A Top Ten Finalist for Best Historical Novel, Goodreads Choice Awards, and a LibraryReads and Okra PickA big-hearted coming-of-age debut set in civil rights-era New Orleans—a novel of Southern eccentricity and secrets When Ibby Bell’s father dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1964, her mother unceremoniously deposits Ibby with her eccentric grandmother Fannie and throws in her father’s urn for … throws in her father’s urn for good measure. Fannie’s New Orleans house is like no place Ibby has ever been—and Fannie, who has a tendency to end up in the local asylum—is like no one she has ever met. Fortunately, Fannie’s black cook, Queenie, and her smart-mouthed daughter, Dollbaby, take it upon themselves to initiate Ibby into the ways of the South, both its grand traditions and its darkest secrets.
For Fannie’s own family history is fraught with tragedy, hidden behind the closed rooms in her ornate Uptown mansion. It will take Ibby’s arrival to begin to unlock the mysteries there. And it will take Queenie and Dollbaby’s hard-won wisdom to show Ibby that family can sometimes be found in the least expected places.
For fans of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and The Help, Dollbaby brings to life the charm and unrest of 1960s New Orleans through the eyes of a young girl learning to understand race for the first time.
By turns uplifting and funny, poignant and full of verve, Dollbaby is a novel readers will take to their hearts.
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Excellent book – chock full of period drama and southern family secrets. Takes you on an emotional journey both heartbreaking and hilarious, so tissues are highly recommended. Set in New Orleans in the tumultuous sixties during civil rights movement and beyond, it does an excellent job of weaving historical facts, locations, and practices of the time to keep it feeling very authentic. So many endearing characters, each with their own entertaining story to tell. Honestly, if I had folks like that in my life I can say that life would never be boring! LOL! Author does a great job of pulling it all together for a truly unexpected ending. Loved it!
This is the charming tale of a 12 year-old girl whose mother “drops her off” at her eccentric grandmother’s house in New Orleans. What is to be a short visit while the recently widowed mother ‘finds herself’ becomes 8 years living with a possibly crazy older woman and the two black maids who really run the household. Lovely story, lovely ending.
BOOK REVIEW:
Doll-baby by author, Laura Lane McNeal
Where do I start!
Laura Lane McNeal has created a story that will touch your heart. A debut by Ms. McNeal, released in July, of 2014, is a wonderful, captivating read.
Doll-baby has become a favorite of mine for so many reasons, a story I know will stay with me for a very long time.
It’s rich with New Orleans authenticity. It ripples through a time when the 1960s was trying to figure itself out….a time of Segregation, and the passing of the Civil Rights Act.
In walks our protagonist, Liberty Bell, aka Ibby. She’s had a tough time, and has now been dropped at her Grandmother’s home by her “undesirable” mother, Vidrine. Ibby’s world is about too change, in a big way.
This coming of age story is full of strong women, some quirky, and some that are down-right mean ….twists and turns, heartbreak, and a strong family dynamic are key too this story. Secrets and surprises that will have your emotions on alert as well as ones that will warm your heart, a focal point of this narrative that truly makes it the story it is.
Doll-baby is eccentric, musical and exudes that’s southern charm that draws you right in.
Full of wisdom and wit. I promise, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll be wanting more……and be sure to clear the schedule, because this book is one you won’t want too put down.
I thank Laura Lane McNeal for creating this authentic, entertaining and mysterious look into the world of Ibby, Queenie, Doll and Fannie.
5 Stars
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Wild Sage Book Blog (FB)
Novels & Latte Book Club (FB)
DOLLBABY is one of those books that will stay with you. The kindness that quietly existed between black and white was often so subtle that it was a shame that so many secrets were kept. The South and the 50’s USA would have been better off if people knew that above and under it all, we are just people trying our best to live. I recommend this book as an eye opener to those who don’t know this side of racial strife.
New Orleans in the mid-sixties is an unusual place. The main character, Ibby, a teenager, is left on her grandmother’s doorstep. She’s unfamiliar with the South (New Orleans in particular), relations with people of color (who show her unreserved kindness), and, especially, a grandmother she did not know. Ibby finds herself in a New Orleans style gumbo of people and events–many shocking and most will propel this girl from the Pacific Northwest into maturity.
Beautiful true story of love and compassion!
Great read. I enjoyed every moment reading this book. Best characters in a long while.
A wonderfully moving story about the times and the deep south. Could be set any time from the beginnings of slavery in this country to even today still be realistic. Sad, yet the love for humanity and eternal hope shows through. Strong characters.Well written and moving. Linda
Reall enjoyed the characters and the story.
Loved it
I really loved this .
Highly recommend!
I loved all the characters in this book. Great writing!
Great book.
A fun read reminds me of the Help
It was 1964 in New Orleans, eye opening for a northern girl of the same time period. Enjoyed every word. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a really good story.
Great period piece set in New Orleans, 60’s and 70’s seen through the eyes of strong women.
This was a great book. For me, it’s up there with “Where the Crawdads Sing”.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters, the setting, the story, all drew me in. I loved the characters so much I finished the book wanting more of them.
I love reading stories about the South, they always have such interesting characters. The interaction among the two families in this book is fascinating and what an ending! Also loved the description of New Orleans.