advertising industry.
The book is very nice, with lots of small nostalgic moments and a sense of longing of Lilian that made me thinki ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed accompanying Lillian Boxfish on her walk. Her history as a "girl" copywriter for R.H. Macy's (she never just says Macy's) and poet in the 1930s, and her life beyond, runs parallel to her walk through Manhattan on New Years Eve 1984. The book even has a map of her walk, which I enjoyed. Overall, the story allowed me to indulge in my nostalgia for New York.
...more
Utterly charming! Loved spending time with Ms Boxfish while meandering around NYC. Thankful for the #Booked20 #winter2 prompt, hat/head covering on cover, to compel me to finally read this after having it for 2+ years. #MountTBR
I liked the first half, as it was nostalgic about New York City pre-World War Two. The second half dealt more with Lillian Boxfish's losses and disappointments in her life post-World War Two, which made me feel sad.
...more
I really enjoyed this. Funny, well written, and sweet. Read if you are intrigued by the stories of older adults looking back on their life, if you love strong, unique female protagonists, or if you love books with really complex character development that can be light on plot.
Feb 05, 2017
m00ngrrrl
marked it as to-read
Jun 03, 2017
Jocelyn
marked it as to-read
Jul 04, 2017
Ann
marked it as to-read
Sep 17, 2017
Sam
marked it as to-read
Apr 23, 2018
Paula
marked it as to-read
Aug 12, 2019
Ching-In
marked it as to-read
Nov 10, 2019
Tiffany
marked it as to-read
Mar 04, 2020
Katy
marked it as to-read
Apr 22, 2020
Stacy
marked it as to-read
May 25, 2021
Colleen Chi-Girl
marked it as to-read
Feb 10, 2022
Lorri
marked it as to-read
