Enter the lush world of 1950s New York City, where a generation of aspiring models, secretaries, and editors live side by side in the glamorous Barbizon Hotel for Women while attempting to claw their way to fairy-tale success in this debut novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue.“Rich both in twists and period detail, this tale of big-city ambition is … of big-city ambition is impossible to put down.”—People
When she arrives at the famed Barbizon Hotel in 1952, secretarial school enrollment in hand, Darby McLaughlin is everything her modeling agency hall mates aren’t: plain, self-conscious, homesick, and utterly convinced she doesn’t belong—a notion the models do nothing to disabuse. Yet when Darby befriends Esme, a Barbizon maid, she’s introduced to an entirely new side of New York City: seedy downtown jazz clubs where the music is as addictive as the heroin that’s used there, the startling sounds of bebop, and even the possibility of romance.
Over half a century later, the Barbizon’s gone condo and most of its long-ago guests are forgotten. But rumors of Darby’s involvement in a deadly skirmish with a hotel maid back in 1952 haunt the halls of the building as surely as the melancholy music that floats from the elderly woman’s rent-controlled apartment. It’s a combination too intoxicating for journalist Rose Lewin, Darby’s upstairs neighbor, to resist—not to mention the perfect distraction from her own imploding personal life. Yet as Rose’s obsession deepens, the ethics of her investigation become increasingly murky, and neither woman will remain unchanged when the shocking truth is finally revealed.
more
I loved this book!
I really wanted to like this book but it was a bit overdone in many areas.
I thought the story was interesting and enjoyed getting a bird’s eye view of life for young women in NYC in the sixties.
This kept me entertained and it was interesting to learn more about New York in the 50s. But didn’t really feel bonded with the characters. It was probably more of a 3.5 star.
This book was magnificent! The story twisted and turned and went from past to present in a delightfully woven story about trust, deception, friendship and personal growth.
The residential hotel in said story played a major role in this jewel of a book!
Can’t wait to read more of her work!
Interesting look in the rear view mirror of the early 1950’s, New York, and the Barbazon Hotel for women. re-reading Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar” abut the same era and the same hotel made it even more of a fun read.
Enjoyed the book. Reminiscent of earlier tome for women
A glimpse into old New York.
Enjoyable story. Love the historical significance of the hotel
I was interested because I stayed at the Barbizon for two weeks in 1977.
The story is rather heavy handed; just not as much about life in the Barbizon as I’d hoped.
I could not put it down.